Get More Wedding Invites: Stand Out From The Crowd

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of the wedding planning process. They offer guests a glimpse into the wedding celebration and provide essential information such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony. When designing invitations, it is important to consider the style, colour scheme, and wording to ensure they align with the tone and theme of the wedding. The cost of invitations can vary depending on the design, ink, typeface, printing process, paper, and quantity, so it is advisable to research and plan accordingly. To save costs, couples can opt for digital calligraphy or printed labels for addressing envelopes instead of hiring a calligrapher. It is recommended to order 10-20 extra invitations to account for last-minute guests, lost invitations, or keepsakes.

Invitation design and customisation

The design of your wedding invitation is a personal choice and should reflect the theme of your wedding. Whether you're going for a rustic, modern, chic, or vintage vibe, there are endless customisation options to choose from. Here are some tips to help you design and customise your wedding invitations:

• Choose an invitation style: Select a template that fits the vibe of your wedding. Consider the trim style (standard, rounded, or scalloped) and whether you want to add embossed foil details in gold, silver, or glitter.
• Customise your invitation: Add your personal touch by customising the text, colours, images, and even QR codes. Use an image upload tool if you have specific graphics or photos you want to include. Make sure to download a template to ensure your design fits correctly and avoid white spaces or gaps.
• Preview your design: Before finalising your order, take advantage of the preview feature to see how your invitation will look when printed. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure it's perfect.
• Choose your paper type and quantity: Select a paper stock that complements your design, considering the durability, weight, and how it enhances the colours and details. Decide on the quantity, keeping in mind that thicker stocks tend to feel more luxurious, while lighter stocks may have a more delicate feel.
• Complete your purchase: Enter your payment and shipping information to finalise your order. Relax and let the company handle the printing and packaging.
• Order extra invitations: It's recommended to order 10-20% extra invitations to account for last-minute additions, errors, or keepsakes. This will save you money and avoid the hassle of reordering.
• Custom samples: Consider ordering a custom sample to see and feel the invitation before committing to a larger order. This allows you to make any necessary adjustments and ensure your satisfaction.
• Work with a designer: If you want a bespoke invitation, you can work with a professional designer to create a unique and personalised design that reflects your style and vision.
• Addressing envelopes: Consider having a pro address your envelopes for a more personal touch. You can hire a calligrapher to add a beautiful, hand-lettered touch to your envelopes and other wedding signage.
• Assembly: Wedding invitations usually require assembly, so plan accordingly. You can host an invitation assembly party with friends and family to make it more fun and efficient.

Timing and postage

Timing:

It is recommended that you start the process of ordering and mailing your wedding invitations four to six months before the wedding date. This timeline allows for the design, ordering, and assembly of the invitations. If you have a more complex design in mind, it's best to start even earlier.

The general rule for sending out invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, there are a few adjustments to consider:

• If your wedding is during the summer, add an extra two weeks, mailing the invitations eight to ten weeks beforehand. This accounts for guests who may be on vacation.
• For destination weddings, send out invitations six months in advance so that guests can make the necessary travel arrangements.
• If you didn't send out "Save the Dates," it's advisable to mail the invitations closer to the eight-week mark to give guests enough time to prepare.
• If your invitations are custom-made and require calligraphy, allow extra time for assembly and potential mistakes.

Postage:

Postage is often an overlooked aspect of wedding invitations, and it can be more complex than simply affixing a standard stamp. Here are some key considerations:

• The cost of postage depends on the shape, weight, and embellishments of your invitations. The standard rate for a rectangular lightweight letter is $0.73.
• Most wedding invitations weigh more than one ounce, and each additional ounce incurs an extra cost of $0.28.
• Any element that makes the invitation "non-machinable," such as a square envelope or a wax seal, will add $0.46 to the postage.
• It is recommended to get your invitations weighed at the post office to determine the exact postage required. Take one fully assembled invitation as a sample.
• Ensure you have the correct postage to avoid having your invitations returned or having your guests pay the difference.
• Choose stamps that complement the style of your invitation. You can opt for standard USPS stamps, custom stamps, or vintage postage.
• Remember to include postage on the RSVP envelopes as well.

In summary, timing and postage are critical components of sending out wedding invitations. By following the above guidelines and allowing for sufficient time, you can ensure that your invitations reach your guests without issue and create a positive first impression of your special day.

Number of invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to strike a balance between not having enough and having too many leftovers. Here are some detailed tips to help you determine the number of invitations you'll need for your wedding:

Counting by Households, Not Guests

A common mistake couples make is ordering one invitation for each guest. However, it's important to remember that couples and families will only need one invitation. A good rule of thumb is that 200 guests will require approximately 100 invitations.

