Proper wedding etiquette includes addressing invitations with full names, starting a registry, sending thank-you notes within three months, and planning the engagement party no earlier than three months before the wedding. The reception should be held near the venue, and large gaps between events should be avoided.
When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many dos and don’ts of adhering to proper wedding etiquette. Proper etiquette is based on the classical tradition, courtesy, consideration and respect for members of the wedding party and guests. There are several components to planning the wedding and the event itself, where proper etiquette will be greatly appreciated by all. They include the invitations, gifts, thank-you notes, wedding party planning, and reception.
Addressing a wedding invitation involves writing the guests’ full names, including middle names. Write all the words, including address, dates, times and years. If you are performing the ceremony in a church or place of worship, use “request the honor of your presence”. If the ceremony is taking place in a non-religious setting, the invitation should say “request the pleasure of your company.” If the bride and groom do not want children to attend the reception, the invitation should say “Adult reception only” and not “No children”, as this is considered rude.
Make it easier for your guests to choose what to give you as a wedding gift by starting a registry. Your guests don’t know what you already have, and there’s a high chance you could receive duplicate gifts, which is inconvenient for everyone involved. A registry will prevent this from happening, as purchased gifts are de-listed by the store. Wedding etiquette doesn’t allow you to write gift information on your invitations, so get your wedding party to get their word across that you’re registered.
Thank-you notes are a necessity to comply with proper wedding etiquette. They should be written for the people who gave you a wedding, engagement or shower gift, those who attended the wedding, and those who hosted the shower and wedding party. Thank-you notes should be handwritten on nice card stock and should refer to the person as well as the gift or service. Thank you notes must be provided within three months of receiving the gift and/or service.
When planning an engagement party, wedding etiquette believes that the event should take place no earlier than three months before the wedding, but no later than two weeks before. This gives guests time to recover and prepare for the wedding itself. The venue should be chosen and booked at least two months in advance, with the hosts splitting the costs between them. The bride and groom shouldn’t have to pay for their own engagement party. The engagement party guests should be close friends and family, and shouldn’t be equal to the amount of people attending the wedding, as it seems like a grab for gifts.
The wedding reception should be held in close proximity to the wedding venue. This will avoid unnecessary travel for guests. Large gaps of time between events should be avoided, as they leave nothing for guests to do, especially if they are visiting from out of town. If this occurs, due to situations beyond your control, provide guests with a place to stay and transportation. The wedding and reception should be fun for everyone and not become a burden.
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