Creative Ways To Design Horizontal Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are often the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to make a statement. While traditional wedding invitations are usually vertical, horizontal wedding invitations have become an increasingly popular option in recent years, offering a modern and unique twist. Horizontal invitations, also known as landscape-oriented invitations, provide several advantages. They allow for more creativity and flexibility in design, giving you extra space for design elements such as floral patterns or fancy calligraphy. This orientation can also make your invite stand out and be more memorable, almost like a piece of art. Additionally, they are more practical for including certain types of information, such as maps, directions, and special instructions, which can be especially helpful for guests who are unfamiliar with the locations.

Advantages of horizontal wedding invitations

Horizontal wedding invitations, also known as landscape-oriented invitations, offer several advantages over their vertical counterparts. Firstly, they provide more space for creativity and design elements. This format allows you to incorporate intricate details, such as floral patterns or calligraphy, giving your invitations a unique and elegant touch. The horizontal layout also provides more space for text, which is ideal if you have additional information to include, such as maps or directions to the wedding venue.

Another benefit of horizontal wedding invitations is their ability to stand out. While vertical invitations are the most common, a horizontal orientation can make your invitation memorable and visually appealing, almost like a piece of art. This format can also be more practical, especially if you have a lot of information to convey. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, horizontal invitations are less likely to blow away than vertical ones.

The horizontal format also offers flexibility in terms of design. You can mix and match designs, fonts, and colors to create a truly personalized invitation. This format is perfect for contemporary, traditional, or modern weddings, as it adds a modern twist to the traditional invitation. Furthermore, horizontal wedding invitations can be cost-effective, with some providers offering custom designs at affordable prices.

Overall, choosing a horizontal wedding invitation allows you to showcase your unique style and creativity. With more space for design elements and text, you can create an invitation that captures the attention of your family and friends, setting the tone for your special day.

Customising your wedding invitations

• Choose a design that reflects your wedding theme: Select a design that ties in with the overall style and theme of your wedding. For example, if you're planning a rustic wedding, consider a simple invite printed on recycled brown paper. Or, if you're having a more modern celebration, opt for a minimalist design.
• Add personal touches: Include personal touches such as a photo of you and your partner, or use colours that match your wedding colour palette. You can also add special details like floral patterns, fancy calligraphy, or a map to your wedding venue.
• Experiment with different papers and printing methods: Choose a heavier paper weight to ensure your invitations feel substantial and luxurious. Consider a matte or uncoated finish for a more elegant touch. For a cost-effective option, digital printing is a great choice, while letterpress or foil stamping can create a high-end look.
• Pay attention to wording and layout: Keep the wording on your invitations simple and concise, and prioritise important information such as the date, time, and location. If you're using a horizontal invitation, consider breaking up the text into columns or using creative alignment to make it easy to read.
• Include additional elements: Think about adding RSVP cards, enclosures for directions or accommodations, and custom envelopes to complete your invitation suite. You can even carry your chosen horizontal design through to other wedding stationery, such as save-the-date cards, programs, or thank-you cards.
• Order samples and proofs: Before finalising your design, order a sample to see how your invitation will look and feel. You can also request a digital proof to share with your partner, friends, or wedding planner and get their feedback.
• Customise your envelopes: Don't forget to choose envelopes that fit your horizontal invitations. You may need to order custom envelopes or adjust your design to fit standard sizes. You can also add a personalised touch by including your return address and a polite phrase requesting a response, such as "respond if you please" (RSVP).

By following these steps and adding your own creative flair, you can design stunning wedding invitations that will build excitement for your big day and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Wedding invitation sizes

Wedding invitations come in all shapes and sizes, and the standard size is a 5"x7" card, which can be oriented both vertically or horizontally. This classic style should have enough room for most of your text as long as the design is not too elaborate.

If you want to include more information, you could opt for a tall invitation, also known as a thin or skim invitation, which is a 4"x9" style. This is helpful if you have a lot of logistics to include and want to avoid additional inserts.

For a bold design with more information, a large invitation could work well, with dimensions of around 6"x8" or 7"x9". Square cards are also an option, with a standard size of around 5"x5".

If you want to keep all your wedding information in one place, a booklet invitation is a creative choice, with multiple pages that can be closed with grommets, string, or ribbons.

Other factors to consider when choosing your invitation sizes include ensuring that it can fit all the necessary information and that your budget accommodates the cost of larger invitations and additional postage.

Wedding invitation wording

Wedding invitations should include the following:

The Host Line

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation. However, it is becoming more common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts. If the couple is hosting, you can skip the host line or start with a warm introduction, such as "Together with full hearts". If the couple is hosting with their parents, you can opt for something like "Together with their parents".

Honouring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include them alongside one of the couple's names. For example, "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez".

The Request Line

This is where you invite guests to attend your wedding. Here are some options:

• "The pleasure of your company"
• "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used to denote a religious service)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

The Action Line

This is where you outline what you are inviting guests to share in. Here are some options:

• "At the marriage of their daughter" (if the bride's parents are hosting)
• "At the marriage of their children" (if both sets of parents are hosting)
• "At the celebration of their union" (if the couple is hosting)
• "As they say 'I do'!"
• "In celebration of their marriage"

The Couple Line

This is where you include the names of the couple. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or based on what looks best. Traditionally, middle names are included for very formal weddings.

The Date and Time

The date and time should be spelled out in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon".

The Location

List the venue name and city, state on separate lines. For formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out. The venue's street address is not usually included unless the venue is a private residence.

The Reception Information

If the reception is at the same location, you can simply say "Reception to follow". If it is at a different location, list the venue on a separate line or on a reception card. Include the time if the reception is not immediately after the ceremony.

The Dress Code

This is optional, but it can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it must be included on the invitation.

The Wedding Website

It is best not to print your wedding website on the main invitation card. Instead, include it on a reception or additional information card.

Additional invitation pieces

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to make a statement! While the invitation itself is the most important part, there are several other pieces that can be included to provide guests with more information. These additional pieces can be designed to match the invitation and can include:

• RSVP cards: Response cards are one of the most important things to include in a wedding invitation. Unless a couple decides to use an online RSVP system, a physical response card is standard. A response card, once mailed back, confirms whether or not the guest will attend and allows them to indicate if they are bringing a guest and their meal preference.
• Reception cards: If your wedding reception is at a different location than the ceremony, include a separate card with the reception information, including the type of reception (cocktail, formal, dinner, etc.), directions, and/or a map.
• Directions/lodging cards: Directions are especially important for weddings with locations that are far away or difficult to find. Lodging information can also be included, letting guests know where they will be staying and how to get to and from their hotel during the wedding weekend.
• Accommodations cards: If you have guests coming in from out of town, an accommodations card will let them know which hotel you've reserved a room block at, along with any special codes or booking deadlines.
• Weekend schedule/events cards: If your wedding will span a weekend and include multiple events, it's helpful to include an itinerary for guests. This can include information on any pre- or post-wedding activities such as a welcome cocktail party or a day-after brunch.
• Belly bands, wax seals, or customized stamps: These elements add a finishing touch to your invitation suite by holding everything together or adding a special mark. Belly bands are typically made of string or paper/fabric and can increase postage costs if they increase the size of your envelopes. Wax seals also typically require additional postage due to special processing requirements.

Frequently asked questions