Caterer Credit On Wedding Invites: To Name Or Not?

Wedding invitation wording is a tricky task, and there are many aspects to consider, such as the host line, the request line, and the action line. But what about the caterer? Do you have to name them on the invitation? Well, it's not a common practice to include the caterer's name on the wedding invitation itself. The focus of the invitation is typically on the couple getting married, the date, time, and place, with separate RSVP or reception cards providing additional details. However, it's essential to give your guests enough information about the wedding, including the caterer, to ensure they can make any necessary arrangements.

Including the caterer's name on the invitation

Including the caterer's name on a wedding invitation is a great way to give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect at the reception. It adds a touch of personality and creativity to the invitation and can even be a conversation starter for your guests. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate the caterer's name:

Highlighting the Caterer's Expertise

Include a brief description of the caterer's specialty or their unique selling point. For example: "Catering by Chef John's Kitchen, serving award-winning fusion cuisine." This approach elevates the catering experience and gives your guests something to look forward to.

Emphasizing the Menu

If you have a mouth-watering menu planned, why not give your guests a preview? You can write something like: "A three-course culinary journey awaits, crafted by Caterer X." This builds excitement and lets your guests know they're in for a treat.

Sharing a Personal Connection

If you have a special connection with the caterer, you can include a heartfelt note about it. For instance: "Catered with love by Aunt Mary's Bakery, a family favourite." This adds a warm and personal touch to the invitation.

Providing Practical Information

Including the caterer's name can be especially useful if you have guests with dietary restrictions or allergies. You can write: "For dietary inquiries, please contact Caterer Y." This shows consideration for your guests' needs and provides a direct point of contact.

Incorporating it into the Design

If you want to be more subtle, you can include the caterer's name as part of the invitation's design or artwork. Perhaps there's a small illustration or a subtle mention in the background. This approach adds a touch of whimsy while still providing the information.

A Note on Etiquette

While including the caterer's name is a lovely idea, it's important to prioritize clarity and legibility on your invitations. Ensure that essential information like the date, time, and venue are prominently displayed. You don't want your guests to be confused about the event details!

Additionally, consider the tone and formality of your wedding. If it's a very traditional or formal affair, including the caterer's name may not be customary. In such cases, you can share the information via word of mouth or on your wedding website.

Ultimately, the decision to include the caterer's name is a creative choice that can add a unique touch to your invitations. It's a wonderful way to showcase your chosen caterer and give your guests a glimpse of the wonderful food experience awaiting them.

Wording and etiquette

The wording of wedding invitations can be a little tricky, but you don't have to be a wordsmith to figure it out. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you navigate the process:

Host Line

The host line is the first part of the invitation and traditionally lists the names of the bride's parents as the hosts. However, it has become more common and gracious to list the names of both sets of parents, especially when both families are contributing to the wedding financially. Here are some examples:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams" (very formal, including middle name)
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams" (formal)
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams" (formal, includes both first names)
• "Christopher and Sarah Williams" (less formal)

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line and start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

Honouring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include their name alongside one of the couple's names. For example:

"Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez" or "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez."

Request Line

The request line is where you extend the invitation to your guests and set the tone for the celebration. Here are some examples:

• "request the honour of your presence" (traditionally used for a religious service)
• "request the pleasure of your company" (used for a non-religious ceremony)
• "invite you to celebrate with them"
• "would love for you to join them"

Action Line

The action line outlines what you are inviting guests to share in, such as the marriage or celebration of the union. Here are some examples:

• "at the marriage of their daughter" (if the bride's parents are hosting)
• "at the marriage of their children" (if both sets of parents are hosting)
• "at the celebration of their union" (if the couple is hosting)
• "as they say 'I do'!"
• "in celebration of their marriage"

Names of the Couple

For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's full name or first and middle name. For same-sex couples, you can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Date and Time

Traditionally, the date and time on a wedding invitation are spelled out in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be lowercase.

Venue

List the venue name and city, state (spelled out for formal weddings) on separate lines. The street address is usually not included unless the venue is a private residence. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply say, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

Dress Code

Including the dress code on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it must be included. Here are some examples:

• "Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)"
• "Formal attire (suits and dresses)"
• "Cocktail attire (cocktail dresses)"
• "Beach casual (sandals, sundresses)"

Wedding Website

It is not typical to print the wedding website on the main invitation card. Instead, include it on a separate reception or additional information card.

RSVP Card

The RSVP card should include the reply-by date, which is usually three to four weeks before the wedding. Keep the wording consistent with the invitation. For example, "the favour of a reply" matches "the honour of your presence." For a less formal invitation, such as "request the pleasure of your company", the RSVP wording could be "Kindly respond by."

