Your wedding invitation sets the mood and style for your wedding. You will find selections from traditional designs with formal wording to contemporary designs which may incorporate your own specially created message. (You may want to coordinate the color and style of your invitation to complement the color or theme of your wedding and the style of attire of the wedding party.)
Formal wedding invitations are usually ordered well in advance (a minimum of three months) to allow time for them to be addressed and mailed six weeks before the wedding. A popular size is 4-1/2″ x 5-1/4″, which fits into an envelope without folding. A larger 5-1/2″ x 7- 1/2″ invitation is used for very formal weddings. When you confer with your invitation specialist or printer, they will be able to show you various styles and appropriate wording. Remember, invitations are often written in the third person. Spell everything out — the wedding date, time, all numerals and names. Abbreviations, initials and nicknames are never used except for Mr., Mrs., Jr. or Dr. Be sure to order enough invitations. You’ll need one for every married couple, each single adult guest, each attendant and their parents (if invited), your attendants’ dates (if single), every one in the groom’s family, and of course, your clergyman and their guest. An accurate count is important when planning your order.
You will want additional invitations for emergencies and keepsakes. Extra envelopes are a must! This will allow for any mistakes you may make when addressing. Be sure to order response cards (R.S.V.P.) and accompanying envelopes to assist in your reception planning. Response card envelopes should be pre addressed and stamped for the convenience of your guests.
There are several types of enclosure cards you may wish to send. They may be used to alert guests to special arrangements. Reception Cards: to limit the number of guests invited to the reception. Ceremony Cards: to invite a limited number of guests to the ceremony. Pew Cards: for special seating for friends and relatives.
Address all envelopes by hand or calligraphy — preferably in black ink. Remember, use full names (no initials). If a guest or additional family member(s) are invited, they should be indicated on the inner envelope only. Your invitation is then inserted into the inner envelope with the enclosure cards and printed side facing the back flap. Insert this inner envelope into your addressed envelope.
Finally, be sure to order Thank You notes… and most importantly, be sure to send them as soon as possible! Send them out within one or two months after your wedding. Dear Abby is deluged with complaints about tactless brides who never quite get around to sending these most important expressions of gratitude.
Reference: The Wedding Guide
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