Wedding Invitations FAQ

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are certain questions that are asked quite frequently.  In this article, we will address many of them along with providing a brief answer for each one.

• How to write wedding invitations?  The most important details that need to be listed in your wording are your names as the wedding couple; time of your ceremony, day of the week, month, date and year; and the location's name and address.  The amount of available space on your invitation itself will determine if the details of your reception will have to be printed separately.  A separate card can be enclosed to share your reception details if space is limited.  Whether you, the wedding couple, are paying for the wedding or parents are, that determines who is listed as hosting or inviting guests.  Even if not hosting, parents' names can be listed if you so choose. Any special wording or verse is up to you since there is an abundance of samples available online.  

• How to make your own wedding invitations?  There are many options when it comes to making your own invitations, from complete handmade kits to online templates and software programs using a computer printer.  Here's the question to ask yourself...will this really save you money?  As the saying goes, time is money, and how much time will you be spending by creating your own not to mention the possible frustration.  Most couples don't realize that having invitations professionally printed doesn't have to mean more cost.  Printers actually have many quite affordable designs that are beautiful not to mention the time you are saving by having them do the set-up work and printing while you devote your time to other tasks until they are delivered to your door.

• Where to buy wedding invitations?  Local bridal shops and printers have always made available to brides and grooms the big wedding invitation books that they can browse through or maybe even take home for a short time.  Thanks to the Internet, the convenience of online wedding invitation shopping is becoming a well known choice with many websites from which to order. You can browse their wide array of online selections when it fits YOUR schedule.  Gone are the days when you were required to leave your house to do your wedding invitation shopping.  If you are purchasing online, you are encouraged to order samples and request an online proof before finalizing your entire order to give yourself peace of mind, even if there is a minimal cost involved. 

• How to address wedding invitations?Addressing invitations really depends on how many envelopes will be used to mail each one.  Traditionally, they came with inner and outer envelopes.  The inner envelope being left unsealed with all the invitation pieces enclosed and addressed to the specific names of guests invited from that household.  The outer envelope being the actual mailing envelope shows the formal names and address. More modern wedding invitations now include only one mailing envelope so all specific guest names should appear on there along with the address.  There are invitation styles now that eliminate a mailing envelope by having an outside wrap that becomes its own mailing piece by wrapping around all your invitation pieces.  If you are looking to follow proper addressing etiquette, the ink color and handwriting should be the same even if there are multiple envelopes. Non-professional titles such as Mrs., Mr., Jr., etc., are the only acceptable abbreviations.  All numbers should appear in numeric format. It is also suggested that all hand addressing be done before the envelopes are stuffed.  Including a pre-printed return address on your wedding invitations will ensure the return of any that are undeliverable.

• When to send out wedding invitations?It is recommended that all your invitations be mailed directly at a Post Office all at the same time and at least 4-6 weeks before your wedding.   This is unless your wedding is planned around a holiday or if it will take place at an away destination.   In these cases, guests will appreciate having more time to plan and possibly make necessary travel arrangements. You may even consider sending out save the date cards 4-6 months ahead of your invitations to give guests even more preparation time.