Accounting for Individual Guests

While couples and families only need one invitation, it's important to send individual invitations to guests over the age of 18, even if they live with their parents or adult children. This also applies to single guests living with their families.

Ordering Extras

It's always a good idea to order at least 10-20 extra invitations to account for any last-minute additions to the guest list, lost invitations, or as keepsakes for yourself and your photographer. Reordering invitations can be costly, so it's better to have a few extras on hand.

Envelope Considerations

If you plan to have your envelopes addressed by a calligrapher or DIY, order at least 20% extra envelopes to account for any mistakes. However, if your stationer will be printing the addresses or you're using envelope labels, you may not need to order extras.

Using a Spreadsheet

To stay organized, create a spreadsheet listing each household or individual that needs an invitation. This will help you determine the exact number of invitations needed and ensure that no one is missed.

Other Components

Don't forget to consider the other components of your invitation suite, such as RSVP cards, details cards, and map or direction cards. These additional elements will enhance your invitations and provide guests with all the necessary information for your big day.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have the right number of wedding invitations and avoid the stress of last-minute shortages or excess leftovers.

Invitation inserts

RSVP Card and Envelope

The RSVP card and envelope are staples in any invitation suite. Depending on your preference, you can include cards with blanks for guests to fill in or indicate the number of seats reserved for them. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a deadline for responses. Alternatively, you can use postcard RSVPs to save on postage.

Wedding Website Card

Most weddings now have a website with all the necessary information. Include the URL for your wedding website on an "Info" or "Details" insert card. This is also a good place to direct guests if not all the details have been finalised.

Reception Card

If your reception is at a different location to the ceremony, include a reception card with the time and location. You can also add directions or parking information. If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, you can skip this card and add "reception to follow" to the main invitation.

Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Events Card

If you have any pre- or post-wedding events that won't have separate invitations, include the date, time, and dress code on an insert. This is also a good place to ask for RSVPs for these events. For a wedding weekend with multiple events, you can include a schedule for guests.

Map or Direction Card

A map or direction card can include written directions or an illustrated map with key landmarks, parking areas, and entrances. If you're having a destination wedding, you can also include travel options and recommendations for places to visit, eat, and stay.

Dress Code or Attire Card

If you have a specific dress code or colour palette you want guests to follow, include this information on an insert. This is especially useful if you have multiple events with different dress codes or if guests need to wear specific footwear for outdoor activities.

Registry Card

Although it is considered good etiquette by some to skip this, you can include registry information on a separate card or add it to your wedding website.

Addressing envelopes

Outer Envelope Addressing:

The outer envelope is the one that gets stamped and addressed to the guests. Traditionally, the outer envelope is more formal and includes the recipient's full name and title. This is especially important when addressing married couples or individuals with distinguished titles, such as doctors or military personnel. Here are some examples:

• Married Couple with Same Last Name: "Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Clarke" or "Mr. Jackson Clarke and Mrs. Mary Clarke".
• Married Couple with Different Last Names: "Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews" or "Mr. Cyan Matthews and Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes".
• Single Person: Use appropriate titles such as "Mr." for males, "Ms." for females, and "Mx." for non-binary guests. For example, "Mr. Tyler Morris" or "Ms. Alysson Schulz".
• Unmarried Couple: List both full names on one or two lines. "Ms. Lily Pike and Ms. Jane Pearce" or "Ms. Lily Pike/Ms. Jane Pearce".
• Engaged Couple: Address them as unmarried or refer to them as future newlyweds. "Mr. Luis Smith and Ms. May Hyde" or "The Future Mr. Luis Smith and Mrs. May Smith".
• Family: Address the whole family or specify the names of the children. "The Thompson Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson".

Inner Envelope Addressing:

The inner envelope is optional and is placed inside the outer envelope. It includes the names of the invitees and is more informal. You can use titles and last names or just first names. Here are some examples:

• Married Couple: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".
• Single Person with a Plus One: "Ms. Chen and Guest" or "Stephanie and Guest".
• Unmarried Couple: "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda".
• Family: List the names of the children separately. "Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily".

Additional Tips:

• Handwriting addresses is optional. You can use digital calligraphy, print guest address labels, or hire a local calligrapher.
• When in doubt about titles, forgo them or double-check your guests' preferred titles.
• Always double-check the mailing addresses and postage requirements before sending out the invitations.

Frequently asked questions