Formal Wedding Invitations

Customizing Your Formal Wedding Invitations with the Experts at Bliss & Bone

Luxurious and classic, formal weddings are a forever-trending option among engaged couples. Usually identified as a slightly more casual version of a black tie affair, formal weddings are all about dressing up and dancing the night away. And when it comes to your formal wedding invitations, you cannot go wrong with classic printed designs.

Throughout this guide, you will learn about the complexities of a formal wedding invitation and the rest of your stationery suite. From formal wedding invitation wording to different template ideas couples love, there is a lot to cover. Read on for expert takes on formal wedding invitations and much more related to your big day.

What Are Formal Wedding Invitations?

Before we can understand what a formal wedding invitation is, we must go over the event style itself. Most of the time, a formal wedding revolves around the recommended attire. Formal attire is a happy medium between cocktail and black tie dress codes, and it is sometimes referred to as “black-tie optional.” With that, long dresses or even dresses above the ankle are acceptable, and darker suits (that do not need to be black tie) are also allowed.

With the attire covered, we can have a much better and more clear understanding of what a formal wedding invitation should look like. In most cases, formal wedding invitations will be printed. And for even more customizations and premium features, you can also use metallic foil or letterpress. Since most formal wedding invitations are delivered through the mail, they also usually come in a set. Most often, stationery sets include insert cards with information about other wedding events and reply cards and envelopes so guests can mail back their RSVPs.

What Are the Components of a Formal Wedding Invitation Suite?

With printed formal wedding invitations, you will likely order additional pieces to your stationery suite. If you are planning on sending yours through the mail, you will need to decide what else you want to send with it. 

These are some of the most popular pieces that people send out with their formal wedding invitations:

• Insert cards: These are additional pieces sent in the same envelope as your formal wedding invitation. If you are hosting a welcome party prior to the big day or a post-wedding brunch, it is an excellent idea to add an insert card with that information. 

• Reply cards: You have two options here: Either provide details about RSVPing online on a reply card, or include a reply card and envelope in your set. If you want guests to reply on an RSVP wedding website, simply include a URL and give them a deadline. Or, if you want to go the more traditional route, send guests a reply card with a pre-stamped and addressed envelope. This will make it easier for guests to promptly respond about their attendance.

These are the components of your formal wedding invitation suite. Depending on the length of your guests’ stay and if you are hosting a destination wedding, there are other events or pieces of stationery you may need to provide.

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording and Etiquette

For most couples who choose formal wedding invitations, the wording of the invite itself is crucial. For a more traditional take on formal wedding invitation wording, we turn to the experts at EmilyPost.com. There are a few guidelines that come with etiquette-approve formal wedding invitation wording, and we are sharing them below.

These are the must-have pieces you need to include in your formal wedding invitation wording:

1. The name of the wedding host or hosts. Most formal wedding invitations kick off with the person or people who are inviting your guests to the celebration. Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the wedding. So, their first, middle and last names and titles are shared at the beginning of the formal wedding invitation.  

2. The honor of your presence vs. the pleasure of your company. For formal wedding invitation wording, the exact way your hosts are inviting your guests is also significant. “The honor of your presence” is suited for weddings hosted in churches and other places of worship. And for all other non-religious venues, you should opt for “the pleasure of your company.” 

3. The wedding couple’s names. Next up, the names of the guests of honor. With traditional formal wedding invitation wording, if the bride shares the same name as her parents (who are hosting), you only need to include her first and middle name. Then, you will include the groom’s title and first, middle and last name.

4. The wedding time, date and location(s). In your Save the Dates, you likely told your guests about the top-level “where” and “when.” But in your formal wedding invitations, you need to get more specific. For your formal wedding invitation wording, make sure to include the names of the ceremony and reception venues, as well as the date and time of the event. For the date and time, everything should be spelled out. And if you are hosting the ceremony and reception at the same place, all you need to do is say, “Reception to follow” or “Dinner and dancing to follow.”

5. The RSVP instructions. Couples have the option to ask guests to send their responses through the mail or online. However you want to do that, you should make it clear on your formal wedding invitations. 

There are plenty of samples available showing the best formal wedding invitation wording structures. Here is one to give you an idea of what your formal wedding invitation should look like:

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Andrew Smith

request the honor of your presence 

at the marriage of their daughter

Andrea Jacqueline

to

Mr. Benjamin Marcus Lee

Saturday, the nineteenth of August

[two thousand twenty-three]

at half after three o’clock 

Wayfarers Chapel

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

and afterward at the reception

Terranea Resort

100 Terranea Way

RSVP

Your formal wedding invitation comes with a clear structure for those who want to follow the “rules”—but that is not your only option. Nowadays, couples are having fun and getting more creative with their wedding invitation wording. And with that, you should feel like you have the freedom to write your formal wedding invitations however you want. Just remember that you should include all of the necessary information to keep your guests in-the-know.

Formal Wedding Invitations Addressing 101

One of the more confusing and sometimes overwhelming parts of formal wedding invitations is how you need to address your guests. Some traditional methods involve using an inner and outer envelope, but we are including information for those who are addressing only one. There are several types of ways to address formal wedding invitations you will need to do, and they include:

• Formal wedding invitations addressing for a single person: If you are sending out a formal wedding invitation to a single person, you first need to decide whether they will get a plus-one. If you can accommodate plus-ones, you should write out your primary guest’s full name and title, followed by their guest’s full name and title. If you do not know the guest’s name, simply write “and guest” after your friend or relative’s name. If you can only accommodate your single friend or relative, only feature their title and full name. 

• Formal wedding invitations addressing for couples: If a couple is married and share the same last name, you would traditionally write both of their titles (Mr. and Mrs.), followed by the man’s first and last name. If a couple does not share the same last name, you should write out their titles and first and last names. For example, this would look like, “Mrs. Corey Carpenter and Mr. Clay Smith.” If you are inviting an unmarried couple who live together, you should write your friend or relative’s title and full name on the first line and his or her partner’s title and full name on the second line. 

• Formal wedding invitations addressing for a family: For families with children under the age of 18, you should include the parents’ full names and titles. Then, you will feature the kids’ first names only in the line below. For example, Line 1: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” and Line 2: “Taylor and Julia.” If a family is invited to your wedding and they have children over the age of 18, you need to send a separate formal wedding invitation to every “child.”

• Formal wedding invitations addressing for doctors, lawyers, military personnel and more: You might feel overwhelmed and confused about exactly how to write a distinguished title. When in doubt, spell it all out. For instance, Doctor (or Doctors, if both people in a couple are doctors) or Colonel should be written out on your formal wedding invitations. 

If you are interested in purchasing an inner envelope for your wedding invitations, those are written out more informally. Either way, you want to respectfully and appropriately address your guests to make them feel as welcome as possible. Follow these guidelines to accurately address your formal wedding invitations.

When Should You Send Out Your Formal Wedding Invitations?

As far as etiquette is concerned, you should also send out your formal wedding invitations at an appropriate time. This is a courtesy to your guests and yourself, as you will need to have enough time to finalize your guest list and make any last-minute preparations for the reception. It is most common to send out your formal wedding invitations six to eight weeks prior to the big day.

And don’t forget that your formal wedding invitations are only a piece of the puzzle that is your stationery suite. For more insights about preparing and sending out your wedding stationery items, here is a timeline related to it all: 

1. Have an honest conversation about your wedding budget. Toward the beginning of your planning process, you and your partner need to sit down with any other people who have offered to help pay for your celebration. Speak honestly about the amount you plan to pay as a whole, and for your venue and every vendor. Once you have determined how much you can afford, you can make more informed decisions about your venue and vendors.

2. Consider hiring a professional wedding planner. Wedding planners are experts in their field and able to help couples seamlessly plan out their celebrations. These pros have contacts in the industry, and they are also equipped to provide insights and advice on nearly every aspect of your wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding, it is recommended to enlist a local wedding planner who can help you from afar. 

3. Figure out exactly who you want to invite to your wedding. While you do not need to finalize everything, you and your partner should estimate the number of people you plan to invite to your special day. Some venues may not be able to accommodate your party size, so having an idea of your total numbers is ideal. For a better understanding of the final number you can expect, about 70 to 85 percent of invited guests will ultimately attend your wedding. 

4. Do your research on top venues in your desired area. First things first: Where exactly do you picture yourself saying, “I do”? You could get married in your or your partner’s hometown, your current city or a destination locale that means a lot to you. Whichever location you decide on, you should then do research on popular venues in the area. From there, you should schedule a visit and get a feel for the space and surrounding location. This may be more difficult for destination weddings, but it is recommended to see where you will later get married. Exploring a place site unseen can leave room for challenges in the future.

5. Design your wedding website. Your wedding website is an extension of your formal wedding invitations. This can hold photos of the happy couple, a list of recommendations for visitors looking to explore the area, an RSVP platform and much more.

6. Customize your Save the Dates. Around the same time you complete your wedding website, you should also get started on personalizing your own Save the Dates. These are sent out about six to eight months before your wedding day, or even sooner if you are hosting a destination wedding. These can be prepared and sent out via email, or you can have them delivered through the mail. 

By this point in your wedding planning timeline, you should think about designing your own formal wedding invitations. The most important part is to make RSVP details as clear as possible. You should receive your guests’ responses by about two to three weeks before your wedding, just to give yourself enough time to confirm your guest list and make seating arrangements for the reception. 

When you receive your RSVPs, make sure to do the following:

1. Send out your confirmed guest list to your planner, and confirm the numbers with your venue and/or catering company. You will need to order escort cards with every guest or couple’s name. Plus, your venue and catering team needs to prepare the correct number of chairs at the ceremony, seating arrangements at the reception and meals served during the night. 

2. Create your seating chart. You need to group your guests according to the number of tables at the reception and chairs available for each one. For example, you can put your high school friends at the same table, or maybe group your work friends together with their partners. This is sometimes overwhelming, so take your time and think about the dynamics between your family members and friends.

3. Dream up the ideal display. After you have created your seating chart, you need to share where guests will be seated at your cocktail hour. The most common presentation is on a board with the table numbers or names and corresponding guests. But people are starting to get creative with their seating chart ideas, and we have seen tables full of shot glasses, names written on tropical leaves and much more. Think about your theme and determine the type of display that will work best for your event.

Your wedding day is an incredibly exciting time in your life, and you shouldn’t feel bogged down by all of the details. With these timelines and suggestions in mind, you and your partner can feel more prepared for everything coming up. 

Why Couples Love Printed Wedding Invitations

Printed wedding invitations are a go-to for couples planning epic formal events. They are a physical reminder of your upcoming celebration, and the perfect addition to any refrigerator. If you are still on the fence about whether you want to design printed wedding invites, it is important to see why couples go this route.

These are the primary reasons why couples choose to make printed wedding invites:

1. They serve as a keepsake for you, your partner and your guests. Perhaps the biggest reason why couples decide on printed formal wedding invitations is the overall experience they bring to you and your guests. The process of opening up your invitation suite and unpacking it is important to many couples, and it might be a clincher for those who are still deciding between the two styles.

2. They are a traditional choice for formal events. If you want to follow traditional etiquette standards, this is a fabulous choice. For ages, people have sent out printed wedding invitations and if you want to follow suit, that is an excellent route.

3. They keep all of your must-know information in one place. Digital invitations often connect to a wedding website, which might feel overwhelming to your guests. Wedding websites are extremely helpful, but holding all of your wedding information in one envelope can help your guests stay in-the-know with one delivery.

4. They coordinate with the rest of your wedding decor. Let’s say you and your partner are welcoming your guests with gold wedding invitations. This can connect your formal wedding invitations to the remainder of your decor, and you can take it up a notch with metallic gold foil text.

5. They are great for less tech-savvy guests. Your guests may not be familiar with the process of checking their email and opening up a wedding invitation. Since digital invites are a more modern invention, printed invites are a surefire way to clearly send your message. 

The main reasons couples decide on digital wedding invitations are the cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness of it all. You save paper, and in turn, money when you go for a set of digital wedding invitations. It is crucial to remember that there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” solution for your formal wedding invitations. Both printed and digital invites give you and your guests everything you need to prepare for your upcoming festivities. Talk about your budget and general preferences with your partner before moving forward with one or the other.

The Most Popular Formal Wedding Invitations Templates

As we mentioned earlier in this guide, most formal wedding invitations are printed. There is an elegant and chic element to sending out formal wedding invitations, and there are also a plethora of templates to choose from. Whether you have some formal wedding invitations templates in mind or are seeking inspiration, these are a few of the most popular choices among couples:

