Currently set to Index
Currently set to Follow
how to address a wedding invitation to a family

How To Address A Wedding Invitation?

So you’re planning your wedding (congrats!), picking your venue, and refining your guest list. What’s next? Invitations! Whether you address wedding invitations to your guests or family, keep reading for a full list of wedding addressing etiquette including when to send them, how to address, wordings, and as well as what to include.

When To Send Out Wedding Invitations?

Mailing Date

For local weddings, we suggest sending your invites three months prior to your wedding date which means you will need to start working on them 5 months prior as design and print usually takes about 4-6 weeks.

 

For your out of country guests, we suggest sending invites 5-6 months in advance to allow time to book vacation time off work and to plan their trip.

For destination weddings, it is best to send out invites no later than 6 months prior.

This will give guests the time they need to coordinate their lives accordingly.

A Save the Date wouldn’t be a bad idea for a destination wedding anywhere from 8-12 months prior as many people book their vacation times with work up to a year in advance.

how to address a wedding invitation envelope with guest

RSVP Date

Most vendors and venues need 3-4 weeks for final headcounts, so to be safe, ask for the RSVPs back 1 month and 10 days prior to the date (to account for postage times). This can prevent a last-minute RSVP chasing while still giving guests ample time to sort out their calendars.

Invite Style

How To Address Wedding Invitations To A Family?

Historically, wedding invitations read very formally, with the bride’s parents’ name appearing in the host line (as they were commonly paying for the day), the bride’s name listed before the grooms, the time and date written out in full, and styled in traditional calligraphy.

More recently invites are seen with brighter colors or fun, unique (read: relatable) wordings. It might not be your style as a couple to have an old-fashioned element in your wedding so having an invite presented that way wouldn’t be natural.

The invite is a way to first showcase the look and colors of the wedding, so it makes sense to match the invite to the wedding. 

Digital invites, on the other end of the invite spectrum, are becoming more and more common. Not only because of the safety benefits e-invites offer with COVID restrictions still in place, but couples recognize the value of saving time, money, and trees with online invites.

Also, as we are still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, you might be faced with last-minute changes that need to be communicated with guests. If you have a website with the link to the invitation and RSVP, it can be easily updated instead of sending out the second round of mail correspondence should any changes arise. 

If you feel like you’d rather sit somewhere in between an online invite and a traditional, formal multiple card and envelope invite, opt for a tri-fold invite with a detachable RSVP card.

Couples, the main thing to keep in mind when planning all aspects of your wedding is to make it your own and choose what makes you happiest, even if others’ opinions object to yours.

So take these tips as a guideline and understand that they may not necessarily work for your wedding, and that is okay! What matters most is keeping the details truest to your preferences and making sure to keep that in mind when planning your wedding program!

Read more:

What to do with extra wedding invitations? [10 keepsake ideas]

Wording for destination wedding invitations [with samples]

 

Recent posts:

How to Choose the Right Toronto Wedding Officiant for Your Big Day
Weddings

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Officiant in Toronto for Your Special Day

Read More →
The Role of a Wedding Officiant in Toronto Nuptials
Weddings

Understanding the Role of a Wedding Officiant in Toronto Nuptials

Read More →
Choosing the Perfect Venue An In-depth Guide for Destination Weddings
Weddings

Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Destination Wedding

Read More →
The Essentials of Planning a Memorable Destination Wedding
Weddings

The Essentials of Planning a Memorable Destination Wedding

Read More →
what does destination wedding planner do
Party Planning

What does a destination wedding planner do?

Read More →
destination Wedding Gift Ideas
Party Planning

11 Destination Wedding Gift Ideas

Read More →
Destination Wedding Save the Dates Ideas
Party Planning

17 Destination Wedding Save the Dates Ideas

Read More →
Party Planning

Destination Wedding Locations

Read More →
birthday ideas toronto
Party Planning

12 Adult Birthday Ideas in Toronto for Perfect Celebrations

Read More →
40th birthday ideas in toronto
Party Planning

Top 10 Unforgettable 40th Birthday Ideas in Toronto for Him & Her

Read More →
What length of dress is appropriate for a wedding
wedding dresses

What length of dress is appropriate for a wedding? | Dress Codes

Read More →
How many months in advance should you have a destination wedding
Party Planning

How many months in advance should you have a destination wedding?

Read More →
Do people still give gifts at destination weddings
Party Planning

Do people still give gifts at destination weddings? [etiquette to know]

Read More →
How to plan a 40-birthday party for my husband
Party Planning

How to plan a 40-birthday party for my husband? [ideas for unforgettable celebration]

Read More →
wording for destination wedding invitations
Weddings

Wording for destination wedding invitations [with samples]

Read More →
What to wear to a destination wedding in Mexico
Weddings

What to wear to a beach wedding in Mexico?

Read More →
How long do guests stay at a destination wedding
Weddings

How long do guests stay at a destination wedding?

Read More →
plan a destination wedding in Aruba
Weddings

How to plan a destination wedding in Aruba? [complete guide 2023]

Read More →
What to wear with a yellow dress to a wedding
Weddings

What to wear with a yellow dress to a wedding? [tips to accessorize]

Read More →
Can you wear white shoes to a wedding
Weddings

Can you wear white shoes to a wedding? [2022 update]

Read More →
Scroll to Top