Write It Right: Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

Although micro-planned weddings are popular these days, wedding mania is really nothing new. So-called modern trends are actually rooted in wedding ceremonies dating as far back as ancient Greece. And along with this age-old tradition comes a laundry list of expected social graces. For many modern brides, the Wedding Save the Date sets the stage then the formal wedding invitation introduces the details of your special day with an added level of style and sophistication. While a great invitation design will catch your guests’ attention, it is important to also be mindful of the wording on your wedding invitation.

Order of Introductions

Traditionally, the first names that appear on an invitation are the people who are hosting the event(and likely footing the bill!).  Since wedding ceremonies are as old as recorded history, it’s only relatively recently that the bride’s parents weren’t the default entry on the first line of a wedding invitation.

Now there are blended families, brides and grooms who are paying for everything themselves, even crowd-sourced weddings. Maintaining the tradition of keeping the event hosts on the first line of the invitation gives guests a sense of who’s who and what’s what. More than just clunky tradition, think of this part of the wedding invitation as an event roadmap for your guests.

Tone and Tenor

The mood and style of your wedding should dictate the wording for the rest of your invitation. Formal phrasing like, “request the honor of your presence,” and “request the pleasure of your company,“ would be fitting for a black tie affair; but the more casual “please join us,” is best if your event will be focused more on fun than fancy.

A major faux pas (that’s French for embarrassing mistake) until very recently was to use numerical characters for the wedding date. Yes, it’s true. If your invitation said Saturday, May 15, 2002, instead of Saturday, May fifteenth, two thousand and two, no one would show up. O.K., maybe that’s an exaggeration, but the acceptance of numerical characters is new. The numbers sneaked in with the advent of theme weddings, location weddings and canine ring bearers. Just triple proofread your invitation to make sure the day of the week and the date match, and go with what works for you.

Blending Classic and Creative

Invitation must-haves include location, reception and RSVP information. Coordinate the wording with the tone of your wedding and triple proofread addresses and dates. As unique weddings become more and more clever, couples are delivering this information to their guests in creative ways:

• A QR code (QR=quick response) is printed on a separate sheet of paper and included in the wedding package. Guests use their smart phone to go to a web page with wedding location and/or reception information or to an RSVP site.
• Fun-loving couples include Scratch Off Cards (oh, and by the way, My Scratch Offs can help you with that!) that tie in to their wedding’s theme and provide the location of the reception.
• A link to a wedding website that provides maps, hotel recommendations, local restaurants and other helpful details.

Your wedding invitation is one of your guests’ first glimpses into the celebration of your marriage. Let them know how much their presence at this important event means to you, and connect them to the event itself with creative design and choice phrasing.

Are you a bride-to-be? We would love to hear from you on this topic! Connect with us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter to share photos or comments about this post.

“Will You Be My Bridesmaid?”

“Will You Be My Bridesmaid?”
Our Top Six Picks for Proposing to Your Bridal Party

So your man popped the question and you’re planning your big day!  If you’re like most brides, you’ll want to have a group of your favorite girls standing by your side when you say “I do.”
The ladies you choose to share in your special day have probably played an important role in your life, so use your bridesmaid request as an opportunity to tell them how much they mean to you.

Here at My Scratch Offs, we are always happy to help our brides come up with fun and creative ways to make their wedding more memorable.  So without further adieu, here are six of our favorite ways to “propose” to your bridesmaids.

The Bridesmaid Box

We love the tutorial for a DIY Bridesmaid Box by Something Turquois.  Present your lovely ladies with a gift box full of goodies.  Include a mini bottle of Champagne, a bridesmaid tank top, pictures of the two of you and a thoughtful note explaining how much she means to you and why you want her to stand by your side on your wedding day.

Labels for Your Ladies

Ask it with something to sip, something to dip, or a pampering treat.  Wine, gourmet foods, and spa gifts can all be personalized with custom labels that will not only pop the question of, "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" but will also make your girls feel so pampered when you ask them to be in your wedding party.  And to add an extra element of fun and surprise, consider adding a Scratch Off Label on top of your customized label.

Message in a Bottle

Are you planning a destination wedding?  If so, then we love the way this idea from Little White Dog fits the theme.  A short, sweet message tucked inside a cute little vessel is a creative way to ask your big question.

