Asking guests to share in a celebratory occasion such as a wedding is a wonderful way to share joy, love, and memories with close friends and family. One of the decisions couples often deliberate on is whether or not to include plus ones on save-the-dates. The question is, should plus ones be on save-the-dates? This blog post will explore that very question and highlight some of the things to consider when making that decision.
The Etiquette of Plus Ones on Save-the-Dates
Many couples follow save-the-date etiquette by including plus-ones for only specific guests. The rule of thumb for including a plus-one on the save-the-date is to offer one to couples who share a home, or live together. Similarly, an engaged or married couple should receive a plus-one, even if you’ve never met their spouse or fiancée. You can also offer a plus-one to guests who have been dating a significant other for more than a year. Beyond that, things become a little more ambiguous.
However, if you want to ensure that your guests are comfortable and enjoy celebrating with you without compromising your budget, consider these tips for saving money and offering the best experience possible.
Why Include Plus Ones on Save-the-Dates?
1. It’s An Act of Courtesy
Inviting guests without a plus-one is not always ideal, especially if they are single. It can be uncomfortable for them when they arrive and encounter other couples they don’t know yet. A plus-one also shows consideration for the guest’s preferences and social skills, which is essential if your guests are shy or unfamiliar with the location.
2. Offers the Chance to Meet New People
Having plus-ones on your save-the-dates helps your guests to widen their social circle as well. Thus, creating an opportunity to find a new friend or meet someone they have always wanted to know.
3. Shows You’re Gracious
Inviting someone to attend your special day can last in their memories and bring smiles to their faces when they remember the good times. When you offer a plus-one, you show that you care about your guests in a deep and sincere manner. This act of generosity is particularly critical if the guest is traveling a long distance to attend your event.
Why Not Include Plus Ones?
1. You Want To Keep Your Budget In Check
More plus-ones equal more seats, which could make you exceed your budget and place a strain on you and your partner. As such, it is essential to think about your resources and make sure you’re not overspending to impress others, leading to debt and financial stress.
2. You Value A Smaller, More Intimate Wedding
If the couple values an intimate wedding, they may decide not to offer plus-ones, and here is where the gray area arises. If you have decided to exclude plus ones, you must be particularly careful with the people you invite, and ensure they are all people you are close to, as well as those that you know will want to celebrate your union.
The Compromise – Set a Clear and Concise Policy
We get it. You want to stick to the budget, celebrate with your close family and friends, but also make your guests feel valued and welcomed. To do this, consider setting a clear and concise guest policy. If you’re still trying to work out if you should include plus-ones on your save-the-dates, go ahead and establish a clear guest policy. Describe in clear, concise language who will and will not receive plus-ones. Having such a policy in place reduces misunderstandings and awkward conversations before your big day.
Conclusion
As couples navigate their wedding planning process, they must consider the importance of including a plus-one on save-the-dates. Although this decision largely depends on the budget and the couple’s preference, adding a plus-one could offer a courteous move for guests. More so, it can give guests more fun while adding value and intimacy to the wedding. Regardless of the choice, couples should create a clear policy and make sure they follow it carefully.
FAQ
How do you indicate plus one on an invitation?
When sending out invitations for a wedding, birthday party, or any other social occasion, you may want to allow your guests to bring a plus one. This can be a bit tricky to indicate on the invitation, so it’s important to choose the right wording to make it clear and polite.
One option is to address the invitation to the specific guest, and then add a note on the invitation or RSVP card indicating that they are welcome to bring a plus one. For example, you might write “John Smith and guest” on the invitation envelope, and then add a note at the bottom of the invitation that says “We kindly request the pleasure of your company, and feel free to bring a guest to celebrate with us.”
Another approach is to simply include the plus one in the invitation directly. For example, you might write “John Smith and Jane Doe” on the invitation envelope, or include a separate line on the RSVP card for the guest’s name. However, this approach may be less flexible if your guest is unsure whether they will be bringing a specific partner or not.
It’s important to be clear and specific about the plus one policy on your invitations, so that your guests are not confused or left guessing. By using polite and welcoming language, you can make it clear that you are happy for your guests to bring a plus one, and ensure that everyone has a great time at your event.
Should wedding invite include plus one?
