Creating Wedding Invitations The Martha Stewart Way

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get them right. Martha Stewart has a host of ideas and advice to help you create the perfect wedding invitation. From classic and traditional to modern and unique, Martha Stewart has a range of wedding invitation ideas to suit every type of celebration. You'll find tips on wording your invitations, addressing envelopes, assembling your invitations, and managing RSVPs. With Martha Stewart's help, you can create beautiful and elegant wedding invitations that will impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Assembling and mailing wedding invitations

The first step in assembling your wedding invitations is to decide whether you will inscribe your envelopes by hand or have them inscribed by a professional calligrapher. If you opt for a professional, you should get your envelopes to the calligrapher at least two to three weeks in advance and provide them with a neatly printed guest list, including full addresses and social and professional titles (e.g. Mr., Doctor, etc.).

When addressing your envelopes, write your guests' names in full without using nicknames or initials. Use the appropriate social titles, such as "Mr. and Mrs." for married couples. For single women, either "Ms." or "Miss" is appropriate, while a single man is addressed as "Mr.".

If you are sending your invitations in both outer and inner envelopes, the outer envelope should include all the information required by the postal service for delivery. The inner envelope should list the names of the invited guests in the household, including children whose names do not appear on the outer envelope. If you choose to use only one envelope, include all invited guests' names and follow the same guidelines for titles and social names as mentioned above.

Once your envelopes are addressed, it's time to assemble the invitation elements. All enclosures should be printed on coordinating papers. Here is the order in which they should be stacked to go into the outer envelope:

• The invitation, print side up
• A sheet of tissue paper (optional)
• Stack all other inserts, such as a map, reception card, and reply card, on top of the invitation, with the smallest insert on top
• The reply card should be placed under the flap of its envelope, which should be pre-printed with the mailing address and stamped

Insert everything into the inner envelope with the print side up, so that when guests open the envelope, they will see the lettering. Finally, slip the unsealed inner envelope into the outer envelope with the names facing the back flap.

After your invitations are assembled, bring a completed invitation to the post office to have it weighed, as many require postage for at least two ounces. You can also ask about different stamp options, such as "Love" stamps or vintage stamps from philatelic societies. You may also request hand-cancelling at the post office to keep your invitations neat and prevent damage from machines.

Choosing the right paper and printing methods

The paper and printing methods you choose for your wedding invitations should match the vibe of your wedding. For instance, if you're hosting a black-tie affair, a super-casual, conversationally worded invite on thin, plain paper won't make much sense.

If you're going for a classic, elegant, or traditional feel, consider using luxurious paper with elegant typefaces, calligraphy, and tried-and-true printing methods. You could incorporate monograms, envelopes closed with custom wax seals, and calligraphed addresses. Old-school touches like handmade paper or deckled-edges, where the paper is torn in an elegant way, are also the epitome of classic style.

If you're opting for a more modern or contemporary style, you might want to use a mix of modern calligraphy and sans-serif fonts, with illustrated icons and dark gold ink. You could also use colourful paper or envelopes with floral patterns or watercolour designs.

For a casual wedding, you can be more playful with your paper and printing choices. Consider using conversational wording and abbreviations, such as "P.M." instead of "o'clock." You could also use colourful paper or envelopes with fun patterns.

No matter the style, it's important to choose paper that is high-quality and thick enough to withstand the mailing process. You'll also want to consider the weight of any additional enclosures, such as maps, reception cards, or reply cards, to ensure you use the correct postage.

Addressing envelopes

When addressing your wedding invitation envelopes, it's important to consider the level of formality of your wedding. This will influence the style of addressing you choose. For a formal wedding, opt for a traditional and elegant addressing style, while a casual wedding may call for a more relaxed approach. Here are some tips to help you address your envelopes:

Outer Envelope

The outer envelope should be formal. Write out the recipient's full name, including their personal title. This format works for couples of all genders, regardless of whether they share a surname, and still feels traditional. If you feel personal titles may be restrictive for your guests, you can forgo them and use first and last names only. For a married couple with the same last name, put their names on the same line. If they have different last names, list their names separately, each on its own line. If one person has taken the other's surname, address the invitation to reflect that.

Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is more informal, so you can leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. You can use personal titles and last names or go for a casual vibe with first names only.

