Invitations are one of the important elements of a wedding. That’s because they provide guests with crucial information. And while some details of the wedding don’t follow a strict set of rules, invitations (for the most part) do. Here are the answers to the most pressing wedding-invite-related questions.

When it’s best to send out invitations according to the wedding etiquette?

Normally, invitations go out six to eight weeks before the wedding — that gives the guests enough time to free up their schedules and make the needed travel arrangements if they don’t live in town. If it’s a destination wedding, guests should have more time, so it is better to send out the invitations three months ahead of time.

The wedding is only for adults (no kids). How to make sure this is clear to the guests?

If the invitations are addressed correctly—to each guest by name, not “and guest”—then, the guests should understand that the invite is meant only for those mentioned. If some of the guests reply with their children’s names added, call them and explain that the wedding is only for adults and hope they can still attend. Newlyweds can even arrange for a babysitter if the family is big and there are a lot of kids. It’s not necessary, but it’s a nice gesture.

How to let guests know the dress code?

The dress code can be included in the lower right-hand corner of the invite or on a reception card. The most common and acceptable dress codes are “black tie,” “casual attire,” and “cocktail attire.” The design of the invitation will also clue guests in. A more formal invite with letterpress and calligraphy suggests the formal nature of the event, whereas a square invite with bright colors and playful font would fit a much more casual style.

If the wedding reception is limited to immediate family, is it good to invite other people to the ceremony? What is the wedding etiquette for this?

Not really. Everyone who is going to attend the ceremony (or engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding reception) should be invited to the wedding—that means the ceremony and the reception.

Is it acceptable to refuse a friend who wants to bring someone unpopular to the wedding?

As a rule, wedding invitations are nontransferable when people are invited by name. People who don’t want a particular person to attend the wedding can explain that they’re not friendly with his/her friend’s proposed guest, and they would prefer the wedding be limited to very good friends and family.

You may know Kate Middleton as the Duchess of Cambridge, but to her children, she’s just “mum.” Since Kate became a mother in 2013, we’ve watched as she juggled raising her family with her royal duties.

For most moms, dealing with tantrums is all a part of the job. For Kate, it is a little different, considering she has all eyes on her. At her sister Pippa’s wedding in May 2017, George started acting up. Kate was not having it, and she gave him a scolding, she even wagged her finger at him. George burst into tears, but Kate would not give in. She gave him a timeout until he started behaving again, so it only goes to show you that even the mother of the possible future king has to deal with stubborn toddlers.

One lesson Kate has learned from being a mother is that it is okay to accept help. A day after leaving the hospital with their first son, Prince George, Kate and William stayed with Kate’s mom and dad for many weeks. Her mother, Carole, helped adjust to her new life as a mother, keeping the new family fed and at ease. Carole changed diapers and did laundry, helping Kate with one of the biggest transitions in life.

Kate has her major mom moments, one of her most memorable ones happened when Charlotte was born. Hours after the royal couple welcomed Princess Charlotte into the world, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped outside of the Lindo Wing to show off their daughter to the world. The Princess was wrapped in a wool blanket and wore a bonnet, but that didn’t stop Kate from worrying that she would get cold. Kate whispered to her husband if she thought she was cold, to which he replied: “She’s fast asleep.”

Kate talks openly about how motherhood is a constant challenge, revealing that she felt that for mothers, the moment you have the baby, you are always questioning your decisions and judgments. She explains that it is hard and that at times she feels “mommy guilt” but that alongside the hardships, she is such a hands-on mom that whatever she does, she knows she is doing the best job she can for her children.

Before their royal tour of Pakistan in October 2019, the couple made sure to save enough time before they left to drop the kids off. Kate revealed that she feels guilty when her kids ask her why she isn’t dropping them off at school that day. Although Kate and William are regulars at the school drop off, there are instances when Kate is forced to miss them. George and Charlotte, who attend the same school, asked her, “Mommy, how could you possibly not be dropping us off at school this morning?”

Kate was not a part of the bridal party at her sister, Pippa Middleton’s wedding – she had the important role of being the “official mom” of all the children in attendance at the wedding. Looking regal as ever in her Alexander McQueen dress, she escorted the cute and well-dressed gang of children, ensuring that they behaved themselves. Leading them into the church, she made sure they were on their best behavior, at one point, she even turned around to shush the kids.

Discipline is important to Kate, another tip she recieved from The Modern Mother’s Handbook is to give your kids three counts to complete a task, or it is off to timeout. Believe it or no, there is a timeout chair in Kensington Palace. Not every behavior is worth getting upset over, and sometimes it is better to laugh and hug it out. Kate is learning the balance between knowing when to draw the line and when to allow her kids to “act out.”

