Deborah Chan
Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day. While it's easy for guests to search for the location of your wedding, it's a nice gesture to include directions in your wedding invitations. At the very least, include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site. This ensures your guests find the venue easily and don't get unnecessarily stressed while driving around. You can include directions on a separate details card or on the back of the invite.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | Use an enclosure card |
| Information | Include the full address of the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site |
| Include the time and date of the wedding | |
| Include the venue name and city | |
| Include the wedding website |
What You'll Learn
Include a map and directions card
Including a map and directions card in your wedding invitation is a great way to ensure your guests can find the venue easily and arrive on time. Here are some tips to consider when creating your directions card:
Provide Clear and Detailed Directions
Offer step-by-step instructions on how to get to the wedding venue by car. Include major highways, roads, and landmarks that will be helpful for guests to follow. If there are any tricky turns or one-way streets, be sure to mention them. You can also include the distance and estimated travel time from nearby cities or landmarks to help guests gauge their travel plans.
Include the Full Address of the Venue
Provide the full address of the wedding ceremony venue, including the name of the venue, street address, city, and state. This information will be especially helpful for guests who may want to plug the address into their GPS or online mapping system.
Consider Adding Parking Information
If there is a specific parking area for guests, be sure to include that information on the directions card. Provide the address or name of the parking lot or structure, as well as any relevant instructions, such as "Follow signs for event parking" or "Parking is available in the adjacent garage."
Match the Style of Your Invitation Suite
Choose a style for your directions card that complements the overall design of your invitation suite. Consider matching the colour palette, theme, and tone to create a cohesive look. This will not only make your invitations aesthetically pleasing but will also make the directions card feel like a natural part of the suite.
Include a Link to Your Wedding Website
In addition to the printed directions, provide a link to your wedding website, where guests can find additional information and links associated with your special day. This gives guests another way to access the address and directions, as well as any other pertinent details.
Offer Additional Transportation Options
If you are providing shuttle services or recommending car rental or ride-sharing options, include that information on the directions card. This is especially helpful for guests who may be travelling from out of town or who are unfamiliar with the area.
Remember, the goal of the directions card is to help your guests arrive at your wedding venue with ease. By providing clear and detailed information, you can ensure that your guests have a stress-free journey to your celebration.
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Add the full address of the ceremony venue
Including the full address of the ceremony venue on your wedding invitation is a thoughtful gesture that will ensure your guests can find the location with ease. This is particularly helpful if they are unfamiliar with the area or if their phone battery runs out.
The venue's street address is usually included on a separate card, known as a directions card or enclosure card, which is placed inside the invitation suite. This card can also include directions and a link to your wedding website, where guests can access the address directly.
When listing the address, include the venue name, followed by the city and state on the next line. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different address, include this information on a separate reception card.
If your wedding venue is a private residence, it is customary to include the full address, including the zip code. However, for formal weddings at other venues, the zip code is typically omitted.
Venue Name
City, State
By providing the full address of the ceremony venue, you can ensure that your guests arrive promptly and with minimal stress, allowing them to fully enjoy your special day.
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Add the full address of the reception site
Including the full address of the reception site is a crucial aspect of wedding invitation etiquette. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs on this topic:
The Importance of Full Address
It is essential to include the full address of the reception site in your wedding invitations. This ensures that your guests can easily locate the venue and reduces the stress of driving around, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. While guests can look up addresses on their smartphones, providing the full address is a thoughtful gesture that boosts their confidence in finding the location. This is especially helpful if your phone battery runs low, which can happen after taking many photos at the wedding!
Format and Placement
When including the full address of the reception site, use a separate details card or enclosure card rather than crowding your wedding invitation. This ensures that guests don't miss important information. The card should include the venue's name, city, and state. For formal weddings, write out the state name in full. If the reception is at a private residence, include the street address as well. Zip codes are typically omitted.
Reception Card
If your wedding reception is at a different location from the ceremony, a reception card is a must. This card provides guests with essential information about the event, such as the formality and nature. For instance, if the reception starts before 1 p.m., use "Breakfast Reception." For receptions after 1 p.m., simply write "Reception." If you plan to indicate a sit-down meal, the first line could be "Dinner Reception."
Directions Card
In addition to the full address, consider including a separate directions card. While guests can use Google Maps, phone issues like a dead battery or lost reception may cause delays. An elderly guest may not have a smartphone at all. A directions card ensures that all guests have the information they need to arrive at your wedding on time. Choose a legible font for the card to accommodate all your guests.
