Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Wedding definitely involves a lot of planning and organization. Since, wedding solidifies the bond between two families, emotions tend to run a bit high. You are likely to hurt the sentiments of your friends or family, if you do not follow a proper wedding invitation etiquette. Although, wording forms the most important part of the wedding invitation, there are several other issues that need to be addressed.

Right Time to Send Invitations
Ideally, you should send the invites at least 6 weeks prior to the event. This will give your guests an ample time to work on their schedules and clear the day for your event. The replies should be sent at least 3 weeks before the wedding day. This enables the host to make seating and catering arrangements, well in advance.

Wedding Invitation Wording
Choose appropriate words and frame your invitation in the most genuine way. You can issue the invitation yourself or you can issue it in the name of your parents, if they are the ones, who'll be hosting your event. There are several formats of issuing the invitation. Go through a few templates available on the Internet or at the card shop and choose the one that suits you. You can give a personal touch to your invitation by composing original wedding vows or wedding poetry for your guests.

Whom to Send Invites
Invites are sent to those people who you genuinely want to be present on the big day. However, if the groom stays too far from the venue, it is less likely that many people from his side would be attending the wedding. So, should you send invites to people who you know, may find it impossible to attend your wedding? In such situations, you should definitely send them invitations and let them decide for themselves, if they wish to attend your event. You may even consider about a separate reception at groom's town, so as to invite those people who could not make it to the wedding.

Envelope
Many people think about getting the address of the recipient printed in a fancy font, but the etiquette goes against it. It is improper to type or print the address on the cover. Instead, you can ask a family member or a friend to write down the address in beautiful writing. Also, it is a good practice to include your address on the envelope, so that it comes back to you, in case not delivered.

Addressing Issues
Addressing your recipients is a tricky area and you could end up hurting people if you don't give it a thought. Earlier, it used to be addressed to the families with the names of husband and wife and their children, if any. But the social changes have reflected in the address etiquette, as well. Wedding invitation etiquette, for addressing guests has become more liberal to include divorced couples, unmarried couples living together, gays and lesbians.
Here are a few tips on addressing your guests.

• Unmarried couple living together should be addressed in the same way as a married couple.
• Conventionally, a widow should be addressed with a title 'Mrs.', however, you can talk to the person in question and ask her how she would like to be addressed.
• A divorced woman, who has retained her marriage name, should be addressed as Ms.
• A married couple who technically does not stay together should be sent separate invites, however, you can also send a single invitation to either of them with their names in alphabetic order.
• A gay couple staying together should be sent a single invite, with their names written separately.

Wedding invitation etiquette should only be used as a basis for your invitation. There is no need to adhere to a stringent wedding etiquette, instead use some courtesy and let your common sense prevail, while sending wedding invitation.