Choosing wedding invitations is one of the most daunting tasks in planning a wedding. There are so many colors, patterns, papers, etc. to choose from that picking one can be a real challenge. It might help to note that traditional wedding invitations are white or off-white, so a formal wedding should probably have traditional invitation. However, another good strategy is to choose invitations that are the style and color of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Or if you are having a themed wedding, invitations may reflect that theme. There are tons of options out there, and you can view invitation samples online by color, style, theme, and paper type. Take a look at all your options and then pick one that is right for you. This decision is truly personal, and your invitations should reflect the formality of your wedding, your personal style, and the theme of your wedding, since most guest books match your invitations.

Your wedding invitation is given to all your friends and family who are invited to your wedding and usually your wedding invitation is the first glimpse these people have of your special day. Most couples would want their wedding invitations to be a special item that their guests will remember and perhaps keep as a memento. Yourweddinginvitation.co.uk has been inspired by the need for clear information about choosing your wedding invitations and all the accompanying ‘froufrou’ that makes your wedding day run as smoothly as possible!

Traditionally, formal invitations are issued by the bride’s parents. Sometimes, both parents issue invitations or the couple issues their own invitations. Older, established couples who are paying for their own weddings will often choose to issue their own invitations, while younger couples will opt for their parents to do this for them. There are many rules governing the wording and format of invitations, and sticking to these rules may make things a little less stressful. However, as with all decisions, this is your wedding, so use the words that mean the most to you.

The specific format of the invitations requires the type be centered on the page both vertically and horizontally, and punctuation and capitalization are to follow standard rules. Titles are the only abbreviations permitted. Some couples may choose not to use titles, especially if issuing invitations for an informal wedding. Other rules are as follows:

• Use full names, not nicknames

• The hour is fully spelled out and AM/PM are not used

• Military weddings should include the title of the commissioned officer, listing the branch of military is optional

• If the wedding is at a church, invitations should request the "honour of your presence"

• If the wedding is at a secular venue, invitations should request the "pleasure of your company"

Invitations should be sent four to six months before the wedding to allow guests ample time to arrange their schedules. If the wedding is small and informal with only close friends and relatives, invitations could be sent as few as ten days before the ceremony. A simple, informal invitation would read