Invitation Wording Etiquette | Wedding Invitation Etiquette

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Wedding Invitation Wording

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For information about other types of invitation etiquette (paper to use, printing methods, etc.) go to: The Wrap on Invitations

The Essence of Etiquette

Etiquette can be defined as the body of rules of social conduct that tells us what our society considers appropriate and acceptable behavior. Adherence to these guidelines can help make our personal and professional relationships more comfortable and effective. We tend to feel more at ease when we understand what others expect of us. The etiquette that we follow when sending a letter or invitation revolves around three basic building blocks: common sense, courtesy, and usage.

Etiquette’s foundation is common sense. On an invitation, for example, there is essential information that must be conveyed if you want your guests to show up at your event. Your guests need to know who is inviting them to what function. They also need to know the date, time, and place. A properly worded invitation contains all of that information and presents it succinctly and coherently.

Courtesy is the spirit of etiquette. It imposes on us an obligation to be considerate of others. You may come across some etiquette guidelines that might not work in your situation. Etiquette is proper only when it facilitates and strengthens relationships.

The third building block is usage. Etiquette has evolved over the years and will continue to evolve. As old customs become obsolete, new ones take their place. Not very long ago, response cards were considered improper, even offensive and insulting. Wedding invitations were always answered in one’s own handwriting on one’s own stationery. As lives became busier and busier, there was less time to sit down and handwrite a reply. Since hosts and hostesses could not risk not receiving responses, they began to send reply cards with their invitations. This made it easier for their guests to respond. The courtesy extended to their guests was a common sense approach to the problem of late and never received responses. As more and more invitations were sent with reply cards, they became more and more acceptable. Today, they are sent with most wedding invitations.

Emily Post has a website that is a great resource for wedding planning guidelines and event etiquette. Go to http://www.emilypost.com/weddings

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