Jessica from Odd Duck Press put together this post that’ll make sure you use proper etiquette. She also has some wording options for your invitations. This is the first of a series of guest posts from Jessica, we’re so excited to share them with you.

Depending on how traditional your wedding will be will determine how closely you’ll need to adhere to formal etiquette. Another major factor is who is hosting (ie: footing the bill).





Get great advice from Odd Duck Press after the jump…

General Guidelines for Your Wedding Invitations

Invitations are written in third person.

The first line in the invitation indicates who is hosting.

Everything is spelled out, no numerals or abbreviations.

The bride’s name appears first on all wedding stationery.

Capital letters are used in the same way as normal grammar (to indicate the beginning of a sentence) not at the beginning of each line.

The phrase “honor of your presence” indicates that the ceremony will be held in a place of worship.

If you prefer not to have children at the ceremony or reception (or both), you can indicate “Adults Only Reception” or “Adults Only Day” on the reply card.

If you will be inviting single guests and you don’t want them to bring a guest of their own, this can be addressed on the reply card with a line that states: we have reserved ___ seats in your honor.

Never include gift registry information on the invitation itself. Traditionally this information is conveyed through family, but many couples now put registry information on their wedding website.

The return address should be that of whomever is hosting.

Traditional wedding invitations include an outer and inner envelope. The outer envelope includes the recipient’s full name and address, return address and postage. The inner envelope is written out as though the invitation were being hand delivered.

Photo by Lindsay Docherty

Wording Ideas

Traditional, Bride’s Parents Inviting,Religious Ceremony:

Mr. and Mrs. James Burke

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Jennifer Anne

to

Christopher Luis Colbert…

Traditional, Bride’s and Groom’s Parents Inviting, Secular Ceremony

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Lenhart

and

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Egan

invite you to share in the ceremony

uniting their children

Alexandra Merin

to

Jonathan Louis Egan…

Contemporary, Bride and Groom Hosting, Secular Ceremony

Please share in our joy as we

Amanda Smith

and

Chad Porter

tie the knot

and begin our new life together…

Contemporary, Bride and Groom Hosting, Secular Ceremony

We’ve decided on forever

and forever begins when we

Nicole Miller

and

Thomas Harton

unite in marriage…

Stay tuned for more great guest posts from Jessica over at Odd Duck Press– she is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to invitations and etiquette. Thanks Jessica!

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