The Wedding Invitation
Wedding Invitation
The custom for engagement announcements and wedding invitations is that they are sent by the bride’s parents. Nowadays, thanks to the extended family (and, for most people, the cost of the ceremonies), it’s become increasingly common for both sets of parents, or the bride and groom to fund the wedding. The rule here is that whoever pays is the host, and therefore sends, and receives replies to, all of the invitations. If costs are shared the names of both sets of parents appear at the top of the invitation – the bride’s before the groom’s.
Most couples today fund a large proportion of the wedding costs and if so, they may host the wedding with or without naming parents on the invitation.
Increasingly, you’ve the choice of two types of perfectly correct invitation – one with more formal wording than the other. A less formal invitation usually has the words: “would like you to join” instead of “request the pleasure of your company”. And may, for example, state in full: “The reception afterwards will be at…” rather than just naming the venue.
7 Rules to Remember:
- Formal wedding invitations – on card or paper – are a must. Avoid email or ‘e-vites’.
- Be clear about whether you are inviting the guests’ children or babies.
- If partners are invited, name them when possible. ‘Plus one’ may be more tactful for your more romantically active friends, but may seem careless.
- Avoid mentioning wedding gifts on the invitation – include a slip in the envelope.
- If you’re holding a daytime ceremony with a dance afterwards, include a dress code.
- Send out all the invitations at the same time. No one likes feeling B-list.
- As a rule, about a quarter of guests will decline; your guest list can reflect this.
Tags: wedding ideas, wedding invitation etiquette, wedding invitations, wedding planning