Designing Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide For Couples

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process as they give your guests a first glimpse of your special day. There are many options available, from elegant calligraphy to playful designs, and it can be a daunting task to choose the right invites and ensure they are sent out on time. The type and style of your invitation can set the tone for the wedding, providing your guests with important information about the big day. This paragraph aims to provide an introduction to the topic of wedding invitations, covering their history, design process, and the key considerations for couples.

When to send them

The timing of sending out your wedding invitations is crucial and depends on several factors. Firstly, it is important to send out 'Save the Date' cards before the invitations. These typically go out around 4-6 months before the wedding, giving guests enough time to plan. For destination weddings or weddings with many out-of-town guests, it is considerate to send these even earlier (6-12 months in advance).

Wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests plenty of time to reply and make travel arrangements. It also allows you to get a final headcount and complete your seating plan. If your wedding is a destination wedding or during a busy holiday season, it is courteous to send invitations out a little earlier (10-12 weeks in advance).

It is important not to send out invitations too early, as guests may forget the details or lose the invitation. Similarly, sending them too late may result in a lower guest attendance.

What to include

Wedding invitations are the guests' first glimpse into your special day, so it's important to include all the necessary information and make them shine. Here's what to include when creating your wedding invitations:

The Basics

Start with the essential details: the names of the couple, the wedding date, time, and venue name and location. It is also customary to include who is hosting the wedding, usually with a request line such as "request the honor of your presence." Don't forget to include RSVP information and a deadline for responses, typically two to three weeks before the wedding.

Additional Details

While the invitation should include the key details, you can include extra information on separate enclosure cards. This could be directions to the venue, details of post-wedding activities, and the dress code. If you have a wedding website, include the URL on the invitation or enclosure card so guests can find more information about accommodations, the registry, and any other wedding details.

Optional Extras

You may also want to include response or RSVP cards, and a map or direction information, especially if your venue is hard to find. It is also proper etiquette to include stamped and addressed envelopes for guests to return their responses.

Design and Style

The style of your invitation can match the theme and formality of your wedding. Consider your wedding colours and motifs, and whether you want to incorporate these into your invitations for a cohesive look across your wedding stationery. You may want to use colourful or metallic fonts, envelopes, and liners, but be sure to keep the text legible, avoiding light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds.

Timing

Finally, remember to give yourself enough time to order and send out your invitations. Save-the-dates should go out eight to ten months before the wedding, and invitations should be sent eight to ten weeks before the big day.

Design and style

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, so it's important to get them right. The style of your invitation can set the tone for the wedding, and there are endless options to choose from.

Firstly, it's a good idea to know your wedding style. Are you going for a formal or casual vibe? Modern or boho? Knowing your colour scheme will also help guide your choices. If you have a wedding planner, they can help with this.

The invitation should also hint at the formality of your wedding. For example, a classic and elegant wedding might have ivory, cream, or white cardstock with a black or gold font, while a city loft wedding might have a modern font and a minimal design. You can also incorporate your wedding colours and motifs into the invitations and carry them throughout the rest of your wedding paper, like escort cards, menus, and programs.

There are many printing styles to consider, from letterpress to engraving, and foil or letterpress. You can also add extras like envelope liners, multiple enclosures, and custom designs, but these will add to the cost.

When it comes to the text, avoid light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds. Yellow and pastel colours can be tough to read, so ensure the background has enough contrast for the words to stand out. Also, be wary of hard-to-read fonts like overly scripted typefaces. You want your invitation to be legible and elegant.

Some popular design trends for wedding invitations include:

• Blooms & Botanicals: Floral patterns, pressed botanicals, and lush greenery for a romantic, nature-inspired look.
• Vintage Vibes: Soft pastel colours and delicate vintage motifs like bows and ribbons for a timeless, elegant feel.
• New Rustic: Rustic charm with modern sophistication, featuring sunflowers and warm tones.
• Dreamy Destinations: Tailoring the design to reflect the wedding's destination, such as beach or mountain themes.
• Bold Type: Playing up the text with the couple's names or a fun phrase as the focal point, often with a neutral colour palette and mixed typography.
• Pretty & Playful: Whimsical fonts and bold colours for a casual wedding celebration.

Remember, your invitation is a little preview of your wedding, so have fun with it and get creative!

How many to order

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to order the right amount. You don't want to be left with too many, but you also need to make sure you have enough. Here are some tips to help you determine how many wedding invitations to order:

Number of Households vs. Number of Guests

Firstly, it's important to remember that you need to count by the number of households, not the number of guests. Many couples make the mistake of ordering one invitation for each guest. As a rule of thumb, for every 200 guests, you will only need around 100 invitations. If you have a guest list of 200, you will likely only need around 100 invitations. This is because couples, as well as families with children, will only need one invitation.

Order Extra Invitations

It is recommended to order at least 10-25 extra invitations to have a buffer. This will cover any last-minute additions to the guest list, invitations that get lost in the mail, and any you may want to keep as a memento. It is also much more cost-effective to order a few extra now than to reorder additional prints later. You may also want to give a couple of invitations to your photographer to include in their shots, as well as keeping a few for yourself and your family.

Order Extra Envelopes

If you are hiring a calligrapher to address your invitations or plan to do them yourself, it is a good idea to order 20% extra envelopes in case of mistakes. However, if your stationer will be printing addresses on the envelopes, or if you are using envelope labels, you may not need to order any extra.

Timing

It is recommended to order your wedding invitations 4-9 months in advance of your wedding date. This allows time for any delays and gives you ample time to add any extra touches, such as embellishments and calligraphy.

Ordering wedding invitations can be a stressful task, but with a bit of planning, you can ensure you have the right amount. Remember to count by households, order a few extra, and allow plenty of time, and you'll be well prepared for your big day.

Envelopes and postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, the envelopes and postage are just as important as what's inside. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations reach your guests without a hitch:

Envelope Sizing and Postage

The standard wedding invitation size is a 4.5-inch-by-6.25-inch rectangular card. This size typically fits into a C5, C6, or A7 envelope. However, some couples opt for larger or non-traditional sizes, such as square or scalloped invitations. Keep in mind that veering away from standard envelope sizes may increase your postage costs. Bulky or extra-large invitations will cost more to send, so it's important to factor this into your budget.

Timing and Mailing

It's recommended to send out your save-the-dates 8-12 months before the wedding and your invitations 3-12 weeks before, depending on whether your wedding is local or a destination wedding. When preparing your invitations for mailing, weigh a complete invitation (enclosures and all) at the post office to ensure you're affixing the correct amount of postage. This will save you the hassle of having invitations returned due to insufficient postage.

Return Envelopes and Postage

If you're requesting RSVPs by mail, remember to include a stamped and addressed return envelope to make it easy for your guests to respond. Traditionally, the return envelopes should be addressed to whoever is hosting the wedding. However, if your parents are technically hosting but you're keeping track of the guest list, you can use your address. Don't forget to check the current postage rates before adding stamps to ensure you're using adequate postage.

Addressing Envelopes

While it's not required, hiring a calligrapher to address your envelopes is a nice touch. It adds a beautiful, personal element to your invitations and makes a great first impression. If hiring a calligrapher is not within your budget, you can also print the addresses from your computer using digital calligraphy software. Either way, it's best to take the envelopes home as soon as possible so that you, or the calligrapher, can get started on addressing them.

Ordering Envelopes

When ordering your envelopes, be sure to order extras in case of mistakes or last-minute additions to your guest list. A good rule of thumb is to order 15-25 extra envelopes. Additionally, if you're hiring a calligrapher, they will generally require an extra 15-20% more envelopes to account for any addressing mistakes.

Customisation

If you want to go the extra mile, consider customising your envelopes. You can add your own design or have your guests' names and addresses printed on them. This will not only make your invitations stand out but also save you time in handwriting each one.

In conclusion, while there are many aspects to consider when sending out wedding invitations, taking the time to get the envelopes and postage right will ensure a smooth process and a great first impression for your guests.

Frequently asked questions