When it comes to inviting people to your wedding, you only get one shot to do it properly.
More than just small pieces of card stock with words printed on them, your wedding invitations are symbol of what your wedding will be like.
In essence, they set the tone and theme of your wedding long before guests ever arrive at the ceremony.
Setting the theme of your wedding is a big deal, so when you select and word your wedding invitations, you want them to be perfect.
The main parts involved in selecting an invitation are good quality card stock, correct wording, ink color and the style of printing.
So, why does wedding invitation etiquette seem so tricky? Read on to learn the do's and don't's for your wedding invitations and keep within the rules of proper wedding etiquette.
Don't put in additions - Any additions on the invitations such as "no children," "no gifts," or "cash bar" are inappropriate and should be avoided.
If there is any information that you need to pass on to guests, do it by placing a polite phone call.
Do play with color - These days even formal wedding invitations can be done with different colors of ink and cardstock.
Play with color and liven up your invitations.
Even subtle changes in color (like from black to brown ink) add a modern twist.
Don't make guests pay for postage - You should include a stamp on every self addressed response card.
Failing to pay for the return postage is in very poor taste and makes it difficult for your guests to respond.
Remember, every time a guest sends in their r.
s.
v.
p.
they are doing you a favor.
Do open an invitation as a guest - In order to stuff your envelopes properly, you should open an envelope as if you were a guest yourself and see the best way to place each item in the invitation.
All guests should first see their name on the inner envelope.
Once each guest turns the envelope in order to open it, the invitation wording should be facing up.
Be sure to put all enclosures (like maps) in the front part of the invitation so they aren't overlooked.
Do hand write guests' names on the envelopes - It isn't easy and can give you a heck of a cramp in your palm, but do hand write the names of every guest on the outer and inner invitation envelopes.
This is something that shows courtesy to your guests and makes your invitations appear more personal.
For invitations that you do at home: Do buy enough card stock for mistakes - No matter how much of a perfectionist you are, you can't anticipate that the printer will get jammed or that ink will get smeared.
Be sure to buy enough card stock so that you will have enough for a few printing trial runs.
You do not want to send out invitations with noticeable printing mistakes.
Don't forgo inner envelopes - If your wedding is a formal affair or an evening event, it justifies using an inner envelope.
Just because you're doing the printing yourself it doesn't mean that the style of the invitation should be any less formal.
Remember to leave the inner envelope unsealed.
Although it may sometimes seem complicated, wedding invitation etiquette can be simple if you know a few basic rules.
Using these points as a guide, you'll be able to have perfect wedding invitations using such proper etiquette that you'd even make your grandma proud.
More than just small pieces of card stock with words printed on them, your wedding invitations are symbol of what your wedding will be like.
In essence, they set the tone and theme of your wedding long before guests ever arrive at the ceremony.
Setting the theme of your wedding is a big deal, so when you select and word your wedding invitations, you want them to be perfect.
The main parts involved in selecting an invitation are good quality card stock, correct wording, ink color and the style of printing.
So, why does wedding invitation etiquette seem so tricky? Read on to learn the do's and don't's for your wedding invitations and keep within the rules of proper wedding etiquette.
Don't put in additions - Any additions on the invitations such as "no children," "no gifts," or "cash bar" are inappropriate and should be avoided.
If there is any information that you need to pass on to guests, do it by placing a polite phone call.
Do play with color - These days even formal wedding invitations can be done with different colors of ink and cardstock.
Play with color and liven up your invitations.
Even subtle changes in color (like from black to brown ink) add a modern twist.
Don't make guests pay for postage - You should include a stamp on every self addressed response card.
Failing to pay for the return postage is in very poor taste and makes it difficult for your guests to respond.
Remember, every time a guest sends in their r.
s.
v.
p.
they are doing you a favor.
Do open an invitation as a guest - In order to stuff your envelopes properly, you should open an envelope as if you were a guest yourself and see the best way to place each item in the invitation.
All guests should first see their name on the inner envelope.
Once each guest turns the envelope in order to open it, the invitation wording should be facing up.
Be sure to put all enclosures (like maps) in the front part of the invitation so they aren't overlooked.
Do hand write guests' names on the envelopes - It isn't easy and can give you a heck of a cramp in your palm, but do hand write the names of every guest on the outer and inner invitation envelopes.
This is something that shows courtesy to your guests and makes your invitations appear more personal.
For invitations that you do at home: Do buy enough card stock for mistakes - No matter how much of a perfectionist you are, you can't anticipate that the printer will get jammed or that ink will get smeared.
Be sure to buy enough card stock so that you will have enough for a few printing trial runs.
You do not want to send out invitations with noticeable printing mistakes.
Don't forgo inner envelopes - If your wedding is a formal affair or an evening event, it justifies using an inner envelope.
Just because you're doing the printing yourself it doesn't mean that the style of the invitation should be any less formal.
Remember to leave the inner envelope unsealed.
Although it may sometimes seem complicated, wedding invitation etiquette can be simple if you know a few basic rules.
Using these points as a guide, you'll be able to have perfect wedding invitations using such proper etiquette that you'd even make your grandma proud.