{"id":1182,"date":"2015-04-15T12:47:17","date_gmt":"2015-04-15T17:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.essensedesigns.com\/blog\/?p=1182"},"modified":"2015-04-15T13:05:34","modified_gmt":"2015-04-15T18:05:34","slug":"wedding-invite-etiquette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.essensedesigns.com\/blog\/wedding-invite-etiquette\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Invite Etiquette"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although the rules for writing and designing proper wedding invitations have loosened in the last decade, there are still tried and true traditions and guidelines that are important to remember \u2013 especially if you\u2019re hosting a formal wedding event.<\/p>\n

What names should appear on the wedding invitation?<\/b><\/p>\n

Wedding invites should be issued by the host(s), with each name spelled out to include title and middle name. Doctor is spelled out and Mr.\/Mrs. appear as is. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey vs. Doctor and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey.<\/p>\n

Of course, life is not always so simple. In the case of divorce, remarriage, death, what have you, the following tips from Crane&Co.<\/a> will help.<\/p>\n

Both my parents are medical doctors.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Doctors McVey<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My mother is a medical doctor, but not my father.<\/b><\/p>\n

Use their social titles: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My mother kept her maiden name.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey; alternatively:<\/p>\n

Mrs. Jane Eleanor Smith
\nand
\nMr. Joseph Matthew McVey<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My parents are separated.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My parents are divorced.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mrs. Jane Eleanor Smith
\nand
\nMr. Joseph Matthew McVey<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

My parent is a widow.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey, or Mr. Joseph Matthew McVey<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

My parents are remarried.<\/b><\/p>\n

In most cases, the stepparents name is not used. However, if you are close to your stepparents, you may indicate them on the invitation:<\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walter Haake
\nMr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey
\nrequest the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter
\nAnna Mae McVey<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

One of my parents is deceased and the other has not remarried.<\/b><\/p>\n

Only include the name of the living parent; if it is your mother, use her married name, Mrs. Joseph Matthew McVey. If it is your father, use his full name.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Both my parents are deceased.<\/b><\/p>\n

Miss Anna Mae McVey
\nand
\nMr. Michael Wyatt Carson
\nrequest the honor of your presence
\nat their marriage<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

My fiance\u2019s parents are hosting the wedding.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Walter Carson
\nrequest the honour of your presence
\nat the marriage of
\nMiss Anna Mae McVey
\nto
\ntheir son
\nMr. Michael Wyatt Carson<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do I list time and date on the wedding invitation?<\/b><\/p>\n

Spell out the date and year:<\/p>\n

On Saturday the Nineteenth of May
\ntwo thousand sixteen
\nhalf after four<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

How do I list the location on the wedding invite?<\/b><\/p>\n

Our Lady of Grace Church
\nMinneapolis, Minnesota<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What about the RSVP?<\/b><\/p>\n

RSVP is only used on a wedding\/reception invite, or a reception-only invite. Do not include it in wedding-only invitations. An RSVP on its own means replies should be sent to the address from which the invite came. If you want the RSVP to go to a different address, add the address below the RSVP. If you are including a stamped reply card, you do not need to print RSVP on your invitation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do I address my invitation envelopes?<\/b><\/p>\n