• Classic formal wedding invitations templates: These formal wedding invitations keep it simple and elegant, and they are often the most popular options among couples. The Austen formal wedding invitation is a perfect example, as it presents a text-only outline with unique-yet-beautifully classic colors. And if you want to mix it up a bit, we love how the Blair formal wedding invitations feature a bold monogram with the couple’s initials at the top.
• Colorful formal wedding invitations templates: There is a huge misconception that formal wedding invitations are simple. You can really wow your guests with colorful wedding invites that truly pop. The Adrian formal wedding invitation, for example, has a mustard yellow background and white font. Alternatively, the Aaron formal wedding invitation comes with a white card, but has a forest green font and envelope. 
• Floral formal wedding invitations templates: Few weddings are complete without floral and greenery spread throughout. For a more spring-forward set of formal wedding invitations, the Liam template combines green, yellow and pink and has a sweet rose in the center. And for couples seeking out moodier formal wedding invitations, the Genevieve template is a dreamy and dark design with flowers all over the card.
• Tropical formal wedding invitations templates: Set the tone for your island celebration with a tropical formal wedding invitation with big leaves. The Brando formal wedding invitation includes two Monstera leaves offsetting the white background and black text. To get a more muted formal wedding invitation, the Mason template has a subtle set of two tropical leaves.
• Botanical formal wedding invitations templates: Boho and garden weddings alike all benefit from the addition of flowers and greenery. Couples love how the Breanna formal wedding invitations create a bohemian-style feel with more muted tones and a beautiful stem covered in leaves in the background.
• Modern formal wedding invitations templates: You can keep your formal wedding invitations as simple as possible with a black and white template or anything with minimal text and design elements. One example of these formal wedding invitations is the Lilith template, which has a classic white card and black text and envelope color. Another chic style is the Mila formal wedding invitation, which has a white card with two small sets of text and a cream-colored envelope.
• Vintage formal wedding invitation templates: Even with modern technology, there is an allure to a vintage vibe. Whether you are wearing vintage attire or simply want to create a romantic air through retro decor, you can easily reflect this in your wedding invitations as well. Just look at the Amelia formal wedding invitation, which features a handwritten-looking script text and soft tones of orange and gold.

The templates above are only a handful of selections couples can decide on at Bliss & Bone. From bold and colorful to subtle and minimalist, there are so many formal wedding invitation ideas out there. Review your options with your partner, think about your design and aesthetic overall and then choose the best formal wedding invitations for your specific celebration.

Other Formal Wedding Ideas for Your Big Day

Your wedding invitations are just a portion of your formal celebration, and there are so many ideas for couples. Many formal wedding ideas are related to black tie fêtes, but you can incorporate some of these into almost any type of event.

• Champagne tower: There is something vintage and modern about this ultra-chic wedding staple. You and your partner can have a photo op pouring champagne over the tower, or you can just look at it with joy. 

• All white flowers and cake: For any formal function, you really cannot go wrong with white florals and other accents, like the cake or other desserts. These are classically beautiful nods to the formal style, and they will work with any color scheme or theme. 

• Monograms: The bride and groom’s initials are often showcased on some sort of signage, cocktail napkins and anything else you would like to include at your ceremony or reception. Plus, you can also create a custom logo or monogram with a designer at Bliss & Bone. 

• Gold accents: This is a magical, golden day and your decor can reflect that. You will often see glamorous gold accents on tablescapes, cakes and other key pieces of decor. You can even incorporate gold into your wedding invitations by using metallic foil.

• High ceilings: Set your sights on dramatic landscapes and ballrooms or event spaces with high ceilings. Creating such an airy atmosphere is yet another method to develop a formal setting for your guests to enjoy.

• Formal attire: Of course, we cannot talk about a formal wedding without mentioning what the guests of honor will wear. This style of event is often associated with extra long, dramatic trains and formal tuxes. Guests can follow suit—literally—by wearing tuxes or dark-colored suits and long, formal gowns. 

Formal weddings are luxurious, timeless and super special to the couple and their guests. The ideas listed above are only a few of the many decor and attire options couples frequently gravitate toward for their big day. The most important thing is that every aspect of your wedding day feels authentic to you and your partner. 

How Much Do Formal Wedding Invitations Cost?

As you are figuring out your budget, you are likely wondering just how much formal wedding invitations will cost. If you are going with printed formal wedding invitations, you can expect those to start at $700 to $1,200 for 100 cards. This is an estimate for digital printing, which is the most affordable style of formal wedding invitation printing. Keep in mind that you will also want to factor in insert and reply cards and stamps, and costs go up if you add in embossing, letterpress or metallic foil. A set of insert cards should be about $150 to $500, a wide range that is determined by the printing process. 

Though not as traditional as their printed counterparts, digital formal wedding invitations are also becoming increasingly popular (and yes, widely accepted among etiquette experts!). They not only save on costs, but paper too. Because you are not ordering a physical stationery set, you are reducing your wedding-related carbon footprint. This is an important choice for many couples looking to cut costs and help the environment in the process. Most formal wedding invitations made online will cost about $1 each.

At Bliss & Bone, we offer several styles of printed and digital formal wedding invitations. For printed options, those invitations start at $257.50 for 25 A7 (5 x 7-inch), one-ply cards and premium choices like metallic foil and letterpress are also available for an additional cost. And for those interested in digital formal wedding invitations, those start at $1.20 each for one to nine recipients, and $0.90 for 10 or more. 

