Avoiding Invitation Disasters!
February 28, 2007
“It’s just an invitation,” you say to yourself. “What could possibly go wrong?†Famous last words, indeed! What could go wrong? More than you might imagine. Here are a few things to think about when preparing your invitations.
Wording
Oh, dear. How do you word the invitation if you happen to have a complicated family? Messy divorces, step-parents, birth parents, in-laws . . . family can be anything but easy to figure out. The key rule to follow is that the person (or people) listed on the invitation should be the host (or hosts) of the wedding reception. If divorced parents are co-hosting the event, they may both still be listed, though preferably on separate lines.
Take caution in not giving credit where credit is due. In one recent wedding, the groom’s parents footed the bill for the entire lavish affair, yet it was the bride’s parents whose names were on the invitations. At the reception, many guests heartily thanked and complimented the bride’s parents on what a beautiful wedding and reception they had sponsored, and the callous couple blithely took credit for everything. Needless to say, the groom’s parents felt unhappy and unappreciated! In cases where the groom’s parents are paying, you may wish to put the names of both sets of parents on the invitations.
And what if you’re hosting your own wedding reception? Well then, feel free to put your own names on the invitation!
Typos and Misspellings
“Really, are you kidding?†you might say. “Who doesn’t check for typos?†Nonetheless, every year there are countless invitations that arrive with errors in spelling and grammar. Often, these invitations are of the do-it-yourself variety. If you plan to make your own invitations, be sure to have another person proofread the text, preferably someone who’s great at English!
Another detail to be meticulous about is the spelling of names. Let’s say you aren’t sure how to spell your old college roommate’s wife’s name. You may think, “Oh, potato, poTAHto, what’s in a name?†But when the invitation arrives addressed to “Dan and Carrie†instead of “Dan and Keri,†the couple may be less than pleased. A name is more than just a name; it’s a part of your identity. Take the time to telephone your guests when you are in doubt; this personal touch shows that you really care and may encourage them to attend your special event.
It’s in the Mail
Other common problems revolve around the mailing of invitations. First and foremost, be sure to allow enough RSVP time for guests to respond. A good rule of thumb is to mail your invitations eight weeks before the wedding. This usually gives invitees enough time to make travel arrangements and to secure vacation days if needed. This grace period should also give you time to react if any of your invitations are returned to you as undeliverable. But don’t let that happen in the first place! As with the spelling of names, double check the addresses of your guests to be sure they are current and correctly written.
Now WHERE am I going?!
One of the worst wedding invitation disasters you want to avoid is including faulty directions or unreadable maps to your wedding ceremony or reception. Directions aren’t much of a problem in a small town, but in an unknown city, finding your way around can be frustrating and even scary to some people. Be cautious of printing out directions verbatim from the latest mapping website. Such websites don’t always give the most direct or logical routes, as many people have unhappily discovered firsthand. Unless you’re a superstar with directions and are 100% sure that the directions are accurate, you might consider driving each of the routes listed yourself (from the north, south, east, and west, as needed). You may discover unexpectedly closed roads, construction, or just plain wrong directions. Oh, and it might be a nice idea to include a contact number on the invitation of a directionally-gifted friend with a cell phone who would be willing to guide travelers to each venue on the day of the event.
Don’t let these invitation disasters happen to YOU! With a little luck, and a lot of preparation, your invitations can go off without a hitch.
Keywords: Wedding Invitations, Wedding Invitation Wording, Weddingblog
