Wedding Invitations
Invitations should go out six to eight weeks before the wedding -- that gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules for the day and make travel arrangements if they are out-of-towners. It also lets you make the RSVP date a little earlier -- say three weeks before the wedding date -- so you can get a final head count and start preparing you place cards, escort cards and seating chart (if doing so). At the very latest, guests should receive wedding invitations six weeks in advance, and you should get responses back two weeks before the big day.
Reply Cards
Reply cards simply ask your guest to check whether or not they can attend and include a self-addressed envelope or postcard for them to return. Response cards may also include a selection of entrees for the reception allowing guests to indicate their preferences.
Reception Cards
If the reception is held at a different location, a separate card is usually enclosed announcing the location and time of the reception. If you prefer to include the reception information on your invitation, you can use the reception card as a directions or map card.
Accommodations Cards
This piece is optional, but it's smart for destination weddings and if you're expecting lots of out-of-town guests. The card may include:
- Hotels near the ceremony and reception sites
- Airfare or other transportation information
- Maps of the area
Other Stationery Items:
Save the Date Cards
Save the date cards are sent out about six months in advance of the wedding. These cards let people know the date and location of your wedding so they plan ahead to keep the date free. Experts recommend sending save the date cards to as many of the guests on your list as possible, especially those who will be traveling from out of town.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Within many families, the groom's parents issue this invitation. Because they likely won't be your responsibility, it's not necessary for rehearsal dinner invitations to match your wedding invitations. However, it's a nice touch. Talk it through with your future-in-laws and let them determine how to proceed.
Menus
For a formal, seated dinner at a banquet table, place a menu at each setting. If your reception setup is an arrangement of small tables, it's acceptable to have just one menu at each table. Menu details include:
- A description of what will be served
- If a dish holds special significance, you may wish to explain why
- Wine and beverage choices
- If your wedding features cocktails, a list of martini options or the ingredients of your signature drink
If you are having a ceremony that not all of your guests will be familiar with, such as a religious ceremony or a unique ceremony that incorporates cultural rites, you may want to consider putting together a wedding program. Even unique fairy-tale-type nuptials require some sort of wedding program so guests can follow along and know where they are in the timeline of the entire ceremony.
Any program should include the processional, service components and explanations of any ceremonial elements that may be unfamiliar.
Place Cards
Seated dinners of more than 20 guests typically require place cards to help them find the right seats. Typically designed to match the rest of your wedding stationery, these place cards can be pre-printed or hand written in calligraphy. The most common way to introduce place cards to guests is by placing them on a table at the entrance. All names will be in alphabetical order with a table number so the guests can guide themselves to their tables in an organized fashion. You can provide us the place cards to hand-letter each guests names or we can custom create a place card to match your invitation and then hand-letter the names of your guests on each card.
Table Cards
Designate each table with a name or number to help guests find their seats. Creative signs add to the festivity, such as clever names for tables or beautiful designs in your motif. Stand the table cards up in holders or tent them. You can provide us the paper and we will hand-letter your table cards/numbers for you or we can custom create table cards to match your stationery for you to purchase and then hand-letter those.
Signage
For a fully personalized or themed event, many couples custom order signage or have it hand-lettered by us to display at the reception. These signs can indicate buffet selections, cocktail choices if not listed on the menu, men's and ladies' rooms-basically any spot you can think to customize.
Thank You Cards
Order thank you cards with your invitations in anticipation of early gifts, and to thank bridesmaids and the host of your bridal shower. These notes should be handwritten, and they should repeat an element from your wedding motif for continuity. Check out our line of custom thank you card you can order with your names, monogram and/or wedding date in calligraphy. We can also custom create a thank you card to match your invitations.
Wedding Announcements
As a good rule of thumb, wedding announcements, while not required, should be sent to acquaintances, friends and relatives who were not invited to the wedding, but may show an interest in your marriage. A good audience would be your co-workers or distant relatives. A common mistake is sending these announcements to guests who were invited to the wedding. Wedding announcements should be sent within a few weeks after the wedding. In a perfect world, they'll all be sent within the first few days following.