Building Your Formal Wedding Invitations Online

The process to create your formal wedding invitations is simple. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined at Bliss & Bone, and you will find yourself a few decisions away from customizing your own formal wedding invitation template. 

Here is a breakdown of the formal wedding invitation customization process:

1. Look through the formal wedding invitations available online. When you have found your favorite one, click on it and you will see a close-up of your selection. From there, clicking the “Customize + Price” button will direct you to the builder.

2. Make changes to the card. You can adjust the quantity of formal wedding invitations, the type of paper (including the size and style), the color of paper, ply number (one or two) and background appearance. There are a plethora of photos and prints to choose from, if you want to switch up your existing template. When you are ready to move to the next step, click on the “Aa” tab.

3. Adjust the text color and edge paint. Here, you will focus on the color of the text that will appear on your formal wedding invitation. You can also toggle on “Text Color 2” to add another color to the card. This is also where you can choose to use metallic foil or letterpress; simply click on the color and make your specific choice from there. “Edge paint” or a border is also available, so you can select the color for that as well. To make changes to your envelope, click on the corresponding icon.

4. Change the envelope quantity, color and more. At this point in the formal wedding invitation building process, you have the opportunity to increase the amount you will need, change up the color and make specific requests for envelope printing and liner needs. 

5. Review the cost of your formal wedding invitations. In the “$” tab, you can see a full breakdown of the costs related to your formal wedding invitations. You can make changes depending on the rate, and when you are happy with the total, click “Next” in the lower right corner.

6. Input all of your wedding details. This is where you add the significant details and everything you want to include in your invite. You will then type out the return address that will go on the envelope flap. And after that, you will need to download our guest address template, fill out all of your loved ones’ information and then upload it here. From there, you can also add an insert card, reply card and reply envelope. You can even provide notes to your designer, and once that is complete, click “Next.”

7. Confirm your order and add your payment information. When everything is set, you can input your payment details and then sit back. A designer will get started on your formal wedding invitations, and you should receive a digital .pdf proof within two to three business days. 

8. Approve your proof. You get two rounds of digital proofs with your order. So, if you are pleased with round one or two of proofing, you can submit your approval and wait for your formal wedding invitations to come through the mail. They should arrive 12 to 15 days after your confirmation, and rush services are available with additional fees.

This is all you need to do to complete the process of building your formal wedding invitations. If you have all of your ideas already, you can easily create and order them in the same day. Processing time takes a couple of weeks or so, but then you will receive your one-of-a-kind invites and can get excited about sending them out as soon as possible.

Matching Your Formal Wedding Invitations to the Rest of Your Stationery Suite

Your formal wedding invitations are just one part of your stationery collection. You can combine printed and digital must-haves that will contribute to your wedding day. Our collections are curated to help couples navigate the design process. If you are overwhelmed by the idea of developing your own artistic design, choosing from a collection takes all of the guesswork out of this somewhat daunting process. These are the items you have the freedom to customize at Bliss & Bone, many of which are included in a collection set:

• A wedding website: For your digital hub, you can personalize anything from boho to modern-minimalist designs. You can also add pages that share photos, recommendations for guest activities and more.

• Save the Dates: Your first invitation delivery to your friends and family is the Save the Date. You can customize a template and send them out virtually or through the mail, depending on your preferences.

• Wedding invitations: Similar to your Save the Dates, these can also be sent via email or mail. You can look at the design that you went for on your wedding website and Save the Date and then personalize your invites to coordinate. 

• Rehearsal wedding invitations: Your rehearsal is generally held the night before your wedding day. You run through the ceremony with your officiant and wedding party, and then you often celebrate with everyone at a dinner hosted by the groom’s parents. Rehearsal wedding invitations do not necessarily need to coordinate with the rest of your stationery suite, but it would be a thoughtful touch that connects everything.

• Wedding menus: These pieces of stationery are placed at every seat at your reception tables. Wedding menu designs have also been curated to go with your stationery suite, and they create the most unexpected tie-in to the rest of your celebration. 

Kickstart Your Formal Wedding Invitation Designing Process 

Your formal wedding is just around the corner, and it is almost time to let your guests know the big news. After reviewing your choices for formal wedding invitations, you should get started on your very own. Our team is also available to help you out, and we encourage you to contact us online or email us at hello@blissandbone.com if you have any questions. We look forward to helping you and your partner craft the most beautiful formal wedding invitations.