On Christmas Day, Kate was accompanied to church by her husband, Prince William. For the first time, the couple was joined by their two eldest children, George and Charlotte who both wore suits. Once again, Kate made a point of matching her and her family’s outfits, even if it was less obvious than the family’s usual color-coordinated looks. Princess Charlotte wore an emerald green coat that matched her mother’s headpiece, clutch and heels.

One of Kate’s favorite parenting books is The Modern Mother’s Handbook: How to Raise a Happy, Healthy, Smart, Disciplined, and Interesting Child, Starting from Birth. The book encourages mom to not just sing to her children but to buy music that she can play around her house. Kate takes this advice further by dancing, singing, and playing instruments with her three kids. Kensington Palace is full of music, and positive energy, something that Kate hopes continues as her children grow.

Kate is very outspoken about raising emotionally intelligent children. She explained that like most parents today, she and William would not hesitate to seek help for their children if they needed it. The parents encourage George, Charlotte, and Louis to speak about their feelings and give them the tools and support they need as they grow older. It is also important to Kate that the children grow up to be supportive peers to their friends.

While visiting the Aga Khan Center in London, Kate mentioned to MasterChef winner Sliha Mahmood Ahmed that she really enjoys making curry, but that she often finds herself whipping up multiple version to suit every one of her family member’s needs. “It’s such a hard job cooking curry with the family, though. The children have a portion with no spice,” she explained. She noted that her husband’s portion was medium and that her personal preference is spicy.

Believe it or not, Kate revealed that she loves baking the kids’ birthday cakes. It has become a treasured tradition for her. She gushed about staying up late with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing – admitting she makes far too much but that she loves it. Admitting to using cake mix is a big step for a royal, considering the family is expected to want the very best of the best.

Kate is taking many of the qualities her parents taught her and hoping to pass them onto her children. Some of the most crucial qualities are kindness, respect, and honesty. She understands how central and important those values were to her throughout her life, and how they continue to be of value to her as she mothers her children. In her view, those qualities are just as important as excelling at maths or sports, and she hopes that her children value those attributes as she does.

Regardless of her parents’ efforts to shelter their children from the press, every photograph of Charlotte causes media chaos. Charlotte is considered a major children’s style icon. For clothing retailers, having their products appear in photographs of the Princess is very beneficial. When Charlotte was born in 2015, several landmarks were illuminated in pink to mark her birth. A year later, she made her first public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

In December of 2019, Kate was named the new Royal Patron of Family Action, assuming the position the Queen passed down to her after 65 years. It comes as no surprise as the Duchess spent much of the last nine years meeting charities and organizations in hopes of making families and communities stronger. Being the mother of three children, Kate has become somewhat of a mother figure towards everyone she meets.

Charlotte is a royal sweetheart, but that doesn’t mean the Princess doesn’t have a little sass in her. After a sailing race, Kate told Charlotte to wave at the crowd, but instead, she stuck her tongue out to everyone looking. The Duchess was shocked (and somewhat amused) by the gesture, making a face and pulling her away quickly. She laughed it off, making sure her daughter understood that it is okay to goof around from time to time.

Kate is exposing her kids to as many fun, cool, and different experiences as possible. Considering she has three very different children, it takes time and patience to allow each one of them to express themselves fully. Kate encourages George’s love of motorcycles, planes, and helicopters. At the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Kate gets right down on George’s level to share his excitement at all the planes. She does the same for Charlotte, who is becoming a horse lover, and even though Kate doesn’t share the same passion for riding, she is encouraging her daughter to.

Kate’s motherly instincts shine through in almost everything she does. Her first Instagram post was even accompanied by a personal message about children. The Duchess shared a series of photos from her and Prince William’s visit to the SOS Children’s Village, an organization in Lahore. In the post, she explained how the SOS Village is built around family, the kind of family where everyone comes together to nurture and love the children in their care.

The average number of children for a British family in 2019 is 1.7, so it comes as somewhat of a surprise that Kate and William have three. What is even more surprising is that Kate is keen on having a fourth child. She loves children and is prepared to put herself through another pregnancy even though her last two have been complicated by severe morning sickness. Although she admits she is ready for four, she understands that William would be a little worried if they had a fourth child.

The Duchess of Cambridge took her three children to the polo, to support Prince William, who was taking part in a charity match. The family may be royal, but at the match, they proved that they are just a family. They had a picnic out of the trunk of their car. Kate sat on the grass with her three playful children while they enjoyed the sun and snacks. Kate was joined by her sister in law, Meghan Markle, who brought baby Archie to cheer on Prince Harry, who was also playing in the match.

