![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/formal-wedding-invitations-wax-seals-and-a-wedding-ring.jpg\")
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Your special day is fast approaching, and you\u2019re deep in the trenches of wedding planning. You set your sights early on for an elegant affair \u2014 <\/span>black ties<\/span>, wedding cake tiers, and a live band. There are still plenty of decisions to be made, and deciding on a<\/span>\u00a0formal wedding invitation design<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is at the top of your list.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to pick out your stationery, decide what to write, and finalize your invitation wording. And while this is your <\/span>big day<\/span> \u2014 and therefore you, and only you, make the rules \u2014 we have a few suggestions for formalizing all of the above. Below, you\u2019ll find <\/span>wedding invitation etiquette<\/span>, selected messages to include, and a few sample designs that make an excellent fit for a formal wedding.<\/span> First, consider your entire invitation suite when deciding on what to include in your <\/span>formal <\/span>wedding invitation<\/a><\/strong>. Your <\/span>save the date<\/span> card and actual invite are your opportunity to inform guests about various arrangements \u2014 including proper attire, reception information, and the date and time of your special day.<\/span><\/p>\n For local weddings,<\/span> customary etiquette suggests<\/strong><\/span><\/a> sending out <\/span>save the date<\/span> cards 4-6 months in advance, with the <\/span>formal invitation<\/span> arriving 6-8 weeks before the <\/span>big day<\/span>. For destination weddings, those time frames double \u2014 with <\/span>save the dates<\/span> going out a full year in advance and invitations being sent 3-4 months prior to your wedding.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>save the date<\/span> card usually contains information on lodging, a <\/span>wedding website<\/span>, and the date of the event. On your actual invitation, consider including the following:<\/span><\/p>\n For <\/span>formal invitations<\/span>, there are a few etiquette suggestions you might want to consider. <\/span>Wedding invitation wording<\/span> should always include full names to create a formal tone. List married guests\u2019 names on a single line on their invitation and list unmarried couples on separate lines on their invitations. Finally, be sure to list every single guest on the envelope, including \u201cand guest\u201d for plus ones and listing the first names of invited children.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on special titles (such as members of the armed forces and doctors) and more detailed examples of <\/span>formal invitation<\/span> addresses, be sure to review<\/span> this complete guide to addressing wedding invitations<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Your wording should be elevated to match the formality of the <\/span>wedding invite<\/span> design. That means using ceremonial language throughout the card including things like:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe request the <\/span>pleasure of your company<\/span>\u201d (rather than \u201cyou\u2019re invited\u201d).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, always operate under the assumption that words should be spelled out on <\/span>formal wedding invitations<\/span>. For example, with addresses, always spell out each individual word, avoiding abbreviations like St., Rd., or Ave. Fortunately, with an online invitation, you can skip this step, listing just the <\/span>wedding guests<\/span>\u2019 complete names on the outer envelope.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll also want to spell out the full date and time, not using numbers or abbreviations.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>formal<\/span> online wedding invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> also typically comes with a separate <\/span>RSVP card<\/span>. However, if you\u2019re sending a virtual invitation, this can be handled without the extra paper (or hassle!).<\/span><\/p>\n With virtual invitations, RSVPs and responses to survey questions (like meal preferences) are tracked for you. There\u2019s no need to include a separate <\/span>response card<\/span>, tally those \u201cyeses\u201d and \u201cnos\u201d by hand, or worry that a response got lost in the mail. In fact, Greenvelope even tracks open rates so you know which of your guests read your invitation and when.<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you know what to include, it\u2019s time to select your invitation. Below are 10 gorgeous invitations that are the perfect complement to any formal wedding. For more ideas, browse through the 1,400+ designs in our complete<\/span> wedding invitation<\/strong> collection<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Signature Greenvelope<\/p><\/div>\n This whimsical design<\/strong><\/span><\/a> features a bold print with the happy couple\u2019s names, surrounded by gold leaves and branches. The old-world feel has a slightly vintage, almost nostalgic pattern to it, making it the perfect invitation for a formal ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n Choose from six contemporary color schemes or create a color palette of your own design. The corresponding<\/span> save the date<\/strong> card<\/strong><\/span><\/a> matches the invitation perfectly, while the<\/span> thank you note<\/strong><\/span><\/a> features a photo of the couple.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Signature Greenvelope<\/p><\/div>\n You can still dip your toes in the sand while throwing a formal wedding.<\/span> This beach-inspired invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is ideal for destination or outdoor weddings, featuring <\/span>letterpress<\/span> botanicals and an almost nautical color palette. <\/span>Rose gold<\/span> accents give this <\/span>wedding invitation<\/span> an elegant flair, as do the midnight blue envelopes. A white<\/span> save the date<\/strong> card<\/strong><\/span><\/a> captures a photo of the happy couple, while the<\/span> thank you note<\/strong><\/span><\/a> matches the floral invitation.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Claudia Owen<\/p><\/div>\n This <\/strong>classic wedding invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> features a <\/span>calligraphy<\/span> script, transcribing the word \u201cforever\u201d across a photo of the couple. Below, you\u2019ll see the two names and the details of the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n The cursive typography is carried throughout the entire <\/span>luxury wedding invitation suite<\/span>, from the<\/span> save the date<\/strong> card<\/strong><\/span><\/a> to the<\/span> thank you note<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. You could even use a similar <\/span>font<\/span> for the <\/span>seating chart<\/span> and <\/span>table numbers<\/span> at your wedding reception, keeping with the design theme throughout the evening.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: M. Taylor Design Co.<\/p><\/div>\n This<\/span> modern wedding invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is the perfect way to invite guests to your formal <\/span>nuptials<\/span>. The semi-transparent <\/span>vellum<\/span> paper is dressed up by hand-painted alcohol ink artwork and subtle hints of gold throughout. The <\/span>wedding invitation set<\/span> features a matching <\/span>save the date<\/span> and thank you card for a formal and cohesive look.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Signature Greenvelope<\/p><\/div>\n Any bride or groom who has ever fallen in love with country-chic wedding decor will swoon over<\/span> this <\/strong>rustic wedding invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Dark hardwood serves as the background, while the details of the special day are written in cream over top.<\/span><\/p>\n Hand-drawn florals delicately frame the text. Whether you choose to host your elegant wedding at a vineyard, country mansion, or high-end ski lodge, these invitations will pair with your rustic-chic theme beautifully.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Annie Montgomery Design<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\nWhat to Include in Formal <\/b>Wedding Stationery<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Table](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/table-setting-with-a-wedding-invitation.jpeg\")
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Tips for <\/b>Formal Wedding Invitation Wording<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/table-setting-with-candles-2.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nHow Online Invitations Take the Stress Out of <\/b>Formal Wedding Invites<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Judge,](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-men-at-a-wedding.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n10 Beautiful <\/b>Formal Wedding Invitation Suites<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Vintage Floral Frame Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vintage-Floral-Frame-Invitation.jpg\")
2. Modern Beach Botanicals Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Modern-Beach-Botanicals-Invitation-1.jpg\")
3. Forever Script Invitation\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Forever-Script-Invitation-1.jpg\")
4. Painted <\/b>Vellum<\/b> Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Painted-Vellum-Invitation.jpg\")
5. Wildwood Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Formal](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wildwood-Invitation-1.jpg\")
6. Distinguished <\/b>Monogram<\/b> Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Distinguished](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Distinguished-Monogram-Invitation-1.jpg\")
![\"Trailing](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trailing-Blooms-Invitation-1.jpg\")