Correcting Wedding Invitation Mistakes: A Simple Guide

Mistakes on wedding invitations are more common than you think. From typos to missing information, there are many errors that can occur. Luckily, there are several ways to correct these mistakes, whether it's through reprints, follow-up cards, digital communication, or simply sending the invitations as they are. This guide will provide you with the necessary information to handle any invitation mistakes with confidence and ensure your guests receive the correct details for your big day.

Spelling/grammar typos

Wedding invitation typos are more common than you think, and they can be a huge source of stress. But don't worry, there are ways to correct them and prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to handle spelling and grammar typos on your wedding invitations:

Identify the Typo

The first step is to identify the typo and determine its severity. Is it a misspelled name, a wrong date, or a grammatical error? Typos can range from minor mistakes that guests might overlook to major errors that could misguide your guests. For example, a misspelled word like "Octouber" for "October" is likely to be understood by your guests, but a wrong date or location would require immediate correction.

Decide on a Course of Action

The best way to fix a wedding invitation typo is by reprinting the invitations. However, this may not always be possible due to time and budget constraints. If the typo is not critical and your wedding is fast approaching, you can use correction tools like correction tape and fine-point markers to make small changes. While not ideal, this method can be effective for minor typos.

Contact Your Stationery Designer or Printer

If you've identified a critical typo, such as a wrong date or location, reach out to your stationery designer or printer immediately. Discuss your options for reprints, discounts, or other solutions they may offer. They might be willing to work with you, especially if the mistake was their fault.

Consider Online Retailers

If your original vendor is unwilling to budge, explore online retailers like Zola, Minted, or Vistaprint. They often have lower costs and faster turnaround times, which can be a lifesaver when you're in a pinch. While the design may differ from your original vision, it's a practical solution to ensure your guests receive accurate information.

Digital Communication

If your wedding is only a few weeks away, digital communication might be your best option. Send email updates or digital invitations to your guests, correcting any typos or providing the correct information. You can also use your wedding website to announce any changes or corrections. While pairing digital communication with paper invitations can feel informal, it's a completely understandable solution when you're short on time or money.

Proofreading and Prevention

To prevent typos in the first place, proofreading is essential. Ask multiple people to carefully review your invitation proofs, preferably those who haven't seen previous versions. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes that you might have overlooked. Additionally, consider using grammar and spelling checkers, as well as style guides, to ensure your invitations are error-free.

In conclusion, while wedding invitation typos can be stressful, there are ways to correct them and prevent them from happening. Remember to stay calm, take action, and seek help from professionals when needed. With careful proofreading and attention to detail, you can ensure your invitations are accurate and reflect the care you put into your special day.

Event detail mistakes

Event details are the most important part of a wedding invitation. After all, you want your guests to know when and where to show up! But it's easy to make a mistake when you're including all those necessary details. Here are some common event detail mistakes and how to fix them:

• Incorrect start time: Putting the wrong start time on your wedding invitation is a sure way to confuse your guests. Be sure to include the exact start time of your ceremony (for example, 4 o'clock) and specify whether it's AM or PM. If your reception follows immediately, you can simply add "reception to follow". But if there's a gap between the ceremony and reception, include both times on the invite.
• Missing information: Not including all the necessary information on your invitation is a major mistake. All wedding invitations should include the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and RSVP information. For a more traditional or formal wedding, you may also want to include the couple's middle names or a host line. It's also helpful to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find additional details.
• Sending them too late: Wedding invitations should be sent out at least six to eight weeks before the wedding, or twelve weeks if it's a destination wedding. This gives guests enough time to arrange their schedules and travel plans.
• Not including RSVP instructions: Each invitation should include either an RSVP insert or RSVP information directly on the invitation, along with a deadline for guests to respond. Include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for guests to send back their replies, or direct them to a phone number, email address, or wedding website for online RSVPs.
• Not reminding guests about the RSVP deadline: If your RSVP deadline is approaching and you haven't heard back from everyone, it's appropriate to send a gentle reminder. Wait one to two weeks after the deadline, then reach out personally to those who haven't responded. You can ask close friends or family members in person, or send a quick message to more distant relatives or friends.
• Not being clear about plus-ones: Avoid confusion by making it clear on the invitation whether or not someone is invited with a plus-one. Address the invitation to the invited guest(s) by name, and include the number of seats reserved for them on the RSVP card.
• Not properly addressing invitations for a kid-free wedding: If you're planning a kid-free wedding, be super clear about this on your invitations. Avoid addressing envelopes to "The Doe Family", and instead, address the parents' full names on both the inner and outer envelopes. You can also write the exact names of the invited guests on the response card.
• Not being clear about the dress code: Guests want to know what level of formality to expect at your wedding. Include dress code information on an insert within the invitation suite or on your wedding website.

