Save The Dates & Invites

Q1 - If the save the date is addressed to two people by name, that means that only those people are invited. If Mary and Tom break up, Mary can't replace Tom with Joe. If you invite "Mary Smith and Guest," Mary can bring Tom, Joe, or George. That being said, plus ones and dates don't have to be included on save the dates, just invitations. If you'll have guests traveling for your wedding, I would include their dates or plus ones so that they can make travel arrangements.

Q2 - It would be proper to address everyone by name if they don't share the same last name, but this is probably a "know your crowd" kind of thing. If you do this, I would be sure to somehow indicate how many seats you have reserved for the family, since it's not clear who "The Smith Family" is if only mom and stepdad (or whoever) have that last name. It seems easier to me to just address everyone by name. Avoid the confusion.

Q3 - I would address who is invited. Again, avoid the confusion.

Q4 - They're two different families, they should receive two separate invitations.

1. I would say it depends how well you know their bf/gf. If they are someone you know fairly well at this point, I'd invite them and their bf/gf by name. If it's a relatively new relationship and/or you haven't met them yet or something, just address it to the main guest and then if they are still together by invitation-time, of course you'd address it to both of them. This is really a your-judgement call!

2. Some people are really touchy about having different last names. I would put "The Smith/Doe Family" for families where people have different last names.

3. I would just spell out exactly who is invited to avoid confusion. The only times I did stuff like "The Smith Family" was when it was very cut and dry situations, like husband's aunt and uncle and 2 cousins who all live together, or my mom's best friend and her 3 kids who all live together. Any situation where you think it may be the *slightest* bit complicated, I would just list out everyone's names.

4. I would send 2 separate invitations since they likely have different schedules and may want to respond at separate times.

1. I'd address it to the main guest now then to both people when you send invites out. We put both names on but we invited all couples since I didn't feel it was appropriate for me to determine which relationships are serious enough.

2. We put first names if they didn't share last names.

3. Again, we did first names for this. I know it isn't traditional but it seemed easiest for us.

4. I would send one invite.