Style – Ultra Formal – Usually for evening weddings indoors or under canopies

• Bride & Groom – Though it may sound daunting, the ultra formal look is easy to achieve. Most wedding dresses will already be in this style, and the bride can add accents like elbow-length gloves and wear a veil. The groom should wear a tuxedo, complete with a cummerbund or vest, bow tie and formal shoes.
• Wedding Party – Bridesmaids should wear floor-length dresses and have their hair in up-do’s or other formal styles. Groomsmen should follow the groom and wear a tuxedo, but add different color accessories than the groom’s so the groom stands apart.
• Guests – Women should wear gowns or formal dresses and men should wear tuxedos or a sharp suit. An understated tie is acceptable.

Style – Formal – Usually for evening or daytime weddings, indoors or outdoors

• Bride & Groom – The bride should have no trouble looking the part in the majority of the dresses available. A veil would be appropriate for this style. The groom should wear a tuxedo, but a well-tailored 2- or 3-button suit with a tie is just as acceptable.
• Wedding Party – Bridesmaids should wear floor-length dresses with formal shoes. Groomsmen should follow the groom and wear a tux or suit, but with different color accessories.
• Guests – Women may wear gowns or formal dresses and men should wear a sharp suit with an understated tie.

Style – Semi-Formal – Usually for evening or daytime weddings, indoors or outdoors

• Bride & Groom – This is the most popular style for weddings and brides will often get creative by wearing a garland or a tiara instead of a veil. The groom should wear a sharp suit and a white or black tie.
• Wedding Party – Bridesmaids may wear floor-length or tea-length dresses. Again, groomsmen should follow the groom and wear a suit, but with different color accessories.
• Guests – Women should wear dresses that reflect the time of day, and men should wear a suit with a tie.

Style – Casual – Evening or daytime weddings, indoors or outdoors

• Bride & Groom – This style will allow for most attire options. Brides can wear anything from a typical wedding gown to a simple white dress. Men should wear a suit and tie, but can get more creative with their accessory colors.
• Wedding Party – Bridesmaids should wear tea-length dresses, but not anything longer than what the bride is wearing. Groomsmen should wear a suit and tie.
• Guests – Women should wear dresses that reflect the time of day, and men should wear a suit, with or without a tie.

Style – Unique – Evening or daytime weddings, indoors or outdoors

• Bride & Groom – More and more these days, the lines between wedding attire and formalwear have been blurred. Brides may wear a splash of color on their gowns, such as a gold sash or green trim on the hem. Though menswear hasn’t strayed too much, a splash of color on a tie or other accessories have been seen in recent weddings.
• Wedding Party – Though the men may stick to their suits, bridesmaids can wear unique dresses with unexpected pairings. In one winter wedding, brides wore mini dresses with faux mink bolero jackets. It all depends on the theme of the wedding and the look that is trying to be achieved.
• Guests – Women can wear dresses or even nicely tailored pantsuits while men should wear a suit and tie, not necessarily in dark colors.

Style – Bohemian – Usually for daytime weddings, indoors or outdoors

• Bride & Groom – Lots of couples who marry on the beach or in other settings in nature will wear simple linen outfits. The bride may wear a simple sheath or flowing dress and the groom may wear a linen shirt (Hawaiian print is popular) and pants or shorts, both of them oftentimes going barefoot.
• Wedding Party – Bridesmaids should follow the bride and wear dresses that are no more formal than the bride’s, and the groomsmen should wear outfits similar to the groom.
• Guests – Women can wear casual dresses and men should wear slacks with a button-down shirt, a tie is optional.

Address all inner and outer envelopes according to your guest lists.

Purchase stamps for outer envelopes and for respond card envelopes (if they will be included).

Place stamps on only as many response card envelopes as you will be sending since you probably ordered some extras.

Assemble invitations with any inserts that will be included such as response cards & envelopes, reception cards, map/direction cards, etc., placing everything inside the already addressed inner envelope.

Place stuffed inner envelopes inside of outer envelopes. IMPORTANT – make sure the guest name(s) on the inner and outer envelopes match for each invitation before sealing.

If you ordered seals, place them over the back flap of the outer envelopes so it looks like they’re holding the flaps down.

Place stamps and return address (if envelopes weren’t pre-printed) on outer envelopes that have been sealed. You’ll want undeliverable invitations returned to you by the Post Office.

Take addressed invitations to the Post Office to be mailed 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding.

After the wedding, write out and mail your thank you cards.

Wedding Invitations Checklist

Gather all guest lists and calculate how many wedding invitations you will need to order.

• Bride’s list
• Groom’s list
• Bride’s parents’ list
• Groom’s parents’ list

What to include in the invitations:

• Date and time of ceremony
• Name and address of ceremony location
• Correct name spellings for everyone to be listed
• Time of reception or dinner
• Name and address of reception or dinner location
• Time of dance, if applicable
• RSVP date, if applicable

Invitation Ideas

Envelopes with printed return address on back flap – even though they cost a little extra, this will save you time and effort by not having to affix a label or handwrite the return address on each envelope (blank outer envelopes are typically included in invitation cost).

Lined Inner Envelopes – If lining is chosen, the color should match the invitation color(s). Unlined inner envelopes are usually included in the invitation cost.

Reception Cards – Only necessary if reception information doesn’t fit with invitation verse or as a corner copy on the invitation.

Response Cards – HIGHLY recommended so you know how many guests will be attending. Envelopes are usually included in price and come printed with mailing address you specify.

Informal Notes – usually match the invitation and contain your monogram or your names on the front with the inside blank so they can be used as your thank you notes.

Thank You Notes – can also be ordered to match invitations (blank envelopes are usually included in price). The option is usually available to order them blank or have them printed with a verse inside.

Envelopes with printed return address on back flap for Informal or Thank You Notes – even though they cost a little extra, this will save you time and effort by not having to affix a label or handwrite the return address on each envelope.

Direction / Map Cards – guests will appreciate directions and/or a map if they are not familiar with the area of your wedding location. You will need to provide direction information and/or map for printing on the cards. It’s your choice whether you print just driving directions, a map or both on the inserted card.

Envelope Seals – these add a nice touch to your outer envelopes making it look like they are holding down the back flap. In some instances, envelope seals may match the invitation style.

HAVE YOU THOROUGHLY CHECKED ALL SPELLINGS, DATES, TIMES AND ADDRESSES ON ALL YOUR INVITATION ITEMS?

Make any necessary corrections and PROOF AGAIN.

Other printed items you might want to consider ordering at the same time you order your invitations:

Menu Cards – placed on reception tables at each place setting listing all the dinner courses to be served.

Place Cards – placed on reception tables to specify seating arrangements.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations – sent out to ensure all involved know when and where the rehearsal and/or dinner will be held.

Personalized Napkins – can be used at the reception with the place settings or used for distributing the wedding cake to your guests.

Finalize and place your order.

Engagement gifts, shower gifts, wedding gifts – you’ll probably never receive more presents at any one time during your life than when you tie the knot. Unfortunately, many a couple’s enthusiasm quickly dampens at the thought of writing the many thank-you notes that must follow. Cheer up! The whole process of reflecting back on your treasures can rekindle all your best engagement and wedding memories. And with the right system, you can have your obligations polished off in no time.

As a rule, early wedding gifts should be acknowledged before the big day. Besides the fact that it’s good manners to respond promptly, there’s a practical reason for this: The work won’t get a chance to pile up. All remaining thank-you notes should be sent within three months. If you’re falling behind, consider calling the people who sent gifts by mail to assure them the package did arrive; then follow up with a written note as soon as you can.

Keeping a record of all the gifts you receive – in a notebook, your computer, or on index cards – will help tremendously when you send your thank-you notes. Record the giver’s name, the store where the gift was purchased (if you know), the date it was received, a brief description of the gift, and finally, the date the thank-you note was sent. You can refer to this listing as you write – since proper etiquette dictates that you describe the gift in your note – and use it to keep track of which gifts you’ve acknowledged. If the same person gets you a gift for multiple events – say, a shower gift and a wedding gift – it’s good etiquette to write a separate note for each gift.

Your Stationery
Writing thank-you notes for your wedding thank you’s are often written on formal stationery. If you choose notepaper embossed with your name or initials, keep in mind that you should use your maiden name on any pre-wedding thank you’s. Paper that displays your married name shouldn’t be used until after the wedding.