Returned wedding invitation etiquette

It's interesting:
"There's something special about a church wedding, but most of us here have to admit that we rarely set foot inside a church these days. In fact ..."

Receiving a wedding invitation is a great honor, and it is important that you treat both the invitation and your response with the respect that it deserves. The bride and groom want to know in a timely fashion whether or not you are attending and whether you are bringing any guests. To ensure this is the case, there is a certain etiquette when returning and responding to wedding invitations.

1. Function

   • A wedding invitation serves an important purpose.

     A number of components make up a wedding invitation, and each one provides the invited guest with valuable information. The obvious content of a wedding invitation will be the names of the bride- and groom-to-be, but a good invitation should also contain details of the venue, whether there will be a separate reception venue and the time of the ceremony--some even include a location map. Every wedding invitation will also include some kind of response slip, which needs to be returned to the senders in a timely fashion.

   Good Response Etiquette

   • The number of guests needs to be known in good time.

     The bride and groom want to know in good time the number of guests attending their big day so they can advise the venue regarding seating requirements and also inform the caterer. Therefore, it is good etiquette to reply promptly and in handwriting that is legible. Provide details of the number of guests in your party, as it will allow the bride and groom to plan accordingly.

   Poor Response Etiquette

   • Bringing uninvited guests is poor etiquette.

     A response to a wedding invitation should always be confirmed in writing- undoubtedly, there have been many embarrassing moments when someone who confirmed verbally arrives at a wedding to find that she has not been accounted for. Never bring any guests with you who were not mentioned on the original invitation, as this is very poor etiquette and can be seen as rude and inconsiderate. If you wish to bring someone, always check that it is acceptable beforehand by consulting the bride and groom.

   Decline an Invitation

   • A short note to express regret should be included.

     There may be times when it is not possible for you to attend a wedding, but it is still important to fill out the response slip. It is also polite to include with the response slip a small note expressing your regret at being unable to attend and wishing the bride and groom luck for the future. It is also common etiquette to send a gift to the bride and groom, even if you are not attending. This will display your appreciation for being invited to the wedding.

   When Attending Reception Only

   • There may be some instances whereby you are unable to attend the ceremony but are available to attend any evening reception that may be held. Some response cards may allow for this, requesting the number of guests at both the ceremony and reception. If this is not the case, a simple note with the response card (neither ticked or unticked to confirm attendance to both ceremony and reception) to explain your situation and confirm your attendance to the reception will suffice. You may wish to call the bride and groom shortly after your response has been sent to confirm your attendance and clarify any confusion.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding invitation, bride groom, number guests, response slip, both ceremony, both ceremony reception, bride groom want