Do I need a save the date? When do I send it?
Save the dates are very helpful for destination weddings especially. These days, almost every wedding is destination to some extent because relatives and friends are so spread out geographically. For that reason, a save the date is nearly always beneficial. It enables you to send a brief summary of the important details with well enough time for your guests to plan as many of us need to ask for time off of work several months in advance in order to ensure we’ll actually be able to attend. That said, the proper timing to send the save the date is six to eight months prior to your wedding OR any time once you’re inside a year out.

Should I just skip the save the date and send the invitation early?
We get this question fairly often, and there are a few reasons we discourage that option. The main one is that, in order to send your invitation that early, everything has to be finalized – times, meals, etc. We find that that usually is not the case 6 to 8 months before the wedding, and even when people think it is, the time almost always ends up swinging half an hour one way or the other. Additionally, your wedding is the biggest thing in your world, but your guests may have more than one to attend and other life events happening. Reminders spread out a bit are good!

When do I send invitations?
Invitations should be sent six to ten weeks before your wedding with very few exceptions to that rule. Especially if you sent a save the date, you want to time invitations so that they arrive just close enough to the wedding for your guests to think, “my, that’s just around the corner!” Send them too far in advance and they will wind up in the “that’s-forever-away” pile of things to do.

Where does registry information go?
Registry information should be included on your bridal shower invitations and/or wedding website only. It is considered poor wedding invitation etiquette to include it in your wedding invitation — sort of like you’re inviting someone to give you a gift instead of to share in your special day.

Where does my website go?
We highly recommend including your website on your save the date. It’s great to reiterate it in the invitation packet; however, avoid placing it on the invitation itself. Slip it in on a directions or accommodations card or even a specific small website insert.

What should my RSVP date be?
We typically see RSVP dates three to four weeks in advance of the wedding. Be sure to verify with your venue & caterer that that gives them enough time for head counts, meal selections, etc., but in 99% of cases, that’s the best timing.

Who puts my invitations together?
Unless we have included assembly in your invitation quote, they will arrive ready for you to stuff, stamp, and seal. You can get wedding stamps from your local post office — most often you will need the 1.5oz for your invitation and regular forever stamp for your response — or order custom ones online. Also, to save you from licking a zillion envelopes or yucky wet sponges, we recommend sealing envelopes with a glue stick. Get your friends together and make it a movie night!

Okay, so now my invitations are stuffed & sealed — do I just drop them in the mail?
We highly recommend you ask your local post office to allow you to hand cancel the invitations. This simple step generally prevents them from being handled quite so roughly by the good ole USPS.  However, we have found that – locally at our Mount Pleasant post office, anyway – some post offices are no longer allowing this step.  It will be okay either way! Even if you can’t hand cancel them, do take them inside and hand them to a post office person as opposed to a random drop box.

How to Word a Wedding Invitation

Save the Date Wording

Save the date
for the wedding of
Sydni Smith & Michael Jones
Saturday, the thirty-first of May
two thousand twelve
Charleston, South Carolina
Formal invitation to follow

Sydni & Michael
are tying the knot!
Saturday, the thirty-first of May
two thousand twelve
Charleston, South Carolina
Formal invitation to follow
For more details on accommodations, directions, & more, please visit:
www.sydniandmichael.com

Invitations

Traditional wording (bride’s parents inviting)
Mr. & Mrs. John Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sydney Elizabeth
to
Michael Eaton Jones
Saturday, the thirty-first of May
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Trinity United Methodist Church
273 Meeting Street
Charleston, South Carolina
Reception to follow at
Alhambra Hall
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

*You can add the line “son of” if the groom’s parents are also financially contributing to the wedding.
** Technically speaking, “request the honour of your presence” refers to a church wedding, and “request the pleasure of your company” refers to a non-church venue.

Variations

Sydni Smith & Michael Jones
invite you to share in their joy
as they are married
Saturday, the thirty-first of May
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Trinity United Methodist Church
273 Meeting Street
Charleston, South Carolina
Reception to follow at
Alhambra Hall
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

*The third and fourth lines can vary greatly.
*The reception information can also be taken off the invitation and placed on a separate reception card.

Together with our parents
Sydni Smith & Michael Jones
invite you to share
the beginning of our new life together
when we exchange marriage vows
Saturday, the thirty-first of May
two thousand twelve
at six o’clock in the evening
Alhambra Hall
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Dinner & dancing to follow

*Because the ceremony and reception are in the same place, you only need to state something along the lines of “reception to follow.”

Rehearsal Dinner Wording

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jones, Sr.
request the pleasure of your
company at a rehearsal dinner
in honor of
Sydni & Michael
on Friday, the thirtieth of May
at seven o’clock in the evening
Old Village Post House
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

*We often include email addresses for RSVP on the rehearsal dinner invitation.

Addressing

This is the next step and one of the most difficult!  Check out our address form template and other questions clarified here.