Wedding Card Messages and Advice on Wedding Invitation Wording

One of the big stumbling blocks that many people seem to have when they are planning their wedding is the wording that they should put in the wedding invitations.

Make your wedding card messages special as they make the first impression to your guests. They set the tone and should reflect the style of your wedding.

There is a wide variety in types of paper, traditional thick white or ivory, a less formal parchment with colored printing or a moir矇 or pearlized paper.

Tradition has established guidelines for wording invitations. Although many variations are being used today. Once wording is determined, then the size and style of lettering is selected. Over-sized or heavy invitations require more postage.

Addressing and mailing invitations:

Invitations should always be neatly hand written. If you don't have legible handwriting or enough time, you may want to choose someone else such as your mother or friend to address the wedding invitation wording. You also might want to consider a calligrapher but this is a more costly option. Never type your invitations.

• On the outside of the envelope you will need to put:

Name
Address (don't forget the zip code)
Return address (an address printed on the envelope looks the nicest and saves time)
For a professional woman or a woman in the military, list her name on a separate line above her husband's (on an inner envelope she is listed on the same line as her husband: Doctor Mike and Mr. Mike):
Mr. Mike Shephard

• On the inside of the envelope:

Repeat the names and if you have invited the children in the household, include their names as well if they are under sixteen years of age:
Mr. and Mrs. Shephard
Susan and Mike
(if they are over sixteen, they should get their own invitation). If there are two children over sixteen, send only one wedding invitation, then list their names alphabetically).

• For a single person:

The single person's name and guest (if the name of the guest is known, they should receive a separate wedding invitation)

• For two people who live together:

send one wedding card message.

• For a woman who has kept their maiden name:

List her as Miss or Ms. - Both names are listed on the same line and either one may be listed first.

• Formal titles:

Formal titles should be written out (Reverend, Doctor or Captain). Ms., Mrs., and Mr. can be abbreviated. Street, city, and state names are always spelled out completely. Never abbreviate these.

• Placing the wedding invitation in the envelope:

Wedding invitations should be placed with the engraved or printed side facing up. Extra enclosures such as reception, pew, or at-home cards should be placed next to the engraved side. Do not seal the inner envelope and its placed in the outer envelope so guests' names are seen first when the envelope is opened.

• Postage:

Weigh the wedding invitations first to ensure you have the proper postage on them. You may want to get a special stamp of romance or love to add a special touch.

Proofreading your wedding invitations:

Proof your invitations and stationery carefully when you place your order and when you receive or pick-up your stationery. Some things to look for when you are proofing:

• Is the style and color what your ordered?
• Is the type style correct and is the right size?
• Are the names correctly spelled with the proper titles?
• Does it have the proper date and time of the wedding?
• Are the day, date, time and year written out correctly?
• Is the address correct?
• Is the phone number correct (if included)?
• Are the words "honour" and "o'clock" written out correctly?
• Is the spacing correct; do the lines end where they should?
• Are there commas between the city and state?
• Are the proper words capitalized?
• Are the directions correct on any enclosures that list the directions?

Guest List:

Ordering invitations about 3 months before the wedding will allow the time needed for delivery, addressing, and mailing. Your invitations should be sent out 4 to 6 weeks before the ceremony. You should start compiling your guest lists along with addressed and phone numbers early. Once the final budget and number of guests is determined, make a master of those receiving invitations and one for announcements. List in alphabetical order to save time and save for later use such as your Christmas list.

Remember the general rule again, 20% to 25% of invited guest will be unable to attend. If you were unable to invite the guests you would have liked due to the space or your budget, you can send out more invitations when you begin receiving regrets. Send the first invitations early enough to allow the receipt of the first responses and then get the new invitations out 3 weeks before the wedding.