Addressing a Single Person

Always use the person's preferred title. If you're unsure, it's safe to leave out the title. For a guest with a plus-one, mention both people by name if you have that information. If you don't know the name or are allowing a casual date, write "and Guest" on the inner envelope.

Addressing a Family with Children

Even when children are invited, the outer envelope should only be addressed to their parents. Children's names should appear on the inner envelope, with the oldest child's name first, followed by their siblings in descending order of age. For a formal approach, refer to boys under 13 as "Master" and girls under 18 as "Miss".

Addressing a Couple with Different Last Names

Whether they live together or not, address the female guest first. If a married couple uses the same last name, "Ms." can be used for the wife if she has chosen to keep her maiden name. For unmarried couples with different last names, write their names on separate lines without "and". On the inner envelope, address them by their titles and respective last names.

Addressing Guests with Distinguished Titles

If a guest has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, use their title on the envelope. When sending an invitation to a couple with distinguished titles, list the guest with the higher-ranking title first, followed by their partner.

Plus-One Etiquette

Spouses of attendees should always be invited. For other plus-ones or dates, use your discretion based on your budget and the length of the couple's relationship. If you are inviting someone with a plus-one, try to find out their date's name and address and send a separate invitation. If that's not possible, address the outer envelope to the primary invitee and the inner envelope to "Ms. Jane Doe and Guest" or include the date's name if you know it.

General Guidelines:

• Use formal names and avoid nicknames.
• Middle names are not necessary, but if used, spell them out in full (no initials).
• Spell out all words such as "Apartment", "Avenue", and "Street".
• Abbreviate titles like "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Jr.".
• Write out professional titles like "Doctor" or "Professor".

Wedding invitation wording

The wording of your wedding invitations should match the vibe of your wedding. If you're having a casual, colourful party, you can be more creative with your wording and use conversational language. On the other hand, if your wedding is more formal, you may want to stick to traditional wording and avoid being too casual.

• If your parents are divorced, list their names on separate lines. If they are remarried, you can include the spouse's name as well.
• The phrase "The pleasure of your company" indicates a non-religious venue. The term "honour" is reserved for religious spaces.
• For a traditional religious wedding, include titles on their own line. If one parent has a professional title, spell it out and list it first.
• When writing out the venue, you can omit the street address if it is well-known or easy to find.
• For a more casual wedding, you can use semi-formal rules and don't need to spell out numbers or use am/pm.
• If both sets of parents are hosting, include the first and last names of each couple.
• If you want to avoid the "who's paying" question, you can use a "together with their families" host line.
• For a super-simple ceremony, use informal wording that resembles a dinner party invitation.
• The address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten. Calligraphy or computer-printed calligraphy is also acceptable.
• Provide your calligrapher with a neat, printed guest list, including full addresses and social/professional titles.
• Use appropriate social titles when addressing your guests, such as "Mr." and "Mrs.".
• Spell out all words in the address, including "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment".
• The return address is usually printed on the envelope's back flap.
• If using inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope includes all the information for delivery, while the inner envelope lists the names of the invited guests in the household.
• Stack your enclosures in the following order: invitation on the bottom, print side up, followed by a sheet of tissue paper, and then all other inserts (map, reception card, reply card) in order of size.
• Take a completed invitation to the post office to have it weighed and to purchase the correct postage.
• You can request that your invitations be hand-cancelled at the post office to prevent damage from machines.

RSVP management

When it comes to managing RSVPs for your wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, give your wedding guests enough time to respond. It's recommended that you send out your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will allow your guests to plan and respond, giving you a reliable headcount one to two weeks before the event.

Secondly, make sure your RSVP card matches the tone and style of your invitation. For a more formal invitation, consider using the British spelling of "favour" as it is often considered more formal. You can also convey that a personal response is desired by including an RSVP address at the bottom left corner, where guests can use their own stationery to reply.

Additionally, it's important to provide clear instructions and deadlines for RSVPs. You can include a pre-stamped and addressed envelope with your invitation to make it easier for your guests to respond. You should also consider including a contact person and their details in case guests have any questions or concerns.

Managing RSVPs can be a challenging task, but with proper planning and clear communication, you can ensure a smooth process and an accurate guest count for your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions