Your special day is fast approaching, and you’re deep in the trenches of wedding planning. You set your sights early on for an elegant affair — black ties, wedding cake tiers, and a live band. There are still plenty of decisions to be made, and deciding on a formal wedding invitation design is at the top of your list.

You’ll need to pick out your stationery, decide what to write, and finalize your invitation wording. And while this is your big day — and therefore you, and only you, make the rules — we have a few suggestions for formalizing all of the above. Below, you’ll find wedding invitation etiquette, selected messages to include, and a few sample designs that make an excellent fit for a formal wedding.
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Newly engaged couples often have questions when it comes to their save the dates — and rightfully so. There’s a lot to it! Whether you’re mailing traditional save the dates or going with a contemporary digital alternative, there’s plenty to consider (and get excited about).

Below are some answers to common questions that we hear about sending wedding save the dates and a guide on how to create and your own design the easy way.
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Photo by Julia Kinnunen Photography

They asked. You said, “yes!” And once you’ve called loved ones and spread the news on social media, the planning process can officially begin! Deciding when to send wedding invitations or begin communicating with guests can be intimidating, especially when you consider all of the different stationery components. 

From engagement party invitations to save the dates, we’ve compiled a recommended timeline of when to send wedding invitations and all of your other requests for wedding-related events. Plus, you can pin the infographic below to your wedding planning board on Pinterest for quick reference later on.
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Roll up your sleeves, pour yourself a glass of wine, and unfurl those eyebrows — it’s time to create a wedding seating chart. Picture a chic acrylic wedding sign written in gorgeous calligraphy or a boho, greenery-inspired poster on a rustic easel. A wedding seating chart is one piece of wedding stationery that’s typically essential but poses many couples with a challenge.

Even those who love the wedding planning process take a few shallow breaths at the mention of a seating chart. Those two words pose a laundry list of follow-up questions and concerns about the best way to arrange your friends and family members at the wedding reception. But don’t worry. We’ve simplified the process with this step-by-step guide on planning your wedding seating chart.
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You open a beautiful invitation and are filled with joy at the thought of attending the nuptials of someone you love. As you continue reading the invite, you see the words “black tie optional,” and like many others, you’re a little confused. The words “black tie” suggest highly formal attire, but “optional” is a bit vague.

Fortunately, we’re here to help you navigate the nuances of a black tie optional wedding dress code with ideas for the perfect outfit. Plus, if you’re planning your wedding as a black tie optional event, we’re also sharing etiquette and decor tips to ensure your dream day goes off without a hitch.
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Weddings are full of unwritten rules and traditions that guests are expected to know about, which is why wedding guest etiquette can be a little stressful — it’s assumed even though it isn’t always explained. 

Thankfully, we’ve written it all down to help you navigate the challenges of wedding guest etiquette. With this expert guide, you’ll discover must-know rules and popular etiquette suggestions so you can enjoy the wedding experience with thoughtfulness and confidence.
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Are you a guest who was recently invited to a wedding and wondering what “festive attire” means? Or perhaps you’re a couple wondering what invitation verbiage will best indicate that your venue is more of a “suit jacket” affair? Well, you came to the right place.

A common question we get from couples putting together their wedding invitations is about attire, so we’ve outlined a list of the most common (and some less common) wedding dress codes. That said, as with every detail of your wedding, do what feels right to you as a couple and don’t get too hung up on tradition.
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A black tie wedding is a golden opportunity to dress like royalty while celebrating a loved one’s nuptials. It’s not often you get to dress to the nines and don your most sophisticated attire — especially in the era of athleisure and casual get-ups. But even though getting ready for a black tie wedding can be exciting, it can also feel daunting. Here, we’ll show you the do’s and don’ts of wedding attire for black tie and give you fun ways to make the outfit all your own.
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There’s nothing more romantic than running off together to elope. Forget the storybook wedding. You and the person you love alone in a remote locale — that’s the stuff storybooks are really made of.

Eloping can save you time, money, and stress, and it can provide the intimate wedding ceremony you both want. But there’s one advantage that traditional weddings have over elopements — after it’s over, all of your nearest and dearest know you got married. With an elopement, nobody knows so you have to share the news.

While planning elopements is usually less stressful than the traditional wedding planning process, announcing an elopement can also be stressful — especially if your loved ones are going to be disappointed that they weren’t part of your big day (or that they weren’t invited to an open bar party). But remember, it was your big day. You did it your way. And the people who love you will be excited for you — even without an open bar.

Your elopement announcement will help you share your excitement. And with a few etiquette tips and the right announcement card, you can make sure announcing your elopement doesn’t cause any hard feelings. Here’s how to do it.
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So you have a date, a dress-code-approved outfit, and a fierce craving for bubbly. The last thing left on your wedding guest to-do list is probably figuring out a wedding gift. If you find yourself struggling, we have some answers!

Explore our wedding gift etiquette guide below where we’ve answered all of your questions. From how much to spend to what to buy, we’ve got your etiquette puzzles solved.
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