Match Your Wedding Invitations to Your Wedding Location

It is always said that the wedding invitations help to set the tone for the event. They are a wonderful way to give your guests a hint about what to expect. A fantastic way to do this is to select invitations which are inspired by the site where you will have your wedding. Learn how to match your wedding invitations to your wedding location with beautiful results.

For instance, imagine that you plan to hold your reception in the grandest hotel ballroom in town. Perhaps your vision includes chandeliers, an orchestra, a bevy of bridesmaids in designer gowns and crystal bridesmaid jewelry, and black tie attire. Convey the elegance of your wedding by selecting engraved invitations with opulent flourishes, such as hand calligraphy on the envelopes. If you wish, you could have your stationery bejeweled with crystals or adorned with a chandelier motif. Your guests will definitely know to expect a swanky wedding when they receive your elegant invitations.

Outdoor locations are extremely popular for weddings, and they tend to be a bit less formal than a ballroom wedding. Maybe you are getting married in a field of wildflowers; an invitation made from paper with petals in it would be ideal. Or perhaps you will exchange your vows with a stunning mountain view in the background. A natural choice for wedding stationery would be paper with an abstract mountain design. If you plan to tie the knot at an oceanside yacht club, a classic nautical motif like a sailboat or nautical flags would be appropriate. Couples getting married on the sand in Florida could choose stationery with a palm tree embossed on it.

A modern wedding calls for invitations which are unique and non-traditional. Let’s say that you have planned a hip reception in a modern loft and your bridesmaids will wear chic cocktail dresses with unique bridesmaid jewelry. Give guests a hint at the style of your wedding by choosing something with an ultra-modern vibe. Look for paper that is square or round, use a bold sans-serif font, and play with unexpected color combinations. When your guests receive your contemporary invitations in the mail, they will know that your wedding is not going to be a generic cookie cutter affair. By selecting wedding invitations that coordinate with your venue, you will be able to showcase the character and style of your wedding.

Wedding Invitation FAQs

What is the Difference Between “The Pleasure of Your Company” and “The Honour of Your Presence”? This is actually a very easy one: use the phrase “The honour of your presence” on an invitation to a wedding in a house of worship, and use “The pleasure of your company” for a wedding ceremony held anywhere else. It is customary to use the British spelling of the word “honour”, particularly for a formal wedding invitation. Be sure to be consistent, so if you spell honor as “honour”, also use the British spelling “favour” for favor, as in “The favour of a reply is requested”.

When Should Invitations Be Mailed? You need to give your guests adequate notice, so that they have sufficient time to buy plane tickets, find the perfect dress and wedding jewelry, and schedule time off from work. Six to eight weeks before the wedding is the usual time frame for mailing out invitations. That also allows guests enough time to send in their R.s.v.p., so that you can get an accurate head count. If you feel the need to notify guests about your upcoming nuptials more than two months in advance, do so with a save the date card.

What is the Difference Between Engraving and Thermography? Engraving is the most traditional form of printing a wedding invitation. A copper plate is etched with the invitation wording, and then the paper is run through a press over the copper plate. The result is that the words are raised on the surface of the paper in a very elegant fashion. Thermography is a far less expensive process in which powder is combined with ink to print letters which are slightly raised. While thermography is popular because of its lower price point, there are some who find it to be in poor taste; it is often called “fake engraving”.

How Should the Invitation Be Worded When the Bride’s Parents Are Divorced? The names of the bride’s parents should be on two separate lines, starting with her mother’s name. Step-parents are sometimes, but not always, included on the invitation, depending on family dynamics. If the parents’ names are to appear alone, the invitation would be worded: Mrs. Margaret Smith Green / Mr. Richard John Green. The format for the bride’s mother’s name is: First, Maiden, Last (assuming she still uses her former married name; if she has reverted to her maiden name, the format would be Mrs. First, Middle, Maiden). Note that the correct title for a divorced mother of the bride is still “Mrs.”. The form “Ms.” is not used on formal social occasions, and once married, a woman can never revert to being a “Miss”.

Wedding Invitation Wording Basics

The standard wedding invitation for a church goes as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Howard James

Request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Caroline Anne

to

Mr. Charles Young

Saturday, the fifth of June

Two thousand and eleven

at one o’clock in the afternoon

St. Andrew Church

Stamford, Connecticut

A separate smaller card about half the size of the invitation is included which states:

Reception immediately following the ceremony

Green Gables Country Club

Stamford, Connecticut

R.s.v.p.

If the wedding ceremony is to be held in a secular location, replace “the honour of your presence” with “the pleasure of your company”. Please note that the names of the bride’s parents on the invitations indicate that they are the hosts, not that they are paying for every last item, from soup to nuts to wedding jewelry. In these times when the groom’s parents take a more active role in the wedding (financial or not), the couple may wish to include their names as well. This is done in the European fashion, with the lines added under the groom’s name: Mr. Charles Young / son of / Mr. and Mrs. Davis Young.

If there are too many assorted sets of parents to fit one one invitation, the bride and groom are the hosts, or it is the bride’s second wedding, the names of the hosts are omitted. The invitation is issued in the third person like this: The pleasure of your company / is requested at / the marriage of / etc. etc. The rest remains the same. Also note that the R.s.v.p. is tied to the reception invitation, not the ceremony invitation. The form “R.s.v.p. tends to be more popular in the North, and in the South, the term “The favour of a reply is requested” tends to be preferred, but both are equally correct.

These are all the basics you need to know about traditional wedding invitation wording. Non-traditional invitations are not covered, because they tend not to follow custom and etiquette. Whether your wedding is formal or casual, the classic wedding invitation wording will always be appropriate and in good taste.

How to Design Your Own Wedding Invitations

These days, there is so many design tools available for the computer that almost anyone can create their own wedding invitations. It can be a great way to save money while creating wedding stationery which is unique and personal. These are the steps to follow if you wish to design your own wedding invitations.

The very first step is to think about the style of your wedding. If you are having a very formal wedding and wearing a ballgown with opulent wedding jewelry, you will need equally grand invitations. Do keep in mind that when going the DIY route, you will not be able to make engraved or letterpress stationery on your home printer. You could, however, make a design that a professional printer could then translate into letterpress or engraving (for a price, of course). Another idea for formal DIY invitations is to purchase stationery stock with a pre-engraved or letterpress motif and then add your own flat printing with the invitation wording at home.

Then think about the layout of your invitations. Do you prefer to follow a fairly standard format, perhaps with a customized border? That could very easily be created using a program like Photoshop. Or maybe you like the ultra-modern look of sans-serif fonts in a variety of sizes; that would be something that you could play around with in a basic word document before printing on your invitations. Creative use of color will add style to minimalist invitations. Remember to experiment with paper color as well as ink color. How would your wording look printed in espresso and red on pale blue? Or maybe you want to try charcoal lettering on yellow paper. Just keep in mind that if you want white lettering on dark paper, that will be an effect best created in letterpress, thermography, or engraving.

Once you have the basic layout and motif decided, the next step in designing your own invitations is to consider the extras. Do you want to layer a printed vellum over a paper textured with flower petals? Maybe you want to make your wedding invitations several pages long and bind them like an art book? Or perhaps you would like to glitter the edges, add a bow to the top, or make a tri-fold invitation. You can also create very unique wedding invitations made to look like theater tickets, maps, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Wedding R.s.v.p. Options

Every bride knows that getting an accurate headcount is absolutely mandatory for a wedding reception. Why is it then, that some guests do not seem to understand the importance of responding promptly to a wedding invitation? Over the years, couples have tried all different sorts of ideas for getting their potential guests to R.s.v.p. to their weddings; this is a look at the pros and cons of the various options.

The most traditional way to request a response to an invitation  is to state it on the wedding invitation. In the lower left hand of the invitation, place the notation “A favour of a reply is requested” (the British spelling of favour is used to be consistent with invitation wording requesting the “honour of your presence”) or R.s.v.p. Sometimes a date by which replies are needed is also included. When this method is used, it is up to the guests to write a note indicating whether they will accept or decline the invitation. Believe it or not, it usually works pretty well, and it is the most elegant approach, perfect for the bride whose taste runs to the classics like roses, Vivaldi, and pearl bridal jewelry.

Not trusting their family and friends to write a letter, most couples these days include a separate reply card with the wedding invitation. It may be a small card with a self-addressed stamped envelope or a stamped postcard to cut down on costs. Most reply cards will have a deadline on them (after all, if you don’t trust people to write a note, they can’t be trusted to mail back a card in a timely fashion). There are various forms in which the reply cards may be made out, but typically they will have a space for the guest to fill in their names, note whether they are accepting or declining, and a space to write in the number of people from their party attending. Some reply cards also have a space to mark a box indicating the preferred dinner selection.

In modern times, brides and grooms have become comfortable doing a lot of their wedding planning online. The rise in popularity of personalized wedding websites has also given rise to a new high-tech form of R.s.v.p., which is the online response. While this can be very efficient and cost effective, you also run the risk of confusing less computer savvy guests, especially from the older generation. For that reason, an entirely electronic R.s.v.p. format is not advisable. If you choose to request that people reply to your wedding website, also include a telephone number on the invitation so guests have another option to respond to your invitation.

