Personal Wedding Invite Delivery: Good Idea Or Not?

Wedding invitation etiquette is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. While it is generally considered acceptable to hand-deliver wedding invitations, there are some potential drawbacks to this approach, such as the risk of guests misplacing their invitations at a party. Mailing invitations is the more traditional and convenient option, allowing guests to easily display the invitation on their fridge and refer to it as needed. However, hand-delivering invitations can be a more personal and cost-effective approach, especially for those living close by. Ultimately, the decision comes down to the couple's preference and what is most convenient for them.

Hand-delivering wedding invites is generally considered acceptable, but it may be a riskier option at a party

Hand-delivering wedding invitations is a great way to show your nearest and dearest how excited you are to share your special day with them. It can be a sweet and personal gesture, and it can also save you money on postage. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering hand-delivering your wedding invites.

Firstly, it's important to ensure that everyone at the party is invited to the wedding. You don't want to put your guests in the awkward position of having to turn down an invitation in front of others, or feeling left out if they're not invited.

Secondly, there is a risk that guests may lose or misplace their invitation during the party. People may set them down and then forget about them at the end of the night. To mitigate this risk, you could consider handing out the invitations as people are leaving, or announcing at the party that you've mailed the invitations so that people know to expect them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to keep track of who has received their invitation. This can be more difficult to manage at a party, especially if you're trying to enjoy yourself and celebrate with your guests.

Overall, hand-delivering wedding invites is generally acceptable, but it may be more convenient and safer to mail them, especially if you're having a party. That way, you can ensure that the invitations get to the right people and aren't lost or forgotten.

It is not considered good etiquette to directly print adults only on a wedding invitation

It is generally considered acceptable to hand-deliver wedding invitations, and doing so can be a nice way to show your nearest and dearest how excited you are to share your special day with them. However, if you choose to hand-deliver your invitations, it's important to still address the envelopes correctly and include postage for response cards.

Now, onto wedding invitation etiquette. While it's important to include certain details on your wedding invitations, there are also some things that are best left off. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

What to Include

When it comes to the wording on your wedding invitations, you may opt for formal or casual phrasing depending on the style of your wedding. Regardless, there are some key details that you should definitely include:

• Full names of you and your fiancé(e)
• Full names of the hosts (if using formal phrasing)
• Time, date, month, and year of the wedding
• Full address of the venue
• An RSVP request (optional)

If you're having a more casual wedding, you can include additional details on the invitation itself, such as the dress code, reception information, and any other important details your guests should know. However, if you're having a more formal wedding, it's recommended to include these details on a separate card or insert.

What Not to Include

While it's important to include essential information on your wedding invitations, there are a few things that are not considered proper etiquette to include directly on the invitation:

Adults-Only Weddings

If you're planning an adults-only wedding, it's not considered good etiquette to print this detail directly on the invitation. Instead, be intentional about how you address your wedding invitations. Stating each guest by name (not "and guest" or "family") should make it clear that the invite is only meant for those mentioned. If some guests reply with their children's names added, give them a call to explain that you're having an adults-only wedding and hope they can still attend.

Registry Information

Including registry information on your wedding invitations or save-the-dates is considered impolite, as it can give the impression that you're outright asking for gifts. Instead, include your registry details on your wedding website, or spread the word through your parents, wedding party, or close friends.

Gift or Monetary Requests

It is not considered good etiquette to include any gift or monetary requests on your wedding invitations. This includes information about your registry, as well as any suggestions for cash or cheque gifts.

Additional Start Times

Including the start times for other wedding events, such as the cocktail hour and reception, is not necessary if all the events are taking place on the same day and at the same location. Simply stating "reception to follow" is usually enough. However, if your reception is at a different venue, you can include the location beneath the ceremony details or on a separate reception card.

Return Address

While it may be tempting to skip this step, including a return address on your wedding invitations is important. This way, if an invite doesn't get delivered, you can reach out to the guest directly and provide them with the correct information.

Host Information

If your parents are hosting the wedding (i.e., paying for it), it is proper etiquette to include their names on the invitation. However, if multiple people are chipping in, it's more appropriate to write "together with their parents" or "together with their families" instead.

In conclusion, while it's okay to hand-deliver your wedding invitations, there are certain things you should and shouldn't include on the invitations themselves. By following these etiquette tips, you can ensure that your invitations are both informative and tasteful.

It is not necessary to include postage stamps on RSVP envelopes

While it is considered proper wedding invitation etiquette to include postage stamps on RSVP envelopes, it is not necessary to do so. Here are some reasons why you may choose not to include postage stamps:

• Cost: Stamps can be expensive, especially if you have a large guest list. It can add up quickly, and some couples may prefer to allocate their budget elsewhere.
• Wastefulness: If you provide an online RSVP option, it may feel wasteful to include stamps that may not be used. Some guests may prefer the convenience of online RSVPs, and including stamps can be unnecessary in such cases.
• Encouraging Online RSVPs: Providing stamps for mailed responses may discourage guests from using the online RSVP option. If you prefer to receive responses online, omitting stamps can be a way to gently nudge guests in that direction.
• Guest Preferences: Consider your guest list and their preferences. For example, older guests or those less familiar with technology may appreciate the inclusion of stamps, while younger, tech-savvy guests may be more likely to respond online.
• International Guests: If you have guests from other countries, using local postage may not be sufficient for their responses. In such cases, you may need to provide them with special stamps or ask them to use their country's postage.

Ultimately, the decision to include postage stamps on RSVP envelopes is a matter of personal preference and what works best for you and your guest list. You can choose to include them as a convenience for your guests or opt for other options like online RSVPs or providing stamps only for those who need them.

It is not considered proper etiquette to include registry information on wedding invites

While it is not considered proper etiquette to include registry information on wedding invites, there are other ways to let guests know about your wedding registry. It is recommended to include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, where guests can find additional information about your big day, such as a link to your wedding registry, a virtual RSVP option, and a summary of your love story.

Including registry information on your wedding invites can be interpreted by friends and family as meaning that getting gifts is just as important to you, or even more so, than sharing your special day with loved ones. While this is not the case, your guests may assume as much if you direct them to your wish list before even receiving their RSVP.

Instead, it is considered a much more subtle approach to include an insert with your wedding website link in the same envelope as your wedding invitation. This way, guests can easily access your wedding registry without feeling pressured to give a gift.

Another option is to spread the word about your registry by mouth. Have your close family members and best friends inform whoever asks about it. This was, in fact, how couples handled this situation before the advent of wedding websites. Rest assured, if guests want to give you a gift, they will have no problem asking you directly about your wedding registry and where they can find it.

In addition, it is worth noting that wedding invitations should not mention anything about gifts, even if you are requesting no gifts at all. Your invites are about building excitement for your upcoming celebration and making your guests feel honoured and delighted to be included in your special day.

It is not advisable to uninvite a guest from your wedding unless it is absolutely necessary

Hand-delivering wedding invites is perfectly acceptable, and in some cultures, it is the preferred method for those living in the same city or town. However, it is important to be cautious when delivering invites at a party, as they may get lost or left behind.

Now, when it comes to uninviting a guest from your wedding, it is generally not advisable to do so unless it is absolutely necessary. Here are a few reasons why:

• It is considered poor taste and impolite, especially if they have already received a save-the-date or invitation.
• It can irreparably harm your relationship with the uninvited guest, making it harder to salvage the relationship in the future.
• It creates unnecessary drama and tension during an already emotionally heightened process of wedding planning.
• It reflects poorly on your etiquette as a host, as it is seen as a breach of the promise made in the save-the-date or invitation.

If you are considering uninviting someone, ask yourself if it is truly worth it. Remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love with people who bring you joy. Try to be thoughtful and intentional when creating your guest list to avoid having to uninvite anyone. However, if it is absolutely necessary to uninvite someone, do so in person and communicate your reasons as respectfully and honestly as possible.

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