Invites and Paper
andisummers94
San Antonio, TX
member
Real names vs. nicknames on STDs / Invites

Hi y'all,
I'm recently engaged and just starting to plan things. My fiancee and I were wondering about real names vs. nicknames in our save the dates and invitations.
My full name is Andrea but I've gone by Andi my whole life. NOBODY calls me Andrea- not friends, family. The only exception is like, the bank and other formal places. Likewise, my fiancee's full name is Cameron but he goes by Cam a lot of the time. Though people do refer to him as Cameron occasionally (grandparents, etc).
Should we go for real names on both our save the dates and invitations? Or just the invitations? Or neither? Does it matter if we're having a fancier wedding (we're probably not, super low budget)? Help!!
Re: Real names vs. nicknames on STDs / Invites
But if literally nobody except family knows you as Andrea and Cameron and you ARE having a formal affair where you plan to use your given names, you may want to include a picture on your save the dates so people know who is getting married.
In terms of given names or nick names for GUESTS, I would err on the side of given names regardless of formality. So instead of "Jim and Peg Smith" you'd go with "Ms. Margaret Smith and Mr. James Smith". Know what I mean?
I agree with @southernbelle0915 that if you're having a more formal wedding, then you should use full names for both yourselves and your guests on your invitations and forgo nicknames.
You can put out advance notice by word of mouth to any guests who might not recognize your full names to expect invitations from Andrea and Cameron as opposed to Andi and Cam.
I use my middle name, and have a ton of family with a shared surname. There were definitely people who wouldn't have known who I was with just my real name. I did middle on STD, full on invitation. Everyone was able to figure it out. Likewise, I think people will be pretty quick to figure out that Andi and Cam are Andrea and Cameron. If you went by Anita, they might be left wondering.
For guests, I used full names on the outer envelopes, and if there was a nickname or different name I usually call them, I used that on the inner envelope. If you're just doing outer envelopes, I would stick with full/formal names.
For invitations, I would use formal names, for both your guests and yourselves. You can do things like sign your thank you cards with your usual names.
As for ADDRESSING envelopes. that is a matter of choice.
Remember, your name choice may change as you get older. Someone who uses a cute nickname in their 20s might not feel that it fits them as their career advances. Supreme Court Justice Boopsie Smith?
When addressing envelopes to our guests, we used the version of their name that they prefer. No ridiculous nicknames (like Boopsie, CMG I'm dying!), but Bob for Robert, etc.