Georgina Clatworthy

By Georgina Clatworthy



When it comes to telling your guests what is going on it is your wedding invitations and coordinating stationery that should tell them all they need to know. Your stationery is their first look at the style and/or theme of your wedding day so not only should it coordinate with your style but it also needs to give your guests all the important information too.

When it comes to your wedding style, the more formal your wedding the more traditional your wedding invitations need to be. Classic flat cards to envelope style invitations with added inclusions are just two of the choices and you will find finishes ranging from professional printing to hand finished with pretty details. Email invitations are gaining in popularity and of course are eco-friendly but the jury is still out on whether or not these are within etiquette guidelines.

How to word your wedding invitations is often a sticking point for many couples who struggle to know what they should (and shouldn’t) put inside. First and foremost your invitations have a job to do and that is to inform your guests of the what, when and where of your day. The wording inside should be written from the people who will be hosting the wedding and that is usually the person or persons who are paying for it or who are paying the most towards it. Traditional invitations would be worded from the bride’s parents but in most modern weddings it is the couples themselves who would host the wedding.

Your invitations are just one part of your wedding stationery and there are several other elements you will need. Other additions to your stationery include order of service or wedding programs for the ceremony, RSVP cards so you guests can respond to your invitation quickly, menus, table numbers and place cards. All of these should coordinate with your wedding scheme and invitations, but you should choose which elements are necessary especially if you are on a tight budget.

You will find wedding invitations available from a number of different sources including local printers, stationers, online and DIY kits to make your own. You should aim to pick your stationery around six months before the wedding day so you will have plenty of time to calculate numbers, printing, addressing and delivery. Aim to send your invitations out around 12 weeks before the wedding date. And when it comes to calculating how many invitations you will need use the following to help you reach final numbers:

• One invitation per couple
  
• One invitation per single guests
  
• One invitation for each of your attendants and their partners
  
• One for your wedding officiant and their partner
  
• Each child over the age of 18 should have an invitation regardless of whether or not they will come with their parents; name any younger children on their parent’s invitation.
  
• Around 20 additional invitations for any last minute invitees and to keep as mementos
  
• Around 30 additional envelopes for additional guests and to cover any mistakes.