Junior Rasmussen
Putting together a wedding invitation can be a confusing process, but it's not rocket science. There are a few wedding invitation etiquette guidelines to follow, and turning it into a fun date night activity with your partner can make it exciting. Here are the steps to putting together a wedding invitation:
Proofread Your Wedding Invitations
Make sure there are no spelling errors or incorrect dates and times. Check that the names of your parents and partner's parents are correct, if they're being listed. Ask a member of your wedding party or your partner to double-check.
Confirm the Spelling of Guests' Names
Check that the names and addresses on the outer and inner envelopes are correct. If unsure, verify with a family member familiar with the guest's name.
Place the Cards in the Right Order
Arrange the cards in size order, starting with the largest card, typically the invitation card. Then, add the reception card, followed by any other enclosure cards such as maps or accommodation details. Finally, place the response card under the flap of the response envelope, face up.
Calculate the Right Amount of Postage
Take a fully stuffed envelope to the post office to get the correct weight and amount of postage needed. You can also do a test send to ensure your invitations arrive without issues.
Send Out Your Invitations Early
It's considered good etiquette to send out wedding invitations 4-6 weeks in advance. However, guests should already have received a save-the-date card and have access to your wedding website for travel and accommodation details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order of cards | Invitation card at the bottom, followed by tissue paper/vellum overlay, reception card, enclosure cards, RSVP card and envelope |
| Invitation card side | Face up |
| Envelope type | Inner and outer envelope or just outer envelope |
| Envelope addressing | Handwritten or printed names and addresses |
| Envelope sealing | Bottled envelope moistener or wax seal |
| Return address | Address labels, skinny wrap or rubber stamp |
| Postage | Sufficient postage based on weight |
| Timing | 4-6 weeks ahead of the wedding |
What You'll Learn
Proofread your invitations
Proofreading your wedding invitations is an important step in the process of putting together your wedding invitations. It is an exciting time, but it can be easy to miss small details, so it is important to be diligent and careful. Here is a checklist to help you proofread your invitations:
Get a Printed Proof
Firstly, get a printed proof of your invitation. It is much easier to proofread a printed copy than a digital one. Holding your invitation will help you feel confident about your colour, design, and paper choices.
Proof Punctuation and Grammar
Check all spellings, including names, and ensure you have the correct use of singular and plural. Pay attention to punctuation, especially around dates. Check that you have the correct spacing after commas and that your wedding day and date are the same. Be mindful of quotation marks and their direction.
Proof for Consistency
Check for consistency in colour, type size, font types, and wording. For example, check honour/honor and favour/favor are consistent.
Proof for Readability
Check that your text is easy to read and that the type size is big enough, but not too big. Be aware that script fonts in all caps can be difficult to read.
Proof Photo Quality
Only use high-quality, high-resolution photos. Check for blurriness and ensure your photo fits the frame.
Proof Styling and Graphic Elements
Check that text and design elements are properly aligned, with correct spacing between lines and words. Ensure there is proper spacing between design elements and the edge of the invitation. Look out for any separated words or lines that appear by themselves.
Check, Check, and Recheck!
Finally, enlist the help of family and friends to assist with proofing. A fresh pair of eyes can be invaluable.
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Order the cards
Ordering the cards is a crucial step in assembling your wedding invitations. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you with the process:
Step 1: Start with the Main Invitation Card
Begin by placing the invitation card, face up, on the table. This is typically the largest card in the suite, so it serves as the foundation for the rest of the pieces.
Step 2: Add Vellum or Tissue Paper (Optional)
If your invitation includes a thin sheet of vellum or tissue paper, it's your choice whether to include it. Traditionally, this was used to prevent ink smudges, but most modern inks won't smudge. If you decide to include it, place the vellum or tissue paper on top of the invitation card.
Step 3: Stack the Reception Card
If you have a reception card, place it face up on top of the invitation card (or the tissue paper, if you included it). This card provides details about the time and location of the wedding reception and may include information such as the dress code.
Step 4: Include Other Enclosure Cards
Add any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information cards, on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way to the smallest. These cards provide additional information for your guests.
Step 5: Add the RSVP Card and Envelope
Place the reply envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Then, insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for your guests to respond.
Optional Step: Belly Band, Ribbon, or Vellum Wrap
If you've chosen to add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to your invitation suite, now is the time to assemble it. These elements add a finishing touch and help hold the invitation suite together.
Final Step: Insert into the Envelope
Once you have assembled all the cards, it's time to insert them into the envelope. If you are using an inner envelope, place the assembled suite into it, ensuring the printed side of the invitation is visible when the envelope flap is opened. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope. If you are using only an outer envelope, simply place the assembled suite into it. The invitation should be inserted with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation.
