Wedding invitation etiquette can seem like something that only extends to the RSVP card and your response time, but it goes much deeper than that. When you’re putting together your wedding invitations, it’s important to take into account how your cards will appear to guests, so you want to make sure you avoid these 5 worst wedding invitation etiquette mistakes at all costs.
Sending out late invitations
Wedding invites should be sent out no later than six to eight weeks before your big day. This gives guests time to save up, buy a dress, or even book travel if they're coming from far away. It also gives them time to RSVP—the average response rate is 46% when wedding invitations are sent out more than seven weeks in advance, according to Brides Magazine.
That number only drops as you get closer and closer to your wedding date: The closer you get, it seems, the fewer people will want to deal with RSVPs. If you're looking for ways to save money, sending out late invitations might be a good place to start.
Plus, an early invitation ensures that any unexpected guest (or several) won't cause problems on your wedding day. Wedding etiquette expert Elaine Swann says that an unanticipated guest can derail everything by not knowing where to sit, who he's supposed to talk to, and what's expected of him.
If there's one thing you don't want on your wedding day, it's someone who doesn't know what he's doing—and his actions could ruin everything else about your special day. Don't let that happen! Make sure all of your invited guests have plenty of time to plan accordingly by getting those wedding invitations out at least six weeks in advance.
Choosing a cheap invitation
People think they are saving money by choosing a cheap invitation, but in reality, they are setting themselves up for failure. Choosing an inexpensive invitation may indicate to guests that you don’t have a large budget for your wedding. Wedding invitation etiquette mistakes can be costly and difficult to repair once it is too late.
A great tip for those on a tight budget is to plan ahead by choosing self-addressed, stamped envelopes or SASEs. This way you can save money on invitations while still having enough money left over for other aspects of your big day.
If you choose to do something like place cards at your wedding reception, consider using blank note cards and writing out each guest's name on their own card. You can even customize these with a favorite quote or saying from one of your favorite movies! One very important thing to remember when planning any wedding is that wedding etiquette rules are not set in stone—they change with time.
For example, if you had a destination wedding twenty years ago it was considered poor form to include children in an invitation; today most couples do just that! However, there are some basics: never give out gifts at weddings (unless specifically asked), never wear white (unless specifically asked), never address envelopes with only first names (it's considered rude), and always RSVP promptly.
Sending invites without RSVP details
Wedding invitations are sent out so that guests can RSVP, and if they don’t include RSVP details, people may not know how to respond. It is not polite to assume people will just show up without a specific date or time. Include all pertinent information on your mountain themed wedding invites.
This includes things like date and time, location, type of ceremony (religious or civil), venue address, hotel information, and directions if necessary. How to decline without offending the couple:
If you just can’t make it but would like to send a gift anyway, include a note with your gift letting them know you would be there in spirit if you could. You should also let them know when you will be sending your gift.
Wedding etiquette for children: Children should never be included on wedding invitation cards unless they are part of an official bridal party role. If children attend weddings, their parents should inform their host ahead of time and make arrangements for child care during events where alcohol is served. The best man's speech: The best man’s speech is often one of the most anticipated parts of any wedding reception—but it isn't always easy to plan.
Misspelled Names and Addresses
When you send out wedding invitations, have enough of them printed. This may seem like a silly mistake to make, but it’s an easy one for couples to overlook. First off, there are multiple possible mistakes that can be made here.
The most common is not having enough guests (you don’t want to run out of invites!) or printing too few invites and finding yourself in a bind when you realize all your friends want to come or some other situation pops up and you need more copies on short notice.
Another potential issue is misspelling names or addresses. If you find yourself with extra wedding invitations, it’s good to give them away as gifts—but only if they're correctly addressed! Otherwise, these misspelled wedding invitation cards will just end up sitting around gathering dust.
Not having enough invitations printed
When you’re planning a wedding, it’s easy to become caught up in all of your ideas, inspiration, and how fabulous everything will be. But make sure you don’t let all of that get in your way. One major misstep is not having enough invitations printed.
If people don’t receive an invitation, they won’t know about your wedding – and what will be worse than their missing out on one of life's most special days? Don't risk it! Make sure there are enough invites for everyone who needs one.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re inviting children or babies (such as with family), or if anyone has food allergies, extra invites may be needed. To avoid wasting money and time printing too few wedding invitations (or figuring out how to squeeze extra names onto cards), check with your printer or call around to other printers for estimates beforehand.
Remember: More than likely, weddings cost more than originally planned—whether it's due to changing venues at the last minute or adding an unexpected event such as a bridal shower or bachelor/bachelorette party—so plan ahead.
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