Wedding Invitation Etiquette

• Select a wedding invitation and wording that complements your wedding theme. Consider a suitable quote, poem or verse. Embellish the envelope with a bow or seal if it works with your theme.
• To eliminate tedious hand addressing, address envelopes on the computer with a script font, and print your own envelopes.
• If you have a wedding Website, include the URL on a special card or as part of the map.
• Wedding invitations often use the British spellings for honor and favor: honour and favour.
• "Request the honour of your presence" is reserved for weddings that take place in a church or other house of worship. If the wedding will take place in a non-religious venue, use "request the pleasure of your company" or other wording.
• Many wedding invitations use formal spelling conventions; that is, spell out the hour, date, and year, spell out the Avenue, Road, etc., and use Roman Numerals in place of Jr. or 3rd.
• Children over the age of 18 receive their own wedding invitation, even if they live at home with their parents.

Mailing the Invitations

• Mail the invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding.
• Consider sending an additional "Reserve this Date" announcement to out-of-town guests a few months ahead of the wedding.
• Weight and size determine postage. Assemble one entire invitation package, including reception cards, response cards, maps, etc., take it to the post office to determine the correct postage. Select and purchase a special stamp.
• Check mailing addresses on the Internet, and check zip codes at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp.
• Deliver your invitations to the Post Office, and request hand cancellation. Some locations even have ink in special colors for hand cancellation.

Keeping Track of Replies

Create a spreadsheet or a table in a word processor to keep track of RSVPs and gifts. Write your thank-you note as soon as you enter the received gift into your database while the gift and your first reaction (assuming it is pleasant) is fresh in your mind.