Royal children are no different than other kids their age, they love a bedtime story. According to their father, William, the three children love being read to before they’re put to bed. The royal couple has even been preparing Prince George for his future role as king by explaining it like a storybook. William and Kate have been talking to George and Charlotte about what their roles will soon entail, but they are sure to do it in a “child-like” way so that the children understand without feeling overwhelmed.

Due to her morning sickness, Kate wasn’t able to take George to his first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea. The young boy was sad and looked a little lost without his mother by his side, but Kate was at home worrying. During a speech a few months later, she admitted that it wasn’t easy for her. “As a mother, just getting used to leaving my own child at the school gates, it is clear to me that it takes a whole community to help raise a child,” she said.

Trooping The Colour is one of the royal family’s biggest celebrations. For those who are unfamiliar, the annual ceremony honors the birthday of the British sovereign. The parade is also known as the Queen’s birthday parade – as the guards march past, the marches are played by the massed and mounted bands. As they march, the Royal Family observes them from the balcony. Prince William and Kate participate in the parade every year, and as their family grows, so does the celebration.

The Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was one of the biggest highlights of 2018. It was a worldwide event that brought in a global audience of hundreds of millions. With the amount of coverage that the royal event received, it is no surprise that Kate and William’s children caught viewers’ attention. Charlotte and the other bridesmaids wore while dressed while the boys wore black suits. The poised Princess was on her best behavior waving to her uncle and his soon-to-be wife – it was a moment that stole millions of viewers’ hearts.

For the most part, Kate is a responsible and busy mom. But, every once in awhile, she is also a forgetful one. When she took George and Charlotte back-to-school shopping for shoes, the mother of three forgot one important thing – socks. The Duchess took the kids to a shoe store in London, and seeing as both kids were in sandals, she was expected to pack socks. Luckily, the shop let them borrow socks to try on their new shoes.

In early 2017, Kate visited Wick Court farm in Arlingham, England. Wick Court is a part of the Farms for City Children initiative, which gives urban children across the UK the opportunity to live and worth together in the countryside for one week. Kate read about the project and asked if she could visit the charity to hear more about their work. Kate met with children from a primary school in London, they ate lunch together, and the kids gave her a tour of the house where they were staying. Kate was very open, telling the students about her house and sharing stories about her children.

In December 2019, Kate made an outing to Peterley Manor Farm in Buckinghamshire to broaden her understanding of the charity Family Action. The Duchess was dressed in festive colors, wearing a bright red puffer jacket and a green sweater. Kate visited the Elf Workshop with children from Family Action preschools to help them choose Christmas trees and make decorations. The children were excited, and the parents were a little nervous, but Kate put them at ease immediately, it was important to her that everyone was having a good time.

When Prince George took part in his first royal commitment, he became overwhelmed by the loud noises. The Royal International Air Tattoo was too loud for the three-year-old, but Kate was quick to pick him up to calm him. She continued to talk to him in an understanding tone. The young prince stopped crying instantly – he calmed down and was off to see the planes. The most inspirational part about the ordeal was that Kate kept calm while the whole world witnessed her son having a tantrum.

There is some advice Kate took that may come as somewhat of a shock. She is teaching her children that if another kid takes their toys, it is OK to ask for them back. Children cannot understand sharing if they do not understand the concept of possession first. Although it may come as somewhat of a surprise – teaching children to be “selfish,” at the end of the day, it will teach them the concept of sharing.

Prince Louis of Cambridge is the third and youngest child of William and Kate. The little prince is the fifth in line of succession to the British throne. When Loius was born, bells rang at Westminster Abbey, along with salutes from the Tower of London and Hyde Park. Kate revealed that the youngest of her three children is very attached to her and that when she heads out, he says, “me, me, me.” The young prince wants to go everywhere with his mom, and can we blame him?

Prince George of Cambridge, the eldest child of Prince William and Kate, is third in the line of succession to the British throne. Apart from the fact that George turned the Duchess into a mother, the prince is expected to become king one day. His birth in 2013 was widely celebrated across the country and world. George accompanies his parents on royal tours, meeting leaders of various countries since he was a toddler.

The “Prince George effect” or the “royal baby effect” is that clothing and products that have been identified as used by the little prince tend to sell better than they had before they were associated with him. In 2015, the young child was ranked number 49 on GQ’s “50 Best Dressed Men in Britain.” As he grows, his style grows with him, and in 2018 he became the youngest person to appear on Tatler’s best-dressed list. Although his siblings have also been part of the “royal baby effect,” there is something about George that the media can’t seem to get enough of.

