Do You Send Wedding Invitations to the Bridal Party?
The process of planning a wedding is never a simple one, and most couples get plenty of help and support from those close to them. In all likelihood, the bridal party will be aware of all the details regarding the location and date of the wedding. So, the question is, do you need to send wedding invitations to the bridal party? Here's some advice.
Adhering to etiquette
It may seem logical to skip the sending of invitations to your bridal party and other VIPs, but it is not really the done thing. It may mean less work on your part, but proper etiquette dictates that everyone you are inviting should receive an invitation. Even your closest friends and relatives deserve a formal invitation. Some like having it as a keepsake - it isn't unheard of for brides to send an invitation to themselves to put in their bridal scrapbook. If a guest was sent a save the date, the polite thing to do is to follow up with an invitation.
Mistakes can happen
From a practical sense, one good reason to send invitations to the bridal party is to ensure that they are catered for correctly. You might choose not to send an invitation to your sister, instead simply including her in the headcount, only to later realise you forgot to tell the caterer that she's a vegetarian! Had you sent her an invitation, she could have included that information herself. Mistakes like this are easy to make when you are getting overwhelmed with the complicated process of planning and organising everything.
Make it easy on yourself by giving everyone the opportunity to specify their personal requirements.
Your choice
At the end of the day, the choice about whether to send invitations to the bridal party is up to you. Just keep in mind that the normal etiquette is to send them, and it could be interpreted as rude not to. Add in the issue that those people who don't receive an invitation aren't given the opportunity to specify their dietary requirements in an RSVP card, and it really feels like a no-brainer. If, however, you feel confident that no-one will take offence and you won't miss out any important details, then, by all means, invite your bridal party in a less formal way. Traditions and etiquette aren't for everyone!
