The Traditional Wedding Invitation
Traditionally, the bride's mother sends out the wedding invitations, but the couple may choose to take on that responsibility themselves.
A traditional wedding invitation is made of heavy cream or white matt card. It should be 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2 centimetres) folded in half with the text on the first (outer) page.
The text is usually in black copperplate script and the name of the guest is handwritten in ink in the top left-hand corner.
A calligrapher can be hired to address the invitations and envelopes.
A sample of the traditional wording for a wedding invitation where both parents are married is as follows:
Mr and Mrs John Debrett
request the pleasure of
your company at the marriage
of their daughter
Caroline Jane
to
Mr Richard Manners
at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
on Saturday 17th July 2010
at 3 o'clock
and afterwards at
The Hyde Park Hotel, London SW1
N.B. The RSVP address is then included in the bottom left hand corner of the invitation.
