Choosing Your Wedding Invitation

Your wedding invitation reflects the style and theme of your wedding. It lets your prospective guests know what to expect on your wedding day.

Caution should be exercised when you are selecting your invitation. If your wedding invitation is informal, your guests will dress informally. Is that what you were expecting?

There is proper etiquette in the wording, enclosures, and addressing of the invitation. This information can be found on the Internet, in bridal magazines, or in an etiquette book you can borrow from the library. You can also visit stationery stores. They will have a sample book of invitations with appropriate wording to fit the style of wedding you are planning.

Before selecting your invitation, make sure you have a definite decision on the style of wedding you will have. For a formal wedding you may need to add inserts and envelopes. Informal invitations may contain simple wording and the reply may be in the form of a postcard.

Your invitations should be neatly addressed. Brides who opt for formal weddings may also have their invitations addressed by a calligrapher. Your invitation should include directions to the wedding ceremony and to the reception. If you are not having a reception, you may want to send an announcement rather than an invitation.

Invitations vary in price. Keep your budget in mind when you are looking at invitations. Look at several styles before making your decision.

If you are planning an informal wedding, you can add a personal touch to your invitations if you or a family member is creative. You can create your own artwork, have a calligrapher write out the invitation, and reproduce it on fine stationery.

There are a variety of styles of invitations available for any type of wedding, from formal to informal, or ethnic. Choose the one that suits your wedding and your budget.