Including a Dress Code on Your Wedding Invitations

Who needs a wedding dress code? More people than may realize it. For instance, your wedding venue might require that gentlemen wear jackets to dinner. How embarrassing it would be for a male guest who showed up wearing a nice shirt and tie without a jacket, only to be turned away or forced to wear an ill-fitting loaner from the venue’s coat closet! It would be much better to add a simple notation like “jackets required” or “formal attire” in the lower right hand of the invitation than to risk having one of your guests be humiliated.

Very casual weddings can actually need stated dress codes as well, to ensure the comfort of the guests. If you are having a beach wedding, your guests might appreciate being forewarned that the ceremony will be on the sand so they know to leave their high heels at home. Having a very relaxed reception around a bonfire? Print the words “casual attire” on your invitation so that people show up dressed comfortably. The last thing you want is for guests to be dressed in such fancy clothing that they cannot relax and enjoy the festivities which you have planned.

Then there is a black tie wedding. Traditionally reserved for weddings which start at 6pm or later, black tie is the most formal wedding other than white tie (which should only be held on winter evenings and are exceedingly rare). There is a lot of angst among brides about whether is it acceptable to put the notation “Black tie” on their wedding invitations. Many brides or their mothers fear that to request black tie will mean that people won’t want to come or that their guests will be put out by the hassle and expense of renting or purchasing a tuxedo. You know your family and friends; if it would not be completely outrageous for them to dress formally, go ahead and request black tie attire if that is what you really want.

The dress code “Black tie optional” has become widely accepted on wedding invitations, but personally I think it is a bad idea. Why? Because then nobody knows how to dress. Your female guests will be left to agonize over whether to wear a floor length dress with opulent crystal wedding jewelry or something shorter and less fancy. The men will be wondering if they will be the only guy to show up in a tuxedo…or the only guy to show up without a tux. Spare your guests the guesswork, and simply request black tie if that is your desire. Otherwise, put no notation regarding attire, and trust your guests to dress appropriately based on the time and location of your wedding.

Wedding Invitation FAQs

How do I choose a style? Your wedding invitations should match the general style of your wedding. In other words, if you are having a traditional wedding down to wearing your mother’s pearl bridal jewelry, your invitations should reflect that. Black engraving on white or ecru cotton paper will be perfect to convey a feeling of elegance and tradition. Having your wedding in an urban loft? Select a contemporary invitation, such as a square paper in a color with bold sans-serif printing.

What is the difference between engraving, thermography, letterpress, and flat (or offset) printing? Engraving is the most traditional means to put lettering on a formal piece of stationery. It is very upscale and elegant, with a price to match. The wording is etched onto a copper plate and then run through a press with ink and paper. Thermography is a more recent printing method which consists of ink mixed with a powder designed to mimic the raised lettering of engraving. Some people like thermography for making an invitation look formal at a lower cost than engraving, but in some circles, it is considered to be in poor taste. Letterpress is a very popular style of printing for invitations that can look either retro or contemporary. Due to its labor intensive process, it can cost as much as engraving. Flat printing or offset printing is the one type of lettering which does not create either raised or indented lettering. Very affordable and versatile, it is ideal for all but the most formal invitations, and is easy to do at home with a high quality printer.

Should I use “the honour of your presence” or “the pleasure of your company” when issuing a wedding invitation? This one is quite straightforward: the honour of your presence (usually written with the British spelling “honour”) is used to indicate that the ceremony is to take place in a house of worship. For any other venue, the pleasure of your company is the appropriate choice.

How do I word my invitation to make clear who is paying for the wedding? You don’t. Traditionally the bride and groom’s parents are considered to be the hosts of a wedding, which is why the invitation is issued in their names. The parents of the groom may also be included, as is customary in Europe, but none of it has anything to do with who is paying the bills. If the bride and groom prefer to act as hosts, as in the case of a second wedding, it is done so by omitting the host line. “The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of…” instead of “Mr. and Mrs. Jones request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of…”.

What to Do About Your Bridesmaids’ Boyfriends

When planning a wedding, it can turn into a real numbers game, especially where the budget becomes an issue. Many brides struggle with whether or not they have to invite the boyfriends of their bridesmaids (or girlfriends of their groomsmen) to the wedding, the rehearsal dinner, and so forth. And if they are invited, how do you seat them for the wedding dinner? These questions and more about dealing the with bridal party’s significant others are answered here.