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Calculate postage
When it comes to wedding invitations, postage is an important factor to consider. The cost of sending your invitations will depend on their weight, shape, and size. Here are some tips to help you calculate the correct postage for your wedding invitations:
- Choose your envelopes first: While invitations can be made in any size, envelopes are only available in standard sizes. Unusual shapes and sizes, such as square envelopes, may require additional postage due to a "non-machinable surcharge". To avoid this, stick to standard rectangular envelopes.
- Consider the weight: Any envelope weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage. By the time you include the invitation, response cards, and any additional inserts, your wedding invitation is likely to exceed this weight. You can take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and determine the exact postage required.
- Use wedding stamps: Wedding stamps are designed for bulkier invitations and can help you save on postage. For example, a 2 oz wedding stamp can be used instead of two regular stamps.
- Be mindful of embellishments: Embellishments such as wax seals, ribbons, or unusual closures can increase the weight and thickness of your invitation, requiring additional postage.
- Hand-cancelling: Requesting hand-cancelling at the post office can help protect your invitations from tearing or smearing during sorting and processing. However, this may incur an additional charge.
- Calculate the total cost: In addition to the invitations, consider the cost of postage for other pieces of your stationery suite, such as save-the-dates and RSVP cards. You will need at least three stamps per invitation suite.
- Use a postage calculator: Online postage calculators, such as the one provided by the USPS, can help you determine the exact postage required for your wedding invitations based on their weight and dimensions.
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Send invites early
Sending out your wedding invitations early is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. While it may seem like a simple task, sending invitations early ensures that your guests have ample time to plan and make the necessary arrangements to attend your special day. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing why sending invites early is essential:
The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe gives your guests enough leeway to clear their schedules and make travel plans if needed. Sending invites early is especially important if your wedding falls around a major holiday, such as Christmas. By doing so, you give your guests the opportunity to plan their holidays and your wedding attendance simultaneously. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman suggests sending invitations earlier if your wedding is during a busy holiday season.
Additionally, sending invites early allows you to request RSVPs sooner, which is crucial for proper wedding planning. With an early RSVP deadline, you can finalise your headcount, create seating charts, and even invite guests from your B-list if needed. Aim to set your RSVP deadline at least two to three weeks before the wedding date. This will give you enough time to provide the final headcount to your caterer and finalise other arrangements.
It is also worth noting that sending invites early is beneficial for your guests' planning process. They will have more time to book accommodations, request time off from work, and make travel arrangements if they are coming from out of town. This is especially important for international guests, who may require more time for extended shipping and delivery of the invitations. Consider sending their invites nine to ten weeks in advance to accommodate for the extra time needed.
While it is essential to send invites early, you don't want to send them too early. Finding the sweet spot is crucial. Sending invites too early may cause your wedding to slip your guests' minds as the day draws closer. Aim for the two-month mark, and if you're sending save-the-dates, they can be mailed up to a year in advance if you have your wedding details finalised.
Lastly, sending invites early helps you stay organised and stress-free during the wedding planning process. It allows you to focus on other important aspects of your wedding, such as choosing a venue, selecting a caterer, or finalising your guest list. By giving yourself and your guests enough time to plan, you can ensure a well-organised and enjoyable wedding celebration.
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Include RSVP card
Wedding RSVP cards, also known as "reply cards" or "response cards", are an important part of your invitation suite. They are smaller-size cards that are mailed along with the wedding invitation. Guests fill out the card and mail it back, indicating whether they will attend the wedding or not.
When assembling your wedding invitations, the RSVP card should be placed last, on top of all the other enclosure cards. The RSVP card should be placed face-up, with the printed side visible, and tucked under the flap of the response envelope. The response envelope itself should be placed face-down, with the flap on the left, on top of the other enclosure cards.
It is important to ensure that the RSVP envelope is pre-addressed and pre-stamped. This makes it easier for your guests to respond and increases the likelihood of you receiving the cards back in a timely manner.
The RSVP card should include a deadline for guests to respond, typically 2-3 weeks before the wedding date. This allows enough time to contact anyone who hasn't replied, finalise the headcount for the caterer, and create a seating chart if necessary.
The RSVP card can also include additional details such as meal selection, song requests, or travel plans for destination weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
The order is usually size-based, with the largest card at the bottom and the smallest on top. The first card is the invitation card, followed by the tissue paper or vellum overlay (if applicable), the reception card, enclosure cards, and finally, the RSVP card and envelope.
Use a bottled envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge of the envelope. Be careful not to use too much, as you don't want a soggy envelope. Place a heavy book on top of the stack to ensure they are securely sealed.
Traditionally, calligraphy is used for addressing envelopes. If you're hiring a calligrapher, ensure they have the envelopes at least two to three weeks before you need them. Alternatively, skip the calligraphy and print the names and addresses directly on the envelopes.
Wedding invitations are heavier than regular mail due to multiple enclosure cards. Take a fully stuffed envelope to the post office to get weighed, and they will tell you the exact postage required.
