Everything you always wanted to know about wedding etiquette.
No question will be unanswered. This page is maintained by the owner of InvitationConsultants.com, a leading retailer of personalized wedding invitations. We have over 8 years of experience with wedding invitations.
The Top Five Hardest Etiquette Questions
- How do I inform my guests that my wedding and reception are adults only?
- How do I honor those who are contributing to my wedding in the invitation wording?
- How do I let my guests know that we would prefer money for our honeymoon instead of a traditional wedding gift?
- Should I include a postage stamp on the RSVP card?
- Should I send Save the dates?
Answers to the Top Five Hardest Etiquette Questions
How do I inform my guests that my wedding and reception are adults only?
Traditional etiquette states that you should not use "No Children Please" or "Adults Only" on your invitation or respond card. However, we have seen this often on respond cards and even invitations. We recommend addressing your invitations to only the parties who you wish to invite. However, if you would like some extra assurance, ask a family member to spread the word. Another option is if you have a wedding website that you are referring your guests to, you can list your request there.
How do I honor those who are contributing to my wedding in the invitation wording?
You have the option of using any family members contributing to the wedding as the hosts of the wedding. The first line of your invitation would read "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller request the honor of your presence." Sometimes, complicated family situations make using this wording impossible. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider honoring family members in another way, such as thanking them on the wedding program for all of their support.
How do I let my guests know that we would prefer money for our honeymoon instead of a traditional wedding gift?
This is another instance where traditional etiquette fails to show a proper way to do this, at least on your invitation. We recommend going about this in a different way, such as asking a family member to spread the word or posting on your wedding website (if you have one) that monetary gifts are perfectly acceptable.
Should I include a postage stamp on the RSVP card?
Yes! You should also have the mailing address to which the respond card should go to already printed so your guests only need to fill the card out and send it back.
Should I send Save the dates?
Save the dates are becoming more and more mainstream these days. When people first started sending save the dates, it was mainly for two situations: a destination wedding, or a wedding with a lot of out of town guests. However, nowadays, people do it as a courtesy to their guests.
Traditional etiquette states that you should not use "No Children Please" or "Adults Only" on your invitation or respond card. However, we have seen this often on respond cards and even invitations. We recommend addressing your invitations to only the parties who you wish to invite. However, if you would like some extra assurance, ask a family member to spread the word. Another option is if you have a wedding website that you are referring your guests to, you can list your request there.
How do I honor those who are contributing to my wedding in the invitation wording?
You have the option of using any family members contributing to the wedding as the hosts of the wedding. The first line of your invitation would read "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller request the honor of your presence." Sometimes, complicated family situations make using this wording impossible. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider honoring family members in another way, such as thanking them on the wedding program for all of their support.
How do I let my guests know that we would prefer money for our honeymoon instead of a traditional wedding gift?
This is another instance where traditional etiquette fails to show a proper way to do this, at least on your invitation. We recommend going about this in a different way, such as asking a family member to spread the word or posting on your wedding website (if you have one) that monetary gifts are perfectly acceptable.
Should I include a postage stamp on the RSVP card?
Yes! You should also have the mailing address to which the respond card should go to already printed so your guests only need to fill the card out and send it back.
Should I send Save the dates?
Save the dates are becoming more and more mainstream these days. When people first started sending save the dates, it was mainly for two situations: a destination wedding, or a wedding with a lot of out of town guests. However, nowadays, people do it as a courtesy to their guests.
Interesting Etiquette Resources
Here is a collection of articles and web pages that should help you.
Can't find the answer here, leave a question in the guestbook below and we will answer your question.
- Everything you wanted to know about etiquette but were afraid to ask ...
- Basic etiquette rules and tips.
- Sample Invitation Wording
- Tons of sample invitation verses. It will cover all situations: bride and groom paying for the wedding, divorced parents, other unusual situations, destination weddings, etc.
- How do I ... ?
- Your most popular questions about your invitations and wording answered
- Managing your guest list
- Tips to manage your guest list.
- Invitation Consultants' Don't List
- What not to do or say on your invitations
- Complete Etiquette Guide
- Complete Etiquette Guide to Wedding Invitations.
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