Guest Post: Invitation Wording Etiquette

I am so excited to have another wonderful guest today. Calligrapher and Illustrator, Laura Lavender rounded up some great etiquette tips when it comes to wording your invitations!

via Laura Lavender

Ultimate Etiquette Tips! How to follow Tradition in your wording of your Invitation

While I am not an expert in etiquette by any means (!), as a calligrapher I frequently consult etiquette guides while creating invitations and other wedding calligraphy items.

These days, anything goes when it comes to weddings, some couples are interested in taking a more traditional approach.

Here are a few Ultimate Etiquette Tips for the modern bride. 100% miss Manners approved!

-Traditionally, whoever pays for the wedding is listed on the invite. Many couples choose to honor their parents by listing them on the invite regardless of who pays.

-Names are written in full on the invite. No abbreviations, except for Mr. and Mrs.

-If the ceremony is at a place of worship, the wording “...request the honour of your presence” is used. The word “honour” is spelt the anglican way.

-Spell out dates and times. Do not use a.m. or p.m. Instead, use “in the morning” or “in the evening.”

-If a certain dress code is requested, use the wording “Black Tie,” “Black Tie encouraged” or “Casual Attire Welcome.”

-Including the year of the wedding on the invite is optional. (My opinion: Include it! Then, as memorabilia, the wedding becomes easier to recall many years down the road! )

-Invitations should be mailed at the very least 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. -No mention should be made of a registry anywhere in the invitation.

Sample Invitation Wording. (Bride’s parents host the wedding, Grooms Parents are included.) The parents are formally listed under the full name of the man.

Mr. and Mrs. John Michael Regent
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Marie Jeanne

to

Mr. Matthew James Smith
son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald James Smith

Pickle: Table Setting

If you are setting up your own tables for your reception, bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner, etc., you probably want to make sure you know what goes where.

The Pickle: You don't know how to set up a table setting properly.

The Solution: Watch below and also find some tips I found from across the web.



Some tips to remember:

• Don't put the forks on top of the napkin if not on top of the plate. (Life123)
• Put the Place Plate one inch from the edge of the table. (missouri.edu)
• The napkin doesn't have a set place, it can be on side, on plate or in water glass. (table-settings-with-pictures.com)
• Work outside in when using utensils.
• Forks on Left, Knives on Right. 

I don't think you have to be perfect. It isn't a royal or presidential dinner. Get the basics, then make your table pretty to reflect your personality!

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. - Mark 2:15

Pickle: No Kids Please!

The Pickle: You have decided to have a kid-free zone wedding. But how do you get that across without being rude?

The Solution: There are a few subtle things you can do.

Timing- If your wedding is on a school night. Kids probably won't be there. If your wedding is pretty late in the evening. Kids probably won't be there.

Be specific on names on envelope- "John and Sally" not "John, Sally and Little Billy". If the name isn't listed, that person isn't invited. Leaving the children off tells the guest that.

Sit-Down Dinner- I wouldn't say this is required, but if you are asking for menu selections for John and Sally, they would be crazy to think to write in on the invite what Little Billy wants to eat when you didn't ask. Little Billy obviously isn't invited.