Invitation Etiquette
By St.Claire Donaghy
WEDDING INVITATIONS SET TONE, EXPECTATIONS FOR SPECIAL DAY Invitations are the first connections guests have to your wedding day. They relay important information such as who, what, where and when you are tying the knot. They also give invited guests context clues about how formal or laid-back your ceremony will be. Invitations can be ways to share with others a bit about your personalities as a couple or your love story. And, invitations later framed and matted can become beautiful keepsakes of a momentous occasion. Traditionally, what you send to guests includes the main invitation, a response card, and any other enclosure card containing helpful information for guests (reception card, travel and accommodations card, attire card, wedding website card, etc). It's recommended you send invitations to international guests at least 12 weeks in advance and to others six to eight weeks before the
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wedding, according to etiquette tips at: brides.com. Thayer's in Greenwood, at 302 Main St., has been a go-to source for engaged couples for generations, for everything from invitations to china patterns, flatware, gifts and home decor. Taylor Wilson Tucker of Thayer's says it's key to give weight to your invitations‑—literally. "You want invitations to be set apart from regular stationery," Tucker said. "It's nice if card stock has some
weight to it. We carry a line called Crane and Company that is the gold standard for invitations and stationery. Crane's papers are made of 100% cotton and they are so beautiful." Once your invitation paper is selected, Tucker says it's important to consider the printing process, too. Tucker said flat printing is the least expensive method, while thermography can give an engraved look at a lesser cost than engraving. Top of the line printing techniques for an elegant look include actual engraving and letterpress, Tucker said. "I actually tend not to recommend people include RSVP cards with their invitations, for the simple fact is that more than half are never returned and a couple has incurred a lot of expense," Tucker said. "If they are not returned, it gives an inaccurate count of the number to attend." Etiquette dictates, however, that if you do send an RSVP card with your invitations, a stamped and addressed return envelope should be included. Postage on RSVP return envelopes that potentially goes unused is another unnecessary expense. Tucker said she advises couples to plan on at least three-fourths of their invited guests attending, if not more. "If there's a sit-down dinner reception, the number needs to be precise," Tucker cautions. In that event, an RSVP card and stamped return envelope should be included. Brides.com also encourages couples to leave off wedding registry
