With wedding planning there seem to be so many considerations and rules to follow. There are also various rules of etiquette which must be followed throughout the wedding and reception. Wedding invitation etiquette for the reception is no exception. The planning process includes these rules as a pretext to the main event.
Why Separate Reception Invitations?
The question of why we use separate invitations to both the wedding and the reception has been asked numerous times. Sometimes it is common sense and sometimes it is etiquette making the wedding reception invitation stand alone. Many times it helps to avoid confusion when a person can attend the reception and not the wedding; most often separate reception invitations allow for added information you could not address in the wedding invitation such as attire, time and place. Wedding invitation etiquette regarding the reception has two simple rules:
*Make sure everyone from the wedding ceremony is invited to the reception
*Make sure all the guests have all the information they need to make the day enjoyable.
Proper Response to a Wedding Invitation
Etiquette for a wedding invitation response rests on both the couple being married and on the guest receiving the invitation. An invitation to the wedding reception should always include a card or a note for the guest to RSVP, usually with a postage stamp attached. Wedding invitations should arrive at the guest’s address within six to eight weeks before the event. This should give the guests enough time to plan for the event.
So, what kind of response should a guest send back in regards to the wedding invitation?
*If you received a response card, sign the card and indicate if you are coming to the wedding
*If you are planning to attend the wedding, get all needed information well in advance since the days leading up to the wedding will become hectic as the wedding date nears
*If you cannot attend the wedding you should write a simple note of apology and wish the couple well. Sending a small gift along with the note is an acceptable gesture.
*If you can attend, please let the planners know who and how many are coming in your party.
*If you can not attend the wedding, a quick reply is proper etiquette to ensure that there is sufficient planning time for the wedding party.
As long as proper wedding invitation etiquette for reception invitations is followed by both the guests and the planners, planning for the reception should not be a problem.