Q: I am geting married in my home state and feel that a lot of my friends/relatives in the state where I live/work will not be able to attend due to the cost. Do you think I still need to send them an invitation?

A: Yes, I believe that invitations should be sent to persons who are important in your life – without regard to whether or not you think they will be able to attend. You might be surprised as to who will attend. In some cases friends/family who have enough notice will plan their vacation around your wedding, a “weekend getaway”, etc. in order to share this momentous occasion with you.

Q: We are getting married in my Louisiana hometown and plan to have a reception there af ter the wedding. We also plan to have a reception a few days later in my fiance’s Texas hometown. Some of the guests will be able to attend both receptions so should I include information about both receptions with the invitation?

A: This would probably be a good idea as this would give your guests a second chance to attend a reception if not able to attend one of the receptions.

Q: I will be getting married soon and would like my three year old son to be part of the wedding. My mom says that I shouldn’t do this as I am not marrying my son’s dad. What is your feeling about this?

A: In making this decision, I don’t believe it matters whether or not you are marrying your son’s father. If you would like to include your son, you should do so. You could include your son by letting him serve as a ring bearer, junior attendant, etc.

Q: What is the difference between embossed versus debossed invitations?

A: Generally, this refers to the surface of the paper – embossed refers to a raised paper surface and debossed refers to a lowered paper surface.

Q: I have always had a good relationship with my ex-husband’s parents. Should I invite them to my wedding?

A: Yes, if you have a good relationship with them and feel they would be comfortable being present by all means send them an invitation. You might want to consider talking to them about it first and let them make the decision.

Q: I have many coworkers I would like to invite to my wedding but I have to limit my guest list to cut costs. How should I decide how to invite?

A: You can invite no coworkers at all or perhaps invite your supervisor and the people in the department where you are employed.

Q: My parents are divorced and also the parents of my finance. Our weddding is being paid for jointly by all the parents. How should their names be listed on the invitation?

A: All names shoud be listed on separate lines starting with the bride’s parents (mother’s name listed first) and then the names of the groom’s parents (mother first).

Q: Do you think it would be appropriate for me to use an envelope lining color that is different from the ink color of the invitation?

A: Yes, this if often done. Some couples choose a lining color that coordinates with a wedding color but might prefer a black ink. I have found that invitations with a pearl border work well with many ink colors with or without matching envelope liners.

Q: My wedding reception is the same location as my wedding. Do I need a reception card to mail with my wedding invitation?

A: No, a reception is not needed. As a footnote on your invitation you indicate
“wedding reception to follow”, “reception immediately following ceremony”, etc.

Q: At my wedding reception I want some of the seating to be assigned. If only part of the seating is assigned, where do you suggest I make the “cut-off”?

A: A good “cut-off” would be for only the bridal party and parents’ tables to have assigned seating and/or possibly another table or two for “immediate” family.