Preparing the wedding invites tends to be one of the more involved aspects of planning for your big day. While there are services that can tackle the task for you, most couples assume the responsibility themselves. This means you may be prepared to sit down and fill out each and every envelope on your own. No matter what your plan might be, there are bound to be some pressing questions kicking around in your head. Use these tips for proper wedding invitation etiquette and feel confident that you’re covering all of your bases. 

Basic Points

What most couples need to know right away is the timeline for getting invitations in the mail. According to modern custom, the invites should be sent out roughly eight weeks before the date of the wedding itself. This gives plenty of time for guests to arrange plans and inform you of whether they can attend. Naturally, you will need to provide extra time if there are special circumstances for your event. Invites to destination weddings, for example, should be sent out about six months before the wedding. This is so guests can purchase their plane tickets and make appropriate travel plans.  

What To Include

Your invitation should include all pertinent details related to your wedding. Some experts in the industry suggest following a strict format with the layout of information on the cards. That said, you can feel free to experiment with the design in whatever way you feel comfortable. The invite must include the date, start time, and location of the event. Traditionally, the name of the couple is included on the invitation, alongside the names of anyone funding the wedding.

If your parents are paying, for example, the invite should put their names before the details of the wedding. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith welcome you to join in the celebration of the union of their daughter Jane Smith…”. This is a customary approach to the wording of the invitations but it is not required. 

RSVP Details

While providing information to guests is the main purpose of the invite, couples use invitations as a way of tracking who will be attending the event. Usually, an RSVP card is sent with the invitation. By including this and paying for the required postage, you are providing guests an easy way to inform you of whether they can attend. Naturally, there still will be those who drag their feet on getting these cards in the mail. Be prepared to receive a ton of texts or calls from guests who have misplaced or forgotten all about their RSVP cards.

Additional Information To Include

You may also want to add a handful of additional points on the invitation. To save paper, some couples put information like directions to the venue on a wedding website instead of the card. If you opt for this, then be sure to put the address for your site on the invitations in a way that can be easily seen. Information on gifts can also be included, whether that means putting an address for your registry on the invites or making it a point to tell guests not to bring presents at all. 

Final Thoughts

Some couples struggle when it comes to figuring out which guests should receive the option of a “plus one.” To save money, you should only offer this to guests who are married, have been in a long-term relationship, or are very close to you and would benefit from the extra company. Guests should understand why you can’t offer this luxury to everyone you invite.

Though it can be a lengthy process, getting your invitations out in a timely fashion doesn’t need to be a chore. Prepare in advance by familiarizing yourself with proper wedding invitation etiquette, and you will have no trouble tackling this task with ease.