The Duchess works hard, but she also knows how to have a good laugh. There are many pictures of Kate laughing – a laugh that so big, it is hard to not smile yourself! During her royal appearances, she can usually be spotted breaking out in laughter. The Duchess has been laughing with William for years – whenever the two are together, it looks like Middleton cannot get enough of her husband. By the looks of it, Prince Louis is following in his father’s footsteps.

She may be a duchess, but she is also a tough woman. Kate has endured pregnancies with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a condition that causes severe morning sickness. The Duchess was hospitalized during her first pregnancy with George, then again with Charlotte. Her doctors warned her that most women who suffer from HG, suffer throughout all their pregnancies. The disease often requires nutrition supplements and extra hydration, and seeing as Kate endured the symptoms through her first two pregnancies, she was well-equipped for the third.

For Kate, the kids always come first. The Duchess was not able to accompany William to the Tusk Conservation Awards in London due to an undisclosed matter relating to their children. Kensington Palace did release a statement, “The duchess is no longer able to attend the Tusk awards due to the children,” a palace spokesperson said. “She will still, however, meet finalists at a tea at Kensington Palace this afternoon. The duke, as a patron, will attend both.”

William and Kate are used to the hardships that come with parenting – having three children is no joke. When Harry and Meghan welcomed their son Archie, William poked fun at his younger brother, welcoming him into “the sleep deprivation society.” The birth of Archie also meant that her children would have a new cousin to play with. “With Louis and Charlotte just having their birthdays, it’s a great time of year to have a baby,” she said.

Kate has been very open about the joys and struggles of parenthood. “It’s so hard. You get a lot of support with the baby as a mother, particularly in the early days, but after the age of one, it falls away. After that, there isn’t a huge amount, lots of books to read.”

Kate is so fond of children there are moments she would rather spend time with kids than with her husband. Well, that is somewhat of an exaggeration, but she would rather spend time with children than watch sports with him. Instead of attending a soccer game with him, the Duchess joined 150 guests for a performance of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in London’s Kensington Gardens. The Duchess’s outfit choice was simple, Kate opted for a teal Zara dress paired with a blazer.

Along with Kate’s mother, Carole, William and Kate have a full-time nanny, Maria Borrallo. The live-in nanny takes care of the three children when the royal couple is at regal events and engagements. Maria started working for the family in 2014 when George was eight months old. The Spanish native is in charge of teaching the children Spanish and was taught everything from defensive driving to security issues. Along with her many responsibilities, Maria lets the kids be kids.

Everyone views the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as the perfect couple – their three beautiful children turn them into the perfect family. But how did it all start? Middleton and Prince William met in 2001 when they were students at the University of St Andrews. Rumors have it that Kate caught William’s eye when they were at a charity event. The couple started dating in 2003, although their relationship remained unconfirmed. After a breakup in 2007, they rekindled their relationship and have been unstoppable ever since!

Despite living in the public’s eye, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are determined to give their three children as normal of an upbringing as possible. In 2016, Kate and William invited just one photographer to photograph their first family holiday with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who were two years and ten months old respectively at the time. It was the cute young Charlotte’s first experience playing in the snow. The couple commits a significant amount of time keeping their children out of the public eye.

Kate has become a fashion icon, both within the royal family and around the world. She has been known for her eco-conscious fashion choices and often recycles gowns and dress-coats. What the world may not know is that she also uses her clothes as a spit cloth. While visiting in Australia, with George, the combination of teething and excitement led to some major drooling. It was no big deal for his mother, who wiped it all on her dress and carried on.

After giving birth, it looked like Kate was living the dream, she looked perfect, and so obviously,  everyone thought that that was the way she was feeling. The Duchess admitted that she felt overwhelmed by motherhood. “Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother,” she said. In an interview talking to William, she remembered the first few days with George. She reminisced, talking about how no matter how many books you read, nothing can prepare you for parenthood.

The royal family is known for matching colors on various occasions, the color of choice usually being a deep blue. Kate and her family wore blue on their 2016 Royal Tour to Canada. The family was greeted by hundreds of fans escatic about their visit. Charlotte and George were busy being kids, so the family didn’t get a decent family photo, but the press photos that were shot of them were cute enough. They looked more majestic than ever in royal blue.

Nature is an important element Kate wants to ensure her children enjoy. She feels that nature and being interactive outdoors has huge benefits on children’s physical and mental wellbeing. Middleton helped collaborate with landscape architects on the Royal Horticultural Society Back to Nature Garden, a playful woodland oasis inspired by her childhood memories. The Duchess hopes to inspire families to enjoy nature and the outdoors, that in her opinion, gardens are a natural and creative place for them to play.