You’re Invited!

Since invitations are those pieces of paper you’ll spend the most time, money, and thought on I thought I would talk a little about this in todays post.

There are so many types of invitations that it could take miles and miles of pictures to give you an idea of how expansive the options are.

I’ll feature a few here… but first let’s talk about invitation etiquette. While etiquette rules have shifted quite a bit over the years, in the area of invitations very little has changed.

Back in the day it was proper etiquette to handwrite every single invitation. By 1922 when Emily Post wrote her very first Etiquette book invitations “whether they are to be engraved or to be written by hand (and their acceptances and regrets)…”

For a little humor… we’ll add Emily Posts original opinions straight from her book written in 1922.

“The invitation to the ceremony is engraved on the front sheet of  white note-paper.  The smartest, at present, is that with a raised margin- or plate mark.  At the top of the sheet the crest (if the family of the bride has the right to use one) is embossed without color.  Otherwise the invitation bears no device.  The engraving may be in script, block, shaded block, or old English.  The invitation to the ceremony should always request “the honour” of your “presence,” and never the “pleasure” of your “company.”  (Honour is spelled in the old-fashioned way, with a “u” instead of “honor.”)

The pretentiousness of it all makes me giggle. Here are a few no nonsense suggestions!

• Write out names in full, including middle names. Omit a middle name if necessary, rather than using an initial.
• It's appropriate to use the British spelling for "honour" and "favour", unless you prefer to use the American spelling of these words.
• Spell out all words, including the hour, the date and the year. Spell out all words in the address, including Street, Road and Avenue. The two exceptions to this rule in an address are Saint (St.) and Mount (Mt.)
• Use Roman numerals in names, rather than "the third" or "3rd."
• For ceremonies taking place in a house of worship, use "request the honour of your presence." Ceremonies taking place in a non-religious setting should say, "request the pleasure of your company."

Bet you didn’t know Hand in Hand Bridal makes custom invitations. Here’s a few papery things we’ve done in the past. Tomorrow I’ll put together a whole post full of eye candy for all of you invitation hungry peeps out there. Here’s just a few to get you started.

If you’re looking for completely handcrafted and customizable invitation made your way with our time. Feel free to contact us. Our clients get great deals on these handcrafted beauties! Enjoy!