The Art of Crafting Wedding Invitations

Confirming Details Before Ordering

Before you even think about purchasing invitations, it's crucial to have confirmed bookings for your ceremony and reception venues. The timing of your reception should be clearly stated on the reception cards, especially if there's a significant gap between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception. This helps guests plan their day accordingly.

Understanding Invitation Pricing

Wedding invitations come in a vast array of styles and prices. However, the cost of similar invitations tends to be fairly consistent across different retailers. Most stores will ask for a 50% deposit upon ordering, with the remaining balance due upon delivery. To avoid any last-minute stress, consider ordering an additional 5% of invitations to account for any potential errors or overlooked guests.

Crafting the Perfect Invitation Wording

When it comes to the wording of your invitations, the details matter. You'll need the correct names of the hosts (often the parents of the bride), the full names of the couple, and the precise time, date, and location of the ceremony. The phrasing can vary depending on who is hosting the wedding. Here are some examples:

Traditional Hosting by Parents

Mr. and Mrs. James T. Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Mary Sue
to
Robert John Brown

Hosting by the Couple

Mary Sue Smith
and Robert John Brown
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage

Hosting by a Widowed Mother

Mrs. James T. Smith
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Mary Sue

Hosting by a Remarried Mother

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Howard
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Mary Sue Smith

Hosting by Divorced and Remarried Parents

Mr. and Mrs. James T. Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Jones
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Mary Sue Smith

The phrase "the honor of your presence" is traditionally used for religious or formal services, while "the pleasure of your company" is more common for civil or casual services. Wedding consultants at specialty shops can provide guidance on wording.

Military Wedding Invitations

For military weddings, the use of service titles is the key difference in wording. For example, a captain in the Army or Marine Corps, or a commodore in the Navy, would have their rank listed before their name, with their service designation on the next line. Lower-ranking officers would have their rank and service designation on the same line, below their name. Non-commissioned military personnel would simply have their service designation listed below their name. A bride in the military may choose to omit her rank and service designation unless she is wearing her uniform.

Addressing and Assembling Invitations

The addressing of invitations should be handwritten, traditionally in black ink, though matching the color of the printing is also acceptable. Invitations come with two sets of envelopes. The outer envelope should have formal titles written out, while semi-formal titles are abbreviated. The inner envelope should include only the titles and last names of the invited adults, with children's first names listed below their parents' names.

When assembling the invitations, include all enclosures such as reception cards, response cards, and maps. Place a tissue over the printing to prevent smudging, and ensure the inner envelope's writing faces the flap of the outer envelope.

Postage and Response Cards

Before mailing, have the complete invitation weighed to determine the correct postage. Use first-class stamps and mail all invitations simultaneously. Include a stamp on the return envelope for response cards. The wording on response cards should be clear to encourage timely replies from guests.

Additional Stationery Accessories

When ordering invitations, consider other stationery needs such as reception cards, response cards, informal thank-you notes, preprinted thank-you notes, personalized napkins, announcements, pew cards, and wedding programs. Wedding programs should be printed close to the date to accommodate any last-minute changes.

Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes should be personal and mention the gift and how you plan to use it. It's better to use blank notes rather than preprinted ones. Reserve notes with the couple's married names for after the wedding.

Handling a Broken Engagement

If the engagement is called off after invitations are sent, a printed announcement or personal phone calls should be made to inform guests. Any gifts received should be returned.

Remember, your wedding invitations are more than just a request for someone's presence; they're a reflection of your love story and the celebration to come. Take the time to make them special, and your guests will surely appreciate the effort.