Invitations - Etiquette
WEDDING TIPS

WEDDING INVITATIONS ETIQUETTE

Now that you sent your save the dates, you have some times to mature your invitations’ style.

Below, you’ll find step-by-step process and questions regarding your invitations. 

#1 | Invitations: when to be sent?

Etiquette is having a very strict rule about timing, about when to send the invitations : 8 weeks prior the wedding date.

Of course, you cannot follow this etiquette standard. I mean.. 8 weeks ! Wow.. When having a destination wedding, even if you sent a very efficient yet lovely save-the-date, you cannot wait for such a short notice invitations. 

So.. Let’s break the rule together, and work in a different way.

=> If you start planning your wedding less than 1 year before the wedding : Ideally April of the year of your wedding. In this situation, make sure you have had a website online shared with your guests on the save-the-date.

=> If you’re planning your wedding more than 15 months before te wedding day : you can ideally send your invitations late January / Early February. It’s the perfect time, right after the holidays to catch up with your guests so they can properly organise themselves several months before.

#2 |Invitations: what format?

Let’s be clear : no digital invitations please! But I’m sure you already have in mind beautiful design or inspirations to work on in mind.

And you’re lucky! Today, we have so many possibilities for invitations that we can create an ah-mazing invitation suite. 
As for exemple : 

• Outer envelope : it is the envelope you write the recipients’ full names
• Inner envelope: formal invitations are always slipped into an unsealed inner envelope. Mostly decorative
• Response cards: always sent with a self-addressed stamped enveloped
• Reception cards: to tell all the guests where it will take place

It’s now up to you to decide what type of paper, what type of printings. You can have a glimpse on my tool that lists everything about this topic here

#3 | Invitations: what infos ?

• Couples’ names
• Parents’ names
• Name of the event
• Date
• Location
• Dress Code: Black tie | Black tie optional | Jackets required | Beach formal…
• How to answer: precise how to answer
• Deadline for answers
• Website: the url + why has it been created for.

Please, feel free to refer to our special guide : Wedding Tips : Wedding Website Etiquette 

#4 | 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Invitations: text examples in English

Example 1- Formal 

Mr & Mrs John Smith
request the pleasure of
[your guest name]
at the marriage of their daughter
Alexandria
to
Mr Nicholas Jones

[location]
[date]
[time]

and afterwards at
[reception]

R.S.V.P by 30th April to [couple’s email address]

Example 2 – Informal

Alexandria and Nicholas are getting hitched!

[location]
[date]
[time]
followed by drinking and dancing

R.S.V.P by 30th April to [couple’s email address]

Example 3 – Formal for remarried parents

Mr John Smith & Mrs Beth Howard
request the pleasure of
[your guest name]
at the marriage of their daughter
Alexandria
to
Mr Nicholas Jones

[location]
[date]
[time]

R.S.V.P by 30th April to [the couple’s email address]

Example 4 – Formal for Both Families Wedding Invitation Wording:

Mr and Mrs John Smith
&
Mr and Mrs James Jones
invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children
Alexandria and Nicholas

[location]
[date]
[time]

R.S.V.P by 30th April to [couple’s email address]

#5 | 🇫🇷 Save-the-date: Exemples de textes en Français

Exemple 1- Formel avec cérémonie religieuse

Monsieur et Madame Henri Duval,
Monsieur Nicolas Dupond,
Le Baron et la Baronne Félix Duval
ont la joie de vous faire part du mariage de
Mademoiselle Alexandria Duval, leur petite-fille et fille,
avec Monsieur Nicholas Delabarre.

Ils vous invitent à partager leur joie et vous
prient d’être témoins de leur engagement ou de vous unir par la prière
à la messe de mariage qui sera célébrée le samedi 17 Juin 2033 à 15 heures
en l’église de Saint-Paul Mausolée (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence).

Le consentement des époux sera reçu par le père [rabbin] [pasteur]
Jean-Emmanuel Duval.

Les familles vous convient ensuite à les suivre au Chateau d’Estoublon – 13990, Fontvieille, Provence, pour la réception.

Merci de répondre à cette invitation avant le 30 Avril

161 rue du Pont 69006 Lyon
32 avenue de la République 69002 Lyon
14 boulevard Saint-Germain 75005 Paris

Exemple 2- Informel, par le couple

Alexandria & Nicolas
17.06.2033 | 14:30

sont heureux de vous faire part de leur mariage,
qui sera célébré en l’église de Saint-Paul Mausolée (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence).

Ils vous convient ensuite à les rejoindre au Chateau d’Estoublon – 13990, Fontvieille, Provence pour la suite des festivités. 

RSVP avant le 30 Avril

#6 |  RSVP’s: What to ask?

There’s no secret that nowadays, it’s a sign of respect and elegance to ask many details to your guests when confirming their presence to your wedding. 

What is ok to ask? 

What is mandatory to ask?

Here’s a bunch of points to review. Feel free to ask them everything 🙂 It’s for everyone’s comfort after all.