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It’s every couple’s nightmare. After months of careful planning, you finally send out your wedding invitations only to realize you made a mistake. Maybe you wrote the wrong time, the wrong date, or even the wrong names, but don’t panic! Mistakes happen, and there are ways to fix them.
If you have made a mistake on your wedding invitations, you can buy an “oops” sticker on Etsy and stick them over the error. You can also send out a correction card or call each guest to inform them about the mistake. Alternatively, talk to your designer or printer to discuss your options.
In this comprehensive guide, I will go in-depth about what to do if you make a mistake on your wedding invitations and how you can correct it without too much stress. I will also discuss whether you can get a refund from your designer or printer.
Common Wedding Invitation Mistakes
Before I get into how to fix a mistake, let’s first take a look at some of the most common mistakes couples make when ordering their wedding invitations:
- Forgetting to include important information. When you’re busy with wedding preparations, it can be easy to overlook even some important details, such as the RSVP date, dress code, or the reception location.
- Sending the wrong information to the printer or designer. Anyone can make a mistake in the spelling of names and addresses. A single mistake on the zip code on the invitation can lead it to be undeliverable, so it’s important to double check.
- Failure to proofread the invitation before sending it out. This is probably the most common mistake couples make! Have a friend or family member read the invitation before you send it to catch any errors.
- Not ordering enough invitations. To avoid this mistake, write a comprehensive guest list before you order your invitations. Add 10-15 extra invitations for any last-minute additions to your guest list.
Not sure when to send your wedding invitations or save the dates? Check out this article on when to send out wedding invitations. And this one for when to send out save the dates.
And if you’re behind, learn more about sending last-minute wedding invitations in this article, The Ultimate Guide to Last Minute Wedding Invitations.
How To Correct a Mistake on Your Wedding Invitations
If you have already printed out or even sent out your invitations and realize you made a mistake, don’t panic! While this might be stressful, remember mistakes happen even to the best of us. The most important thing is to remain calm and take action as quickly as possible.
The cost of wedding invitations can sometimes be quite significant. Luckily, you can choose from several different options to fix a mistake on your wedding invitations:
Need a low-cost option to reprint? Check out my article on the cheapest way to do wedding invitations.
Send Out a Correction Card
If you catch the mistake early enough, you can send out a correction card along with the invitations. This is a simple and easy way to fix an error without reprinting the entire invitation suite.
To do this, simply write out a new card with the correct information and include it with the invitations when you send them out. You can also include a brief note explaining the mistake and apologizing for any inconvenience.
However, if you have already sent out the invitations before realizing the mistake, you can send out the correction card as soon as possible.
If you want to get creative, you can design and print your correction card using a program like Canva. Or order “Change the Date” cards on Etsy. This can be a fun way to incorporate your wedding theme or colors into the correction card. Remember to proofread the card before sending it out to avoid making another mistake!
Call Each Guest
If you realize you made a mistake after the invitations have already been sent out, another option is to call each guest. This might seem daunting, but it’s important to let your guests know about the mistake as soon as possible.
When you call each guest, simply explain the situation and apologize for any inconvenience. You can also use this opportunity to update them with any changes to the information on the invitation.
If you have a lot of guests, you can ask a family member or friend to help you make the calls. This will help speed up the process and alleviate some stress.
You could also send a text if calling isn’t your style. There are even text templates on Etsy.
Buy “Oops” Stickers
One of the easiest and most creative ways to fix a mistake on your wedding invitations is to buy Change the date stickers. These stickers are available on Etsy and can be placed over the error on the invitation.
Oops stickers are available in a range of colors and designs, so you can choose one that best fits your wedding theme. They are also a fun way to add a personal touch and some pizzazz to your invitations.
To use an Oops sticker, simply peel off the back and place it over the mistake. Write the correct information on the sticker, and voila! You’ve successfully fixed the mistake without having to reprint the entire invitation.
What To Do if You Wrote the Wrong Time on Wedding Invitations
You can use an Oops sticker if you wrote the wrong time on your wedding invitations and haven’t sent them out. Write the correct information on the sticker and place it over the mistake. While you can cross out the error with a pen, it’s best to avoid doing this as it can look messy.
You can also send out a correction card with the invitations. Write the correct time on the card and include it with the invitations when you send them out. A brief note explaining the mistake and apologizing for any inconvenience is also a nice touch.
For already sent invitations, call every guest to inform them about the mistake and update them with the correct information. You can also apologize for any inconvenience during the call.
Or consider changing the time if you’re able to without paying a fee with your venue!
How Do You Correct a Date on a Wedding Invitation?
To correct a date on a wedding invitation, you can use an “Oops” sticker or send out a correction card. Write the correct date on the sticker or card, then place it over the mistake.
Alternatively, you can give them a call and inform them that you made a mistake on the date. You can also use the phone call as an opportunity to confirm their attendance and take note of their response on your RSVP list.
Can You Get a Refund On Your Wedding Stationery?
You often can’t get a refund from your printer or designer if you made a mistake with your wedding invitations. Most printers and designers have a clause in their contract that states correcting any errors after the final proof has been approved will be incurred at the client’s expense.
However, it’s always worth asking if there is anything they can do to help alleviate the situation. They may be able to give you a discount on a reprint or offer some other type of assistance. If they are unwilling to budge, you can use online retailers like Zazzle or Minted, who often have discounts and deals on wedding invitations.
Before sending out your invitations for printing, double and triple-check all of the information. Pay close attention to dates, times, contact numbers, names, and addresses to avoid costly mistakes. Get someone else to proofread the invitations before sending them off to be sure there are no errors.
To learn more about whether you should use Minted for your wedding invitations, read my detailed review on Should I Use Minted for My Wedding? A Designer’s Review.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes on your wedding invitations are outright stressful and can cause panic. Luckily, there are several ways to fix them. Use an “Oops” sticker, send out a correction card, or make a phone call to your guests.
Remember to stay calm and take a deep breath. These mistakes are easily fixable, and in the grand scheme of things, they’re not a big deal. Your guests will understand and won’t hold it against you. It’s just paper. Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!
Speaking of places where it’s important to double check the details – have you been keeping up with your wedding budget?
You can check out my free budget guide if you sign up for my newsletter. It automatically calculates what you should spend where based on your budget and guest count and helps you stay on track. It’s like the fairy godmother of numbers.
