Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Calling all those planning your wedding. Simply Stamps University is here to share best practices and tips and guide you through the process. There are so many components of planning your dream wedding that at first, it may seem overwhelming. Our best advice is to always keep things in perspective and remember why you are getting married in the first place. Many brides will tell you years after their wedding that all the stress was unnecessary. So keep it cool! Avoid being a bridezilla at all costs.

We are here today to share strategies on just one portion of your big day: your wedding invitations. This includes your entire paper suite such as the save the date card, engagement party invitation, bridal shower, the invitation suite, and thank you notes. Let’s tackle one at a time.

Photo by: Miami Wedding Center

YOUR SAVE THE DATE

Save the dates are your opportunity to be creative with your guests and they set the tone for your wedding. There are some unique and creative ideas out there, beyond a traditional mailed card, you can also choose from post cards and save-the-date magnets. Etiquette does dictate that whomever you send a save the date to MUST BE INVITED to the wedding. So before you start sending out save the dates, you will need to ensure that you’ve narrowed down your guest list. This cannot be undone easily or tactfully so make sure whomever you are sending a save the date to, you are 100% sure you are going to invite them to the wedding.

Save the dates can be mailed up to 18 months in advance. Consider creating a wedding website that you can update frequently with details and information of the event and letting your guests know about it on the save the date card.

Photo By: Angelika Krug Photography

ENGAGEMENT PARTY INVITATIONS

If your hosting an engagement party for a family member or friend, choose an invitation that sets the tone for the party. Formal parties require formal invitations. Casual, back yard barbecues should have a similar flair on the invitation – casual! It is NEVER appropriate for the bride and groom to host their own engagement party. It is also inappropriate to put registry information on an engagement party invitation. Many guests will offer to bring gifts or ask about registry information. The host should always know where they are registered, what charities they support, or suggest that guests contribute to a honeymoon fund.

Send engagement party invitations 4-6 weeks prior to the party date. Closer to 6 is preferred if there are a lot of out of town guests on the guest list.

Photo By: Wedding Photo & Video By Liam

BRIDAL SHOWERS

Bridal showers are typically thrown by the bridesmaids, bride’s mother, mother-in-law-to-be, or friends of the family. Often times due to the expense, it’s not just one or two people but several people. It is not appropriate for a bride to throw herself a shower. This is the only time it acceptable and encouraged to blatantly share registry information on a printed invitation.

Send bridal shower invitations 4-6 weeks prior to the event date. It is recommended that you send invitations closer to 6 weeks prior to the event date if there are out of town guests.

INVITATION SUITE

These days wedding invitations have evolved from just a printed card and a response card. People are so much more creative than before! Brides and grooms sometimes choose to include a map of the city and where all the events take place, a reception card, an itinerary, a guest visitor guide, and more. These days, brides and their grooms are striving to achieve a cohesive look with their invitation suite. Each piece matches. Of course, being Simply Stamps, we want to recommend you choose a return address stamp that complements your invitation suite.

Send your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks prior to the big day. Even though the Save-the-Date reminds people to reserve that time, travel plans and hotel arrangements are often put off until later. Once the invitations are in the mail, many brides take a moment to breath. Those 8 weeks will zip by!

Photo by: Natalia DeSena Photo (Second Shot By: Katarina Weissbach Photography)

THANK YOU NOTES

You will receive quite a lot of gifts from your engagement to your wedding until many months (or even years after!) Be sure that you thank each and every person with a thoughtful, handwritten note saying thanks.

Your wedding paper details set the tone for your event from the very start and is an important element in your wedding. Be sure you are following basic etiquette but most of all, be sure you are having fun and stay true to the purpose of your big day – to have a life long partnership with your spouse!

Resources:

Featured Image by: https://www.kimberlysantanaphotography.com/

1- Photo by: https://miami-weddingcenter.com/

2- Photo by: https://angelikakrugphotography.com/

3-Photo by: https://www.weddingphotographybyliam.com/

4- Photo by: https://natalyadesena.com/