Wedding Invitations - An Introduction and Definition

It was not long ago when wedding invitations did not exist in our society. Notice of the special occasion was simply spread by word of mouth, which meant that whoever heard it was invited. This must have been a nightmare for the couple on the big day simply because there are so many uncertainties that might happen.

Today, one would receive wedding invites in the mail in all shapes, sizes and variation. It is now consider as a personal invite to share in the festivities and celebration, which creates a more controlled event.

Definition of a Wedding Invitation
A wedding invitation is simply a personal invite to a couples wedding day. Its purpose is to inform the guest all the information required for the wedding and for the reception as well as the expected dress standards for the event. Together with the invitation will normally be another envelope that contains the R.S.V.P. card (which comes from the French: 'Repondez, s'il vous plait'. In simple English terms, this is the guest reply card.) This should be returned to the couple as soon as possible so that it will enable them to have a rough idea of how much guest will be in attendance. This information is particularly important from the food catering side of the arrangements.

In short, these simple letters are crammed with all the information that the guest needs. It will show who is hosting the wedding, the time and place of the ceremony, who is getting married, the dress standard, how and where to reply and any other information considered relevant by the couple and their families.

Importance of the Wedding Invitation
This invitation will give the couple an idea of how many people they will be inviting to share their special day. It will also ensure that the guest has all the necessary information to make the day run as smoothly as possible, making sure that everyone is at the right place at the right time.

Sometimes directions are included to give the unfamiliar guest an idea of where to go. As mentioned before it will also include the reply card, which will give the couple an idea of how many people to expect so that their Caterers can make accurate judgments of food requirements for the day.

Types of Wedding Invitations
Today the wedding is decided upon by the bride and groom rather than having to adhere to the strict rules of bygone days. It is common for the design and style of the wedding invitation to set the tone for the wedding day itself be it sentimental, formal, and casual. It is difficult to say how many types of invitations you would find as everyone has their own idea of what their day will be like.

In general, most invitation cards are written in Calligraphy, a fancy form of writing and appear in black and white with silver embossing on the page. To avoid any confusion and ensure ample time for planning, invites are normally sent out around six weeks before the day, which should give ample time for guest to send their replies and the host to receive them.