Etiquette Guide: No Plus-Ones For Wedding Invites

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating the guest list and deciding who gets a plus-one. While it is customary to extend a plus-one to married, engaged, or cohabiting guests, there may be instances where you need to restrict additional guests. Here are some tips on how to politely convey that there are no plus-ones allowed on your wedding invitations:

- Address the invitation to the specific guest only: On the envelope, include the name of the invited guest without adding and Guest. This makes it clear that only the named person is invited.

- Specify the number of reserved seats: On the RSVP card, indicate the number of seats reserved for the guest. For example, ___ seat(s) have been reserved in your honour. This leaves no room for ambiguity and prevents guests from assuming they have a plus-one.

- Provide additional details on your wedding website: Use your wedding website to address frequently asked questions, including the plus-one policy. You can politely decline plus-ones by stating, Due to limited venue space, we unfortunately cannot accommodate plus-ones beyond those named on the wedding invitation.

- Communicate directly with guests: If a guest inquires about bringing a plus-one, explain your decision graciously, citing budget or space constraints. You can also refer to any predetermined rules you've set, such as a minimum duration for couples to be together to qualify for a plus-one.

Remember, it's your special day, and you can decide what works best for you. Be consistent in your approach, and don't be afraid to set clear boundaries.

Address the envelope to the guest only

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take to ensure that your guests know whether or not they have a plus-one. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you address the envelope to the guest only:

Outer Envelope Addressing:

The outer envelope is the one that is stamped and addressed to the recipient. When not offering a plus-one, the outer envelope should only include the name of the invited guest. For example:

• "Mr. Harry Styles"
• "Ms. Veronica Corningstone"

If the guest is married or in a long-term relationship, it is customary to include their spouse or partner's name on the same line or on a separate line below. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Clarke" or "Mr. Jackson Clarke and Mrs. Mary Clarke"
• "Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton"
• "Mr. Denzel Grant and Mr. Francis Grant"

If the couple has different last names, write out their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs.". For example:

"Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews" or "Mr. Cyan Matthews and Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes"

The same format applies to same-sex couples, ensuring that you use the appropriate prefix or title. For example:

• "Mr. Daniel Ramsay and Mr. Jeric Combs"
• "Mrs. Margarette Hyde and Mrs. Kayla Cruz"

Inner Envelope Addressing:

The inner envelope is optional and is used to provide additional details about the invited guests. When not offering a plus-one, the inner envelope can simply include the guest's title and last name. For example:

"Ms. Johnson"

If the guest has a non-gender-specific title, such as "Mx.", ensure you use their preferred title.

General Guidelines:

• Use the guest's preferred title, or forgo a title altogether if you are unsure.
• If the guest is unmarried and living with their partner, include both names on separate lines, starting with the person you are closest to or in alphabetical order.
• If the couple does not live together, they should receive separate invitations.
• For engaged couples, address them as unmarried or refer to them as "future Mr." and "future Mrs."
• If you are inviting a single guest who gets a plus-one, include "and Guest" or "and guest" on the inner envelope.

Specify the number of seats on the RSVP card

When it comes to wedding planning, one of the most important tasks is finalizing the guest list and sending out invitations. It can be tricky to decide whether to allow plus-ones, and if so, how to communicate this effectively. Here are some tips and suggestions for specifying the number of seats on the RSVP card:

Be Clear and Direct

It is important to be clear and direct when specifying the number of seats on the RSVP card. This ensures that your guests understand how many people are invited and can plan accordingly. Simply state the number of seats allocated, for example, "We have reserved _2_ seats for you at the ceremony and reception." This leaves no room for confusion and makes it easy for your guests to respond.

Provide a Deadline for Responses

It is common courtesy to include a deadline for responses on your RSVP cards. This helps you finalize details with your venue and caterers. Give your guests enough time to respond, usually about a month before the wedding. You can say something like, "Kindly respond by [date]." This way, you'll have a clear picture of your guest count and can plan accordingly.

Include a Way to Respond

Make sure to include a way for your guests to respond, such as a pre-addressed and stamped envelope, an email address, or a phone number. This makes it convenient for your guests to get back to you and ensures you receive their responses promptly.

Specify Names and Any Additional Information

If you know the names of your guests' plus-ones, it is a nice touch to include them on the invitation or RSVP card. This adds a personal touch and makes your guests feel valued. You can also use this opportunity to gather any additional information, such as dietary restrictions or song requests, by including a space for this on the card.

Be Consistent and Considerate

Consistency is key when specifying the number of seats on RSVP cards. Apply the same rules to all your guests to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. Be considerate of your guests' comfort and try to accommodate their needs, especially if they are travelling or would feel uncomfortable attending alone.

Example Wording

"We have reserved _2_ seats for you at our wedding celebration.

Kindly respond by [date]

Name(s) of guests attending:

____________________________

We are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions. Please specify:

____________________________

We look forward to celebrating with you!"

Remember to adapt this wording to fit your wedding theme and tone, whether it's formal, casual, or somewhere in between.

