List of Don'ts When It Comes to Wedding Invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, you probably already know there are lots of specifics to remember.  Usually these details can be categorized into lists of do’s and don’ts.  A wide range of things can be covered in these lists from your wording to assembling and mailing your invitations.  In this article we are going to concentrate on a ‘not to do’ list which is just as important as your ‘do’ list.

Here is a list of don’ts including some involving wedding invitation etiquette.  To be more helpful, they are ordered as to how each item may fit into your preparations.  

• DON'T order the same number of wedding invitationsas the number of guests on your list – those numbers won’t match.  Although counted as two guests on your list, only one invitation will be sent per couple.  Also, be sure to order a few extras to be safe.
• DON'T exclude wedding party attendants, parents and the officiator from your invitation mailing list.  It's proper to mail an invitation to them even though you already know they will be at your wedding if only to be kept as a memento.
• DON'T finalize your order until you have proofed everything several times and had someone else also thoroughly review all the information. 
• DON'T abbreviate words except for name titles such as Mr., Mrs., etc.  Names of streets, cities and states should not be shortened but instead entirely spelled out.
• DON'T include your gift registry information or monetary gift request on your invites.  Word of mouth can be used to share this type of information or an insert could be included listing your wedding website if you have one.  Websites are a great place to reveal that type of information to guests.
• DON'T print the words ‘no children’ on your wedding invitationseven if that is your wish.  Instead, the absense of the children's names and the phrase 'and family' on the envelope should relay the message that they are not invited.  You may want friends and family to spread the word about that detail as well.
• DON'T stuff the envelopes until after they have been hand addressed to avoid an uneven writing surface and making indentations on your invitations.
• DON'T use printed mailing labels when it comes to addressing your invitation envelopes.  Names and addresses should be handwritten according to wedding invitation etiquetteand for a personal touch.
• DON'T include on invitations for families any adult children living at home over the age of 18 since they should receive their own invite.
• DON'T include response card envelopes without postage already attached.  It’s a common courtesy so guests can easily mail them back.
• DON'T send out your invitations without a return address which would prevent any undeliverable ones from being returned to you by the Post Office.
• DON'T guess as to how much postage is needed for mailing your wedding invites.  Take one ready-to-mail invitation to the Post Office and have it weighed to know the correct amount for each.
• DON'T overlook sending thank you cards to all those who attended, participated in your wedding or remembered you with a gift.  Your thank you notes will be greatly appreciated.

As you can see there are many things you don’t want to do or don’t want to forget to do when it comes to your wedding invitations.