Crafting Wedding Invite Directions: A Simple Guide For Couples

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of the big day, offering guests a first glimpse at the style and theme of the event, as well as providing essential logistical information. While the invitation itself is important, there are other key details to include, such as directions and maps. This additional information ensures guests can easily find the venue and arrive on time, without the stress of last-minute navigation. Creating a map insert or providing clear directions is a thoughtful touch, especially for those travelling from out of town or unfamiliar with the local area. This guide will explore the options for including directions in wedding invitations, from traditional paper inserts to digital alternatives.

Include a map insert

Including a map insert in your wedding invitation is a great way to provide your guests with extra information, especially if they are travelling from out of town. Here are some tips to help you create a map insert that is both informative and aesthetically pleasing:

Software and Tools:

You don't need sophisticated software to create a map insert. Basic photo editing software or tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint or MS Paint can be used to design a simple map. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can try using Photoshop or Google Maps.

Map Creation Process:

• Open your chosen photo editing software and create a new document.
• Use the drawing tools, such as the paintbrush or pencil, to start creating your map.
• Use Google Maps or your preferred online map service to get a view of the area where the ceremony and reception will take place. Use the "Get Directions" feature to get an accurate, close-up version of the area.
• Take a screenshot of the map and paste it into your working area. Resize it if needed to fit your document.
• Trace over major roads, highways, and interstates with the drawing tools. This will provide an accurate representation of the area and help guests in case they take a wrong turn.
• Use the curve tool for smoother lines. Play around with the thickness, colour, and style of the lines to differentiate between different types of roads, rivers, or other landmarks.
• Add labels to identify the roadways using the "Text Box" tool. You can also rotate the text to match the angles of the streets.
• Once you're done tracing and labelling, delete the original Google Maps image, leaving only your line work.
• Create callout bubbles for close-ups of the roads near the ceremony and reception locations. Use the same method of taking a screenshot from Google Maps, resizing it to a smaller size, and tracing the necessary details.
• Create a shape, such as a "Callout" from the "Autoshape" feature in PowerPoint, to go around the map. Resize and format it to your liking.
• Fill in the "Callout" shape with white to remove the background roadwork and rivers, leaving only your map details.
• Repeat the process for any additional locations you want to include, such as ceremony and reception venues.
• Add simple graphics, such as "Free Chapel Clipart" or "Free Wedding Bells Clipart," to mark the ceremony and reception locations.
• Export your map as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG for printing, or use a free program like CutePDF to print the map to PDF.

Printing and Assembly:

• Print your map insert on cardstock paper for a more elegant and durable finish.
• If you have multiple enclosure cards, such as direction cards or accommodation cards, stack them in size order with the largest card on the bottom, all facing upwards.
• Place the RSVP card and its envelope on top of the stack, with the envelope flap on the left.
• You can also add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to complete the suite.
• Insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope, ensuring the text is print-side up so that guests can read it easily when opening the flap.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and functional map insert for your wedding invitations, making it easier for your guests to find their way to your special day!

Add a general directions card

A general directions card is a great idea for your wedding invitations, especially if not all your guests are local. This ensures that everyone can find the venue with ease and reduces the risk of late arrivals.

The directions card should be placed face up, on top of the reception card, which sits on top of the main invitation card. This is the traditional way to assemble a wedding invitation suite, with each card placed face up and ordered by size, with the largest card on the bottom.

If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL and password on the directions card. It is a good idea to have this ready before sending out the invitations, so your guests can access all the information they need.

You can also include other details on the directions card, such as parking information, passcodes, or any special requirements. This is a great way to ensure your guests have all the information they need without overcrowding your invitations with too many details.

Remember to include postage on the envelopes for your RSVP cards. You don't want to miss out on hearing back from your guests because they didn't have the correct postage!

Provide a wedding website for more details

Wedding websites are a great way to provide your guests with all the information they need to know about your wedding. They can be used to give guests a clear event timeline, including pre-ceremony gatherings and post-wedding festivities, helping them to plan their attendance effectively.

• Choose a platform: There are several websites that offer free wedding website services, such as The Knot, WeddingWire, and Joy. These platforms provide various design templates and customization options to match your wedding style.
• Personalize your URL: Make your wedding website URL personal by matching it to your wedding hashtag or using your first names. This adds a unique touch and makes it easy for guests to remember.
• Include essential details: Ensure your website has all the crucial information, such as the wedding date, time, location, and key event timings. You can also include accommodation recommendations, travel information, and directions to the reception.
• Create an FAQ page: Anticipate your guests' questions and create a comprehensive FAQ section covering topics such as attire suggestions, parking information, and dietary restrictions. This will streamline communication and reduce the number of individual queries you receive.
• Integrate RSVP functionality: Allow guests to RSVP directly on your wedding website. This makes it convenient for guests and helps you keep track of who will be attending.
• Share your love story: Your wedding website is a great place to share your engagement photos and the story of how you and your partner met. It adds a personal touch and excites your guests about the celebration.
• Provide registry information: Include a registry page on your website, and emphasize that their presence is the most important gift. You can link to your WeddingWire Registry or add registry gifts from various places for guests to shop.
• Customize with multimedia: Enhance your website with multimedia elements such as videos or photos. This adds depth to your narrative and engages your audience.
• Collaborate with ease: Invite your partner, wedding planner, or family members to collaborate on your website without sharing passwords. This makes the planning process more inclusive and efficient.
• Offer password protection: If desired, you can add password protection to your wedding website to control who can access certain information. This is especially useful if you want to keep some details private.

Consider the format: inner and outer envelopes follow different etiquette rules

The inner and outer envelopes of a wedding invitation follow different etiquette rules. The outer envelope is formal and should include the recipient's full name and their personal title, such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mx. This format is foolproof as it works for couples of all genders, whether they share a surname or not, and still feels traditional.

If you feel that personal titles are restrictive and exclusive for your guest list, you can forgo them and use first and last names only. It is important to double-check each attendee's preferred personal titles beforehand if you plan on incorporating them into your wedding invitations.

On the other hand, the inner envelope is more informal. You have the option to leave out one or two elements of the formal name format used on the outer envelope. You can use personal titles with last names or opt for a casual vibe by using only first names.

For example, if you are inviting a married couple with the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren", while the inner envelope can be more informal, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

Addressing envelopes with one envelope

If you're only using one envelope for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, all invited parties should be clearly stated on the front of the envelope. This includes guests that would traditionally only be listed on an inner envelope, such as plus-ones and children. If you're short on space, you can use "and Family" or the family name, such as "The Abraham Family".

When addressing a single person with a plus-one, you don't need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Simply reserve "and Guest" for the inner envelope.

For a married couple with the same last name, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

If the couple prefers a more modern approach, you can write:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

For a married couple with different surnames, write their names on the same line with the person you're closest with first. If you know both guests equally well, it's traditional to open with the female's name.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

For an unmarried couple, both names should be included on one line. Again, list the person you're closest with first or go in alphabetical order if you're equally close to both.

Outer envelope: "Mr. Aaron Triguiero and Ms. Kara Morgan"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Triguiero and Ms. Morgan" or Aaron and Kara

When addressing a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18. If she is younger, "Miss" is acceptable and should be spelled out, not abbreviated.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if under 18)

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"

If a single female has been given a plus-one, reserve "and guest" for the inner envelope.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"

When addressing a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18. Otherwise, no title is necessary.

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If a single male has been offered a plus-one, reserve "and guest" for the inner envelope.

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

Frequently asked questions