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LDS-Friendly Guide

Inviting friends and family to your wedding might sound simple… until you actually sit down with your guest list, envelopes, and a growing stack of questions.

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Wait… what’s the right way to do this?”—you are not alone.

Think of this as your calm, steady guide through wedding invitation etiquette—so you can avoid awkward moments, protect tender feelings, and send your invitations with confidence (and maybe even a little excitement).

When Should I Mail My Wedding Invitations?

A good rule of thumb is to mail your invitations about 6 weeks before the wedding.

That gives your guests enough time to:

• RSVP
• Make travel plans
• Book accommodations if needed

It’s just the right balance—not too early that things get forgotten, and not too late that people feel rushed.

Who Has to Be Invited?

Here’s where things can get a little delicate.

Traditionally:

• Anyone invited to the bridal shower or who received a save-the-date should also be invited to the wedding or reception
• Spouses should always be included—even if you haven’t met them yet

For unmarried guests:

• It’s your choice whether to include a significant other

And one gentle reminder (this is where family dynamics sometimes come in):

If your parents are helping pay for the reception, they may expect to invite some of their own guests. If you’re covering the costs, you have more say—but a little kindness and compromise can go a long way here.

Do I Need to Invite the Whole Ward?

Ah… the classic question.

Ward families can feel like extended family, and it’s natural to worry about hurting feelings.

If inviting everyone to a formal reception feels overwhelming (financially or logistically), a lovely solution is to:

• Host a more casual open house
• Hold it a few days or weeks later
• Use your meetinghouse cultural hall if available

And truly—those who care about you will support your decision.

How Do I Invite Someone to the Reception (But Not the Sealing)?

If you’re being married in the temple, you’ll typically send two types of invitations:

1. Sealing + Reception
2. Reception only

For reception-only invitations, wording like this works beautifully:

“Dana and Sam will be married Saturday, December 4, 2012 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We request the honor of your presence at a reception held immediately afterward at…”

Clear, respectful, and welcoming.

How Do I Address Wedding Invitations?

This is where tradition meets practicality.

• Outer envelope: Mailing name and address
• Inner envelope: Names of those invited

Examples:

• Married couple: Mr. and Mrs. John Randall
• Unmarried couple: Mr. Randall and Miss Littleton
• Divorced woman: Miss (regardless of age)
• Widowed woman: Mrs. Peter Robinson
• Children under 18: Listed under parents
• Children 18+: Receive their own invitation
• Titles first: Dr. and Mrs. Tyndale

It might feel a little formal—but it keeps everything clear and respectful.

Can Guests Bring a Plus-One?

The inner envelope quietly answers that question.

• “Sophia and Rob” → specific guest invited
• “Sophia and Guest” → she may bring someone

And if someone RSVPs for two when you didn’t expect it?

Take a breath… and handle it with grace, if you can. Weddings have a way of stretching both budgets and patience—this is one of those moments.

Are Children Invited?

Again, the inner envelope tells the story.

• If children’s names are listed → they’re invited
• If not → parents usually understand

One gentle note:
It’s considered poor etiquette to write “no children” directly on the invitation.

Can I Include My Registry?

Short answer: not on the invitation itself

Better options:

• Include it on your wedding website
• Let guests find it naturally

It keeps your invitation focused on what truly matters—the celebration.

Should I Mention There Won’t Be Alcohol?

It’s understandable to wonder about this.

The best approach is:

• Share details in person
• Or include it on your wedding website

There’s no need to place it directly on the invitation.

Do Invitations Have to Be Handwritten?

Traditionally, yes… but don’t panic.

That doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself.

If your handwriting isn’t your favorite:

• Ask a friend or family member
• Or hire someone with beautiful penmanship

Just avoid printed labels if you can—they tend to feel less personal.

When Should RSVPs Be Due?

If invitations go out at 6 weeks:

Ask for responses about 3 weeks before the wedding

And always include:

• A stamped
• Self-addressed reply card

(Or give guests the option to RSVP online—many couples find that helps!)

Can I Hand Deliver Invitations?

Yes—with one important condition:

Deliver them in person

Not:

• In a mailbox
• Slipped under a door
• Left somewhere casually

If you’re going to hand-deliver, make it a personal moment.

Are Wedding Evites Okay?

Generally… no.

But if:

• Your event is very casual
• Or your budget is tight

Then your guests will understand.

A Final Thought

There’s a lot to remember—but here’s the comforting truth:

Most wedding invitation dilemmas are easily solved with a little thoughtfulness and a little preparation.

Order a few extra invitations (mistakes happen), take your time, and trust that your efforts will be felt by those receiving them.

Because at the end of the day…

It’s not just an invitation.

It’s the very first glimpse your guests will have of the beautiful celebration you’re creating.