Wedding Invitations Wedding Invitations Blog

Wording Wedding Invitations

For Great verses for wording your invitation see www.verseit.com

What to Send and to Whom
Dates & Timing
The Invitation Address
Envelopes
Lazy Guests
Budgeting

What to Send & to Whom

What is a staggered 'A' & 'B' invitation list?

A staggered 'A' & 'B' list is a great way to have as many filled seats at your wedding as possible. The idea is that you make two lists: an 'A' list consisting of all the people you absolutely must invite to the wedding and a 'B' list consisting of all the people you would invite if you have enough room. The A list is sent out first and once the reply cards come in you'll know exactly how many seats you need for that group and more importantly how many seats are left over for the 'B' list. Now you can accurately send the right number of invites to people on the 'B' list. Cautions: Make sure you leave enough time to send out the 'A' list, receive the replies and send out the 'B' and receive the supplies!

Do we have to send reply cards?

For traditional weddings, reply cards are strongly recommended. However in this technological age some chose to use other media such as email, web forms or telephone to confirm attendance.

Milestone Moments can print 2 different reply cards, one with traditional wording and a reply envelope for your more traditional guests, and one with information to contact you by phone/e-mail.

There are services that help you create a wedding website and track your RSVPs online. Check out: www.weddingwindow.com.

Lastly, you could choose to forgo reply cards all together. In this situation you would note how your guests should respond right on the invitation.

Should we send a thank-you card even if we thanked guests at the wedding?

Absolutely. Every single person who gave you a gift should receive a personalized thank-you note. Your guests are sure to appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten thank-you.

How many invitations should we order?

Count the number of people on your list.  Factor in the fact that you'll send one invitation per household or couple and not per guest (Teens over sixteen get their own).  Once you’ve figured all of that out, add another 15-20% as you may need a few invitations for last minute additions to the guest list and a couple for keepsakes.  It's better to have leftovers than to have to reorder. 

Do we need to send invitations to our parents or the wedding party?

Yes.  Send your parents and wedding party invitations, as a keepsake.  (You don’t have to put return postage on your RSVP's though.)

Dates & Timing

When should we order the invitations?

It’s a good idea to order your 'save the date' cards or invitations at least 6-8 weeks before you plan to mail them out. (See the next two FAQs for more info on when you should send them.)

Production takes approximately 3-4 weeks (depending on order size) and we like to leave 1 week for delivery. This leaves 2 weeks for consulting, designing, proofing and approval (two weeks to get the invitations just the way you want.) If you think you'll need more time, order sooner.

When should we send the invitations?

Invitations are typically sent 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date.  However, this time may lengthen depending on a few things. It may lengthen if you are going to do a staggered ‘A’ & ‘B’ mailout as appose to a ‘one shot’ mail-out. It may also lengthen if you are having a destination wedding or you are marrying over the holidays (and you decided not to send out 'save the date' cards.) In this case you should send out the invitations 10 to 12 weeks before the wedding. (If you are concerned with people’s availability you should first send ‘save the date’ cards.) 

When should we send the ‘save the date’ cards?

‘Save the date’ cards are sent anywhere from two months to a year before the wedding date.  These cards simply let people know the who, the what, and the when so that guests can plan ahead.  It is a good idea to include hotel suggestions for out of town guests.  These cards will give your guests the time they need to make travel accommodations.  Your invitation will fill in the details closer to the time. 

When should we start making the guest list?

You should start making the guest list (with names and addresses) 9 to 12 months before the wedding.  You should also start to consider colours and themes at this point too.

When should our ‘reply by’ date be?

You should set this date for at least 3 weeks before the wedding. This date also depends on when your caterer needs the final head count.   Don’t forget that you’ll be tracking down the stragglers for the two weeks after this date. If you are having an "A and B" list you can put the "reply by" date earlier, as you want to be able to invite "new" guests as you receive regrets.

How much time do we have to send out our thank you cards?

You should start working on them right after the wedding.  Some say that the thank you cards should be sent within three months of the wedding.  However, since some guests don’t give their gifts until then, a better rule is three months after you receiving the gift.

 

The Invitation Address

Are there any wording examples?

You bet, visit http://www.verseit.com/
More wording examples -click here-

What if we need the invitations in more than one language?

There are different options for Incorporating languages into your invitation:

Option 1: 
Incorporate both languages throughout

Option 2: 
Have a double sided invitation.  Each side would be in a different language (This is only available on certain Milestone Moments Invitations, and there is a fee for double sided printing)

Option 3: 
Make two sets of invitations, one in each language.  Just make sure you mail the appropriate invitation to your guests!

