Creating Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide For Couples

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. They give your guests a glimpse into the style and tone of your wedding, and they also communicate crucial logistical information. The invitation design, wording, and format you choose will depend on the level of formality you desire, your wedding colours, and your budget. You can opt for classic mailed invitations, digital invites, or a combination of both. This guide will cover everything you need to know about creating and sending wedding invitations.

Choosing a design and tone

Wedding invitations are the guests' first glimpse into your wedding day, so it's important to make them shine. The design and tone of your wedding invitations should reflect the style and theme of your wedding. Are you going for a classic and elegant feel, or something more casual and relaxed? Knowing your wedding style and colours in advance will help guide your choices when it comes to the design and tone of your invitations.

If you're planning a formal wedding, with guests in tuxedos and floor-length gowns, then a formal invitation will set the right tone. This might include a traditional rectangular card, with ivory, cream, or white card stock, paired with a black or gold font. The wording of the invitation can also convey formality, for example, "the honour of your presence" is used when the ceremony will take place in a house of worship, while "the pleasure of your company" is used for other venues.

On the other hand, if you're having a casual beach wedding, a more playful or modern invitation style might be a better fit. Circular, scalloped, or square invitations can add a fun touch, and you can incorporate colourful or metallic fonts, paper stock, envelopes, and liners. Just be sure to avoid light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds, as this can make the text hard to read.

In addition to the design and wording, other elements such as typeface, colour, weight, and texture of the paper can also shape how your wedding will be perceived. You can also include a monogram, personalized wedding logo, or other unique design elements to make your invitations stand out.

Remember, the invitation is not just about style but also logistics. Be sure to include key information such as the location and time of the ceremony, the hosts, the full names of the couple, the dress code, and RSVP information. If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL on the invitation or on a separate insert card.

Wording and etiquette

The wording and design of your wedding invitation subtly shape how your wedding will be perceived. If you're planning a casual beach wedding, for instance, this should be conveyed in the design of the invitation. On the other hand, if you're going for a formal, black-tie event, the invitation should be equally formal in tone and style.

• Allow plenty of time: Give yourself enough time to carefully address, assemble, and mail your invitations.
• Get organised: Develop a system for addressing and mailing your invitations. Prepare by gathering the names and addresses of everyone on your guest list. Arrange each piece that goes into an invitation in a stack, in the order it will be picked up, assembled, and inserted into the envelope.
• Ask for help: Invite friends, family, or bridal attendants to help assemble and address the invitations.
• Use the names of all "and guests": It is much warmer and more welcoming to use the correct names of those who will accompany your guests, instead of just writing "and guest".
• Use correct titles: It's flattering when invitations are addressed correctly. This means using appropriate titles and spelling names correctly. When in doubt, ask before addressing.
• Include inserts: Don't forget to include any appropriate inserts, such as maps, directions, or hotel information for out-of-town guests.
• Don't include registry information: It is considered poor taste to insert a list of places where the couple is registered or a checklist of desired gifts. This information is more appropriately shared on your wedding website.
• Avoid a standby guest list: Invite your entire guest list at the same time, rather than waiting to see how many people accept before sending out more invitations.
• Hand-write addresses: Don't use address labels for wedding invitations. Always address wedding invitation envelopes by hand, even when inviting hundreds of guests.
• Save-the-dates: These should go out 8-12 months before the wedding, and invitations should be sent out 4-10 months before the wedding date.
• RSVP deadline: Make the deadline for RSVPs no more than 3-4 weeks after guests receive the invitations. Check with your caterer to find out when they'll need the final headcount.
• Legibility: Avoid light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds. Yellow and pastels are tough colours to read, so ensure the background contrasts enough for the words to pop.
• Don't crowd the card: Only list key points on the invitation, such as the ceremony time and location, the hosts, the couple's full names, the dress code (if there is one), and RSVP information. Leave other details for your wedding website or print them on separate enclosure cards.
• Address envelopes by hand: While it's not mandatory, having a calligrapher address your envelopes looks beautiful and makes an elegant first impression. If you plan to do them yourself, tackle the project in a few sittings to avoid sloppiness or mistakes.
• Order extra invitations: It's expensive to print more invitations after the fact. Order enough for your guest list, plus 15-25 extras in case you need to resend, put some aside as keepsakes, or plan on sending invitations to a B-list.
• Weigh your invitations: Before you mail your wedding invitations, bring a fully assembled set to the post office to be weighed so you know exactly how much postage you'll need.

