What rules do I follow for invitations?

Fortunately, people are moving farther and farther away from the days of Emily Post's wedding etiquette. While there certain rules most people follow when composing their invitation, you  need to consider what best fits your event.

In picking an invitation that best fits you, you need to remember what the point of it is:

1. Inform people of the time, date, and location
2. Give people an idea of the formality of the event
3. Provide a way for guests to RSVP

Anything other than that is just extra!

Remember to include:

1. Name of the Bride and Groom
2. Name of the parents
3. Time, Date, Location of ceremony
4. Location of reception if different than ceremony (you can do this on a separate card, or some people even do it at the ceremony by printing it on the program)

A few rules of thumb:

1. Bride’s name always goes before the groom’s name
2. Always do full names (first, middle, and last) of Father of the Bride, Bride, Groom, and Father of the Groom
3. Spell out everything completely (Ex. Not 26, but Twenty-six; not Dr., but Drive)
4. NEVER put the registries on the invitation. Tacky, tacky, tacky!!!

People are going away from tradition now, so you are really free to include whatever you want. Some examples of “extras” are:

• Attire desired “Black-tie” or simply, “formal attire”
• Note if child care will be offered
• Accommodation information (Hotel information)
• A photo of the couple
• The wedding website address
• A card to let your guests submit song requests early
• A card requesting each guest send their own piece of marriage advice for the couple

Two Ways to RSVP:

The traditional way requires that you provide the guest with a card to RSVP on and an already-stamped and addressed envelope for them to return it to you. This will ensure that you get the most prompt and accurate responses from your guests. The easier you make it for them, the better!

The green/budget efficient way requests that the guest RSVP via a website or email address. This will save on invitation cost, postage cost, and might even speed up this process in our technology-centered world.

Wording:

There are a TON of different exceptions to the way traditional invitations are written, but the classic way is as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. John Daniel Smith (name of the bride’s parents or whoever is paying goes first) 

request the honor of your presence 

at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Elizabeth
to
Preston Bennett Montgomery

son of
Mr. Bob Daniel Short
and
Mrs. Bertha Dolly Short (in this example, the groom's parents are divorced, that is why they get two lines)
Saturday, the Twenty-Sixth of March
two thousand ten

at 6 o’clock in the evening
First Baptist Church Dallas
1234 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75123

Adult Reception to Follow ("adult" suggests to not bring children)

For some not-so-traditional invitation ideas click here.

There are many, MANY more tips and tricks to what you can, can not, should, should not include in your invitations.
Feel free to comment on this post with any more specific questions!

Happy Planning!