In order to make sure your guests can make the proper accommodations, plan on sending out your wedding invitations anywhere from 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding date. If, however, you are having a destination wedding, it is proper etiquette to send your wedding invitations out 12 weeks prior.
Mentioning a dress code ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want, and it's helpful for guests to know exactly what is expected of them for attire.
As little as 3 months before and as early as 12 is also perfectly acceptable. If you want to send something more than a year in advance I'd advise a save the date card and follow up with the invitations 4 to 6 months later.
When to send out wedding invitations. It's best to send your wedding invitations 4 to 5 months before your big day.
When should the RSVP deadline be? Have your RSVP due date be two to three weeks prior to the wedding. Your caterer will want a head count at least one week before the reception, and you'll need a few days to get in touch with people who you haven't heard from.
The Names of Couple
Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom's name. Formal invitations issued by the bride's parents refer to her by her first and middle names, the groom by his full name and title; if the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.
Semi-formal or Cocktail
Semi-formal is currently the most popular dress code for weddings. Men can wear a suit and tie ensemble or a sport coat. For women, it's super easy, just wear a cocktail dress! The hem of the cocktail dress can range from midi to just above the knee.
A good rule to follow is to give your invitees at least four weeks' notice of the party. However, if any of these apply to your celebration, be sure to give your guests some extra time.
Many response cards will include an "M" followed immediately by a line. In keeping with more formal wedding tradition, the line is here as a way to kickstart your reply. The "M" stands for the first letter of the title you prefer to go by, be it Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. (Quick tip: Ms.
Your invitations should include your full name in some capacity. It is not common practice to use nicknames on your wedding invitations. If you opt to also include your parents names on your invitation it's likely a more formal event.
The address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten; printed labels are not appropriate (though calligraphy done by computer directly on the envelope is gaining popularity and acceptability).
They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family, or if you are in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.
Married Couples: Formal
Traditionally for married couples, you include the male's first and last name (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Arendt). It's likely the most familiar and the most common way to address envelopes.
You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.
"This is where you're thinking more light colors and casual materials," she says, versus fancier fare like satin and sparkles. You can wear things that are a little more flowy, and even bold prints are acceptable. "That really cute sundress or maxi dress is a great example of dressy casual,” Swann says.
Dress to impress, also known as festive dress code is a relatively recent phenomenon, and can be a lot of fun to dress for. The key tenet is that the happy couple wants their guests to have fun with their looks. You'll still want to wear a suit, but you can play with the look by wearing a fun accessories.
It's most traditional to include the names of the groom's parents after the groom's name.
If one set of parents is paying for the majority of the event, but the other is still contributing to the bill, it's fairly simple. It is customary for the names of the parents paying the largest proportion to be at the top of the invitation, with the names of the other set following.
It's traditional to list the bride's name first; for same-sex couples, consider alphabetizing. The wedding location. You've likely booked the venue at this point, but don't include the address just yet.
Use a polite but firm tone.
Say something like, "I hope you received my wedding invitation a few weeks ago, because I haven't heard whether or not you'll be attending. I need to get a final head count by Friday, so please let me know by tomorrow at the latest."
When is it too late to R.S.V.P.? Answer: As a rule, it's best to R.S.V.P. right away or no later than three to four weeks prior to the wedding.