Details, details, details! The difference really is in the details, particularly when it comes to purchasing and mailing your wedding invitations.
Be sure to purchase enough invitations for all outer and return envelopes.
· If you are having a small wedding, but wish to announce your good news to others, consider purchasing some announcement cards in the same style as your invitations.
Consider purchasing your thank-you cards in the same style, or at the same time, as your invitations - it will be one less thing to worry about later.
Include a map to your ceremony and reception site for out of town guests.
If you are having your ceremony at a non-traditional site (such as an historical mansion) be sure to have ceremony entrance cards included in the invitation to distinguish your guests from tourists.
If you are having an outdoor wedding, include a "rain card" to indicate where your ceremony will be held in the event of rain.
Purchase enough extra invitations to reserve a few for later use in case mistakes are made during addressing, you receive some declined RSVPs and wish to invite additional guests, or in the event some invitations are lost in the mail. You will also want enough to frame or include in a wedding scrapbook.
Include all those who will be at the rehearsal in your guest list. This includes attendants, siblings, parents, and the officiant. Sure they know the date and time, but everyone appreciates the invitation to hold on to as a keepsake of the day.
Always use a black pen when addressing your invitations and inner envelopes. Be sure the same person addresses both the outer and inner envelopes for a uniform look.
With the exception of Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr. and Jr., etc., do not use abbreviations in your addresses.
Ask the post office for a selection of romantic stamps from which to choose.
Make sure you have purchased enough postage - some styles of invitations require extra! Standard invitations with lots of inserts may require more, too. Take along a complete package when you visit the post office and have it weighed. Be aware that out-of-country invitations also require more postage.
Stamp the reply envelope as a courtesy to your guests. This also helps ensure you will get an accurate number of RSVPs. It is a whole lot easier to simply fill out the reply card and send it off than to hunt around for correct return postage!
Do NOT apply postage to out-of-country reply envelopes - stamps from the United States won't work in other countries!
Be sure to mail invitations six to eight weeks before the big day; be sure to include a deadline (of two to three weeks before the wedding) on your reply cards! This will give you plenty of time to inform the reception site and caterer of how many to expect.
