Lots of people will provide you guidance on wording of your invites, and they will remind you to verify your date, time, addresses and spelling, but they won't tell you how to know if you're being tacky, or pushing the envelope. I'm aiming to lay these out and make it simple.
1. Never ask for money in lieu of gifts on your invitations.
2. Be polite and courteous but clear about children in attendance to your ceremony or your reception.
3. Let guests know whether the bar is cash only or open.
4. Include maps - don't just assume they know how to use Googlemaps!
5. Include hotel information and secure group rates for out of town guests to take advantage of.
6. Send your invitations out at least 6 weeks in advance of a
large event, and 4 weeks in advance of a smaller event.
7. Include pre-stamped/pre-addressed return envelopes for your RSVP's if you're expecting them by mail, and double check that there are no spelling mistakes in your email address if you're asking for RSVP's by email!
8. Number and log each invite so you can track how many RSVP's are outstanding, and know who to chase down for confirmation!
9. Remember to leave room in your schedule so you can follow up on any missing RSVP's with time to spare prior to your big day.
10. Acknowledge the person who is paying for the event by naming them in the invitation. If the parents of the bride and groom are contributing to the budget for the wedding, then the wording on your invitations should state that "the bride and groom, together with their parents", OR "Mother and Father of Bride and Mother and Father of Groom" are inviting these guests to help them celebrate.
