You’ve selected the card for your invites, argued over the font, debated the wording … but, have you considered these points below?
1. It’s courtesy to send an invitation to close family or friends who have already told you that they can’t make your big day. If they’re important to you, show you care. For the sake of a few extra dollars, you’ll make them feel just a tad special, and they’ll have a momento even though they can’t be present.
2. Double check how your envelopes are addressed, particularly if your affair is a very formal one. If they’re a doctor, for instance, use that instead of Mr or Mrs!
3. Are you having a wedding gift registry? In that case, ensure it is noted on the invitation!
4. If you’re enclosing RSVP cards and expect them to be posted back to you (as opposed to an email or wedding website), then please go to the extra expense of adding a postage stamp!
5. If you’re personalising your invites, be sure to include ALL parties and family members who are invited. For instance, on the invite for your aunt and uncle, don’t leave off a cousin if you anticipate them being there. The same goes with long-term partners of close friends – if they’ve been in a relationship for some time, it’s hardly likely one will turn up without the other!
6. On a similar note, if you are permitting plus-ones …. it’s good form to get the plus one’s name; not only for the invite, but also for name cards and place settings.
7. Before you drop all the addressed invites into the mail, double check you’ve added the right postage. By the time you bundle an RSVP card, a map and directions, a fancy closure or diamante, etc into the ornate envelope, you may well find you’re over the limit for standard postage! It’s especially important to check this for offshore items, and vital if you have an odd-shaped invite and envelope!
8. Lastly, while you may pride yourself on being critical, get a third party to proof read your invites before they are printed! All too often you can read the same thing five or six times and STILL miss small errors!