Guide To Including Children On Wedding Guest List

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different social situations to consider. Traditionally, the names of children are listed on the inner envelope, but what happens when there is no inner envelope? The easiest way to include guests and children is to list them on the outer envelope, for example, Mr. and Mrs. James Jones and Family. This is a formal and proper way of making it clear that children are invited to your event.

Include guests and children on the outer envelope

If you're using a single outer envelope, you can include guests and children in several ways. Here are some options:

The simplest approach is to list the guests and children on the outer envelope. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. James Jones and Family" or "Mr. James Jones and Guest". This method is formal and clear, ensuring your invitees know that their children or significant other are invited even before opening the envelope.

Indicate on the RSVP Card

You can also use the reply card to clarify who is invited. One way to do this is by adding a line for the number of guests attending, such as "Number Attending: ___". Alternatively, you can personalise the reply cards with the names of those invited, like "We hope you can join us, Jones Family!" or "We can't wait to celebrate with you, James (and bring a guest)!"

Guest Address on the Pocket or Paper Belly Band

Since pockets act as inner envelopes, you can write the informal address on them. Write the address on the side of the pocket without the flap, so it's visible when the pocket is removed from the envelope. You can also include guests and children on a printed paper belly band or tag wrapped around the pocket.

Indicate the number of guests attending on the RSVP card

When it comes to indicating the number of guests on an RSVP card, there are a few different approaches you can take. Here are some options to consider:

Option 1: Filling in the Blanks

One option is to include blank lines on the RSVP card for guests to fill in. For example, you could have a line that says "___ of ___ attending" or "___ seats have been reserved in your honor. ___ of ___ will attend." This allows guests to indicate how many people from their party will be attending. You can choose to fill in the second blank yourself, indicating how many people are invited, or leave it blank for the guest to fill in.

Option 2: Providing a Set Number

Another approach is to indicate the exact number of guests invited on the RSVP card. For example, you could write "We have reserved ___ seats in your honor" and fill in the blank with the number of guests invited. This makes it clear how many people are invited and prevents any confusion or unexpected additions.

Option 3: Listing Names

A more personalised option is to list the names of the invited guests on the RSVP card. For example, "John Smith. __ Will attend. __ Won't attend." This ensures that there is no ambiguity about who is invited and who is expected to attend.

Tips for Addressing Children:

If you are inviting children, it is important to be clear about how many children are included in the invitation. When using inner and outer envelopes, children's names should be included under their parents' names on the inner envelope, with the eldest child listed first. For young children, you can use "Miss" for girls if you wish, while boys don't need a title until they are 16. If you are using only one envelope, include the children's names along with their parents' on the front.

Handling Plus-Ones:

When it comes to plus-ones, you can indicate this by adding "and Guest" after the guest's name. If you are allowing a guest to invite their own plus-one, you can leave a blank line for them to fill in the name.

Remember, the key to successfully indicating the number of guests on an RSVP card is to be clear and concise. Choose the option that best suits your wedding style and guest list, and don't be afraid to adapt these suggestions to fit your needs.

Personalise RSVP cards to include the names of those invited

When sending wedding invitations, it's important to make it clear who is invited, especially when children are involved. One way to do this is to personalise your RSVP cards to include the names of those invited.

If you're using both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is formal and should include the recipient's full name and title, e.g. "Ms. Ali Johnson". The inner envelope is more informal, and you can include the names of any children here, e.g. "Ms. Johnson, Daniel, and Jeffrey".

If you're not using an inner envelope, you can list the names of the children on the outer envelope below the names of their parents. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly". This ensures there is no confusion about who is invited.

Another option is to use a single outer envelope and include the names of the parents and children, listing the children's names from oldest to youngest, e.g. "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly".

If you want to be very clear about the number of guests invited, you can add a line to your RSVP card that says, "We have reserved ____ seats in your honour." This can be helpful if you're inviting a family with children and want to specify how many seats are available for them.

Example 1: Family with Multiple Children

Outer envelope: "The Smith Family"

RSVP card: "We have reserved 5 seats in your honour"

Example 2: Family with One Child

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Miss Betty Smith"

RSVP card: "We have reserved 3 seats in your honour"

Example 3: Family with Children and a Plus One

Outer envelope: "The Smith Family and John Doe"

RSVP card: "We have reserved 6 seats in your honour"

Remember, it's essential to list the names of those invited clearly to avoid any confusion and ensure that your guests feel welcome.

Write the guest address on the pocket

When opting to forego the inner envelope, one creative solution is to utilize the pocket of your wedding invitation suite. This approach allows you to elegantly include children in the invitation. Here's a step-by-step guide to executing this technique:

When addressing your wedding invitations, write the names of the parents on the outer envelope as you normally would. Then, take the invitation card out of the pocket and insert a small, additional card that says "A special seat is saved for [Child's Name(s)]" or "We hope [Child's Name(s)] will join us!" This method ensures that the child's name is included in the invitation suite, clearly indicating that they are invited.

Now, for the critical part: writing the guest address on the pocket. Take the invitation ensemble and carefully remove the backing or liner of the pocket. On the inside of the pocket, write the names and address of the guests, including the children. You can use a stylish pen or even get creative with calligraphy to make it look elegant and intentional. This way, when the guests open the outer envelope, they will immediately see their address, along with the child's name, clearly indicating that the child is included in the invitation.

To ensure a polished look, consider using a small, stylish label or tag that complements your wedding theme or colors. Write the child's name on this tag, and affix it to the front of the pocket, perhaps with a small piece of double-sided tape. This adds a decorative element while clearly conveying that the child is invited.

Another option is to have custom pockets made with the guests' names and addresses, including the children, already inscribed on the pockets themselves. This approach ensures a cohesive and elegant appearance, and it eliminates the need to write on the pockets yourself.

Remember to be consistent with this approach for all invitations where you are including children. This method offers a creative and thoughtful way to extend the invitation to children without using a traditional inner envelope.

Write the guest address on paper belly bands

If you're looking for a modern twist on the inner envelope, paper belly bands are a great way to indicate who is invited to your wedding. This method allows you to extend invitations according to your wishes and budget.

To create paper belly bands, you can follow these simple steps:

• Customise a free belly band template online by changing the colour, text, and font to your liking. Ensure that the template includes the names of everyone being invited to your wedding, which may differ from the names listed on the outer envelope. For example, if you're inviting a family with children, the outer envelope might say "Mr. and Mrs. Jones", while the belly band would list the parents and children's names: "Paul & Heather, Olivia & Sophia".
• Print the template onto white or cream card stock with a weight between 65 and 90 lbs.
• Trim the paper along the cut lines to create name badges. Using a paper cutter will result in straighter cuts and will allow you to cut multiple sheets simultaneously.
• Punch a hole on each side of the name badge, approximately halfway up. An 1/8" punch will create a smaller hole than a standard paper hole punch.
• Cut a length of ribbon, approximately 12" long, and cut the ends into a sharp point to facilitate threading.
• Thread one end of the ribbon through one of the holes from front to back, and then thread the other end through the opposite hole, also from front to back. Ensure that the ribbon tails, middle loop, and invitation are all on the same side of the name badge.
• Slip your invitation into the band and tighten the ribbon by pulling on the tails. Secure the band with a simple knot and trim the excess ribbon so that it is neatly tucked behind the name badge.
• Slide your RSVP card, envelope, and any other enclosure cards into the band on top of the invitation.
• Place the entire invitation package into an outer envelope and address it accordingly.

By using paper belly bands, you can ensure that your invitations are both elegant and formal while also accommodating your specific needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions