5 etiquette guidelines for traditional wedding invitations

Written by Jackie Mangiolino

When it comes to formal, traditional wedding invitations, there are entire books written on etiquette, and I’ve read nearly all of them. As a traditional invitation designer and etiquette lover, it’s my job to know every obscure rule in the book.

However, as a couple planning to get married, you may be more focused on the look of your invitation, than on hidden code within the wording. But proper, formal invitation etiquette will tell the story of your wedding, so it’s important not to make a major faux pas. I mean, the invitation is the first thing a guest sees, so let’s leave a good impression, right?

Here are my top five etiquette guidelines and tips for creating successful traditional wedding invitations.

View The Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation in closer view here on the Minted Wedding Planning Guide.

1. Check the spelling.

Spelling mistakes are by far the absolute biggest, and most common, mistake I see. It’s also a costly mistake to have to fix (not to mention, embarrassing). As a designer, the fonts we work with are often not compatible with spell-check software. Without the ability to run a spell-check, it is important for couples to carefully proofread their invitations before printing. At the end of the day, it’s the couple’s responsibility to check for all spelling, especially details, such as the spelling of their names, family member names, and key information, like the time, date, or location.

“Fashion District” wedding invitation by Jill Means

2. Position the bride’s name first—unless there are two grooms.

As with most etiquette traditions, this stems from when the bride’s family hosted the wedding, and thus invited guests to witness the marriage of their daughter and her future husband. While hosting norms (and who pays) have evolved over the years, it’s still standard for the bride to be first on the invitation, and for her initial to be on the left/first for monograms. Of course, if you’re having a same-sex wedding, this rule can happily be thrown out the window, and you and your partner will decide which of you will be first.

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Minted Real Wedding: Brittany & Jesse in Tuscany

Written by Heather Lee

Following a romantic proposal during a family trip to Mexico, Brittany Sturrett and Jesse Olson decided to host their nuptials in the Tuscan countryside. In front of their 60 guests, the Brooklyn-based couple exchanged vows at Villa Medicea de Lilliano, a beautiful 13th-century villa that was once a hunting lodge used by the Medici family. Following the intimate ceremony, guests made their way to the alfresco garden-party reception amid groves of lemon and olive trees.

The couple: Brittany Sturrett and Jesse Olson
Occupations: Fashion and wedding photographer (Brittany); Executive Chef at NoMo SoHo Hotel (Jesse)
Based in: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Wedding date: June 9, 2017 (City Hall to make it legal); July 3, 2017 (our Big Italian Wedding)
Venue: Villa Medicea di Lilliano, Grassina Italy
Number of guests: 60
Invitation suite: “Al Fresco” by Haley Warner
Ceremony program: “Al Fresco” by Haley Warner
Place card: “Gold Bars” by Fig and Cotton
Favor tag: “Botanical Name Plate” by Shiny Penny Studio
Menu card: “Field” by Toast & Laurel
Wedding planner: Alise Taggart
Florist: Annalisa di Federico of Isa Events
Catering & Rentals: Guidi-Lenci
Cake: Tuscan Wedding Cakes
Makeup Artist: Sandra Lovisco from My Wedding Mirror
Bridesmaid dresses: Reformation
Groomsmen tuxedos: The Black Tux
Music: Slightly Out
Lighting/DJ: The Alma Project
Cinematographer: Cinematictide
Photographer: Paula O’Hara

How did you and Jesse meet?
We met at a restaurant that we both worked at—it was called A Voce and was located in Columbus Circle in Manhattan. He was a Sous Chef at the time and I was a front-of-house captain.

Tell us about the proposal!
We had a family trip planned for Mexico. Jesse had the ring on him the whole day and was trying to find the perfect place to pop the question! The day was filled with swimming in cenotés, zip-lining, climbing pyramids; he ended up doing it after a family dinner. We all took a walk down the beach and I remember looking up and seeing the bright full moon; at the same time, I could sense my family slowly backing up. I turned and looked at Jesse, just as he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! There were a group of people around us clapping after I said “Yes!” and the rest is history.

How did you find your wedding venue?
Our amazing cake designer Melanie! We had a cake tasting and she asked us what we were envisioning, and when we told her she knew just the place for us to check out!

Why did you decide to host a destination wedding?
We wanted it to be a trip our closest friends and family could check off their bucket list. Just a big vacation and event to share all together.

What were some of your fondest memories from the day?
Our “first look.” Hearing and saying our vows to each other for the first time. Sitting down at the end of our long table amid the Tuscan sunset, seeing all of our friends and family enjoying themselves and smiling.

Who made your wedding dress?
Mark Zunino. We went to Kleinfields and it just worked out perfectly!

What did Jesse wear?
A tuxedo by Kooples.

Any advice for couples who are starting to plan their wedding?
Pinterest boards!! They saved my life and put everything into perspective.

How did you choose your wedding invitation (“Al Fresco” by Haley Warner)?
It was the perfect pick for our olive-branch wedding theme.

What was the process like working with Minted to make your stationery vision come to life?
Great! The colors and process was so easy, and I love the quality of paper.

Click through for more from Brittany and Jesse’s wedding…

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Minted Real Wedding: Samantha & Mitchell in Montara, CA

Written by Heather Lee

After a romantic marriage proposal at her family’s lake house, Samantha Starkey and Mitchell Milner decided to plan a destination wedding in Northern California. The couple, who met during a documentary filmmaking course in India, scoured home-rental sites, hoping to find a private property that would accommodate a wedding. As chance would have it, a listing for Villa Montara—an architectural, rustic-modern home located 20 miles south of San Francisco—popped up and the couple jumped on the opportunity. And on a breezy, blue-sky afternoon in October, the couple exchanged vows in front of their 90 guests on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific.

Bride and groom: Samantha Starkey and Mitchell Milner
Occupations: Wedding videographer (Samantha) and account manager (Mitchell)
Based in: Carlsbad, Calif.
Wedding date: October 7, 2017
Venue: Villa Montara, Montara, Calif.
Number of guests: 90
Minted wedding invitation: “Oceans” (foil-pressed) by Wildfield Paper Co.
Wedding details card: “Elegant Angles” by Peony Papeterie
Wedding response card: “Mountain Sky” by Summer Winkelman (hand-cut by the bride)
Wedding planner: Katie Linter at First Comes Loves Events & Design
Florist: Meg Catherine Flowers
Caterer & cake: Salt & Honey Catering
Cinematographer: Canvas & Light; edited by SJ Videography
Photographer: Betsy Blue Photography

How did you and Mitchell meet?
Mitch and I met during a documentary filmmaking course traveling through India.

Tell us about the proposal!
My family has a lake house I grew up going to in Indiana and that we still visit every summer. This particular summer Mitch was unable to go (or so I thought). I arrived at the lake house, and was immediately sent on a scavenger hunt around town. At the time, I was thinking Mitch was just sorry that he couldn’t make it and set up this fun gift for me. At the end of the scavenger hunt I found him in the middle of the lake on a floating platform decorated in lights and flowers!

Since you’re in the wedding industry yourself (Samantha is a wedding videographer), what were your main priorities in planning your own nuptials?
I didn’t want to get caught up in the details, or to overdo it. I know how easy it can be to be upsold on so many things during the wedding planning process, and then suddenly realize you’ve lost the original vision. With that said, my priorities were keeping it beautiful and as simple as possible!

Did you encounter any hiccups along the way?
My only advice is to not wait to the last minute for the smaller details. For example, I did my programs about a month before the wedding and the blue I picked wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I didn’t give myself time to customize it further.

How did you find your wedding venue?
I originally found it on VRBO. It’s a rental house, unfortunately the owners just sold it though!

Who made your wedding dress?
It was by Flora and was the second dress I tried on.

What did Mitch wear?
A navy suit from Nordstrom.

What did your wedding party wear?
Bridesmaids wore mixed dresses from Show Me Your Mumu and the guys rented suits from The Black Tux.

