Limiting Your Wedding Guests

This blog isn't about the basic information you need to print on your Reply Card.  Please visit this blog post for some of the unique ways to design that card.  This blog will talk about the "new" etiquette rule you may see popping up on RSVP Cards.

 
I get asked by many couples, "How can we limit how many guests a person can bring to the wedding reception?"  Etiquette has always stated that however the invitation envelope is addressed (Mr. & Mrs.; You + a Guest; only You) is how you should respond.  But how do you get this across to those that might not be familiar with this "rule"?

Outside of having your parents mention to invited guests that the guest count is limited, you could also consider adding the phrase you see above to your Reply Card - "We have reserved_____seats in your honor" or " ___seats have been reserved in your honor" - and write in the number invited.

Now this idea isn't for everyone...especially the more traditional couple.  But if you are truly concerned about maintaining control of your guest count this option may be for you.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.WeddingWire.com)

RSVP for My Wedding, Please!

Respond cards, as know as RSVP cards and Reply Cards, are included with the wedding invitation and are VERY important!  This is the one resource to gaining the guest count and entree selections for your wedding day.  With some couples wanting a more traditional format and other couples wanting a modern approach, there is not right or wrong way to word the reply card.  You need to include the basics - a reply date, a line for the guest(s) name and if they will or will not attend.  Outside of that...the rest is up to you and the information you need to obtain for the reception venue's final count.

This RSVP card showcases the basic, traditional information you will need to receive from your invited guests.

A traditional RSVP format, but it also includes information for guests to chose their entree.

 

Same as a above, but with modern flair. Instead of writing out the entree options, this reply card used pictures.

This respond card is fun by giving you more than "Can Attend" or "Cannot Attend".

This RSVP card gives you a bit more a becomes more of a keepsake by having guests complete the sentences.

For additional ideas on wording your RSVP card, visit About.com.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - RSVP Card #2;  RSVP Card #1; RSVP Card #5; RSVP Card #3; RSVP Card #4)

Components of Wedding Stationery

I thought today would be a good time to share the components of wedding stationery.  You might not necessarily include all of the elements within your wedding planning due to the budget constructions, but where you can include paper...do so.  It truly finishes off a wedding design.

Save The Date Card:  Sent AT LEAST 6 months before the wedding to alert guests of your wedding date. It's also useful to put your wedding website link on this card.
Invitation:  The official formal announcement of your wedding including the date, time and location of the ceremony.
RSVP Card:  The card that accompanies the wedding invitation that guest will return to you stating if they can or cannot attend the ceremony and reception.  It is proper to add postage to the RSVP/return envelope.
Reception Card:  Alerts guest where the reception is located and the start time. If the reception is located in the same location as the ceremony, it is proper to add "Reception immediately following ceremony" at the bottom of the wedding invitation.
Direction Card:  A wonderful gesture to give your wedding guests directions to the ceremony location and to the reception location.
Accommodations Card:  The card used to let guests know of your room block(s). This information can easily be added to your wedding website and the card omitted.
Schedule of Activities:  Wonderful paper item if you are having pre-wedding activities during the wedding weekend or if you are having a destination wedding.
Ceremony Program:  Gives the sequence of events during the actual wedding ceremony.
Escort Card/Place Card:  The escort card is given to the wedding guest when they arrive to the reception venue and will let guests know what table they are seated.  A place card is a card that is on the table and lets the guest know which chair they are seated.
Table Number:  Have the design from your wedding invitation transferred to the table numbers to tie the stationery design all together.
Menu Card:  Adds another design element to the tablescape and let's the wedding guest know the food courses.
Favor Tags:  These can be an added detail to anything you may be giving to your wedding guests during or at the end of the night.
Thank You Cards:  Suggest you order them when you order your invitation suite so that you can send out a thank you card as you receive wedding gifts.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.dejanaeevents.cceasy.com and Invitations by Colette)