Timing and postage

Timing:

It is recommended that save-the-date cards are sent out 6-12 months before the wedding, especially for destination weddings or weddings where most guests are travelling from out of town. This gives guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. Sending save-the-date cards earlier is becoming more common, as wedding dates are getting booked up quickly.

As for the invitations themselves, the traditional timeline dictates that they should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. However, some sources suggest sending them out 8-10 weeks in advance, especially during summer months to account for guests who may be on vacation. For destination weddings, a longer lead time of 3 months or 12 weeks is recommended.

To ensure timely delivery, it is important to start the invitation process early. This includes booking your invitation designer, deciding on a design, and ordering the invitations. The entire process can take 4-6 months, but it is better to start sooner rather than later to account for any delays.

Postage:

When it comes to postage, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the weight of your invitations will impact the cost of postage. It is recommended to take a sample invitation to the post office to have it weighed and priced accurately. This will help you avoid the hassle of insufficient postage and having your invitations returned.

Secondly, the size and shape of your invitations can affect postage costs. Bulky or extra-large invites may cost more to send, so it is important to keep this in mind when designing your invitations.

Finally, the choice of postage stamps can enhance the overall aesthetic of your invitations. You can choose stamps that match your invitation design or opt for custom stamps that reflect your personal style. Ordering custom stamps may take a few weeks, so it is important to plan accordingly.

RSVP and deadline

RSVP cards are a crucial part of your wedding invitation suite. They allow your guests to indicate their response to your invitation and specify any preferences, such as food choices. It is considered proper etiquette to pre-stamp these response cards for your guests.

When ordering your wedding invitations, remember to order your RSVP cards at the same time. The general rule of thumb is to order them 6 months ahead of sending them out. This will ensure that you have enough time to receive and assemble your invitations before mailing them to your guests.

When should you send out your invitations and RSVP cards? For destination weddings or holiday weddings, it is recommended to send out your invitations 12 weeks in advance. For local weddings, the recommended timeframe is 8-10 weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements.

When setting the deadline for your RSVP cards, aim for 2-3 weeks before your wedding date. This will allow you enough time to finalise the seating chart and provide the final headcount to your caterer. Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to contact guests who have not responded by the deadline.

To make it convenient for your guests, you may want to consider including a stamped and addressed envelope with your RSVP cards. Alternatively, you can also provide an email address or phone number as additional methods for sending their responses.

Wording Your RSVP Cards

When wording your RSVP cards, it is essential to include a clear deadline for responses. Here is an example of what you could write:

"Kindly respond by [date]."

You can also add a polite reminder about the deadline by saying:

"Your reply is requested by [date]."

If you prefer a more casual tone, you could use wording such as:

"Please RSVP by [date]."

Remember to include any meal choices or other preferences you want your guests to indicate on the RSVP card. For example:

"___ Accept with pleasure

___ Decline with regret

___ Chicken

___ Fish

___ Vegetarian"

You can also include a line for any special dietary restrictions or other requests your guests may have.

Assembling Your RSVP Cards

When assembling your wedding invitations, place the RSVP envelope printed side down on top of the other enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Then, insert the reply card under the envelope flap, ensuring the printed side is visible.

If you have chosen to add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to your invitation suite, this would be the final step before inserting everything into the envelope.

Additional enclosures

Directions or a Map

Include a separate card with directions to your wedding venue or a map, especially if your venue is hard to find. You could also include tips on places to visit or things to do in the area for guests who are travelling from out of town.

Accommodation Information

If many of your guests are travelling from out of town, it can be helpful to include a card with local accommodation options. You may even want to block book a number of rooms in a hotel for your guests and provide the reservation details so they can book their stay easily.

Dress Code

It is worth letting your guests know the dress code for your wedding, especially if it is particularly formal or informal. You can include this information on a separate card or on the invitation itself.

RSVP Details

Make sure to include an RSVP card and a pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelope so that guests can easily respond to your invitation. It is also helpful to include the deadline for responses, which should be at least two to three weeks before the wedding date.

Wedding Website

Many couples now choose to create a wedding website with additional details about their big day. You can include the website address and any relevant passwords on an enclosure card. You could also include a QR code that guests can scan to visit the website easily.

Remember to only include essential information as enclosures, as you don't want to overcrowd your invitations. Keep the design and wording consistent across all enclosures for a cohesive look.

Frequently asked questions