Wedding invitation or wedding announcement?

Once you're ready to start working on your wedding invitations, you might need a little help with wording, etiquette and logistics. One of the biggest questions brides and grooms face is trying to determine who should be invited and who should receive an announcement. While there is no set rule, there are a few guidelines that can help you best decisions for your reception.

Who is in the wedding?
Before you can begin your list, you should decide who you would like to actually be in your wedding party. If you're having a young flower girl and/or ring bearer, you'll need to account for those parents in the reception list. Ask friends and family to participate and once they are confirmed, add them to your reception list. You should also consider anyone of your friends or family who may be singing or reading at your ceremony. And it is customary to invite the person officiating your wedding and their guest to the reception. Keep these on the ‘invitation' list as you move forward.

The big list
Start making a list of absolutely everyone you'd like to invite to your wedding. At this point, don't be concerned with budget or venue restrictions. Right now you just need to get everyone on this list and then decide who gets an invitation and who gets an announcement. Before you begin to pare down into two lists, make sure you have included anyone in your wedding party and your immediate families. At this point you should put you and your fiancé on the ‘invite' list. Even though you will not send yourselves and invitation, you will need to consider yourselves with respect to catering budget and venue limitations.

Two smaller lists
From the big list you should begin to make two separate lists; those who will attend or take part in your wedding and those that - for whatever reason - won't make it to your reception. If you have spoken to anyone who mentioned that they won't be able to make it, put them on the announcement list right away. Take a good look at your budget and the restrictions laid down by your reception venue. These both should give you an idea about just how many people you can afford and can host. From there you will begin to get an idea of a more solid ‘invitation' list and ‘announcement' list.

The wedding announcement
Plan on sending your wedding announcements the day of your wedding. Your announcement should be short and simple. Some opt for a photo of the bride and groom (sent out after the actual wedding). You don't need to make any mention of why they weren't invited or any apologies thereafter. Also, you shouldn't make any mention of your wedding registry or wedding gifts - not even to request that the recipient not send a gift. The recipient can decide for themselves to send a gift or best wishes.

Special circumstances
If you've planned a destination wedding, put your announcements in the mail as close to the wedding date as possible. If you are getting married out of the country, you may want to wait until you've returned home. If you've eloped, send out your announcements as soon as you are back from your elopement/honeymoon. Wedding announcements for all circumstances should be sent as close to the actual wedding as possible and at the very least within a year.

It doesn't have to be a daunting task to decide on who will be receiving and invitation or an announcement. Once you've made your lists, get your invitations out at least six weeks before the wedding and you'll be all set for a wonderful reception.

Check out our wedding invitation etiquette resources and browse our wide variety of wedding invitations at MyExpression.com