The Art Of Crafting Wedding Invites For Family

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to decide whether you want to send a general invitation to the whole family or specify which family members are invited. If you choose to send a general invitation, simply address it to The [Family Name] Family. If you want to specify, write the names of each family member, starting with the parents, followed by the children in order of age. Another option is to send separate invitations to each family member, especially if they are over the age of 18.

When addressing the envelopes, it's best to use formal titles and full names on the outer envelope, while the inner envelope can be more casual, with first names only. If you're inviting a married couple, you can use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's full name, or include both names. For unmarried couples, list their names separately or on the same line, with the person you are closest to first.

Remember to include all the necessary details in your invitation, such as the date, time, venue, and any dress code. You can also mention if children are not invited on your wedding website or through a separate text or phone call.

How to invite families with children

When it comes to inviting families with children to a wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want children at your wedding at all. If you choose not to invite children, it is best to be direct and honest about this in your invitations and on your wedding website. This will help to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings.

If you do decide to invite children, there are a few ways to address the invitations:

• If you are inviting the entire family, the outer envelope can say "The [Last Name] Family", and the inner envelope should list each family member's name.
• If the children are over 18, they should receive their own invitation, even if they still live at home.
• If you are only inviting specific children, their names should be included on the invitation. This could be done by writing the parents' names on the outer envelope and the children's names below on the inner envelope.
• If you are only inviting children from immediate family, you can address the invitation to "The [Last Name] Family" and then list the specific children's names on the inner envelope.

It is important to note that not including children's names on the invitation usually indicates that they are not invited. However, it is always a good idea to communicate this clearly to avoid any misunderstandings.

Additionally, it is a thoughtful gesture to consider the needs of children and their parents during the wedding. This could include providing a separate kids' area or room with activities and supervision, offering a child-friendly menu, and seating children with their parents or at a separate table for older kids.

How to invite families without children

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to be clear and direct about your wishes for a child-free celebration. Here are some tips and suggestions for how to invite families without children to your wedding:

• Use Clear and Direct Wording: On your wedding invitations, clearly state that the event is for adults only. You can use phrases such as "Adults-only affair", "Adult-only wedding", or "Adult-only reception". Be specific about age restrictions, such as stating "No children under the age of 16" or "21+ only". This ensures that your guests understand your wishes from the start.
• Address Invitations Properly: When addressing the invitations, only include the names of the adults you are inviting. For example, addressing it to "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" indicates that their children are not included. Avoid addressing it to "The Smith Family", which might imply that children are also invited.
• Provide Advance Notice: It's important to give parents enough time to make childcare arrangements. Send out "save-the-date" notices or include your wedding website information, where you can mention your child-free request in the FAQ section. This gives parents time to plan and avoid any last-minute surprises.
• Be Consistent: Apply the child-free rule consistently across all guests. You can make exceptions for children of immediate family members or those in the wedding party, but be sure to communicate this clearly to other guests to avoid confusion.
• Offer Alternatives: If your budget allows, consider offering a creche or professional babysitting services during the wedding. This can be a thoughtful gesture for guests with children, especially if they are travelling from out of town.
• Avoid Patronising Phrases: While it's tempting to say things like "We thought you'd appreciate a night off!" or "We want everyone to let their hair down", these phrases can come across as patronising and insensitive to the challenges of finding childcare. Focus on clear and respectful language instead.
• Be Firm but Compassionate: If guests ask for exceptions or try to switch invitees, remain firm in your decision. You can politely respond with something like, "We're hosting an adult-driven event, so we kindly ask that you make other arrangements for your children."
• Provide Personal Notes: If you are close to the children of your guests, consider including a personal note with the invitations to express your apologies for not including them. This adds a thoughtful touch and shows that you value your relationship with them.
• Be Prepared for Declines: Understand that some parents may not be able to attend due to childcare constraints or personal preferences. Don't take it personally, and don't let anyone guilt-trip you about your adult-only decision.
• Consider the Venue: If your venue has restrictions or safety concerns regarding children, you can use this as a reason for your child-free policy. For example, "Due to safety reasons at our venue, we are unable to extend this invitation to children."

