Inviting Government Customers To Your Wedding: Is It Okay?

There are many things to consider when planning a wedding, from the guest list to the invitations. One question that may arise is whether it is appropriate to invite government customers or clients to the wedding. While it is generally acceptable to invite clients to a wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind when inviting government customers. Firstly, it is important to consider the nature of the relationship with the government customer. If the relationship is purely professional, it may be more appropriate to send a wedding announcement after the event instead of a formal invitation. Secondly, government customers may have certain restrictions or guidelines regarding gifts and invitations, so it is essential to be mindful of any potential conflicts of interest. Lastly, it is worth noting that government customers may have busy schedules, so they may not be able to attend the wedding even if they are invited.

Pros and cons of inviting government customers to your wedding

Pros

• You may receive a congratulatory message or gift from the government official, which you can keep as a memento.
• The presence of a government official can add a star-studded element to your wedding and make it more memorable.
• Inviting government officials can strengthen your relationship with them and potentially lead to continued partnerships in the future.
• It can be a sign of respect and a way to show appreciation for their contribution to a cause you care about.

Cons

• Government officials have busy schedules, and their attendance is not guaranteed, even with ample notice.
• Their attendance may require additional planning and coordination to ensure their comfort, security, and speaking roles are appropriately managed.
• There is a risk of last-minute scheduling changes or cancellations due to urgent priorities.
• The focus on the government official's presence may detract from the celebration of the couple and the wedding itself.
• The cost and effort of organizing their attendance, including potential speaking roles, can be significant.

How to invite a celebrity to your wedding

While it is unlikely that a celebrity will attend your wedding, many people choose to invite them anyway, as they often send gifts or personalised messages in response. If you want to try your luck, here is how you can invite a celebrity to your wedding:

Find their address

You can usually find the fan mail address of celebrities online. If you are unsure, it is best to go with a formal address. For example, you could address the envelope to "Miss Jennifer Lawrence" or "Jennifer Lawrence".

Send your invitation early

Celebrities are busy people, so be sure to send your invitation early so they have plenty of time to respond.

Include the following information

• The date and location of the wedding
• Why you feel a connection with the celebrity
• A brief message explaining why you would like them to attend

Manage your expectations

It is important to remember that celebrities are unlikely to attend your wedding. While some celebrities have been known to crash weddings, it is not reasonable to expect them to attend. That may be a good thing, as you probably don't want anyone stealing your spotlight anyway! Instead, go into it with the expectation that you will get a personalised response or congratulatory note from them.

How to write a letter to accompany your wedding invite

When it comes to inviting government officials to your wedding, it's important to note that they follow specific protocols and have very busy schedules. While they may not attend, sending an invitation is a great way to receive a memorable reply that you can add to your wedding scrapbook. Here are some guidelines on how to write a letter to accompany your wedding invite:

Host Line:

Traditionally, the host line includes the names of the bride's parents, even if both sets of parents are contributing to the wedding financially. However, it has become increasingly common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, which is a gracious option. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can omit the host line or begin with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

Request Line:

This is where you extend the invitation and can set the tone for your celebration. For a religious service, you can use "The honour of your presence is requested." For a non-religious ceremony, you may opt for "The pleasure of your company" or variations. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Couple's Names:

Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's name, and for formal invitations issued by the bride's parents, only the bride's first and middle names are used, while the groom's full name and title are included. For same-sex couples, there is no traditional order, and you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what sounds better.

Date and Time:

For formal invitations, spell out the date and time in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." The year is optional, and you can use numerals for a more casual invitation.

Venue:

List the ceremony venue by name and city, state. For formal weddings, spell out the state name. The street address is usually omitted unless the venue is a private residence. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply add "Reception to follow." Otherwise, include the reception venue on a separate line or a reception card.

Dress Code:

Including the dress code on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it's best to include this information. Otherwise, guests will infer the dress code from the formality of the invitation.

Response Card:

Most couples include a separate response card for guests to accept or decline the invitation. You can also provide the option of responding via your wedding website.

Additional Information:

If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, activity cards can be helpful. You can also include an information card with details such as directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions.

Remember to provide enough notice when inviting government officials and be prepared for last-minute scheduling changes. It's a good idea to have a backup plan and ensure you understand their requirements for the event logistics.

How to address your wedding invites

When inviting government officials to your wedding, it's important to consider their busy schedules and select individuals whose event attendance aligns with their political goals or connections with constituents. Providing ample notice is crucial, but be prepared for last-minute changes due to urgent priorities. Here are some comprehensive guidelines for addressing your wedding invitations:

Outer Envelope Addressing:

The outer envelope is the one that gets stamped and addressed. When addressing a married couple with the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their shared last name. For same-sex couples, indicate the appropriate prefixes, such as "Mrs. and Mrs." or "Mr. and Mr." If the couple has different last names, write out their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." prefixes.

For unmarried couples living together, list their names on one or two lines, either alphabetically or starting with the person you are closer to. If they don't live together, send separate invitations. When inviting a family, decide whether to be specific about which members are invited. If you want to include everyone, address it to "The [Family Name]" or "Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Names]." If you want to specify individuals, list the parent(s) first, followed by invited children's names in order of age.

For single guests, use appropriate prefixes: "Mr." for males, "Ms." for females, and "Mx." for non-binary individuals. For widowed women, it's considerate to inquire about their preferred naming format. Divorced women can be addressed as "Mrs." or "Ms." with either their married or maiden name, depending on their preference.

Inner Envelope Addressing:

The inner envelope is optional and only includes the names of the invitees. It is more informal, often incorporating first names. For married couples with the same last name, you can use titles and their shared last name: "Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]." For couples with different last names, mention their names with appropriate prefixes: "Mrs. [Name] and Mr. [Name]."

For unmarried couples, list their names on separate lines or the same line, starting with the person you are closer to. If they don't live together, send separate invitations. For single guests, use the appropriate prefix and their full name.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid abbreviations or middle initials when addressing formal invitations.
• Spell out street names and state names or use postal code abbreviations.
• If you're allowing a plus-one, send the invitation to the person you're primarily inviting, and include their guest's name if known. Otherwise, simply write "and guest."
• Double-check spelling and consider ordering extra envelopes in case of errors.
• Provide clear instructions on the invitation, such as specifying an adults-only celebration.

Examples of companies to invite to your wedding

While inviting government customers to your wedding is possible, it is a separate issue from inviting companies.

Chick-fil-A

This fast-food chain is known for its generous wedding gifts, including coupons, gift cards, and treats. Send your invitation to their corporate address in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lucasfilm Ltd

If you and your partner are Star Wars fans, consider inviting Lucasfilm. They have sent couples a Star Wars-themed cookbook with stickers as a gift. Send your invitation to their address in San Francisco, California.

Ben & Jerry's

This ice cream company will send you discount coupons for free ice cream and a cute note. Send your invitation to their customer service address in South Burlington, Vermont.

Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl Cookies will send you a hand-written response and delicious cookies. Their address is in Lindon, Utah.

The Body Shop

Instead of sending an invitation, one bride wrote a thank-you letter for their Vitamin C Moisturizer, and received a huge box of skincare products in return. Send your letter to their address in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Two Roads Brewing Co

This company sent a couple branded glasses and a heartwarming letter. Send your invitation to their address in Stratford, Connecticut.

LaCroix

LaCroix will send you a box of freebies, including sparkling water, stickers, coupons, and a personalised note. Send your invitation to their address in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Kate Spade New York

This fashion brand is known for sending personalised cards, tote bags, wallets, and champagne glasses. Send your invitation to their customer service address in New York, New York.

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger will send you stickers, hats, t-shirts, and gift cards. Send your invitation to their customer service address in Irvine, California.

Nintendo

Nintendo is known for valuing its fans and has sent mini posters to couples who invited them. Send your invitation to their public relations address in Redmond, Washington.

Disney

Disney is a must if you're having a Disney-themed wedding. They send personalised cards, stickers, pins, and other goodies. Send your invitation to their fan mail department in Burbank, California.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola might cover the soft drinks for your wedding or send coupons, personalised bottles, and mini fridges. Send your invitation to their consumer information centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Southwest Airlines

If you're planning a honeymoon, consider inviting Southwest Airlines, who have been known to send vouchers to couples. Send your invitation to their address in Dallas, Texas.

Starbucks

Starbucks is known for its generous birthday treats, and they extend this to weddings with gift cards, mugs, and coffee blends. Send your invitation to their customer relations address in Seattle, Washington.

The Mets

If you're a baseball fan, consider inviting The Mets, who have been known to send gifts and responses to wedding invites. Their address is Citi Field, Queens, New York.

Playstation

For gaming enthusiasts, inviting Playstation could result in receiving gifts and responses. Send your invitation to their address in Foster City, California.

These are just a few examples of companies that you can invite to your wedding. You can also invite other celebrities and high-profile individuals, such as the president, by sending invitations to the White House.

Frequently asked questions