You’ve chosen the stationery for your wedding invitations, now you just need to think what to say on them… Our wedding invitation etiquette tips are good enough to keep even Emily Post happy!

When to send out your invites

Save-the-date

Send invitations six to eight weeks beforehand, with an R.S.V.P. request of two to three weeks prior to the event so you can get a final head count.s typically go out three to four months prior to the wedding, but if you have guests travelling from interstate or overseas, or you’re hosting a destination wedding, even more time should be allowed.

Just the right wording

Although your wedding invitation wording may differ – depending on the degree of formality you want to convey – it’s common practice to include the following:

• names of the bride’s parents or other hosts
• first name of the bride
• first name and surname of the bridegroom
• where the ceremony is taking place
• date, month and year of the wedding ceremony
• location of the wedding reception
• address to which guests should reply
• a reply date
• details of any dress code/theme
• whether children are invited

The traditional approach

If you want to follow traditional invitation style, there are a few rules to follow:

• Invitations are generally written in the third person.
• The bride’s name should appear before the groom’s.
• When listing the time, date and venue, the time and date should be written first and the venue last.
• Use titles, such as Dr, Mrs, etc when appropriate.
• ‘The honour of your presence’ or ‘The pleasure of your company’ is the normal choice of wording. The former is often used for invitations to religious ceremonies such as a church wedding, the latter for invitations to an event in a non‐religious venue.

Don’t forget to send thanks

Thank you notes should be treated with a sense of urgency. Send them within two weeks of receiving the present to express your true appreciation.

{loadposition socialicons}