How to Proof-Read Your Wedding Invitations

When you order your wedding invitations or stationery, you’ll always receive a proof to review and approve before printing. This step is essential to ensure all the details are accurate—after all, only you know the correct spellings of names, the event date and time, and your contact information. However, proofreading isn’t always easy.

I learned this the hard way when I once sent out invitations for the “Unveiling of the Plague” instead of the “Unveiling of the Plaque.” While it was amusing in hindsight, it taught me a valuable lesson: you often read what you expect to see, not what’s actually there. To help you avoid costly mistakes, here are some tried-and-true proofreading tips.

No matter how diligent you are, mistakes can slip through when you’ve been staring at the same text for too long. Ask someone else—preferably someone who’s detail-oriented and good at spelling—to check your wedding invitations. Because they won’t be familiar with the content, they’re more likely to spot errors that you might overlook.

One of the most common mistakes on wedding invitations is mismatched dates and days. You might write “Saturday” but accidentally type the wrong date, like the 12th instead of the 13th. Always consult a calendar to verify that your chosen date corresponds with the correct day of the week.

Typos involving times can cause major stress on your wedding day. A wrong time on the invitation can lead to guests or even members of the wedding party arriving late or early. Use this proofreading step as an excuse to double-check with your venue(s) and confirm your booking. Once verified, ensure the correct time is clearly written on your invitations.

Make sure the venue name and address are accurate. It’s surprisingly easy to make mistakes, especially if there are multiple locations with similar names. Enter the postcode into Google Maps or a satnav to confirm the address brings up the correct venue. Additionally, if the venue recently rebranded or changed names, ensure your invitation reflects the most current details.

Misspelling someone’s name, especially that of a close family member or future in-law, can cause unintended offence. Double-check everyone’s names with your partner to ensure all spellings are correct.

Whether it’s an email address, phone number, or website, always test your RSVP details. Call the number, send a test email, or visit the website to ensure everything works as intended. It’s easy to accidentally mistype a single digit or letter, and a small error can result in missed RSVPs.

For a thorough review, read each line from right to left. This technique forces you to focus on individual words rather than the expected flow of sentences. It breaks your brain’s natural tendency to gloss over mistakes, making typos easier to spot.

If you’ve been proofreading for a long time, your eyes will tire, and your brain will start filling in gaps without realising it. Take short breaks between proofreading sessions to return with a fresh perspective.

As stationers, we do our best to catch typographical errors, but much of the information on a wedding invitation is personal and unique to you. We may not be able to distinguish a typo from an intentional spelling or detail.

By spending just 10 to 15 minutes carefully proofreading your invitation, you can avoid potentially embarrassing mistakes, costly reprints, and unnecessary stress before your big day.

Proofreading your wedding invitations may not be the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it’s certainly one of the most important. From verifying names and dates to testing RSVP details, following these steps ensures your invitations are flawless.

A little extra effort at the proofreading stage can save you time, money, and frustration down the line. So, take your time, follow these tips, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your invitations are perfect!