Remember, even if you make a mistake on your wedding invitations, don't panic! There are always ways to correct it, and your guests will understand.

Time or date mistakes

Discovering a time or date mistake on your wedding invitations can be stressful, but there are several ways to address the issue. Here are some detailed instructions on how to correct time or date mistakes on your wedding invitations:

Assess the Situation:

If you catch the mistake before sending out the invitations, don't panic. Contact your stationery designer or printer to discuss your options. They may offer discounts or exclusive deals for reprints, especially if the mistake is their fault. If the error is in the proof you signed off on, you may be liable for any reprints, so review your contract carefully.

Consider Your Timeline:

Evaluate how much time you have before the wedding. If you have a few spare weeks, reprinting the invitations or sending follow-up correction cards are viable options. However, if the wedding is only a few weeks away, digital communication, such as email updates or wedding website announcements, may be more practical.

Decide on the Correction Method:

If you have time and budget, reprinting the invitations or sending follow-up cards can be elegant solutions. Ensure that the updated cards have similar motifs, colours, and patterns as the original invitations so that guests can easily associate them with the event. If time is of the essence, digital invitations, email updates, or wedding website updates can effectively convey the corrected information.

Implement the Correction:

When correcting the time or date mistake, ensure that the new information is accurate and clear. Specify the time using both numerals and abbreviations (e.g., 4:00 p.m.). Clearly indicate whether the time is AM or PM to avoid confusion. If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, include both times on the invitation. Additionally, proofread the corrected information to ensure no new errors are introduced.

Learn from the Mistake:

While it can be frustrating, try to view the mistake as an opportunity to improve. Wedding planning involves juggling many tasks, and errors can happen. Take this as a reminder to slow down, pay attention to details, and seek help from proofreaders to catch any mistakes before printing.

Colour or style errors

If you've received your wedding invitations only to find that they've been printed in the wrong colour or style, it can be frustrating. Here are some steps you can take to correct these mistakes:

Assess the Severity of the Mistake

Before you panic, take a moment to assess how noticeable the mistake is. If the colour is slightly off from what you expected or there is a minor style discrepancy, your guests may not even notice. In these cases, it may be best to simply send out the invitations as is. Remember, the most important thing is to convey the correct information to your guests, and minor colour or style discrepancies won't affect that.

Contact the Retailer

If the colour or style error is significant and you're unhappy with the final product, your first step should be to contact the retailer or printer. Explain the situation and express your concerns. They may be willing to offer a refund, discount, or other compensation for the mistake. This is more likely if the error was their fault, but even if it wasn't, they may still be willing to work with you to find a solution.

Reprint the Invitations

If the colour or style error is significant enough that it detracts from the overall appeal of the invitation, you may want to consider reprinting. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it may be worth it to ensure your invitations reflect your vision. If you decide to reprint, be sure to proofread the new invitations carefully to catch any other potential mistakes.

Digital Solutions

If you're short on time or budget, you could consider digital solutions such as sending email updates or creating a wedding website to provide guests with the correct information. While it may not be your original vision, it's a practical way to ensure your guests have the details they need.

Send the Invitations as Is

If you're really tight on time or budget, and the mistake is not too noticeable, you may decide to simply send the invitations as is. Remember, minor discrepancies are unlikely to be noticed by your guests, and what matters most is that you're able to celebrate your special day with your loved ones.

Name misspellings

To avoid misspellings on wedding invitations, it is recommended to have two or more people proofread the invitations, preferably including someone with strong grammar skills or editing experience. It is also important to triple-check critical information such as names, dates, addresses, phone numbers, and URLs, as mistakes in this information can cause confusion or inconvenience for guests.

If a name is misspelled on a wedding invitation that has already been printed, there are several options for correcting the mistake:

• Requesting a fix from the retailer or stationer: While they may not be liable for mistakes, some retailers may be willing to offer a discount on reprints, especially if the error was their fault.
• Sending out follow-up cards: This option allows you to correct the mistake in a stylish and elegant way, but it can be time-consuming and costly, as it involves designing, submitting, approving, and sending new stationery.
• Using digital communication: If time or budget is a concern, sending email updates or making announcements on a personal wedding website can be a quick and easy way to correct small typos or errors.
• Mailing the invitations as is: For minor typos or errors that do not affect critical information, it may be best to simply send out the invitations as they are, as most guests may not even notice the mistake.

It is important to note that attempting to correct the mistake by hand or making changes to the invitations yourself is not recommended, as it may draw more attention to the error.

To prevent name misspellings on wedding invitations, it is crucial to carefully examine proofs and have fresh eyes review the invitations before signing off on the final version. By following these tips and having a backup plan in place, you can ensure that any mistakes are caught and corrected before the invitations are sent out.

Frequently asked questions