Wedding stationery can sometimes seem like a minefield, with so many choices in invitations and then comes… wedding etiquette (gasp!) When to send out save the dates and invitations? When to make the R.S.V.P date or how to address the envelopes? So many questions! From the team at Little Flamingo Creative Stationery, here are a few quick tips to help navigate your way around correct wedding stationery etiquette.
1. The more notice the better
When sending out save the dates aim to do this at least three to four months prior to your wedding date. If you have guests coming from overseas or interstate try to get your save the dates out even sooner. Remember, guests travelling from afar may need to book accommodation, arrange time off work or book flights. They may also need to budget to be able to do this, so the more notice the better. No one will complain about having additional time to plan.
2. Save the Date – What to include
For your save the date cards, the bride and groom’s names along with the wedding date is the most important information. You don’t need to include the venue name but we do recommend you include the area and country if it’s overseas. This information will help your guests plan for your celebration. Always note on your save the dates that the invitation will follow so guests know more information is coming. If you have a wedding website, adding it to your save the date is a good idea.
3. Invitations – When to send
Plan to send your invitations out six to eight weeks before your wedding date. For travelling guests, this gives them time to make any final arrangements for hotels and accommodation. We suggest setting your R.S.V.P date around four weeks prior to your celebration. This means you will have time to follow up any late replies before finalising your seating plan, catering and any additional on the day stationery such as place cards.
4. Envelopes – What’s in a name
Your guests’ entire name should be written on the outer invitation envelope. Tradition says married couples should be written as “Mr. and Mrs.” followed by the husband’s first name and then their surname. It is also perfectly fine to include both their first names and then the surname. For an unmarried couple who live together, write their full names on two separate lines.
5. Envelopes – Addresses
When writing addresses on your envelopes, “Street,” “Post Office Box,” and “Unit” should all be written out in full. This is the same for the State and house numbers below 20. “Mr. and Mrs.” however, is generally abbreviated.
6. Thank you very much
Thank you notes are very important. It shows your guests that you really appreciated them sharing your special day and for the gift that they gave you. For any guests that attended and didn’t give you a gift, they should still receive a thank you card. Remember to make it personal, mentioning the gift they gave you or if they contributed in a special way, travelled from afar or gave a nice speech at the wedding. Thank you notes should be sent within two weeks of your wedding day to express your true appreciation.
All images via Little Flamingo Creative Stationery
Ms Chinoiserie Says: In these times of the digital and electronic, we often forget the traditional; thank you for your very useful advice on communication etiquette – wedding invitation style!
About Little Flamingo Creative Stationery: Hi, I’m Shannon! When your guests receive their invitation, we want them to be as excited about your wedding day as you are! With this philosophy and a crazy love for paper and all things wedding, The Little Flamingo team are continually creating and updating our collection of unique, classic and on-trend invitation designs.
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