Guest Names

It is common to include the names of invited guests on the invitation envelope rather than the invitation itself. This allows for a more general approach on the invitation. However, personalizing the invites by adding guests' names can add a special touch. If you are inviting adults only, be clear on the envelope by addressing it to "Mr and Mrs Smith" instead of "The Smith Family."

In conclusion, while there are certain traditions and guidelines to follow in wedding invitation etiquette, ultimately, you can choose whatever style and wording feel right for you and your celebration.

Addressing envelopes

When addressing envelopes for wedding invitations, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to establish the formality of the wedding. This will influence the style of addressing, with more traditional and elegant language for a black-tie affair, and a more casual and relaxed approach for a laid-back country wedding.

• Use full names and avoid nicknames.
• Middle names are not necessary, but if included, they should be spelled out in full rather than using an initial.
• Spell out all words such as "Apartment", "Avenue", and "Street".
• Abbreviate titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Jr.".
• Write out professional titles such as "Doctor" or "Professor".
• For a married couple, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. If the wife has chosen to keep her maiden name, use "Mr. and Ms.".
• For an unmarried couple living together, write their names on separate lines without using "and". On the inner envelope, include their titles and last names.
• When addressing a family with children, only include the parents' names on the outer envelope. List the children's names on the inner envelope, with boys under 13 referred to as "Master" and girls under 18 as "Miss".
• If one guest is a judge, use the title "The Honorable". If both spouses have different professional titles, list the wife's title first, followed by the husband's: "The Honorable Pamela Patel and Lieutenant Jonathan Patel, U.S. Navy".
• For a guest who is a doctor, use "Doctor and Mrs." if the husband is a doctor, or "Doctor" followed by the wife's name if she is the doctor. If both spouses are doctors, write "The Doctors" followed by their last name.
• When including a plus-one, try to find out the name and address of the guest's date and send a separate invitation. If this is not possible, address the outer envelope to the primary invitee and the inner envelope to "Ms. Jane Doe and Guest".
• Formal addressing to a single guest: "Ms. Samantha Anderson, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, California 28495".
• Informal addressing to a single guest: "Sam Anderson, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, CA 28495".
• Formal addressing to a single guest with a plus-one: "Ms. Anderson & Guest, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, California 28495".
• Informal addressing to a single guest with a plus-one: "Sam Anderson and Guest, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, CA 28495".
• Formal addressing to a married couple: "Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, California 28495".
• Informal addressing to a married couple: "Anthony and Sara James, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, CA 28495".
• Formal addressing to an unmarried couple at the same address: "Ms. Sara Trent, Mr. Anthony James, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, California 28495".
• Informal addressing to an unmarried couple at the same address: "Sara and Anthony, 56 North Ridge Drive, Hartinger, CA 28495".

Invitation design

When it comes to wedding invitation design, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you create elegant and informative invitations:

Host Line:

The host line typically appears at the very top of the invitation and mentions the names of those hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, but nowadays, it is common to include both sets of parents or even the couple themselves as hosts. For example:

• "Together with their families, Jane and Jack invite you to celebrate their love and union."
• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams" (for a very formal wedding)
• "Christopher and Sarah Williams" (for a less formal wedding)

Request Line:

This is where you invite your guests to join the celebration. The wording can vary depending on the formality of the event. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence" (for a formal, religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Couple's Names:

The couple's names should be prominently featured, with the bride's name traditionally coming first, followed by the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what sounds best. It is also important to use full legal names or preferred nicknames.

Date, Time, and Location:

Provide clear information about the date, time, and location of the ceremony. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and address in full. For casual invitations, numerals and shorthand are acceptable.

Reception Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow." If they are at different locations, provide the address and relevant details for the reception venue.

Dress Code:

The dress code is usually included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If not specified, guests will interpret the dress code based on the invitation's style and formality.

RSVP Information:

Include a separate RSVP card with clear instructions on how and when to respond. You can also provide a wedding website or email address for responses. Numbering the RSVP cards and corresponding them to each guest in a spreadsheet can help keep track of responses.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can personalise your invitations to match your wedding's theme and style. Feel free to add creative touches that reflect your personality as a couple!

Timing

When it comes to wedding invitations, timing is crucial. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to ensure your invitations are sent out at the right time:

• It is recommended to send out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to plan and RSVP.
• For destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, send invitations earlier, around the 3-month mark.
• The timing for ordering invitations is usually 4-5 months in advance. This allows for design, printing, and addressing.
• Set the RSVP deadline for about 3-4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalise numbers for catering and seating.
• If some guests haven't responded by the deadline, follow up with a quick call to confirm their attendance.
• Include the date and time of the ceremony on the invitation. Traditionally, these are written out in full, e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon."
• If you wish to include an end time, you can do so, or state when guests should arrive.
• If the ceremony and reception are at different venues, provide the reception timing and address separately.
• For same-venue events, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and you can adjust them to fit your specific needs and wedding style.

Frequently asked questions