Do White Wedding Invitations Mean Cash Gifts? – Ask The Expert Answer
Question from Suzanne:
I heard several years ago that sending white invitations meant that the bride and groom preferred cash gifts. Is that correct?
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Suzanne and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. No. White invitations signify a formal wedding invitation. In fact, formal wedding invitations are exclusively white, ivory, or cream with engraved (raised) black printing. Formal invitations have a double sheet of thick, quality paper, with the engraving on the top of the paper—the inside is left blank. The invitation is placed inside a lined envelope upon which the names of those invited are formally written, although, if a relative, you can put Uncle Joe and Aunt Helen. This envelope this then placed inside a mailing envelope upon which the names and full address of those invited are written. Traditionally all addressing is done in calligraphy, but is often hand-written these days.
A formal wedding invitation denotes that it will be a formal wedding—placecards at the tables, etc., with the style of wedding being formal in all ways. If you don’t want a formal wedding, contemporary invitations precursor a contemporary wedding, and informal invitations denote an informal wedding. Your printer has all the information, with example wording for you to choose from. They are the expert when it comes to wedding invitations.
I made a video on the topic of cash gifts for weddings, which is a BIG etiquette no-no. Very tacky. The video explains the etiquette rules around gifts, and explains the only acceptable way in which to let guests know that you would like money.
Another big etiquette no-no is when people choose to have a cash bar, sometimes called a ‘No host bar’. There are so many ways to reduce alcohol costs at a wedding, that there is absolutely no excuse for a cash bar. This video talks about this topic, and explains overall wedding etiquette.
Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to ask!
Angela Fiebelkorn, Wedding Planner
certified with the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada
