Wedding Invitations:
Your Questions Answered BY A M Y Z I M M E R M A N | P H OTO G R A P H S BY L P H OTO G R A P H I E S TAT I O N E R Y BY C H E R E E B E R R Y PA P E R
BEFORE THEY ever take a seat in the pew, see your bridal gown, or take a bite of your wedding cake, your guests receive the printed pieces inviting them to participate in your special day. Make your first impression a good one by following some simple guidelines and creative suggestions from local stationers. We talked with Cheree Berry, owner of Cheree Berry Paper; Alicia Lantzy, owner of On Three Designs; and Julie Redmond, owner of Vellum Posh Paperie to get the answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning invitations
WHEN SHOULD WE MAIL SAVE THE DATE CARDS?
Our experts agree that six months prior to the wedding is the ideal time to mail save the date cards. There are exceptions, though. If you are having a destination wedding, if a significant number of guests are coming from out-of-town, or if your wedding is on a holiday weekend, consider sending Save the Date cards closer to eight or even ten months in advance of the wedding.
WHEN SHOULD WE MAIL THE WEDDING INVITATIONS?
Wedding invitations typically are mailed eight weeks prior to the wedding. The same rules apply here as for the save the date. Factors such as destination wedding, holiday weekend, or a large number of outof-town guests mean you should mail the invitations earlier, 10 to 12 weeks in advance. Additionally, if you chose not to send save the date cards, you may decide to mail invitations ten weeks prior to the wedding.
WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE INVITATION?
“For the most part, only logistical information belongs on the invitation: date, time, location, address of venue, names of bride and groom, names of hosts. Typically, if the bride’s parents are paying, their names go on top. Sometimes couples choose to include the groom’s parent’s names as well out of courtesy,” says Berry. The wording used on the invitation indicates to your guests what type of ceremony you are having. “If you use the wording ‘honor of your presence,’ guests know the ceremony is taking place in a church or other house of worship. If you use the wording ‘pleasure of your company,’ they know it is at a non-
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religious venue,” explains Redmond. Divorced parents, remarried parents, multiple hosts may complicate the wording. Reach out to your stationer for guidance on wording, particularly if you have a non-traditional family situation.
HOW LONG SHOULD WE GIVE GUESTS TO RSVP?
“The sweet spot for a reply is four weeks before the wedding. So if you are getting married on June 1, have your guests RSVP by May 1. You know some people will be late with their response, so four weeks allows you a week or two buffer before you have to get final numbers to the venue,” says Berry. Redmond agrees with the four-week time frame, but also recommends couples take a look at the calendar before they select the return date. “I don’t like the date to be on a Sunday because mail isn’t delivered that day. Picking a date that will stick in their head, like the first of the month, instead of a random date helps guests remember to send their reply,” says Redmond.
WHO GETS A PLUS ONE?
This question is a bit tricky, but our experts have guidelines for you. Weddings are expensive and guest lists need to be kept under control. Typically, if a couple lives together, is dating seriously or engaged, both should be invited to the wedding. “This is completely up to the couple and may depend on how large they want the final guest count to be. True plus-ones, or guests, means that the person you are extending the invitation to could bring whoever they want, even someone you may not know,” says Lantzy. In order to avoid that situation, our experts recommend addressing the plus-one by name on the envelope, rather than the invitee and guest. For example, the invitation should be addressed to Jane Smith and John Jones, rather than Jane Smith and Guest.
HOW DO WE SHARE RECEPTION DETAILS?
This depends on whether the ceremony and reception are under the same roof. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, reception details may go on the invitation. If the reception is at a separate location from the ceremony, reception details go on a separate card.