Click through for more from Samantha and Mitchell’s wedding…

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Behind the Design: ‘Urban Sophisticate’ wedding invitation

Written by Amy Schroeder

Minted artist Carol Fazio, who’s based in Philadelphia, shares the vision and creative process behind her bold and modern brushstroke wedding invitation “Urban Sophisticate.”

Minted: What was the inspiration behind “Urban Sophisticate”?
Carol Fazio: I always say, “You never know where a doodle will end up,” and that’s exactly where this design began. The original drawing was pink! I knew the feelings I wanted to convey: energized, painterly, abstract. I also had some tear sheets on my inspiration wall that influenced me. The juxtaposition of the hand-painted artwork with very clean typography appealed to me. It felt organic and sophisticated at the same time.

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Can’t Help Falling in Love Save the Date Challenge: Special Prizes

Announcing the special prize winners of our Can’t Help Falling in Love Save the Date Challenge! The fourth quarter of the year is the time when the most couples announce their engagement, and we looked to our talented artist community to provide unique designs to announce this exciting news! In this challenge, we were looking for fresh, trendsetting Save the Date designs that would appeal to our broad customer base. We received a beautiful array of designs for this category. Congratulations winners!

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Minted Real Wedding: Jane & Jonathan in Seattle

Written by Heather Lee

After getting engaged in New York City, Jane Song and Jonathan Kim decided to tie the knot in Seattle, where the bride’s parents live. “We were expecting many wedding guests from Asia,” Jane says, “so we thought Seattle would be a convenient location.” Knowing they wanted to marry in a historic venue, the couple stumbled upon The Admiral’s House, a stately, former naval residence with panoramic views of Elliott Bay and the city skyline. The couple chose “Gallery Abstract Art” by Alethea & Ruth as their wedding invitation and worked with a Minted designer to customize the colors to reflect Seattle’s lush-green setting.

Bride and groom: Jane Song & Jonathan Kim
Occupations: Tax attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Jane); Digital Engineering Director at Media Kitchen (Jonathan)
Based in: New York City
Wedding date: August 15, 2015
Venue: The Admiral’s House, Seattle
Number of guests: About 110
Minted wedding invitation: “Gallery Abstract Art” by Alethea & Ruth (in a custom green colorway)
Minted ceremony program: “Old Post Road” by Jennifer Wick
Minted menu: “Watercolor Wreath” by Yao Cheng
Minted place cards: “Watercolor Wreath” by Yao Cheng
Minted favor tags: “Monogram Bouquet” by Lori Wemple
Wedding coordinator: Krisanna Elizabeth
Florist: Botanique Flowers
Caterer: City Catering Company
Cake designer: Honey Crumb Cake Studio
Photographer: Belathée Photography

How did you and Jonathan meet?
We met at Tufts University, where we both attended (Jane: class of 2010; Jonathan: class of 2008). We met one fall evening during which we ended up in a wild goose chase with a mutual acquaintance, and ended the night by ordering pizza with a group of friends. We started dating the following summer when we were both interning in Seoul.

Tell us about the proposal!
We had just returned home to Manhattan after a trip to Boston and Cape Cod in August 2014, where we did all of our favorite things (visiting old haunts, a trip to Fenway Park, and dwelling in our love for New England). I was in PJs and on my laptop, sitting on Jonathan’s couch. Out of the blue, he asked me to marry him and whipped out a ring—it was lovely and casual. Then we went to eat at the Odeon (an old-timey French bistro in Tribeca), where I couldn’t stop crying into my frisée salad (which will forever be remembered as the “engagement salad”). We ended the day celebrating with friends at the Ace Hotel.

Who made your wedding dress?
It was an Enzoani dress that was customized with a bolero. I also wore a pair of multicolor flower-patterned Manolo Blahniks.

What was the wedding-dress shopping process like?
I wanted a classic lace dress (my inspiration was Charlotte’s second wedding dress in Sex and the City), and my dress was the first dress I tried on. I ended up trying it on in two different stores—in New York City as well as in Chicago—so I thought it was meant to be.

How did you find your wedding venue?
We decided to get married in Seattle because that’s where my parents live, and where I was planning on studying for the New York bar exam during the summer of 2015. It is also the halfway point between New York (where Jonathan was) and Seoul (where his parents live). We were expecting many wedding guests from Asia, so we thought Seattle would also be a convenient location.

It was very important to our families that the venue be: (1) immaculate, (2) conveniently accessible for our out-of-town guests, and (3) have good feng shui. Jonathan and I wanted a historic venue rather than a hotel wedding; I visited a few venues in Seattle after we got engaged but had to return to law school in Chicago. I stumbled upon The Admiral’s House website and learned it was a historic naval admiral’s home that was recently converted into a venue. My parents went to visit the site, sent us pictures, and we fell in love with the location (in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle), how cozy and private it felt, and its gorgeous location on top of a hill with an outstanding view of the Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline. It just felt right. My dad loved that we were high up, “close to the sky.” We also thought it was good luck that the available date in August was August 15, the national liberation day in Korea.

Click through for more from Jane and Jonathan’s wedding…

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Minted Real Wedding: Anne & Chris in Healdsburg, CA

Written by Heather Lee

Minted’s very own creative director, Anne Donnard, envisioned a romantic, Secret Garden-like feel for her wedding to fiancé Christopher Bogart. The couple found Barndiva, a farm-to-table restaurant in Healdsburg, Calif., which proved to be the perfect setting for their alfresco celebration. Foil-pressed wedding invitations by Minted (“Floral Crown” by Lori Wemple) set an inviting tone, and the couple’s 92 guests were treated to an evening of poignant vows and toasts, delicious food and wine, lush florals, and plenty of sweets, dancing, and merriment.

Bride and groom: Anne Donnard & Christopher Bogart
Occupations: Creative director at Minted (Anne); director of supply chain management (Christopher)
Based in: Oakland, CA
Wedding date: April 15, 2017
Venue: Barndiva, Healdsburg, CA
Number of guests: 92
Minted wedding invitation: “Floral Crown” by Lori Wemple
Florist: Home Sweet Flowers
Cake designer: Moustache Baked Goods

How did you and Chris meet?
We met through a mutual friend who set us up on a blind date. Chris and I had lunch at The Grove in San Francisco and then wound up going for a long walk in the neighborhood. It was a date that lasted well beyond lunch.

Tell us about the proposal!
My parents came to visit for Labor Day weekend last year; Chris got to my apartment ahead of me and the plan was for all of us to have dinner together at my place. When I got home, Chris and I went up to the roof to watch the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge, and as we were admiring the beautiful sunset, Chris got down on one knee. It was actually the same place where we had our first kiss!

Who made your wedding dress?
It was a style called “Kinsley” by Angel Rivera.

What was the wedding-dress shopping process like?
It was actually the first dress I tried on and I bought it that day! Dress shopping was an amazing experience—I went to Kingsley James, a salon in Walnut Creek. We toasted with champagne and hoped that everything would be as simple as getting the dress!

Where were the bridesmaids’ dresses from?
Jenny Yoo

Did you incorporate any meaningful family traditions into the wedding day?
I wore the earrings that my mother wore on her wedding day; also, my sister, who was my maid of honor, and I wore pearl necklaces—the pearls were from earrings that our grandmother wore on her wedding day.

Click through for more from Anne and Chris’ wedding…

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Behind the Design: “Happy Day” Wedding Invitation

Written by Heather Lee

Minted designer Angela Marzuki, who’s based in St. Charles, Ill., shares the vision and creative process behind her bold and modern brushstroke-patterned wedding invitation “Happy Day.”

What was the inspiration behind this design?
I am very inspired by abstract artwork that invites an emotional response and is open to individual interpretation. “Happy Day” was a way to blend these different ideas to create a modern, unconventional wedding invitation that still evoked the joyful nature of a wedding.

Describe your creative process—from initial idea to end result.
I always begin a new design by exploring and brainstorming multiple ideas simultaneously. This step is usually messy and far from glamorous—I sketch ideas, swatch out colors to visualize new combinations, and sometimes simply create a list of words. These steps often lead to a more concrete concept, which I pursue further by sketching a layout to include type and refining the artwork. Next comes scanning or uploading artwork, tweaking colors if needed, and refining the type even more. This is also when I start thinking about the design’s versatility and what any complementary pieces may look like.

