Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Wedding announcements/invitations can be confusing. It’s important to know when to send what, and how to prepare each piece correctly. This week’s blog will discuss wedding announcement/invitation etiquette.

Save-the-Date’s:

Wedding save-the-date’s are simply early notice to let your friends and family know when your wedding will be happening so there is a better chance they will be able to attend. They are not required wedding etiquette, but might be very necessary if you plan to have your wedding during a peak time of the year, or over a holiday.

Save-the-dates should be sent out 6-8 months before the wedding date, and are only required to include your names and wedding date (thought it is advisable to include the wedding location information so your attendees can begin planning their travel early). An RSVP is not required for a save-the-date. It’s just an announcement for your guests.

www.buzzle.com offers some wording tips for your save-the-dates:

• Traditional:
Please save the date:
May 4, 2006 for the wedding of
Bob & Judy in Charleston, South Carolina

• Fun & Cutesy:
We’re Tying The Knot!
John popped the question, and Katie said yes.
Please join us on October 2, 2006
Orange County, California

• For a destination wedding:
Please join us in paradise on June 17, 2006
when Lisa & Jay say “I Do”
in Maui, Hawaii

(http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-25-2006-103429.asp)

Invitations:

Traditionally, each invitation includes a wedding invitation with outer envelopes, a response card, and a reception card.

A Response Card, or RSVP, allows your guests to inform you if they will be attending your event and how many people they will be bringing with them.

A Reception Card is only required if you are having your reception somewhere other than the wedding site. Reception cards inform guests on the time and location of your wedding reception. The reception card is usually a single piece of card stock that is approximately 4″ x 3″. The reception card does not require an envelope because it is included inside the wedding invitation.

Reception Card Example:
To help us celebrate,
please join us for the reception
immediately following the ceremony
Oceanside Inn

Invitations can also include a Direction Card, which will give exact driving directions to the church and, if applicable, the reception site.

An Accommodation Card can be included to help your out-of-town guests figure out what hotel they should stay in while they are in town for your wedding. Some savvy couples work with local hotels to negotiate a group rate (reduced room rate for guests in their “group”). This group rate information should be included on the accommodation card.

If you have special VIP guests that you would like to have seated within the reserved section of the seating area during your ceremony (this area is also known as “within the ribbon” which simply means they will be seated within the ribboned off reserved seating area) you can opt to send them a Pew Card. These cards will either say “Pew # ____” or simply “Within the Ribbon”, and will need to be handed to the usher at the ceremony by your VIP guest so they are seated appropriately.

Wedding invitations should be sent out 8 weeks in advance of your wedding, and you should request RSVP’s be returned no later than 3 weeks before the wedding.

Wedding invitation verbiage can be tricky. A great source for verbiage for every situation can be found here:

http://www.southworth.com/page.php?id=127

If you have specific wedding announcement/invitation etiquette questions you’d like to ask me, please feel free to e-mail me at blog@eventethos.com. In the meantime, happy planning!

Image courtesy of: www.2020site.org/wedding/index.html