Online Information
While printed details are essential, it's also helpful to include your wedding website on the invitation or its own small card. Guests can then directly access the address and other relevant links. This online platform is another way to provide directions and ensure your guests can find their way to your special day.
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Make it accessible on your wedding website
Wedding websites are a great way to make all the relevant information about your big day easily accessible to your guests. They are especially useful if you have a lot of guests travelling in from out of town, or if you're planning a destination wedding. Here are some tips for making the most of your wedding website:
Include all the essential details
Make sure your website covers the basics: who's getting married, the date, time, and location. It's also a good idea to include a rough schedule of events, so guests know what to expect. If you're providing transport to and from the ceremony and reception, be sure to include those details, along with any relevant parking information.
Elaborate on the location
Your wedding website can be a helpful tool for guests to find their way to your venue, especially if it's off the beaten track. Include a virtual pin on a Google map, and consider adding a short written description of the best route to follow. If you're planning a destination wedding or have many overseas guests, you can also include recommendations for accommodation, local restaurants, and things to do in the area.
Set the scene
Use your website to give guests an idea of the ambience and style of your event. Let them know about the dress code, and give them a heads-up about any unique aspects of the venue, like soft grass that might be tricky to walk on in stilettos, or cool breezes that might require a jacket. If you're only serving light canapes, it's a good idea to mention that too, so guests don't arrive expecting a full meal.
Make use of RSVP software
Most wedding website platforms offer RSVP software, so guests can quickly and easily confirm their attendance. You can also use this feature to ask about plus-ones and dietary requirements.
Communicate any awkward issues
Your wedding website is a great place to subtly address any uncomfortable topics, like if you're having a child-free wedding or an unplugged ceremony. You can also include a link to your gift registry, which can be easier than mentioning it on a formal invitation.
Add a personal touch
Include a short background story about you and your partner, along with some photos. This is a nice way to make your website more personal, especially for guests who don't know you well. You can also introduce your bridal party, parents, and MC, so guests will have some familiar faces on the day.
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Use a legible font
When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to make sure that the font you choose is legible. While some fonts may look great aesthetically, they might be difficult for your guests to read, especially if they are highly scripted or thin.
To ensure your font is easy to read, consider a serif font. Serif fonts have extra "feet" that help bridge the visual lines between each letter, improving overall legibility. There are two styles: traditional serif fonts, which feel like they belong in old history books, and modern serif fonts, which are more contemporary but still grounded in tradition.
If you want a very legible font, consider a sans serif option. Sans serif fonts are the cleanest letters, with no extra flourishes or feet. They are excellent for digital invitations and are often the most readable. Pairing a sans serif font with a script or serif font can create a modern and elegant contrast.
When choosing a font, it's also essential to consider your wedding theme and the tone you want to set. The font should give your guests an idea of the formality of the event and how they should dress. It should also align with your other wedding accessories and stationery for a cohesive look.
- Neutraface 2 Text Light: This font is highly legible and can be combined with a script font for a highlighted feel.
- Palatino Linotype: A favourite among designers, this font gives a timeless and elegant look to your invitations.
- Catherine de Beaumont: This is a bold font that is perfect for smaller text and easily legible.
- Didot: If you're not a fan of scripted fonts, Didot is a great serif option that works well for text in paragraphs.
- Yellow Rabbit: A free font that is both chunky and sophisticated, with some extra accents to add creativity to your invitations.
- Elsie: A bold and extremely readable font that will make a big impression and add personality to your invitations.
Remember, while choosing a legible font is important, you also want to ensure it reflects your style and the overall tone of your wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is necessary to include directions in wedding invitations. This can be done by providing the full address of the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site if they are separate. Alternatively, a map or custom weekend map can be included, although this is not essential as guests can access maps on their phones.
Use an enclosure card that matches your invitation suite in terms of colour, theme and tone. Include the full address of the venue(s) and consider adding a link to your wedding website for guests to access.
No, it is not necessary to include a map. While it used to be proper etiquette to include a map and directions, now it is common to simply provide the address(es) as guests can easily access a map on their phones.
Including directions ensures your guests can find the venue(s) easily and don't get unnecessarily stressed while driving around. This is particularly helpful if they are not familiar with the area or if their phone battery is low.