Option 4:
Have the identical invitation printed on paper (instead of cardstock) and have it layed over the top.

See Services & Upgrades for more information

For other languages you will be responsible for all text errors. We will copy exactly what you provide as we only speak English.   If you are computer literate in the other language we’ll get you to it type up.  Then we’ll work with you to get it in the invitations.   Some languages are more difficult to incorporate than others.  If we cannot successfully incorporate the other language, then we will let you know.  You will not need to pay us for trying.  However, if we are successful and you decide to purchase the invitations an extra fee will apply.  (This fee will vary as some languages are easier than others.)

How do we let people know that we want children at the wedding?

Address them on the envelopes or put “and family”.
“Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson, Bart and Lisa” or “Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson and Family”

What do we do if we don't want children at your wedding?

Leave the children's names out of the invitation and address.   Add one of the following at the bottom of your reply card: “Adult Reception” or “We hope that the (# of people) of you are able join us!”  Put something to the effect of, “Sorry, but children are not invited” in the invitation.  Have friends and family spread word that you don't want children there.

What do we do if we want some people to come to the ceremony but not the reception?

You can make two different invitations.  One that includes the reception information (corner insert) and one that does not.  Alternatively, you could include reception cards for those who are invited to the reception.  The reception cards look like the reply cards but instead contain all of the reception information. (Please inquire about pricing.)   

How do we address people who are single?

When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put “and Guest” on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion.
“Mr. Ralph Jones and Guest”

Should the invitation mention that it will be an outdoor wedding if we’re not sure?

Yes.  You should let people know what you’re planning so that they can dress appropriately.  You don’t want your guests to freeze or roast.

Who do we invite?

The bride and groom to-be should make the list together!  If it’s a large affair, you should invite your friends, your parents’ friends, and their business acquaintances.  If the wedding is a small, then it really depends on the two of you and your parents.  Good luck!

 

Envelopes

Can Milestone Moments address the envelopes?

We can print a return address on the outer envelope for $0.15 per envelope, reply address on the reply envelope $0.15. Milestone Moments will also address the outer envelopes to your guests for $0.25 per envelope.  However, for invitation envelopes it is customary to handwrite your guests' addresses instead of typing or printing them out on computer labels.  If you've got more guests than your writing hand can handle (or if the term "chicken scratch" applies to you), get your wedding party to help or hire a calligrapher.

If you choose for us to address your invitations to your guests we will send you an excel template to input your guest list into so we are able to address your envelopes properly.

Please see Services & Upgrades for more information

Does Milestone Moments provide extra envelopes?

Yes. You will make mistakes so we give you some extras relative to the order size.

Do we need to include return postage on the reply card envelopes?

Yes, traditionally and as a courtesy to your guests you should provide postage for the reply card. However if the is from another country you do not have to include postage.

Additionally, some brides chose to send two types of reply cards, one of which is replied to electronically or by telephone, Envelopes are obviously not required for cards that request this type of reply.

What if some of the addresses are wrong?

We suggest you should double check the postal and zip codes at the following sites:
With Canada Post, and With United States Postal Service

And when addressing the envelopes, don't forget to include the country for people who live in another country.

Which address do we use for the return address?

Traditionally all wedding invitations should come from the home of the bride, even those that are for the personal friends of her husband even if they are unknown to the bride.

 

Lazy Guests

What if some guests send back the reply card without filling in their name?

Yes, we know it happens from time to time.  To avoid this you could add a discrete number to each reply card.  Make sure you keep track of which number was mailed to what person and you won’t have a problem. 

What do we do if the “reply by” date has passed and we still haven’t heard from people that we think are coming? 

Wait a week past the "Reply by" date and then call those people to confirm over the phone.

 

Budgeting

What are the costs associated with invitations?

Your costs are:  Your order from us (Invitations, reply cards, 'save the date' cards, envelopes, programs, and 'thank you' cards) + Tax + Shipping (or local pick up) + postage to send your invitations AND postage to receive your replies back + a calligrapher / money to bribe your friends to help you hand address the envelopes. (Milestone Moments can address your invitations on the computer for an additional cost, please see above.)

It’s not a bad idea to take a fully assembled invitation (the sample we send you) and have it weighed at the post office. This will help you know how much postage to use on the invitation.

How can we save money?