Proper Wording and Spelling Tips

There are certain things to be mindful of when it comes to wedding invitation etiquette in regards to proper wording and spelling.

• Punctuation use within a wedding invitation verse is not always typical since periods do not appear at the end of sentences but only after title abbreviations such as Mr. and Mrs.
  Commas appear between day and date and also city and state. They are also allowed within sentences when necessary.
  
  
• The first word of a sentence is capitalized even though sentences do not end in punctuation. Not every verse line with start with a capital letter since sentences sometimes continue to more than one line.
  
  
• All proper names, title abbreviations, days of the week, months, and years are capitalized.
  
  
• Dates, years and times are spelled out instead of listing them as numbers.
  • Saturday, the third of January
    
  • Two Thousand and Nine
    
  • at two o'clock in the afternoon
  
  Numbers are acceptable when listed as part of a street address (10 Main Street).
  
  
• There are many ways to word the line that actually extends the invitation to guests but if the word 'honor' is used it is most commonly spelled as 'honour' to be more formal - 'request the honour of your presence'.
  
  
• Words, such as 'Street', contained in address lines are never abbreviated. Even the state name is written out completely.

To view many more sample wedding invitation verses like the one shown below for any type of situation or just to get ideas, simply use this link. This sample verse shows the wording for when the bride's parents are hosting or doing the inviting.


Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Smith
to
Jason Jackson
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and Eight
at two o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin

Wedding Invitation Return Address

One of the least thought about items for your wedding invitations is the return address on your mailing envelopes but it can be quite important.

It actually serves a couple of purposes:

1. If some of your weddding invitations have an undeliverable address, the Post Office will know where to return them so you know who didn't receive their invitation.
   
2. If any guests are unable to attend your wedding, they may still want to send a card or gift so they will now have an address to do so.

A formal return address appears on the back flap and only includes the two address lines - no name line.

Now the question is whose address should be listed. It should be the address of whoever is listed on your invitation as hosting your wedding. This is typically either you and your fiance or your parents.

The only remaining decision is if you will manually add the return address to your mailing envelopes or if you will have it pre-printed on them. Even though there is some cost involved, the time-saving convenience of not having to add the return address yourself may outweigh the dollar cost. The cost will be a little less if you choose black ink instead of a colored ink for the printing.

Some invitations for wedding styles may even offer a special design that can be pre-printed on the back flap in addition to the return address as shown here. This invitation style is called Bleu.

Types of Invitation Papers & Designs

Today there are so many ways to make your invitations unique starting with the paper they're printed on. You may not realize just how many different types of wedding invitation papers there really are.

Here are descriptions of a few of them to give you just a taste of what's available.

Textured papers cover a wide range of different designs. For instance, embossing is the process of creating a raised design on the invitation paper using a printing method that presses an image into the paper. As pictured on this design, color is used to accentuate the embossed design area.



Blind embossing uses the same process of creating a raised design with one big difference. The term 'blind' means the design is formed without ink or foil as in this example.



Pearlize is another choice when it comes to an embossed paper design. This process applies a luminous pearl-like finish usually to the embossed design on the invitation to add dimension.


This unique wedding invitation features a velvet-textured base card. The card printed with your verse is attached with a ribbon on top so some of the velvet from the base card surrounds it.




Parchment is a distinctive paper that is made to look like original parchment. Typically, this type of invitation has a deckle edge meaning it's feathery and uneven.


Translucent means the paper is see-through so it is usually layered over another paper that may contain your invitation verse or maybe even your photo. In some instances, the invitation itself is translucent with your verse printed directly on it.

Ecru is actually a specific color of invitation paper. It's a warm creamy biege. Other popular invitation paper colors include soft white and bright white.

You'll probaby encounter other types of wedding invitation papers since I've only covered the highlights here.

Photo Wedding Invitations

Share your happiness with guests by choosing photo wedding invitations. Your invitation will make a great keepsake for them well beyond your wedding.

There are several wedding invitation styles that can include your provided photo printed in black and white.


The style pictured here is a pocket design featuring your photo on the front. When the invitation is opened, the pockets inside are designed to hold your invitation card and other inserts you may include such as response card, reception card, map card, etc.




This style includes a translucent layer printed with your verse that overlays your photo. A tied ribbon attached at the top holds the layers together.




Be sure to place your wedding invitation order early since photo invitations often require some time for you to approve your proof and extra production time.

If you are looking for truly custom wedding invitations, a photo style is the perfect choice to make them uniquely personal and to provide your guests with a lasting souvenir.

Lined Inner Envelopes

Depending on your chosen wedding invitation style, inner envelopes may be included with the option of adding a colored lining to them. Keep in mind some styles only come with a single mailing envelope and then there are also self-mailer designs that create their own mailing piece.


If chosen, the colored lining would only be on your inner envelopes since they don't get sealed and are inserted into the outer envelopes. There is an extra charge for this decorative lining but it does add an extra special touch. If inner envelopes are included with your style but you forego the lining, they will be blank just like the outer envelopes.


There will probably be many lining colors to choose from so make sure your choice complements the colors of your wedding invitation design along with your ink color.


If your invitation is mostly white as pictured here, an envelope lining will add a touch of color to already elegant wedding invitations.

Be Creative Even on the Outside

Have you given any thought to how you can make even the mailing envelope of your wedding invitations look unique to grab the attention of your guests?

There are actually several ways you can be creative with your envelopes.

• Shape - Choose an invitation with a distinctive shape such as a square or tea length style. The mailing envelope will then reflect that same special size to fit the invitation.

• Style - Select a seal and send wedding invitation style. This all-in-one invitation is designed to be folded and sealed into its own self-mailing piece eliminating the need for a mailing envelope.

• Color - How about using color for emphasis? Some invitations now come with colored mailing envelopes. Specifically, self-mailer wedding invitations often include a colored envelopment that holds your invitation card and has a built-in pocket for organizing any extra enclosures. It is then folded up with your invitation pieces inside to become the actual mailing envelope.

• Envelope Seals - Add a decorative seal to the back flap of your mailing envelope to give the illusion that it is sealing the envelope. There are many seal designs to choose from including monograms, names and specific themes.

• Custom Wedding Stamps - There are now websites that offer you the option of creating your own personalized postage stamps using an uploaded photo or choosing from already-created wedding designs.

You want to be sure your unique wedding invitations get the attention of your guests as soon as they arrive in their mail and that can be accomplished by using any of the above suggestions.

Self-Mailer Wedding Invitations

If you are looking for more modern wedding invitations, you may want to consider a self-mailer design which has several unique features.

Instead of a typical envelope, a self-mailer wedding invitation comes with an envelopment that wraps around all of your pieces and then seals up to become the actual mailing envelope. Since the envelopement is usually solid colored, it gives an extra burst of color to your wedding invitation ensemble.




Some styles feature a neat little built-in pocket to hold any extra enclosure cards you have printed.



If you choose a self-mailer style, be sure to take one of your ready-to-mail wedding invitations to your Post Office since they will require extra postage.