When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, there seems to be a rule for everything. Address etiquette for a wedding invitation is no different. Listed below are four simple rules that ensure correct wedding invitation etiquette is followed.
Do Not Use Abbreviations
Wedding invitation etiquette for addresses follows the old fashioned postal standards. Here are a few simple tips to help guide you through addressing of wedding invitations:
*Do not abbreviate anything. Use of “street” or “avenue” instead of their abbreviated versions is an old postal regulation that, while no longer required, is still used for formal invitations.
*Handwrite all addresses onto the invitation envelopes. This is another idea from the past which survives today to show careful thought and planning as to who is sharing in the wedding.
*Clearly write numbers so that they are legible.
*Place the return address on the back of the outer card. This is another old postal style that has survived for use with invitations.
Always Confirm the Address
If possible, contact the person you are sending the invitation to so that you may confirm their street address and zip code. While it is becoming acceptable to send invitations through email or telephone, many people still feel proper wedding invitation etiquette is to address wedding invitations to a land address.
Always Include a Return Land Address
This is another simple rule in wedding invitation etiquette. If you send out invitations via email, you will want to include a reply address for people who are not comfortable with email.
Allow Time for the Mail
Allowing your guests time to plan and respond is an important rule for wedding invitations. Get your invitations out at least six weeks before the date of the wedding. Eight weeks is a more acceptable time frame since guests may be coming from some distance away or may need to request time off well ahead of the day.
Following these four simple rules for addressing wedding invitations will help ensure that all of the proper wedding invitation etiquette is followed. Also, with the use of these four rules, a wedding invitation is sure to reach guests in time, thereby allowing for all the other activities involved in planning a wedding.