Wedding Invitation Wording & Advice
Advice and tips on planning your wedding invitations and stationery. Wedding invitation etiquette for wording your invitations and advice on timing and stationery tips.
The Save The Date Card
Save the date cards let your guests know the date and location of your wedding so they can plan ahead to keep the date free. Save the date cards are not an essential; however, they are a great way to allow your guests plenty of time to make their arrangements. For guests who will be travelling to your wedding from abroad, a Save The Date invitation is a thoughtful gesture.
- Save the Date cards are not the same as wedding announcement cards
- You send a Save the Date to anyone who will also be receiving a wedding invitation.
- It is a good idea to include the wedding location, along with the date so that guests can make travel plans.
- Save the date cards are less formal, therefore it is acceptable to write the numeric date of your wedding.
- Add "Invitation to Follow" at the bottom of your save the date invitation so it isn’t mistaken for a wedding invitation.
Save the Date cards are sent about five-eight months prior to the wedding. Have a look at our selection of Save The Date invitations here.
The Wedding Invitation
The wedding invitation is the very first impression your guests will get about your wedding. The perfect invitation is the one that reflects you as a couple, provides all the important information for your guests and sets the tone for your special day.
Some things to think about before ordering your wedding stationery:
- What type of wedding are you having: Formal or informal?
- Have you decided on colour themes for your wedding?
- Would you like to coordinate with your flowers, bridesmaids' dresses or location?
- What is your budget?
- Do you need extra items; Wedding Place Cards, Wedding Table Plan, Wedding Favour Boxes, Wedding Menu, Guest Book, Wedding Wish Tree, etc.?
- How many guests will you be inviting and how many invitations will you need?
If you work out per household how many invitations you actually need it will give you a good idea of your invitation numbers. You may find that you have mostly couples and families that will only require one invitation per household.
Give yourself plenty of time to order and proof your stationery. Usually wedding invitations are sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding,
then it may take up to 4-6 weeks to order and produce your stationery order.
Factor in your time for writing your guest names and if you are addressing your envelopes yourself. Choose from our selection of Wedding Invitations here.
Wording Your Wedding Invitations
The traditional wedding invitation etiquette
- On formal wedding invitations names are written/printed in full, including middle names.
- Words are usually spelled out including the hour, the date and the year and titles are also used.
- Words are spelled out in the address, including Street, Road and Avenue.
- Two exceptions to this rule in an address are Saint (St.) and Mount (Mt.))
- Line breaks are used instead of commas
- Instructions for gift registries are not included in a formal wedding invitation.
- An option to spread the word about gift information is to have your family and friends tell people.
- Know the correct spelling of all your details before you give to your supplier.
- When you get your proofs, proofread your wedding invitations carefully and get other people to also check again.
- Order extra envelopes in case of spelling mistakes or errors.
- Include your return address on the envelopes.
With so many diverse family relationships these days there really should be no hard and fast rules about your wording. If you choose to be a bit more creative or personal with your wording we will be able to help you work out the appropriate wording for any situation. View a selction of our Font & Wording Styles.
The Response Card:
Consider sending an RSVP card with your wedding invitations.
R.S.V.P. "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond" cards are sent with your day invitations. They are a good way for your guests to let you know if they will be attending your wedding.
- Response cards work best if they are kept very simple and are easy for your guests to fill in.
- Include a date on the RSVP card by which a response is needed.
- Usually about three weeks before the wedding is enough time.
- Pre-address and stamp the return envelope to make it even easier for your invitees to reply.
Traditionally the return address has been the bride's parents' address; however, today couples often host their wedding themselves so opt to have their own address used instead.
You could also include a line on your response card for dietary requirements or any special accommodations needed.
(Lots of Love Invitations Tip)You may have guests who will neglect to write in their names, or who write illegibly. Solve this problem by numbering your guest list, then inconspicuously writing the corresponding number on the back of each response card.
Click to view our selection of Response Cards here.
Ceremony Booklets:
A good Ceremony Booklet for a wedding can complement your wedding theme and colours and can tie together the feel of your wedding stationery. You can include a list of your participants and readers and including your music will include your guests though out the service. Mass Booklets will also serve as a special souvenir for you and your family.
Tips to put together your booklet before sending it for printing.
- There is no need to format the booklet into book format.
- It is always a good idea to involve your celebrant in compiling your booklet.
- Please supply the text in A4 portrait style on MS Word.
- Make sure that your celebrant has agreed on the contents before you email us your final booklet.
- We will not accept handwritten or hard copy of any kind.