Wedding Stationery Etiquette: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even as our lives speed up and become increasingly digital, the value of proper grammar remains just as vital. It represents what we believe in and directly shapes the way we interact with others. In formal settings, like weddings, getting the wording right is especially important. That’s why I created this wedding invitation etiquette guide — to offer clear answers for those confusing and often overlooked details that come up when wording your invitation suite.

Back in college, I studied Spanish as my major and minored in English. I’ve always loved how language helps us express identity and emotion — whether it’s through crafting a story, translating a thought between languages, or simply choosing the perfect phrase. Some of my happiest memories are of cozy afternoons spent writing in notebooks, dreaming up characters, and carefully planning the journey they would take. What tripped me up most in those classes was spelling. I used to joke that spell check was my best friend, even though we all know it doesn’t catch everything.

Today, I still have a deep appreciation for the structure and beauty of language. I wince a little when I see misused words or awkwardly written messages. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not flawless either. But if there’s one place you want your wording to shine, it’s on your wedding invitations. The way you present your event on paper sets the tone for everything else that follows.

Below is a guide to the most common grammar and etiquette issues I see in wedding invitation wording. I always recommend having at least one or two trusted people look over your final proof before it goes to print.

1. Honor vs. Honour / Favor vs. Favour

   Choosing to use the British spellings — like “honour” and “favour” — lends a formal, traditional tone to your invitations. These versions are especially common when the ceremony takes place in a house of worship. Either spelling is correct; it simply depends on the tone you're aiming for.

2. A Block of Rooms Has (Not Have) Been Reserved

   When referencing your accommodations card, use proper grammar. Even though you’re talking about multiple rooms, it’s one collective block — so the sentence should read, “A block of rooms has been reserved,” not “have been reserved.”

3. Aisle vs. Isle

   You're walking down the aisle, not vacationing on an isle. Unless your wedding involves treasure maps or parrots, go with aisle. (And yes, I’ve seen it misspelled on programs. Oof.)

4. Fiancé vs. Fiancée

   One e = the groom.
   Two es = the bride.
   They sound the same, but that little “e” matters if you want to be fancy and correct.

5. Dates

   On your main invitation, dates should be spelled out and preceded by the day of the week, followed by a comma. For instance: “Saturday, the sixth of May.” If your enclosure or detail card includes time or date information, be sure to keep the formatting style consistent throughout. If you're spelling out the year, omit the word “and.” It should read “Two thousand twenty-five,” not “Two thousand and twenty-five.”

6. RSVP Means “Please Respond” — So Don’t Say “Please RSVP”

   RSVP stands for the French phrase “répondez, s’il vous plaît,” which translates to “please respond.” That means writing “please RSVP” is technically redundant. Better options include “Kindly respond by,” “Please reply by,” or “The favour of a reply is requested.” Using RSVP as a design element is fine — just avoid repeating the sentiment in full sentences.

7. Time 

   Time should always be spelled out on the invitation. For example, “five o’clock in the evening” is the correct phrasing, while numeric time (like “5:00 p.m.”) should be reserved for detail or enclosure cards. If you're including a non-hour time, use expressions like “half after five” or “quarter after six,” and follow it with the appropriate time of day. You can say “immediately following the ceremony” if you aren’t specifying an exact time — but don’t use both.

   On your insert cards, numeric times are acceptable — just make sure they’re accompanied by a.m. or p.m., and match the format of the date accordingly. If the time is written numerically, the date should be as well.

8. Leave Out Zip Code on the Main Invitation

   Zip codes have no place on the main invitation or insert cards. They should only appear on the outer envelope and the RSVP envelope. This helps maintain the elegance and intentionality of the invitation design, keeping the focus on the celebration— not the mailing logistics.

9. “Reception to Follow” vs. “Dinner and Dancing to Follow”

   “Reception to follow” is fine, but it’s kind of vague. If you’re hosting a full-blown party— let your guests know! “Dinner and dancing to follow.”It sets clear expectations and gives your guests a better sense of what to look forward to.

10. Avoid Abbreviations (Even If You’re Chill)

    When it comes to invitations, insert cards, and envelopes, full words are preferred — even if your wedding leans more casual. Instead of shortening “Street” to “St.” or using “SC” for South Carolina, spell them out in their entirety. The same applies to religious venues, which should always be written out fully. The only exception to this rule is titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Dr., which are acceptable to abbreviate. Ampersands and plus signs might feel like a stylish choice, but formal wording calls for written-out phrases. Instead of “Mr. & Mrs.,” it should say “Mr. and Mrs.” The exception to this would be if you're using an ampersand artistically, like in a logo or monogram.

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I hope these grammar tidbits help you feel a little more confident and a little less overwhelmed as you piece together your wedding suite!

xoxo,
Nancy

P.S. Tell your English teacher thanks. They were onto something.