Wording your invites

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Stuck on how to word your invitations? Not sure what goes in your order of service? We can help!
Hello! Lucky

Save the date cards
Ensure your guests keep the day free until their formal invite arrives. These simply need to state the date of your wedding day. To be sent out around nine months in advance.

Invitations
To be sent out between three months and six weeks before your wedding. These usually also include:
    •    Details of your gift list
    •    Directions to the ceremony/reception venue
    •    Recommended accommodation in the area
    •    Requests for special dietary requirements

There's certain standard information in every invite wording: the names of the bride and groom; whether the invite is for the ceremony or reception only; the date and time of the wedding; the venue; an RSVP deadline, and an SAE and reply card for the RSVP.


The traditional invite wording implies it is sent from the mother and father of the bride, inviting the guests to witness their daughter’s marriage. But you don't have to stick to tradition, and often the groom’s parents will want to invite the guests too.

Here's a good way to compromise:


Mr and Mrs Roy Gardiner

Request the honour of your presence

To witness the marriage of their daughter

Francesca Louise

To

Nicholas John

Son of
Mr And Mrs Nicholas Stewart

at St. Andrew’s Church, Preston, Dorset

on Saturday 4th July 2009
at 2 o’clock

and afterwards at

The Hotel Prince Regent, Weymouth

If you’re having a more casual ceremony, and you would like to send the invites from yourselves, you could try something more like this:


Louise and Nicholas
invite you to share in their love
and happiness as they exchange

vows of marriage and begin their
new life together

at St. Andrew’s Church, Preston, Dorset

on Saturday 11th July 2009
at 2 o’clock
and afterwards at

The Hotel Prince Regent, Weymouth

Order of service
This guides your guests through the ceremony including the hymns and readings of the event, and is a memento of your wedding ceremony. Speak to your vicar about what you'll need to include — he/she will be able to supply you with examples to follow and will explain what wording is mandatory.


Table plan
Pop one of these at the entrance to the reception and everyone will know where to sit. This should show each numbered/named table and pinpoint where each guest is sitting on that table.

Place cards
Named place cards put everyone in their place. These can be orederd in advance and hand-written, or printed by your stationery supplier. Include your guests' full names and make sure they're spelt correctly!


Thank you cards
Sending a thank you note to guests who bought you gifts is customary, and should arrive two weeks after returning from your honeymoon.