Wedding Invitation Etiquette

‘Etiquette’ is a word used extensively in conferences, meeting rooms and gatherings. However, a majority of the population seldom implements it in their lives. What the society means by this term is proper and acceptable behaviour or doing things the right way. Wedding are one of the most important occasions in a person’s life. The thrill and excitement of this special day begins with the creation of wedding invite. Although it might seem trivial, an invitation is a crucial aspect of a wedding and must not be overlooked. Sending out these cards is not an easy job and is definitely not devoid of challenges. But, a small bit of research can avoid several embarrassing moments in the process. It is by means of a wedding invitation that you make guests aware of your plans and heighten their excitement too! More than just being a medium to convey details of the D-day, an invite also reflects the personality of the bride and the groom. In order to create an excellent impression on the invitees, follow some simple tips of etiquette. Wedding invitation etiquette includes proper manners, a style and decorum while framing the invites.

Etiquette For Wedding Invitation
Fonts And Colours On The Invitation

• A traditional invitation must have ink in black colour printed on a cream or white background of the card. Although, depending upon the mood that you expect to create at the party, you can also opt for other background colours and font styles also. Just make sure that the colours are such that the content is easily readable.
• Though punctuation is not used at the end of lines, commas must be used appropriately to separate the city from the state and the day from the date.
• Font and choice of hues and shades used in wedding invitations portray a certain mood. Ensure that you use script style of writing for a formal wedding. Always opt for legible over fancy as there is nothing worse than a wedding invitation that cannot be understood.

Addressing The Guests

• In the invitation, the sentences must be written in third person. Though printed calligraphy is gaining popularity, it is more personalized to have the name and address, handwritten on the envelope.
• While writing envelopes to the guests, use the title of the invitee and full name on the outer envelope and title and last name on the inner envelope. The invitation can be either formal or casual.
• While inviting married couples, the title “Mrs. and Mr.” must be used prior to the full name of husband.
• Ensure not to address your invitees by their nickname or your relationship with them. Terms like ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ are not suitable.
• In case you are inviting the children of your guests, add their first names to the inner envelope i.e. under the names of their parents.
• If you want to invite people, who are not married but are living together, the address must be written on the inner and outer envelopes with Mr. and Miss.
• While inviting a single or divorced female, you must use the title ‘Miss’ before her name. Her maiden name is usually written on the invitation envelope. Use of ‘Mrs.’ would be inappropriate.
• Always use correct titles, names and spellings of the guests. Furthermore, it is also etiquette to use the correct names of people who come as the guests of your friends, on the place cards at each table.

In The Invite

• If you want to include dress code, it must be done in the body of the wedding envelope.
• The hosts of the wedding (in India, it is the bride’s parents) should mention the names of both the bride and the groom clearly.
• It is rude to say ‘no children’ on the card. If you do not expect kids to attend the function then don’t mention their names on the invitation. You can only hope that the parents see this as a sign and not bring their children!
• As the wedding and reception are two separate events, it is not proper etiquette to have the same set of invitations for both events. For instance, a wedding card with a line saying, ‘reception to follow ceremony’ is not acceptable.
• It is inadvisable to mention anything about gifts as nothing must be expected from friends, except their presence! To say: ‘Cash only gifts’ is improper etiquette too.
• If some of your guests haven’t visited the place before, inform them of places of interest and show them parking spaces too. It would be a charming courtesy to include an edited map too.

Mailing The Invitation

• Always send invitations six to eight weeks prior to the wedding. This gives the guests sufficient time to plan.
• RSVP’s or request for responses are not a part of all invitations across the world. So, if you have an international guest then inform them that it is assumed that they are attending unless they send their regrets.

Wedding is a beautiful event for families and friends to share. Not following a proper etiquette with the wedding invitation can make it an experience to forget! A small mistake such as not writing the full name of your family friend or using bad fonts can ruin the thrill of the whole ceremony and the relationship too. As all of us want to celebrate the big day in the company of our friends and relatives, it is very important to follow the essential etiquette. Remembering every minute detail in a wedding invitation can be an arduous task but the warmth and affection it renders to guests will be a memory forever.