Below are some common questions we receive at Danin Design Studio. If you don't see your question here, send us an email and we'd be happy to help!
Q. How far in advance should I address and send wedding invitations?
A. Ideally, wedding invitations are sent 8 – 12 weeks before the wedding. This allows guests several weeks to make travel arrangements and arrange time off from work if necessary before responding to the invitation. At a minimum, send them out six weeks in advance, and set an RSVP date of 2 weeks before the wedding.
Q. What are Save the Date cards? Do I need them?
A. A Save the Date card is simply a notification that the wedding date has been set, and is typically sent anywhere from 6 to 12 months in advance of the wedding. It is very important for destination weddings, weddings that will occur during summer vacation periods or around any holiday and for any wedding that will require travel by most of the invited guests. It should include the pertinent information, such as the bride and groom's names, the wedding date and the location. For a wedding to which many people will be traveling, it is helpful to include suggested hotel names and numbers, as well as airline suggestions. It may be a simple postcard, or a more elaborate booklet with an envelope.
Sample:
Save the Date! Miss Jane Smith and Mr. Stephen Richardson are very happy to announce their wedding date of September 23, 2004. Your formal invitation will arrive closer to the wedding date. We look forward to seeing you there!
Q. Is it ok to use address labels on my envelopes?
A. Labels are not ok. One of the few rules of etiquette that has not fallen into obscurity is the addressing of your envelopes. Handwritten is preferable as it gives a sense of personal touch however this is only if the handwriting is neat and legible. As an alternative, Danin Design Studio can use a script-type font and print the addresses on the envelopes for you.
Q. My fiance and I do not want to have any children at our wedding. Should we indicate this on the invitations?
A. This is always a touchy subject. Never print "no children" or "adults only" on an invitation. The invitation should be addressed so that it clearly indicates exactly who - and by omission, who is not - invited to the wedding. Make sure your wedding party and family members know that there will be no children at the wedding so they can spread the word if necessary. If people ask to bring their children even after receiving their invitation, it's best to be as direct as possible, saying that your wedding plans really do not include children. What some couples have done is title their reception card, “Adult Reception.” It is not totally proper but should get the job done. You may also handle this through your RSVP card. The below example is for an invitation for 2 people:
The favour of a reply is requested by August 1 2009.
We have reserved two (2) seats in your honor.
__ two (2) people accept with pleasure
__ one (1) person accepts with pleasure
__ two (2) people decline with regret
Q. How many invitations do I need to order?
A. A good rule of thumb is to order half the number of invitations as the number of guests you are going to invite plus 10 to 15 extra invitations that will come in handy as keepsakes or for anybody you have accidentally left off your list. Married couples and families only need one invitation. If there is a child over the age of 18 living at home it is customary to send them their own invitation.
Q. What is the difference between wedding invitations and wedding announcements?
A. The purpose of the wedding announcement is to let family and friends who were not invited know that the wedding took place. They are traditionally sent out immediately after the wedding but can be sent out up to a year afterwards. They follow the same format and are usually printed on the same stock as the invitations but do not include the time or physical address of the wedding, just the day, year and name of location. Wedding gifts are not expected upon receipt of a wedding announcement as they are upon receiving a wedding invitation.
Q. How do I let my guests know where I am registered?
A. It is in very poor taste to include a card announcing where you have registered as it appears too much like asking for a gift. The best way to get the word out is by word of mouth. Personal and wedding websites are another great way to share all of your other pre-wedding information.
Q. What is the date that should be requested for the reply cards to be returned?
A. Check with your vendors to see if they need more time, but usually two weeks prior to the wedding date is sufficient. Assume some guests will not respond and designate a friend or family member who can follow up with a phone call.
Q. Many of our guests are travelling to attend our wedding. Is it necessary to include directions and maps?
A. Directions and maps are much appreciated especially by out of town guests. The direction cards give simple but precise directions to your wedding/reception while map cards generally feature major roads with landmarks to help your guests find their way. No photocopies please! Directions and maps are part of your invitation package and should reflect the same care and detail as the invitation.
Q. When should I send Thank You notes and who should they be sent to?
A. Thank You notes provide you the opportunity to express your appreciation to those who gave you a wedding gift. Your Thank You notes should be sent as soon as possible after the wedding. The current guidelines for wedding gift thank you notes are that the notes should be sent within three months of receipt of gifts. Thank you notes must be personalized – make a specific reference to the gift to show your appreciation is sincere.