Remember, it's your special day, and you have the freedom to decide how you want to celebrate it. By using clear and considerate communication, you can invite families without children to your wedding while maintaining a respectful and understanding tone.

How to invite families with adult children

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with adult children, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure your invitations are clear and concise:

Outer Envelope:

On the outer envelope, it is customary to use formal titles and full names. Address the parents as "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by their full names. If the adult children are over the age of 18 and living at home, it is recommended that they receive their own invitation. Their names should also be included on the outer envelope, with the appropriate honorifics ("Mr." or "Ms.").

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is where you can address the invitees more casually. List the first names of the parents and the adult children. Girls over the age of 18 should be addressed as "Miss" or "Ms." while boys over 18 can be addressed as "Mr." If you are inviting children under the age of 18, their names are typically included on the inner envelope, listed in order of age.

Invitation Wording:

When inviting families with adult children, it is important to be clear about who is invited. You can include a separate card with additional information stating that the wedding is an adult-only event. Alternatively, you can specify the number of seats reserved for the family on the RSVP card. For example, "We have reserved [number] spots for you." This helps to avoid any confusion and ensures that your guests understand the guest list.

Other Considerations:

When addressing wedding invitations, it is essential to consider your relationship with the family and your preferred level of formality. You may choose to use double envelopes for a more traditional and formal invitation or opt for a single outer envelope for a more modern and informal approach. Additionally, be mindful of the postage cost, as thicker paper or multiple envelopes may increase the weight of the invitation.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your specific needs and preferences. Feel free to add personal touches or modify the wording to match your wedding theme or style.

How to invite families with children under 18

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with children under 18, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is generally considered more formal to use double envelopes, with the outer envelope bearing the titles and complete names of the adults, while the inner envelope lists the first names of the children. If you are inviting a family with children under 18, it is important to list their names on the inner envelope to make it clear that they are invited. For example, the second line of the inner envelope could say "Michael, Miss Rebecca, and Steven".

If you are not inviting any children under 18, simply omit their names from the invitation. This is the traditional way to indicate that children are not included. However, it is a good idea to be explicit about this to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. You can do this by only putting the couple's names on the outer envelope and adding a note on the invitation card, such as "Adults-Only Reception" or "Our wedding is adult-only, thank you".

If you are inviting some children but not others, it is best to draw a clear line, such as only including immediate family or setting an age limit. However, be aware that this may cause some guests to decline the invitation as they may need to arrange childcare. To avoid any hard feelings, it is recommended to call guests with children before sending out invitations to explain your position and give them time to make arrangements.

Finally, remember that any family member over 18, even if they live with their parents, should receive their own invitation.

How to invite families with step-parents

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many etiquette rules to follow, especially when addressing them to families with step-parents. Here is a guide on how to invite families with step-parents, including what to write and how to address the envelopes.

Wording the Invitation

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both biological parents and step-parents as hosts, you can include them all. Keep each parent on a separate line, and if you're going to include a step-parent, keep their name on the same line as their partner. Here is an example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

> Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

> invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland

If one parent has been widowed, you can include the deceased parent's name but rearrange the wording, as they cannot serve as a host. An example is:

> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honor of your presence at their wedding...

If you want to keep the invitation uncluttered, you can use the phrase "Together with their families" followed by the names of the couple. For example:

> Together with their families, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company...

Addressing the Envelopes

When using double envelopes, stay formal on the outer envelope and more casual on the inner one. On the outer envelope, use titles and complete names, such as "Mr." and "Mrs." On the inner envelope, you can use first names without titles.

For married couples with the same last name, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For couples with different last names, arrange the names alphabetically or according to whom you feel closest to first.

For unmarried couples living together, use separate lines for each person, reserving the first line for the person you know best.

If you are inviting children under 18, list their names on the inner envelope, in order of age. For children over 18, send a separate invitation.

Other Tips

• Give yourself plenty of time to assemble and mail the invitations.
• Weigh your invitations before mailing to ensure you have the correct postage.
• If you are addressing your own invitations, order a few extra envelopes in case of mistakes.
• Send out invitations at least 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions