Your Invitation Ensemble...will be a reflection of your good taste and personal style. The Bride's Guide is intended to show your beautiful wedding stationery with the socially correct usage.

Wedding Invitations
Invitations set the tone for your wedding as well as inform guests of the date, time, place and hosts of the celebration. Choose a wording from our selection or write your own for a uniquely personal touch. Your choice of ink color and lettering style also allows you to enhance your theme. Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding date. We recommend ordering 25 extra invitations to allow for addressing errors and last minute guest additions.

Wedding Announcements
Announcements share the news of your marriage with those you were unable to invite to your wedding. With a simple change in wording, any invitation design can be used as an announcement. Mail announcements as promptly as possible after the wedding.

Invitation Envelopes
Most invitations come with two envelopes. The invitation is first placed in the ungummed "inner" envelope, which is addressed with the guest's name only. For an additional charge, you may order inner envelopes lined with a beautiful color to coordinate with your theme. Available liner colors are noted by each invitation. The inner envelope is placed inside the "outer" envelope, which is addressed with the guest's full name and address. Your return address can be printed on outer envelopes in a matching lettering style to ensure the return of undeliverable mail. Envelope seals add a final touch of elegance.

Free Envelope Addressing Guide
Wedding etiquette states that invitation envelopes must be addressed by hand. To achieve perfectly spaced, straight address lines, use our Envelope Addressing Guide -- included FREE with your invitation order! The back of the guide includes tips and etiquette on proper addressing.

Reception Cards
Reception cards indicate the time and location of your reception. They are included in the envelope with your guests' invitations.

Response Cards with Printed Response Envelopes
Response cards and response envelopes are enclosed with the invitation to make it convenient for your guests to reply and for you to plan properly. Envelopes are printed with the name and address to which the cards are to be returned. For your guests' convenience, be sure to affix a stamp on each envelope.

Value Set Savings

Value Set A:

• Save money by ordering a value set, complete with all of your basic stationery necessities at a special discounted price. Value Set A includes the wedding invitations, the printed outer envelopes, the unlined inner envelopes, the response cards featuring photoscript lettering and printed response envelopes.
   

Value Set B:

• Value Set B includes all of the items in Value Set A, plus the reception cards featuring photoscript lettering and the informal cards with blank envelopes.
   

Adding Items to Value Sets:

• Although substitutions within the Value Sets are not allowed, you may order additional items to add to your Value Set. To order additional items (lined envelopes, colored ink, seals, etc.), simply add the listed price for each item you wish to purchase. Adding a few items to one of the above Value Sets will allow you greater savings than ordering all the items individually.

Thank You and Informal Notes
Informal Notes are folded cards for writing personal notes of thanks for gifts or later to write social notes or informal invitations. Before the wedding, notes should be imprinted with the bride's maiden name or monogram for shower or wedding gifts received prior to the wedding. Notes sent after the ceremony should be printed with the names of the bride and groom, new couple's monogram or the bride's maiden name. We can print the words "Thank You" on any Informal Note, using the same elegant raised lettering and ink color as your invitation. Thank You and Informal Notes come with a matching envelope. Your return address may be printed in raised letters on the envelope flap for a slight additional charge.

Map Cards
Enclose a map card in each invitation to ensure that your guests find your ceremony and reception locations easily.

At Home Cards
Include an At Home card with your invitation to let your guests know where you'll be living and when they can begin to contact you at your new home. Any reception card can be used as an At Home card.

Within the Ribbon Cards
To ensure reserved seating for your special guests within the front ribboned pews, we suggest the use of Within the Ribbon Cards. This card is enclosed with your Invitation. No envelopes are required. Guests should hand this card to the usher when being seated.

Save the Date Cards
Send Save the Date Cards out to your guests four to six months before your wedding so your special day will be put on their busy calendars. Save the Date Cards are especially perfect for Destination Weddings. The advance notice of the upcoming special event gives your guests plenty of time to reserve the date and prepare for their trip.

Envelope Seals
Envelope Seals are placed on the outer envelope flap to give your invitation a more attractive appearance.

Napkins
Napkins are available in luncheon and beverage sizes and in a stunning range of colors to beautifully complement your color scheme. Choose from more than 60 designs to be printed above your names and wedding date, and your napkins will be become an expression of your wedding style.

Matches
Favor matches are fun keepsakes for your guests and are available in a wide range of colors to match your reception color scheme. Matches are printed with your names and wedding date for a personal touch. You may also choose from more than 60 designs to be printed on your matches to coordinate perfectly with your wedding theme.

Bookmarks
Bookmarks are a nice way for you to personally thank your guests for attending your reception and make lovely keepsakes. They are available with your choice of design, ink color, tassel color and verse. Bookmarks may be arranged at a dinner or buffet setting or handed to guests upon arrival.

Scrolls
Show your appreciation to your guests in classic style with one of our scrolls imprinted with a thoughtful verse. You may either hand out scrolls to guests as they arrive at your reception or place one at each table setting. To coordinate with your wedding and create a lasting keepsake for guests, scrolls may be personalized with your names, wedding date, a verse of your choice and a complementing design. Secure your scrolls with a scroll ring or personalized favor ribbon.

Place Cards
Place Cards let you politely inform your guests of their seating arrangements at the reception. Place Cards are available in a variety of styles and paper colors.

Wedding Programs
Wedding Programs are an acceptable way for you to familiarize your guests with the ceremonial proceedings, and they make lovely keepsakes. A close friend of the Bride and/or Groom may present them to the guests before the ceremony. Programs show the order of service, names of the wedding participants, worship notations for the congregation and other meaningful information.

Order 25 Extra
To avoid costly reorders, make sure to order plenty of invitations and envelopes. We suggest that you order an extra 25 items now to allow for addressing errors and last-minute additions to your guest list.

Interchangeable Verses
On all invitations with interchangeable verses and/or names, please provide us with a verse and/or names to be printed on the invitation. You may change the verse wording if you desire. If verse and/or names are not provided, we will use the first names from your invitation copy and print the verse as shown. If you do not want the verse and/or names as shown, your must clearly note on the order form, "NO VERSE AND/OR NAMES ON INVITATION." Invitations with interchangeable verses are clearly indicated. Foil stamped verses cannot be changed or removed.

Check Wording
Please use the wedding order forms that we provide. Copy should be printed or typed clearly. Read copy slowly "letter by letter." It is vital that dates are accurate and that everything is correctly spelled. Especially note capital letters and spacing on unusual names like "Demonte", "De monte", "DeMonte", etc. Clarify all unusual copy. If a name has an out-of-the-ordinary spelling such as "Jon", "Theresa", "Karin" etc., please mark "spelling OK" next to the name.

Check Postage
We suggest that you check with your local post office for exact postage before mailing your wedding invitation ensemble. Due to the unique shape and size, some invitations will require extra postage.

Abbreviations of Courtesy Titles
The abbreviations of Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Dr. are used as proper titles. Always write out titles for clergy, judges and military officers.

Addresses
House numbers are expressed in figures except for the house number "One". No commas are used when separating digits in house numbers. Apartment numbers, suite numbers, box numbers and rural route numbers are expressed in figure form. Addresses of churches, clubs or public buildings are usually omitted because such addresses are public knowledge and generally well known. However, a street address may be shown below the name of the church or club if such an address is considered necessary for clear direction.

 

Generally Accepted Rules of Etiquette


Mother and Father LIVING
Use Standard Invitation Format as Follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth
to
Mr. Andrew Stratton
on Saturday, the third of March
two thousand and seven
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Saint John's Church
764 Washington Avenue
Hingham, Massachusetts

___________________________


Mother and Father DECEASED

UNMARRIED Older Brother or Sister of Bride issues Invitation:

Mr. Bradley Maxwell Forrest
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his sister
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
etc.

MARRIED Older Brother or Sister of Bride issue Invitation:

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Forrest
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his sister
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
etc.

Grandparents or Aunt and Uncle issue Invitation:

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Barclay
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their granddaughter
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
etc.

___________________________


Mother or Father DECEASED and Living Parent not remarried

MOTHER Issuing Invitation:

Mrs. Stephen Forrest
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth
etc.

FATHER Issuing Invitation:

Mr. Stephen Forrest
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth
etc.

___________________________


Mother or Father DECEASED and Living Parent has remarried

MOTHER REMARRIED
Mother uses her Present Husband's name.
Bride's Surname is added to her given name.

Mr. and Mrs. John Tate
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
or
Mr. and Mrs. John Tate
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of Mrs. Tate's daughter
or
Mrs. John Tate
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest

FATHER REMARRIED
Use Standard Invitation Format.

___________________________


Parents DIVORCED

Mother NOT REMARRIED: She uses a combination
of her maiden and married name.

Mrs. Jessica Barclay Forrest
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth
etc.

Mother REMARRIED

Mrs. James Cullen
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
etc.

Mother and Father BOTH REMARRIED and both wish to co-host wedding
(mother's name appears first)

Mr. and Mrs. James Cullen
and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
etc.

___________________________


GROOM'S FAMILY Issuing Invitation: The word "Miss" is used when the
sponsors of the wedding are not relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Michael Stratton
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
to their son
Mr. Andrew Stratton
etc.

___________________________


BRIDE and GROOM issuing OWN Invitation:

Miss Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
and Mr. Andrew Stratton
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
etc.

___________________________


SECOND MARRIAGES
Invitations to the marriage of a young divorcee or widow do not differ
from those of a first marriage except that the Bride's married
name is used if that is still her legal name.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Tiffany Elizabeth Stratton
etc.

___________________________


DOUBLE WEDDINGS
When Brides are SISTERS:

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Tiffany Elizabeth
to
Mr. Andrew Stratton
and
Melissa Ann
to
Mr. Warren Campbell
etc.

When Brides are NOT SISTERS:

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
and
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Radloff
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Tiffany Elizabeth Forrest
to
Mr. Andrew Stratton
and
Lisa Anne Radloff
to
Mr. John Cunningham
etc.

___________________________


RECALLING INVITATIONS
When a wedding has to be changed, the wording of the
change should fit the circumstances. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Forrest
regret that due to an illness in the family the invitation to
their daughter's wedding
Saturday, the fifth of August
must be cancelled.

___________________________


Correct Use of Military Rank as used on Wedding Invitation

ARMY, AIR FORCE and MARINE CORPS

NON-COMS and PRIVATES
to
Adam James Meyers
United States Marine Corps

LIEUTENANT
to
Adam James Meyers
Lieutenant, United States Air Force

CAPTAIN or HIGHER RANK
to
Captain Adam James Meyers
United States Army

___________________________


NAVY

PETTY OFFICERS and SEAMEN
to
Adam James Meyers
United States Navy

ENSIGN and HIGHER RANK
to
Adam James Meyers
Ensign, United Sates Navy