Expert-Approved Wedding Invitation Etiquette Tips

Etiquette advisor Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick is best known for dispensing protocol and manners-training services at The Etiquette School of New York. So when it comes to wedding etiquette? We think it's safe to put your trust in her, starting with these seven simple stationery tips. After all, your wedding invitations are the first things your guests will see from your day. Don't you want to start off on the right foot?

Inviting guests to your big day isn't as simple as choosing stationery you love. From when to send your save-the-date cards and what your design should like to the wording on your envelopes and how to address an "adults-only" event, we're answering all of your burning wedding invitation etiquette questions, and breaking down what you need to know before you drop your stationery suite into the mail.

Click through here for everything you need to know about big-day invites.

Save-the-dates typically go out three to four months prior to the wedding, but if guests are spread far and wide—or you're throwing a destination wedding—more time is better. No one will complain about having extra leeway to plan. Send invitations six to eight weeks beforehand, with an R.S.V.P. request of two to three weeks prior to the event so you can get a final head count.

From telegrams to invisible ink, couples are doing fun things with their save-the-dates and invitations. If you're getting innovative, just make sure that all pertinent information is included. For save-the-dates, the names of the couple getting married and the date should be most prominent, along with a note that invitations will follow. You don't have to name the venue, but if you have a website, save-the-dates are a great place to share the URL.

Wedding invitations should include the full names of the couple marrying and those of the hosts (if they're different), the place and time, and that’s it. "No children" isn’t included on the invite; it's implied by the names on the envelope. Nor should you list registry information on the invitation—family and attendants can spread the word when asked about it, or you can provide it on your website.

"Street," "Post Office Box," and "Apartment" should all be written in full. The same is true for city and state names and house numbers smaller than 20. "Mr. and Mrs." generally are abbreviated.

Stationery by Milkfed Press

Your guests' entire names should be written on the outer envelopes. Address married couples as "Mr. and Mrs.," followed by the husband's first and last name. It's also fine to list both full names. When a woman keeps her maiden name, the names are written in alphabetical order: Ms. Susan Jones and Mr. John Smith. For an unmarried couple who live together, write the names on two lines.

Stationery by Amber Housley

If the wife is a doctor, her full name comes first, as in "Doctor Aharon and Mr. Gary Lawrence." When the husband is a doctor, the titles appear as "Doctor and Mrs." and if both husband and wife are doctors, the envelope should say "Drs. Sharon and Gary Lawrence." A single woman (unless she's a doctor) should be addressed as "Ms." If she's under 21, use "Miss."

Stationery designed by Jeff Canham

Thank-you notes should be treated with a sense of urgency. Send them within two weeks of receiving the present to express your true appreciation.

Thank-you notes designed by Lindsey Gice