Texoma Bride Guide | Issue 007 | Summer/Fall 2020

INVITATIONS
ENVELOPES
It may seem strange, but you’ll need two envelopes for your invitations. The outer envelope is
for mailing purposes, and the inner envelope holds your invitation ensemble. The outer
envelope is formally addressed only to those who are invited to attend the wedding, but the
inner envelope is a bit less formal and includes just the first names of invited guests.
Just like for every other part of your wedding, there are some recommendations when dealing
with the outer envelope:
• Address each envelope by hand, and pay special attention to spelling, addresses and
handwriting
• Your guests’ names should be written out in full, using their titles such as “Mr.” and “Ms.”
• Spell out all the words in the address
• Spell out all house numbers that are less than 20
• The return address should go on the back flap of the envelope, and can be handwritten,
embossed or stamped
• RSVPs and gifts will most likely be sent to the return address on the invitation envelope
• Self-address the return envelope for the RSPV, don’t rely on your guests to do this for you.
Always include a postage stamp with the reply card.
Modern brides are turning to online RSVP systems to capture the
responses of their guests. Be mindful of the guests you are inviting and their
level of comfort with technology and offer other ways for them to respond.
TIMING
Ideally, you should send your wedding invitations eight weeks before your wedding. This gives
your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Request that
RSVP’s be returned by two to three weeks before the wedding. This allows you to know how
many guests to expect before crunch time!
If you’re having a destination wedding, give your guests more time to make arrangements by
mailing invitations three months before the wedding.
If you’re sending out save the dates, mail them six to eight months before the wedding so that
calendars can be marked and there will be no surprises when the actual invitations arrive. Just
make sure that everyone who receives a save the date also receives an invitation.
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