What are some challenges you faced as you were designing?
I initially thought I would paint the background with acrylics—I usually love seeing the textural brushstrokes. But once I started, it wasn’t matching the vision in my head. I wanted something more flat, with a color palette that remained very matte. I switched over to creating the entire background digitally on my iPad Pro, and that gave me the exact look I had been envisioning.

Describe the type of bride or wedding you imagined this design would complement?
While creating, I imagined a completely white, modern venue—an art gallery or loft space with minimal decoration so that color would really pop. But I think this design would be equally at an outdoor event in, say, Palm Springs. Poolside perhaps!

What wedding trends do you love right now?
I love the trend of not following trends (gasp!). I truly think the best weddings are ones that reflect the couple, that embrace and celebrate their individual style regardless of what is currently considered on trend.

How did you come to design for Minted?
I came across an ad for Minted on a blog back in late 2010 or so. I had studied art for most of my life before pursuing what was perceived to be a more stable and conventional career path in college. Feeling rather unfulfilled, I was looking for a way to get back to my more creative roots. I started entering challenges in 2011 and, after a few months, I realized this is truly what I should have been doing all along. Designing for Minted has really brought me full circle in many ways.

More from Angela Marzuki:
• “Happy Day ” wedding invitation
• Angela’s Minted Store
• Angela’s Instagram

More from Minted:
• Wedding Invitations
• Save the Date Cards
• Wedding Websites

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Minted Real Wedding: Laura & Joshua in Cleveland, NC

Written by Heather Lee

For their rustic North Carolina nuptials, fashion blogger Laura Leigh Bain and her marketing exec beau Joshua Elliott chose a floral-patterned invitation (“Classic Floral” by Alethea and Ruth) to send to wedding guests. Following an alfresco ceremony, the celebration moved indoors for dinner, dancing, and additional merriment (complete with a s’mores station!).

Bride and groom: Laura Leigh Bain & Joshua Elliott
Occupations: Fashion + lifestyle blogger at Louella Reese (Laura); marketing account executive (Joshua)
Based in: Charlotte, NC
Wedding date: October 15, 2016
Venue: The Arbors Events, Cleveland, NC
Number of guests: 135
Minted save-the-date: “Jotted” (foil-pressed) by Ashley Hegarty
Minted wedding invitation: “Classic Floral” by Alethea and Ruth
Wedding planner: Paris Prusak
Florist: Lily Greenthumbs
Cake designer: Honey Butter Bakery
Photographer: Faith Teasley

How did you and Joshua meet?
We met in our marketing classes in college. My roommate actually introduced us and we worked on a group project together.

Tell us about the proposal!
Joshua planned an incredible day from start to finish, taking me to different places where we had very monumental dates. It ended with the proposal in a sweet park near his home that we frequent often, followed by a surprise dinner with all of our family. All of the details can be found on my blog Louella Reese.

How did you find your wedding venue?
I spent hours searching online for rustic venues in the Charlotte area. After a lot of research, we went through my list of venues and chose four we wanted to visit. The Arbors Events was the last one on our list and we knew the search was over the second we pulled in.

Click through for more from Laura and Joshua’s wedding…

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CONTEST: Pin Your Dream Minted Wedding ($1500 in Prizes!)

Written by Donna Antonijevic

UPDATE: Congratulations to Catherine M. (Grand Prize), Sarah F. (Runner-Up), and Liz L. (Runner-Up) for winning our Dream Wedding Pinterest challenge with their creative Minted Weddings-inspired boards. Thank you to all who entered and happy planning!

Congratulations – you’re engaged! This milestone marks the beginning of a new everything. Once the initial shock of being engaged wears off, you’ll need to start wedding planning. Let Minted help you with your celebration by giving you the chance to win $1,000 worth of credit to use toward your invitations, reception decor and more in our Dream Wedding Pinterest giveaway.

Get all the entry details after the jump…

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