Deciding whether or not to include a plus-one on a wedding invitation is a common concern for many couples. While it is always thoughtful to give your guests the option to bring a date, it can also add a lot of expenses and logistics to your wedding planning. Therefore, the answer to whether or not to include a plus-one will depend on several factors such as the size of the wedding, the budget, the couple’s preferences, and many others.
If the couple has a limited budget, they may not be able to accommodate all guests with a plus-one. However, some guests might feel left out or upset if they don’t have the option to bring someone along. Therefore, couples need to carefully consider who to include a plus-one for. Generally, close family members, bridal party members, and those who are in a committed long-term relationship should receive a plus-one invitation.
On the other hand, if the couple can afford it, they should be open to allowing all guests to bring a plus-one. This is especially true if the couple is planning a large wedding, where it would be difficult to get to know everyone personally. Allowing guests to bring a companion can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone, and it can also help to ensure that guests will stay longer and dance more.
In any case, the couple should always be clear and upfront about the plus-one policy on the wedding invitation. If they only want to allow certain guests to bring a plus-one, they should explicitly state this on the invitation or through a conversation with those guests. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings.
Deciding whether or not to include a plus-one on a wedding invitation is a personal choice that depends on the couple’s preferences and circumstances. While it may add extra expense and complexities to the planning process, allowing guests to bring a plus-one can also make the wedding more enjoyable and successful.
Is it rude to not allow plus ones?
When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the tough decisions you may have to make is deciding whether or not to allow plus ones. A “plus one” allows your guests to invite a friend, family member, or romantic partner who was not specifically invited by name. While you may be inclined to keep your wedding small, you may be wondering whether it is considered rude not to allow plus ones.
Choosing not to invite any long-term partners can be seen as an etiquette faux pas, so keep this in mind as you begin creating your wedding guest list. When someone is in a committed relationship, not allowing them to bring their significant other to your wedding may come across as insensitive or dismissive. This can be especially true if you have friends or family members traveling from out of town to attend your wedding. They may have a difficult time finding someone to serve as their guest if you don’t allow plus ones.
It’s also considered common courtesy to extend a plus-one to any members of your wedding party. If you have a bridesmaid or groomsmen who is not in a long-term relationship, you may want to extend to them the opportunity to bring a friend or family member to the wedding. This not only makes the wedding planning process easier for them, but it will also make them feel more valued and appreciated as a member of your wedding party.
If you do decide not to allow plus ones, it’s important to communicate this to your guests early on so that they can plan accordingly. Be tactful when explaining that you are keeping the wedding small, and let them know that you appreciate their understanding.
The decision of whether or not to allow plus ones is up to the bride and groom. However, if you choose to prohibit plus ones, it is important to recognize the potential consequences and to be open and communicative with your guests.
How to address a wedding invitation to a single person and plus one?
Addressing wedding invitations can be a bit of a daunting task, especially when it comes to deciding how to address an invitation to a single person who is bringing a plus one to the wedding. However, there’s no need to worry – this guide will provide you with some useful tips on how to address a wedding invitation to a single person and their plus one.
When it comes to inviting a single person and their plus one, it’s important to make it clear on the invitation whether or not they are allowed to bring a guest. If they are not allowed to bring a plus one, then the invitation should be addressed to the single person only. In this case, both the outer and the inner envelope should contain only the name of the person who is being invited.
On the other hand, if the invitation is intended for the invited guest and their plus one, there are some specific guidelines to follow. In this case, you should address the outer envelope with the name of the invited guest only. This should be the same name that the guest normally uses, whether it be their full name, preferred name, or a nickname.
It’s also important to note that the name should be written clearly and legibly, so that there is no confusion when it comes to sending the invitation. Make sure to write the name in a formal way and avoid using any abbreviations.
When addressing the inner envelope, you should write the name of the invited guest followed by the words “and guest”. This will make it clear to the recipient that they are allowed to bring a plus one to the wedding. However, if you happen to know the name of the plus one, it is always best to include their name as well.
Addressing a wedding invitation to a single person and their plus one requires some attention to detail. It’s important to make it clear whether or not a plus one is allowed, and to address both the outer and inner envelopes with the appropriate names. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are both clear and personalized for each individual recipient.
