Wedding Invites: Include Directions Or Not?

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day, and it's important to get them right. While it's not mandatory to include directions, it's a nice gesture for your guests. In the past, it was proper etiquette to include a map and directions, but now that most people have smartphones, it's not a requirement. However, including directions can be helpful, especially for guests who are unfamiliar with the area or those without a smartphone. At the very least, it's a good idea to include the full address of both the ceremony and reception venues. This ensures that your guests can easily find the locations and don't get unnecessarily stressed. You can include directions on a separate card, known as an enclosure card, or provide a link to your wedding website where guests can access the address directly. Ultimately, the decision to include directions or not is up to the couple, but it's always a safe choice to provide this information to your guests.

Directions are optional, but recommended

Directions are indeed optional, but they are recommended. While guests can easily look up the location of your wedding, it is much more convenient for them if they have the directions printed on paper. In the past, it was considered proper etiquette to include a map and directions in wedding invitations. Now, it is not necessary to include a map as guests can easily access one on their phones. However, it is still a good idea to include directions, especially if your wedding venue is in an area your guests may be unfamiliar with.

There are a few ways to include directions in your wedding invitations. One way is to include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site (if they are separate) on a separate card, also known as an enclosure card, in your wedding invitation suite. This will ensure that your guests can easily find the venue and reduce the stress of driving around, trying to locate it. You can also include a link to your wedding website, where guests can access the address directly and find other helpful links associated with your wedding.

Another option is to include a map or a custom weekend map with your wedding invitations. This can be a cute touch and provide your guests with a visual representation of the location. You can also leave printed directions at the hotel front desk, especially if there is ongoing road work that may affect your guests' ability to reach the venue.

If you choose not to include directions in your wedding invitations, you can still provide this information to your guests in other ways. One way is to list the address of the venue on your wedding website, along with any other relevant details such as transportation information or lodging suggestions. You can also provide directions through a separate card distributed at the ceremony or reception, especially if there are multiple events taking place during the wedding weekend.

While directions are not mandatory, including them can be a thoughtful gesture that makes it easier for your guests to attend your special day.

Include a map for style

Including a map in your wedding invitation is a great way to add a personal touch and enhance the style of your stationery set. While providing clear directions for your guests, it can also serve as a beautiful design element that complements your invitation suite. Here are some tips and ideas for including a map in your wedding invitations with style:

Custom-Illustrated Maps:

Create a custom map that features a beautiful illustration or drawing of your wedding locations. You can hire an artist or work with a stationery designer to create a map that showcases your ceremony and reception venues, along with important landmarks and transportation routes. This adds a unique and elegant touch to your invitations.

Letterpress Printed Maps:

Consider including a letterpress printed map as an additional card in your invitation set. Letterpress maps are known for their gorgeous printing quality and can be a stylish and practical way to guide your guests to your wedding venues. They are especially useful if your venue has specific entry areas or parking directions.

International Weddings:

If you're planning a destination wedding, a map is a wonderful way to excite your guests about the location. Include a general map that shows the country, ceremony and reception locations, nearby accommodation options, and important travel information such as airports and transport routes. This will help your guests visualise their journey and make the necessary arrangements.

Directional Maps:

For weddings with multiple events or locations, include a map that provides clear directions between the ceremony and reception venues. Mark important street names, walking paths, parking areas, and transport options. You can also add written information, such as recommended parking locations and accommodation suggestions, to make it a comprehensive guide for your guests.

DIY Wedding Maps:

If you're crafty and enjoy DIY projects, creating your own wedding map can be a fun and creative process. Use tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Photoshop, or even MS Paint to design your map. Start by tracing over major roads and interstates from a Google Maps screenshot. Add labels, play with line thickness and colours, and include custom graphics or clipart to mark the ceremony and reception locations.

Map Inserts and Enclosure Cards:

When including a map in your invitation, consider presenting it as a separate insert or enclosure card. This ensures that your guests can easily refer to the map without crowding the main invitation card. Choose a style and colour palette that complements your invitation suite, creating a cohesive and stylish impression.

Including a map in your wedding invitation adds a touch of creativity and practicality. It helps your guests navigate to your special day with ease and provides them with a memorable keepsake of your wedding. So, get creative and have fun designing a map that reflects your style and wedding theme!

