How to Reply to a Wedding Invitation

A wedding requires a lot of planning. The bride and her parents are eager to make every detail perfect so that the big day is as carefree as possible. When invitations are sent out, the bride eagerly awaits your reply. Plans often hinge on the response to finalize various aspects of the reception, including seating, catering and staff.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Respond to the invitation immediately by returning the reception response card. Fill in the name of the invited guest(s) and indicate how many of the invited guests will attend the wedding reception.

2. Include a separate, hand-written note with the response card as needed. Send congratulations and a few words about how eagerly the event is anticipated. Limit the writing on the response card to the information requested.

3. Respect the bride's invitation by only taking invited children to the wedding and reception. Resist the temptation to assume that the children are invited simply because the bride is aware that there are children in the family.

4. Contact the mother of the bride or the groom to learn where the couple is registered. Use the registry for gift ideas. Only ask the parents for gift ideas if there is no registry.

5. Invite a guest to the wedding only if the inside envelope of the invitation states "and Guest." Resist the temptation to contact the bride, groom or parents to request permission to bring someone to the wedding who is not specifically invited.

6. Cancel only for urgent matters. Notify the bride at least two weeks in advance with apologies.