A number of rules of etiquette surround the sending out of wedding invitations. Although many couples bend the rules in modern and informal wedding ceremonies, the older generation tends to expect certain standards of etiquette in wedding invitations they receive. Stepping carefully while writing the text of your wedding invitations and addressing them can save you from offending your friends and family.
Instructions
Wedding Invitation Content
1. Fill in the names of the people who are hosting the wedding. These are the people who get to extend the invitation to attend the wedding, and they are traditionally the bride's parents. In some cases, they might be joined by or replaced by the groom's parents, the grandparents or the couple getting married.
2. Extend the invitation to the wedding. This is typically done by writing "request the honor of your presence," although if the wedding is not being held in a church or place of worship, it is proper etiquette to use "request the pleasure of your company" instead. Follow this by "at the marriage of their daughter" or a similar appropriate phrase.
3. Fill in the names of the couple getting married. These should be full proper names, including middle names.
4. Write out the wedding date using words instead of numbers. The first line should have the day of the week, date and month. The second line contains the year, fully spelled out. The time of the wedding, along with the time of day (morning, afternoon or evening) goes on the third line.
5. List the location of the wedding. On three lines, include the name of the venue, the street address, and the city and state. Do not include the zip code.
Addressing Wedding Invitations
6. Every person on the guest list who is age 18 or older should receive an invitation, except in the case of couples living together, who receive just one invitation.
7. Address the outer envelopes, using the person's proper title and first and last names. For example, Dr. and Mrs. John Smith, or The Reverend James Miller. Only the names of adults should appear on the outer envelope. If people live together but do not share the same last name, write their names on separate lines.
8. Address the inner envelopes using the title and last name only. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, or The Reverend Miller.
9. On the inner envelopes of single guests, address it to the invitee and guest. For example, Ms. Wilson and Guest. If you know the person is in a serious relationship with somebody, invite the significant other by name.
10. If the children are invited to the wedding, their names should be listed on the inner envelope on the line under the parents' names. If you are unsure of their names, find out, or as a last resort, address it to "The Smith Family."
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