Wording Etiquette
| Hosted by Bride's Family | |
| Bride's Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Saint Mary Star of the Sea 977 Howard Street San Francisco, CA Reception to follow |
Bride's Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Reception to follow |
| Bride's Parents Host—Informal Thomas and Anne Hudson invite you to the wedding of their daughter Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Hosted by Groom's Family | |
| Groom's Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald request the honor of your presence at the marriage of Jennifer Kelly Hudson to their son Eric Lucas Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four o'clock Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Groom's Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of Jennifer Kelly Hudson to their son Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four o'clock Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Both Sets of Parents Host | |
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Both Sets of Parents Host—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson & Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Thomas Fitzgerald request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Jennifer Kelly and Mr. Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Both Sets of Parents Host—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson & Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Thomas Fitzgerald request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Jennifer Kelly and Eric Lucas Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Both Sets of Parents Host—Casual Thomas and Anne Hudson & Christopher and Marie Fitzgerald invite you to the wedding of their children Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 4:30 in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner reception to follow |
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| Couple Hosts | |
| Couple Hosts—Formal (Religious venue) The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jennifer Kelly Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four o'clock Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Couple Hosts—Formal (Secular venue) Together with their parents Jennifer Kelly Hudson and Eric Lucas Fitzgerald request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Couple Hosts—Casual Together with their parents Jennifer Kelly Hudson and Eric Lucas Fitzgerald invite you to their marriage Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Same Sex Couple Hosts | |
| Note: Many of the wording options in this section can be easily adapted to same sex marriages. Below is a variation that we particularly like. Please join us to share our joy and support our love as we exchange vows and are united in the commitment of marriage James Patrick Hudson and Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Divorced Parent Hosts | |
| Divorced Parent Hosts Alone—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. [Mrs.] Thomas Hudson requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of his daughter Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Divorced Parent Hosts Alone—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. [Mrs.] Thomas Hudson requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his daughter Jennifer Kelly to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Divorced Parent Hosts Alone—Casual Thomas [Marie] Hudson invites you to the wedding of his [her] daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts | |
| Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of his [her] daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson daughter of Mr. [Mrs.] John Fontaine to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson daughter of Ms. Anne Fontaine to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Divorced Remarried Parent Hosts—Casual Charles and Linda Miller invite you to the wedding of his daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson daughter of Anne Fontaine to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Divorced Parents Host Jointly | |
| Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson Ms. Anne Fontaine request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson Ms. Anne L. Fontaine request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Jennifer Kelly Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
| Divorced Parents Host Jointly—Casual Charles and Linda Miller and Anne L. Fontaine invite you to the wedding of Jennifer Kelly Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn Chatham, Massachusetts Dinner and dancing to follow |
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| Widowed, Remaried Parent Hosts | |
Note: When the bride or groom's mother or father is deceased, the invitation is issued only in the name of the living parents. The deceased parent is recognized in the wedding program or at the reception. If the couple very much wants to include the deceased parent in the invitation, it can be worded as follows; it is critical that the invitation not appear to be issued by the deceased parent. |
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| Widowed, Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Religious venue) Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harrison request the honor of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Jennifer Kelly daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saint Mary Star of the Sea 1010 Windsor Lane Key West, Florida Reception to follow |
Widowed, Remarried Parent Hosts—Formal (Secular venue) Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harrison request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Jennifer Kelly daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hudson to Eric Lucas Fitzgerald Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand and eight at half past four in the afternoon Chatham Bars Inn |
| Reply Card Wording | |
| Formal The favor of a reply is requested by the fifteenth of May M_____________________________________________ _______ Accepts with pleasure ______ Declines with regret Entrees ___ New York Strip Steak ___ Dover Sole ___Vegetarian |
Formal The favor of a reply is requested by the fifteenth of May Name(s) _______________________________________ _____ will attend ______will not attend |
| Casual Kindly reply by the fifteenth of May Name(s) _______________________________________ _____ accepts _____regrets Message to the bride and groom: ____________________ _______________________________________________ |
Casual Kindly reply by the fifteenth of May Name(s) _______________________________________ _____ will attend ______will not attend We look forward to celebrating with you! |
| Casual Kindly reply by the fifteenth of May Name(s) _______________________________________ _____ absolutely ______ unfortunately We look forward to celebrating with you! |
Formal—No set reply date (helps with rolling invitations / B-lists) Thank you for your prompt response M _______________________________________ _____ will attend ______will not attend |
| Formal—Set number of seats reserved (helps manage headcount) The favor of a reply is requested by the fifteenth of May Name(s) _______________________________________ _____ will attend ______will not attend _____ seats have been reserved for your party |
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| If you need extra help on wording situations or have any other questions pertaining to etiquette please let us know and we will help you. |