Some “Bling” for Your Besties

“Propose” to your girls the same way your guy proposed to you.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, but a pretty piece of jewelry is a great gift to give your girls when you ask your question.  You may want to give them something to wear on the actual day of the wedding, or even just a simple handmade ring, bracelet or necklace that features a delicate knot, heart, or infinity symbol.

“Pop” Your Question… Literally

We love this idea from Quiet Like Horses!  Tuck your message into a balloon with some confetti and have each of your bridesmaids pop the balloon to find their personalized note.

A Clutch for Your Sidekicks

Similar to the Bridesmaid Box idea, but even more useful!  Consider purchasing Monogrammed clutches for your bridesmaids that can be used the day of the wedding.  Fill the clutch with pictures, a sentimental note, a pair of sunglasses or a piece of jewelry.

At My Scratch Offs, we LOVE weddings! Visit our post about Wedding Save the Dates and connect with us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter (add links) to share photos or comments about this post.

Your Wedding Save The Date: The 4 W’s

Scratch Off Save The Date, MyScratchOffs.com

Since the first recorded marriage ceremony took place in 2350 BCE in Mesopotamia, wedding traditions have evolved over generations to become a rite of passage that marries (pardon my pun) deep-rooted cultural heritage with au courant trends. One of the newest wedding trends to have quickly established itself as commonplace is the Save The Date. First popularized in the mid-2000s, the Save The Date card might be a rather modern addition to the wedding timeline but it has proved itself to be a rather handy and impactful staple, none-the-less.

Your wedding Save The Date is your guests’ first introduction to your big day! Use this opportunity to create a dynamite first impression and set the stage for your dream nuptials. Whether you’re planning a fairytale dream day full of fancy frills or a quirky and fun themed wedding, your Save The Date is the perfect chance to impart a little fun and creativity into your wedding planning process. To help you navigate the ins-and-outs of Save The Date etiquette, I’ve done all of the legwork, so you can do all of the fun stuff. Read on for the who/what/where/when/why of it all…

Why Send A Save The Date?

At its core, a wedding Save The Date is quite simple. It is a formal (or in some cases not so formal) request for your guests to kindly mark their calendars and save the date for your upcoming wedding. Pretty simple, right? While a bride and groom may choose to send a Save The Date for any number of reasons, there are two instances that make a Save The Date a must: holiday weddings and destination weddings. Since holiday schedules fill up fast and long distance travel plans require months of coordination and planning, both situations require that you provide your prospective attendees with ample lead-time for prep (or else you risk eliminating the option for some guests to attend). There are no rules that dictate when not to send a Save The Date, so if it feels right…do it! Just remember, for certain guests (especially for those out-of-towners) the sooner they know what date to save, the better.

What Information To Include?

Your Save The Date should contain as much (or as little) information as is necessary for your guests to start making their arrangements to attend. Conventionally, the Save The Date will contain the following information:

• Bride and Groom’s Names
• Date
• Location (If your venue has not yet been firmed up, then geographical location will do!)
• Wedding Website
• Travel/Lodging Information (Especially appropriate for destination weddings.)
• “Formal Invitation To Follow”… (Just to avoid any confusion!)

When To Send Them Out?

The Save The Date is customarily sent months (or even up to a year) in advance of your big day. It is also sent in addition to a formal invitation. Save The Date timeline etiquette varies by the source, but for good measure I would suggest sending your Save The Date approximately six months in advance of your big day, except in the case of a destination or holiday wedding; then up to a 12-month notice can be appropriate. 

Want To Get Creative?

From classy to sassy, your Save The Date is an opportunity for you to show your creativity while conveying important wedding day information. Why not consider sending an off-the-beat announcement? Some of my favorite unconventional wedding Save The Date ideas include:

• The ultra-modern Video Save The Date
• The Save The Date that “Sticks” (Instagram Stickers)
• The Interactive Save The Date
• The Scratch Off Save The Date
• The Edible Save The Date

Do You Need a Save the Date?

While a wedding Save The Date may not be absolutely necessary, they can be both a fun and functional tool in the wedding planning process.  Your wedding is likely to be the biggest celebration of your life, so have fun with all the little details leading up to your day!  When you express your creativity and couple-style with your Save The Dates and Wedding Invitations, it will help your guests get to know the personalities of the bride and groom, building anticipation before they come to celebrate with you.