Provide the full address

Providing the full address is an essential part of wedding invitation etiquette. It ensures your guests can easily find the venue and don't get unnecessarily stressed while driving around. This is especially helpful if they aren't familiar with the area.

The full address should be included on a separate card, known as a directions card or enclosure card. This card should also include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site if the locations are separate.

• Use abbreviations for street names and states if you prefer a more casual invitation (e.g., "St.", "Rd.", "CA").
• Avoid abbreviations for a more formal invitation (e.g., write out "Street", "Road", "California").
• Include the zip code to ensure your guests can easily locate the venue using GPS or maps.
• Double-check the address for accuracy before sending out the invitations.
• Consider including a custom weekend map as an added touch and a keepsake for your guests.
• If you have guests coming from out of town, include hotel recommendations and transportation information on a separate accommodations card.

Remember, while it's not mandatory to include a map with your invitations, it can be a cute touch, especially if you're having a destination wedding.

Directions are useful for guests without smartphones

Directions are incredibly useful for guests without smartphones, and they can be included in a few different ways.

Firstly, it is important to include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site, particularly if they are in different locations. This ensures that guests can easily find the venue and don't get unnecessarily lost or stressed while travelling. This is especially helpful if they are not familiar with the area.

One way to include directions is by using an enclosure card, which can be designed to complement the invitation suite by matching the colour palette, theme, and tone. This card can also include a link to your wedding website, where guests can access the address directly, along with other helpful links.

Another option is to include a map, which is a cute touch and can be helpful for guests to know where to park or find specific locations within the venue. This can be included on the front or back of the invitation, or as a separate insert card.

For weddings with multiple events over a weekend, it is useful to include an itinerary card with the respective dates, times, and locations of each event. This ensures that guests without smartphones can still easily access all the necessary information.

Additionally, it is a good idea to provide accommodation suggestions, particularly for guests travelling from out of town. This can be included on an insert card or the wedding website.

While most people nowadays use smartphones or GPS to navigate, providing directions is a thoughtful gesture, especially for those without smartphones or with limited battery life. It gives guests extra confidence in knowing where to go and ensures they don't have to rely on a good connection to find the venue.

Include a link to your wedding website

Wedding websites are a great way to provide guests with all the information they need for your big day. They can also be a fun activity for you and your partner to do together. Here are some tips for including your wedding website on your invitations:

Including your wedding website on your invitations is the easiest and most common way to share it with your guests. Traditionally, wedding invitations include enclosure cards with critical information for guests. However, many modern couples now opt to include just one enclosure card with their website details, allowing guests to access all the information they need online.

Your wedding website can include details such as:

• Hotel recommendations
• Travel information
• Attire suggestions
• Registry information
• RSVP options
• Your "how we met" story
• Engagement photos
• Wedding day timeline
• Social media hashtags
• FAQs

How to Include Your Wedding Website

When it comes to the design of your invitations, there are a few options for including your wedding website:

• On a separate enclosure card: You can include your wedding website URL or a QR code on an enclosure card. This is a good option if you want to maintain a formal tone to your invitations while still taking advantage of modern tech conveniences.
• On the invitation itself: It is generally considered poor etiquette to include your wedding website on the invitation. However, if you are collecting RSVPs through your website, it is acceptable to add the website to the bottom of the invitation. You could include wording such as: "For more information, please visit [URL]" or "Kindly RSVP by [date] at [URL]".
• On your save-the-date cards: This is the most popular option for sharing your wedding website URL, as it allows guests to access the information as early as possible. If you are using a pre-made design, the template will usually guide you on where to place the URL.

Tips for Your Wedding Website URL

When choosing a URL for your wedding website, it is best to keep it short and straightforward. Use something easy for your guests to remember, such as your names. Here are some other tips:

• Be concise to limit errors when guests enter your URL.
• Watch your spelling—avoid unusual spellings that may cause confusion.
• Include your first names, last names, or nicknames.
• Consider puns, alliteration, or rhyming words if they fit with your names.
• Avoid ampersands, hyphens, and numbers, as these can be forgotten or mistaken.
• If you can't find an available domain name, try a different extension such as .net or .love.

Frequently asked questions