Invitation Etiquette
Wouldn't it be great if all you had to do for your wedding invitations was go to your local stationery store and simply buy the same party invitations you used for your childhood birthday parties? Fill out the information and all done! On to the less stressful (and less hand-cramping) wedding projects!
Unfortunately there is some strict wedding invitation etiquette that even the least formal people expect to be followed when it comes to being invited to someone's wedding. Here are a few tips to help you make sure that your wedding invitations are "just right."
Typically wedding invitations should be mailed at about six weeks before the wedding. Any closer to the wedding and you run the risk of people already being booked on your big day. Any farther out and you risk your guests' losing their invitations. If you are worried about people's availability, you can send out "save the date" cards as long as six months before your wedding date!
Traditionally, the only names mentioned on the invitation are the names of the people who are actually hosting the wedding (and reception). While the idea of honoring loved ones on the invitation is nice, if they are not actually contributing to the hosting of your wedding, they are best mentioned elsewhere (the wedding program, for example).
Thankfully, not each individual person needs to receive an invitation (did your wallet just sigh with relief?) Guests who are living together, for example, can receive a single invitation. A married couple might receive one for "Mr. & Mrs. So-and-so." If you are inviting an entire family (mom, dad, kids), the invitation can read "To the So-and-so Family" and then list each person's name underneath the family title.
According to wedding etiquette 101, it is never okay to address your envelopes with your computer's printer. Wedding invitations should always be hand-addressed because the occasion is a very personal and intimate matter and hand-written addresses show that the event is far more important than something that just has an address label glued onto it.
It is always a good idea to include a return address somewhere on the invitation's envelope (the back flap is a perfect place). That way if the post office has trouble delivering your invitation you will get it back and not have to worry about whether or not your guest received his or her invitation.