Be clear on your wedding website

Your wedding website is a great place to clarify your stance on plus-ones. Here are some tips and tricks on how to politely and effectively communicate this to your guests:

FAQ Page

The FAQs section of your wedding website is an excellent place to address the plus-one question. This allows you to explain your reasoning without directly addressing each guest. Here's an example:

> Q: Can I bring a plus-one to the wedding?

>

> A: Unfortunately, due to our limited venue space and budget constraints, we cannot accommodate plus-ones beyond those named on the invitation. We hope you understand our decision.

You can also add more details to this answer, such as explaining that you want to keep the wedding intimate or that you're only inviting your closest loved ones. Be upfront and considerate, and try to address common questions your guests may have.

Invitation Wording

When addressing your wedding invitations, be specific about who is invited. Instead of saying, "You are invited to our wedding", address the invitation to the person by name. You can also add a checkbox next to their name on the RSVP card or include a specific number of seats reserved for them. This subtly reinforces that plus-ones are not included.

Be Consistent

It's important to establish your own rules and be consistent. For example, if you decide that only married or engaged couples will receive plus-ones, stick to that rule for everyone. This helps to avoid any accusations of favouritism and makes your reasoning clear.

Consider Special Circumstances

While you may have a general rule about plus-ones, be open to considering special circumstances. For example, if a guest gets engaged or enters a serious relationship after you've sent out invitations, you might want to make an exception. Use your discretion and try to be empathetic.

Be Upfront

It's best to inform your guests about the plus-one policy when you send out the invitations. This gives them enough time to make arrangements and avoids any last-minute surprises. If a guest directly asks about bringing a plus-one, be transparent and politely explain your reasons, whether that's budget, space, or your desire for an intimate setting.

Remember, the key to successfully navigating the plus-one dilemma is clear, polite, and considerate communication. Your wedding day is about celebrating your love, and you have the right to make choices that suit your circumstances.

Include the guest's name on the inner envelope

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different approaches you can take to ensure your guests know whether or not they are receiving a plus one. Traditionally, invitations have an outer and inner envelope. The outer envelope is more formal and is addressed to the recipient (the guest or couple you know personally). The inner envelope then lists the names of those who are invited, such as children or plus-ones.

If you are not offering a plus-one to a single guest, their invitation will only include their name on the outer and inner envelopes. For example, "Ms. Veronica Corningstone" on the outer, and "Ms. Corningstone" on the inner.

If you are offering a plus-one to a single guest but do not know who they will bring, you can simply add "and Guest" to the inner envelope. For example, "Ms. Veronica Corningstone and Guest".

If you know the name of the plus-one, it is best practice to include their name on the invitation. You can include the plus-one on the same line as the guest or list their name on a separate line below. For example, "Mr. Shawn Mendes, Ms. Camilla Cabello" or "Mr. Shawn Mendes, Ms. Camilla Cabello". Alternatively, you can send a separate invitation to the plus-one directly. If you are close with the plus-one, they should also receive their own invitation.

In summary, the key to indicating no plus-one on a wedding invitation is to only include the guest's name on both the outer and inner envelopes.

Call guests to explain if they add a plus-one

When it comes to wedding planning, navigating the guest list can be tricky, especially when it comes to plus-ones. If you've decided that you don't want guests to bring plus-ones, it's important to communicate this clearly and tactfully. Here are some tips to help you call your guests and explain if they can't bring a plus-one:

• Establish Clear Criteria: Before you start calling your guests, it's essential to have clear criteria for who is and isn't allowed to bring a plus-one. Consider factors such as your budget, venue capacity, and the dynamic you want to create at your wedding. Be consistent in applying these criteria to avoid any appearance of favouritism.
• Be Mindful of Relationships: When deciding on plus-ones, consider the nature of your guests' relationships. Traditionally, married, engaged, and cohabitating couples receive a plus-one. If a guest has a new partner or their relationship has progressed since you sent out the invitations, it may be appropriate to extend a plus-one invitation. Use your best judgement and be mindful of your guests' feelings.
• Communicate Directly: When calling your guests, be direct and polite in explaining the plus-one situation. Let them know that due to budget or space constraints, you are unable to accommodate additional guests. You can say something like, "We would have loved to extend a plus-one invitation, but we are working with a limited guest list to keep the wedding intimate."
• Offer Alternatives: If possible, suggest alternatives to a plus-one. For example, you could say, "We'd love for you to bring a friend along, and we can seat you with some fun and outgoing couples so you can mingle and have a great time." This way, your guest knows that you want them to enjoy the wedding, even without a plus-one.
• Be Gracious and Understanding: Remember that your guests may be disappointed or upset about not having a plus-one. Listen to their concerns and be understanding. Thank them for their support and explain that you had to make difficult decisions to stay within your budget or venue limitations.
• Provide Clear Information on the Invitation: When sending out invitations, make it clear who is and isn't invited. If a guest is allowed to bring a plus-one, include their name on the invitation or write "and guest." If there is no plus-one, simply address the invitation to the individual guest. This will help set expectations and avoid confusion.

Remember, it's important to be considerate and empathetic when calling your guests to explain about plus-ones. Be consistent in applying your criteria, and try to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all your guests, even if they can't bring a plus-one.

Frequently asked questions