Traditional wedding invitation etiquette

It's interesting:
"You know, I’ve been to lots of great weddings, but today may have been the best. The small, ornate chapel – the beautiful music – the sincere words that Paul and Linda wrote themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, we all witnessed something very special."

Nothing sets the tone of a wedding like the invitations. Traditional invitations typically include inner and outer envelopes, invitation, reception card, response card and a map or directions to the ceremony. There is no one specific way to word or design formal invitations, but couples interested in a traditional wedding should observe certain etiquette guidelines.

1. Wording

   • Wedding invitations are usually written in third person. The first line of the invitation's wording should identify the hosts, who are traditionally the bride's parents. The hosts' names are followed by a phrase that extends the invitation, such as "request the honor of your presence." If the ceremony will not be held in a place of worship, a less formal invitation extension, like "request the pleasure of your company," is more appropriate. Next, the bride and groom are named in full and then the date, year, time and location are specified. Gift requests and registries are never mentioned on the invitation, says TheKnot.com.

   Punctuation

   • Punctuation is commonly avoided when writing a wedding invitation, except after titles such as "Mrs." or "Dr." Names, titles and the first letter of a sentence, as opposed to a line, are capitalized. All words, dates and times are spelled out. For example, "3:00 p.m." should be written as "three o'clock in the afternoon" and "July 23, 2010" as "The twenty-third of July two thousand and ten." Avoid contractions like "you're" and "don't," and do not abbreviate, advises Peggy Post's "Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette."

   Addressing and Mailing

   • For formal invitations, the return address should be printed on the envelope flap, be that of the wedding's hosts and not include any names. The invitation should be addressed specifically to the individual or individuals invited and use courtesy titles as necessary. An invitation addressed to Mr. Smith indicates that Mr. Smith should attend the wedding alone without bringing additional guests, while an invitation for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, or Mr. Smith and guest, implies that Mr. Smith and a second guest may attend together. Mail invitations six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding. Response cards should be due three to four weeks before the reception.

   Children

   • Children under the age of 18 do not need to be named on the outer invitation envelope, but if their names are not included on the inner envelope, it indicates that they are not invited. If children under 18 are invited to attend the wedding with their parents, include their names on the inner envelope. Children who are 18 or older should receive their own separate invitations even if they still reside with their parents.

   Paper and Design

   • Traditional wedding invitations are typically printed on heavy 100 percent linen or cotton paper that is a shade of white, ivory or ecru. The text is printed using an elaborate script style type in black or dark gray that requires a tissue paper insert to protect the printing from smudging. Addresses are printed on the outer envelopes in matching type. Traditional invitation designs are elegant with a simple metallic solid or floral border, small doves, flowers or bells and without ribbons and other embellishments.

Source: www.ehow.com

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