The Invitation Etiquette Survival Guide

Worried about the pitfalls of invitation etiquette? Then you’re not alone – most brides find this the most confusing aspect of wedding planning. However the good news is that by following a few simple guidelines you can create courteous invitations to be proud of.

Start by considering who you will be inviting and how formal your wedding will be. Less formal weddings require less traditional wording and leave more scope for creativity, and for these types of celebration the following guidelines probably don’t apply (see How to Word your Contemporary Ceremony Invitations). If however you are sticking with tradition, the following pointers should come in handy.

• Traditionally, each line of the invitation should be centred.
• One invitation can be sent to a couple and their children, however a separate invitation should be sent to those over the age of sixteen.
• Your invitations should include the following information: the names of the hosts (usually the bride’s parents), what the event is (ceremony and / or reception), when it will be held, where it will take place, directions or a map to the venue, and the RSVP date and address.
• Traditionally invitations are written in the third person – for example, ‘Mr and Mrs Turner request the honour of your presence…’
• The British spelling is usually used for the words ‘honour’ and ‘favour’.
• Invitations to religious ceremonies usually request ‘the honour of your presence’ whereas non-religious wedding invitations often ask for ‘the pleasure of your company’.
• The bride’s name appears before the groom’s name.
• The time and date should be written first followed by the details of the venue.
• The guest’s full name should be used (never use a nickname).
• Dates, times and addresses are spelled out.
• Use the guest’s title such as Mr, Mrs or Miss. Never use the title Ms on a wedding invitation. If you are inviting a priest or vicar the correct title is The Reverend, for a judge it is The Honourable, and for a rabbi it is simply Rabbi.
• If the reception will be held at a different venue, include a reception card with the invitation.
• Traditionally it’s not considered polite to include details of your gift list.

For a complete resource on all aspects of wedding planning and etiquette get your hands on 'The One Stop Wedding Kit'. Packed with expert tips, inspiration and insider info, this guide has all a bride could possibly need to turn her dream day into reality. Find out more>