Wedding Invitation Etiquette - Getting It Right

Wedding invitation etiquette varies according to the style and mood of your wedding. Decisions about wedding invitation wording and style tend to be governed by the degree of formality of your wedding theme. But even if you're planning to send out inexpensive wedding invitations, you'll always want the essential information about the event to be communicated to your guests.

Whatever style you choose for inviting people to your wedding, have a clear understanding of the key details about the ceremony and reception. The fundamental purpose of the invitation is to let your guests know who is getting married, and when and where the wedding will take place. It can be helpful to include directions to the venue and a map, if necessary. You may also wish to let them know about activities, attire and other such details.

If you've already set the theme for your wedding, it may well be easy to choose a style of invitation that will complement the overall design of the event. Bear in mind that many people like to put wedding invitations alongside photographs in albums or scrapbooks as a memento of the occasion. A stylish invitation will become a treasured keepsake for your friends and family.

The etiquette of wedding invitations has changed as society has evolved. It used to be traditional for the parents of the bride to host the wedding and reception and thus to issue the invitations. For some couples, this may still be the case. But family situations vary widely nowadays and many couples host their own wedding. The wording of modern invitations reflects this in a range of styles to suit the particular circumstances of the wedding couple.

Some couples still choose to send out traditional invitations, engraved on heavy paper with matching envelopes and response cards. Others prefer a more contemporary style that matches a chosen wedding theme. Check out some of our other wedding invitation articles to help you set the style and mood of your special day.

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