At My Scratch Offs, weddings are one of our specialties!  In addition to Save The Dates, we also offer “Marry Me” Scratch Off Proposal Cards, Wedding Shower Game Cards, and Custom Game Cards that can be created for anything from asking people to be part of your wedding party, to Bachelor and Bachelorette party invitations and games.

Have a unique idea for one of our Scratch Off Labels?  We’d love to hear from you!  Feel free to comment below or share with us on Facebook!

Your Guide To The Wedding Planning Timeline

Counting Down to The Big Day

Your wedding; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to share the joy of your nuptials with your closest family and friends, live out the storybook fantasies of your childhood, and throw a fabulous party! If you are like most brides (and grooms!), then chances are you have been envisioning your walk down the aisle your entire life. You’ve imagined the cake, the flowers, the music, and the gown.  But what’s one rather significant—and often times stressful—aspect of wedding planning that can leave even the most coordinated brides scrambling? …

The Wedding Planning Timeline.

 

From booking your venue to mailing your Save The Dates, coordinating numerous details across multiple vendor channels all while adhering to conventional timeline etiquette can be a real head scratcher. Avoid last minute panic and unveil the mystery of what to do when with this handy-dandy timeline:

12 months prior:

•  Plan your engagement party.
• Draft your guest list.
•  Book your venues.
• Set your budget.

One year before your big day, you should already be laying the foundation for your dream wedding. Now is the time to have the all-important money discussion and really draw the line between wedding fantasies and budget realities!  Might I suggest using this Wedding Cost Estimator  (courtesy of the helpful folks at TheWeddingReport.com) to help you begin planning your budget.

• 8-10 months prior:
• Get engagement photos.
•  Choose the officiant.
• Secure your vendors. 
•  Schedule cake tasting and order your cake.
• Select your wedding party.
• Block hotel rooms.
• Book wedding day transportation.
• Register for gifts.
• Choose the gown!

Researching and sifting through a bevy of local vendors can be daunting to say the least. Access all of your options in one place by using a Local Vendor Search Tool like this one by TheKnot.com. 

6 months prior:

•  Finalize the guest list.
•   Send Save The Dates.
• Choose bridal party attire.
• Plan the honeymoon.
• Order invitations.
• Purchase wedding bands.

Your Save The Date is your guests’ very first impression of your upcoming wedding…so make it unforgettable! Might I suggest a fun and unique Custom Scratch Off Wedding Save The Date?

4 months prior:

• Confirm venues & vendors.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner.
• Finalize hair and make-up plans.
•  Choose the reception menu.
•  Order wedding favors/ bridal party gifts.

At four months prior, all wedding plans and decisions should be finalized. Avoid last minute panic by making plans early and sticking to them! 

2 months prior:

• Mail invitations.
• Write wedding vows.
• Purchase wedding day accessories.
•  Confirm day of transportation.
•  Create a shot list for your photographer.
•   Create a song list for your DJ or band.

Communicating your wishes to your photographer in advance is crucial to ensuring that you capture all of the most treasured moments of your big day. In addition to a standard shot list, consider creating a Pinterest board of all your favorite wedding photography and providing a link to your photographer as inspiration.

4-6 weeks prior:

• Get marriage license.
• Make final vendor payments.
• Send rehearsal dinner invites.
• Follow-up with RSVP’s.
• Final dress fitting.
• Bridal Shower and Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties. 
• Begin seating chart.

Leave no stone unturned! All of your wedding details (from food to decor) should be firmed up at least one month prior to your big day.

1-2 weeks prior:

• Pick up your gown.
• Finalize head count & seating chart.
• Break in your shoes (this is a big one!).
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Get a facial/waxing.

One to two weeks in advance you should be putting the finishing touches on your wedding day plans. You’re in the planning home stretch and now comes the really fun part…

48 hours prior:

• Get a manicure & pedicure.
• Wrap bridesmaid and groomsman gifts.
• Pick up tux.

24 hours prior:

• Attend rehearsal dinner.
• Give bridesmaid & groomsman gifts.

Wedding Day:

• Get Married…
• Live Happily Ever After!

Of course, every bride will have her own preferences and unique agenda, but I hope this can at least get you started with a clear idea of what to expect from the conventional wedding planning timeline.

From all of us here at My Scratch Offs…Happy Planning!