Traditionally speaking, a bride never has to invite a person “and guest” to her wedding. It is mandatory to invite the spouses of all guests, including the bridal party. Where things get dicey is the gray area: boyfriends or girlfriends of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. A good rule of thumb is that if anyone in your wedding party has a live in partner, that person should be invited to the wedding. When it comes to the dates of the rest of the wedding party, you should also definitely ask any long-term boyfriends or girlfriends to attend.

The wedding party, should not however, bring “dates”, people with whom they do not have an ongoing relationship, because they will not get to spend much time with them during the wedding anyway. Remember that as the bridesmaids are marching down the aisle in their beautiful dresses and bridesmaid jewelry, their dates will be sitting alone in the pews. In many cases, the bridal party will sit at a head table without their dates, so once again, the person they brought will be without them. This is why inviting a casual date to a wedding is always a bad idea for a member of the bridal party.

Once the bride and groom have reached a decision about where to draw the line about significant others, they then need to think about how best to include those guests in the wedding festivities. It is only reasonable for the significant other of a bridesmaid or groomsmen to be invited to the rehearsal dinner if they are invited to the wedding, especially if the event will be out of town. When possible, try to seat the wedding party with their significant others at the wedding reception, or at least nearby. The members of your bridal party are sure to appreciate your effort to show consideration for their partners and themselves.

Summer Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitations do much more than convey the basic facts of your event; they also help to set a tone, establish a theme, and will be the first impression that your guests get of your wedding. Summer weddings are very special, and they deserve equally special invitations. From formal to casual to themed, here are some of the best ideas for summer wedding invitations.

Summer weddings are often less formal than winter affairs. If this is true for you, let your invitations be fun and relaxed too. For an outdoor wedding, a creamy cardstock with a letterpress parasol motif in shades of orange and hot pink would be pretty. Other motif ideas include Adirondack chairs, daisies, or paper lanterns. The casual motif is particularly nice when done in letterpress rather than a flat printing, as it keeps the stationery special enough for a wedding, and avoids looking like an invitation to a barbeque.

If you are having a formal summer evening wedding, you will want your invitations to be as elegant as your silk gown and Swarovski crystal earrings. One of the hottest colors for formal weddings this season is charcoal gray. Engraved wedding stationery with charcoal lettering would be chic enough for even the most grand affair. If you want to add some punch to formal invitations, opt for a tri-fold design, and wrap a deep red satin ribbon around them. The dramatic red is a nice contrast to the subdued gray tone.

For a modern twist, choose flat printed invitations on a square card. Don’t be afraid to experiment with asymmetrical designs, such as a stripe on one side of the stationery. The hippest invitations will use this season’s hot colors turquoise and coral. Utterly summery, bold and delightful, they make a terrific color palette for a modern wedding. Sans-serif lettering looks best with this style of invitation. Allow your wedding invitations to express your style and the tone of your wedding, and they are sure to be absolutely perfect.

Tailoring Wedding Stationery to Your Theme

The invitations and other stationery which you choose for your wedding will help to set the tone. When you have a special theme or location, the invitations can be a great way to introduce your wedding to your guests. These are some tips on tailoring your wedding stationery to your theme.

Beach theme weddings are among the favorites of brides everywhere. Whether you will be heading off to a sunswept destination for your wedding, or simply putting on some great beach wedding jewelry and carrying a tropical bouquet in your backyard, there are some very special beach invitations available. Think about the type of beach wedding you intend to have – is is more classic with simple pearl jewelry and a tailored strapless dress on a New England beach with a lobster dinner on the sand, or it is going to be at a Caribbean resort, complete with steel drums and drinks in coconuts? For the first style, classic white invitations embellished with a red engraved lobster across the top would be ideal, or go with an invitation embellished with a bright hibiscus for the tropical wedding.

Winter Wonderland weddings are another hot theme, and one which translates easily into wedding invitations. Select crisp white stationery which is decorated with silver snowflakes. One of the prettiest versions of this would be to print the invitations on vellum laid over a snowflake patterned paper. Tie it together with a festive metallic silver ribbon or a red velvet bow for the perfect finishing touch. For your save the dates, what about using antique postcards depicting horse drawn sleighs in the snow? Simply lovely.

Having a vineyard wedding? Invite your guests with style! The most restrained option would be an invitation which features an engraved image of a bunch of grapes across the top (somehow a picture of a bottle of wine just does not feel bridal enough). Or get really creative, and design your wedding stationery to resemble vintage wine labels. This would be a wonderful way to really get your wedding theme across in a fun manner. Your guests will surely be in the spirit of things when they receive these special and unique invitations.