Assembling Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide For Minted Designs

Wedding invitations are a great way to give your guests a glimpse of your special day. Assembling your wedding invitations can be a fun and straightforward process, and by following these steps, you can ensure that your invitations are both informative and elegant. Here's a simple guide to help you get started:

Firstly, gather all the necessary materials, including the invitation cards, reception cards, RSVP cards, envelopes, and any additional enclosures or adornments. It's essential to have everything ready before you begin assembly.

Next, create an assembly line with your materials organised into neat piles. This will streamline the process and make it more efficient. You can start by placing the invitation card face up, as it usually serves as the largest and most important piece.

Then, you can add the reception card, also known as the details card, which provides information about the time and location of the wedding reception. This card is placed face up on top of the invitation card.

After that, include any other enclosure cards, such as maps, accommodation details, or travel information. These cards are also placed face up, with the largest cards at the bottom and the smallest at the top.

Don't forget to add the RSVP card and its envelope. Place the RSVP envelope face down, with the flap on the left, and insert the reply card under the flap, ensuring the printed side is visible.

Finally, you can add any finishing touches, such as belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals. Once your invitation suite is complete, insert it into the envelope with the printed side facing up, so your guests can immediately read the invitation when they open the envelope.

Remember to weigh your assembled invitation and consult with your local post office to ensure you have the correct postage. Assembling your wedding invitations is a great opportunity to be creative and add personal touches that reflect your style and the theme of your wedding.

Order of placement: largest card at the bottom, print side up

When assembling your wedding invitations, the first thing to do is to place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up. This is the largest card in the invitation suite, so it makes sense that all additional pieces will be built upon it.

If you are using a sheet of tissue paper or vellum, place it on top of the invitation card. Vellum overlays are popular, and if you are using one, it will sit on top of the invitation card.

Next, place the reception card face-up on top of the invitation. This card outlines the time and location of the wedding reception and includes important information such as the requested dress code.

Then, place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations card, and travel information, face up on top of the reception card. If there is more than one enclosure card and they are different sizes, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.

Finally, add the RSVP card and envelope to the suite. Place the envelope for your RSVP, printed side down, on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up, so the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.

Vellum/tissue paper: optional, place on top of the invitation card

Vellum and tissue paper are optional additions to your wedding invitation suite. They are placed on top of the invitation card and sometimes between each card. Vellum and tissue paper are thin, delicate, and slightly translucent. They are usually cut to standard sizes, just enough to cover the wording on an invite.

Vellum is a contemporary alternative to tissue paper. It is offered in a variety of colours and sizes and can be printed with custom text and designs. It is thicker and heavier than tissue paper and is more expensive. Vellum is useful if your invitation is embellished with raised items such as ribbons or rhinestones as it helps to protect them from moving or getting damaged in the mail.

Tissue paper, on the other hand, is a more traditional option. It is used to prevent ink from smudging or rubbing off during the mailing process. It has a soft, cloudy appearance and is usually white or cream.

Ultimately, the choice between vellum and tissue paper comes down to personal preference and the style of your wedding. If you choose to include one of these options, simply place it on top of your invitation card before adding any other enclosure cards.

Reception card: place face-up on the invitation card

When assembling your wedding invitation suite, it's important to place each element in a specific order to create a cohesive and informative stack for your guests. Here are some detailed instructions for placing the reception card, which is an essential component of your invitation suite:

Reception Card Placement:

• Once you have the main invitation card ready, it's time to add the reception card. Place the reception card face-up on top of the invitation card. This means that the printed or designed side of the reception card should be visible.
• The reception card outlines crucial details such as the time and location of the wedding reception. It also typically includes important information like the requested dress code, providing guests with a clear understanding of the event's expectations.
• If you have chosen a folded-style invitation, it's important to place the reception card within the fold of the invitation rather than on top. This ensures that all the information is neatly contained within the invitation when it's opened by your guests.
• In terms of sizing, the reception card should be smaller than the main invitation card. This maintains a visually appealing hierarchy within the suite and ensures the main invitation remains the focal point.
• If you are using other enclosure cards, such as direction or detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards, these can be placed face-up on top of the reception card.

By following these steps, you will have a beautifully assembled invitation suite with the reception card prominently displayed, providing your guests with all the necessary information about your special day.

Enclosure cards: place face-up on the reception card

Enclosure cards are an important part of your wedding invitation suite, providing guests with essential details about your big day. Here's a step-by-step guide to placing your enclosure cards face-up on the reception card:

Step 1: Start with the Reception Card

The reception card is a key component of your invitation suite, informing guests about the time and location of your wedding reception. It also typically includes important information such as the requested dress code. Place the reception card face-up on top of the main invitation card. This ensures that your guests will immediately see the reception details when they open the invitation.

Step 2: Add Other Enclosure Cards

There are often additional details you'll want to share with your guests, such as travel information, accommodation options, or a map to the venue. Place any remaining enclosure cards face-up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest card first and work your way down to the smallest. This creates a neat and organised stack that is easy for guests to navigate.

Step 3: Consider the Order and Size of Enclosure Cards

If you have multiple enclosure cards of different sizes, it's important to arrange them in a specific order. Start with the largest enclosure card and place it directly on top of the reception card. Then, add the next largest card, and so on, until you've placed all the enclosure cards. This ensures a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.

Step 4: Provide Wedding Website Details

In today's digital age, many couples choose to include their wedding website address and password info on one of the enclosure cards. This allows guests to easily access additional information and details about your wedding. Make sure your wedding website is updated and ready for guests to explore before sending out your invitations.

Step 5: Include Direction or Map Cards

Help your guests find their way to your celebration by including direction or map cards as part of your enclosure cards. These cards can provide clear instructions or a beautifully designed map to guide guests to your wedding venue. Place these cards face-up on top of the reception card, ensuring they are easy to spot and read.

Step 6: Finalise the Stack

Once you've added all the necessary enclosure cards, take a moment to review the stack. Ensure that all cards are facing up and arranged in a neat pile, with the reception card on top of the main invitation card and any additional enclosure cards placed on top in order of size. This attention to detail will create a polished and elegant impression for your guests.

RSVP card and envelope: place envelope print side down, insert the reply card under the flap

When assembling your wedding invitation suite, the RSVP card and envelope should be placed on top of the enclosure cards. The envelope should be placed print side down, with the flap on the left. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, ensuring the printed side is visible. It's important to pre-stamp the reply envelope to save your guests the trouble of looking for postage.

If you are using a folded-style invitation, place all enclosures within the folded invitation rather than on top. If you are using an inner envelope and an outer envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first. When the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the handwritten names of your guests are visible when they open it.

If you are using just one envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The printed side of the invitation should be visible when the envelope flap is opened.

Frequently asked questions