Incorporate City Attractions: Wedding Invitation Ideas For Engaging Guests

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse into the adventure of a destination wedding, and it is important to include certain details to ensure your guests can plan their attendance effectively. This is a guide on how to include city attractions and other important details in your wedding invitation.

City maps

Details to Include:

• Your venue: Include the location of the ceremony and reception, especially if they are at different venues.
• Accommodations: Mark hotels or accommodations where your guests will be staying.
• Airport: If many guests are flying in, include the airport location and perhaps the best route to reach the accommodations or venue.
• Points of Interest: Add parks, tourist attractions, and fun things to do around the city.
• Special Places: Mark places that are unique to your love story, such as where you first met or where the proposal happened.
• Transportation Options: Include main thoroughfares, public transportation options, or even the safest routes to your venues.

Customisation:

• Colour Scheme: Choose a colour scheme that complements your wedding invitation suite design or reflects your wedding theme.
• Landmarks: Create custom landmarks or icons that give your map a distinct look and make it more visually appealing.
• Drawings or Paintings: Consider adding illustrations or paintings of the locations to provide a visual cue for guests to recognise when they arrive.
• Online vs. Printed Maps: You can opt for a printed map, an online map, or both! Online maps offer the advantage of easy updates and sharing via email or social media. Printed maps provide a tangible reference for guests and can be included in the invitation suite.

Creation Tools:

• Google Maps: Google My Maps allows you to create custom maps with multiple markers, routes, and your chosen colour scheme. You can add pictures, videos, and links to provide more information.
• Canva: Canva offers a free online map maker that is easy to use and highly intuitive. You can create personalised maps with your branding and incorporate them into your wedding invitations.
• MapQuest: MapQuest provides printable maps and directions, ensuring your guests can easily find your wedding locations.

Remember, your city maps can be as detailed or simple as you like. They can showcase all the must-visit spots in the city or focus solely on providing directions to your wedding venues. Customise them to fit your style and the needs of your guests!

Itinerary for the weekend

Friday

• 6:00 p.m.: Welcome drinks at [venue].
• 7:30 p.m.: Dinner at [venue].
• 10:00 p.m. onwards: After-party at [venue].

Saturday

• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Brunch at [venue].
• Spend the morning and early afternoon enjoying local attractions and city highlights such as [attractions].
• 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: City tour, including [attractions].
• 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Relaxing spa treatments at [venue].
• 7:00 p.m. onwards: Wedding ceremony and reception at [venue].

Sunday

• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Farewell brunch at [venue].
• 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Optional city tour, including [attractions].
• 5:00 p.m. onwards: Departure and safe travels!

Travel and accommodation information

When it comes to your wedding, you want to make sure your guests have all the information they need to get there and enjoy themselves. Here is some text you could include in your invitations to ensure your guests are well informed about travel and accommodation:

We are so excited to be celebrating our wedding in [city] and we hope that you will be able to join us for our special day. To help you plan your trip, here are some travel and accommodation options:

Nearest Airport

The nearest airport to the wedding venue is [airport name], which is approximately [duration] from the venue by car.

Transport Options

If you are flying into the area, we recommend organising a rental car to get to and from the venue. There is ample parking available on-site. Alternatively, for those who do not wish to drive, there are public transport options available, including [public transport options].

Accommodation Options

We have blocked off a number of rooms at the following hotels, which are offering discounted rates for our guests:

• [Hotel name 1] – [hotel address and contact details]
• [Hotel name 2] – [hotel address and contact details]
• [Hotel name 3] – [hotel address and contact details]

Please be sure to book your room by [date] to ensure you receive the discounted rate.

There are also a number of other accommodation options in the area, including [alternative accommodation options].

Local Attractions

For those who are able to extend their stay, there are plenty of local attractions to explore, including:

• [Local attraction 1] – [address and description]
• [Local attraction 2] – [address and description]
• [Local attraction 3] – [address and description]

We hope that you will be able to take some time to enjoy the beauty and charm of [city] while you are here.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or require any further information. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Dress code

When it comes to your wedding invitations, you may want to include a dress code to ensure your event stays as formal or as casual as you want. This is also helpful for guests so they know what is expected of them in terms of attire. Here are some suggestions for how to communicate the dress code for your wedding:

Where to Include the Dress Code

• On the wedding invitation itself, in the lower left or right-hand corner, or at the bottom centre of the design.
• On a separate information or details card, along with other important information for your guests.
• On your wedding website, along with other details such as directions to the venue, local attractions, and registry information.

How to Communicate the Dress Code

The wording of your dress code should be consistent with the rest of the wording on your invitation or website. You can write it with or without a colon or other mark, such as a bullet point or vertical bar. Here are some examples of dress code wording for different levels of formality:

White Tie or Full Evening Dress: This is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Men wear long-tail tuxedos, and women wear full-length ball gowns.

Example wording: "White tie. We ask that men wear tailcoats and women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."

Black Tie: This usually indicates a formal evening wedding. Men wear tuxedos with black bow ties, and women wear formal floor-length gowns.

Example wording: "Black tie. We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown."

Black-Tie Optional or Formal: This indicates that guests can choose to wear attire that fits a black-tie dress code, but it is not required. Men can wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie, and women can wear a floor-length gown, knee-length cocktail dress, pantsuit, or dressy separates.

Example wording: "Black-tie optional. We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie and women wear an evening gown or midi or knee-length cocktail dress."

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal: This is a step down in formality from black tie and is suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. Men should wear a classic suit or tux with a tie, and women should wear formal evening wear (floor-length dresses or evening pantsuits).

Example wording: "Semi-formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit in any color and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."

Cocktail Attire: This is a balance between elegant and comfortable. Women should opt for a tea-length, knee-length, or midi dress, while men are required to wear a suit and tie, regardless of the setting.

Example wording: "Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates."

Smart Casual: Wedding guests are asked to dress neatly, without being too dressy or too casual. Men can wear dark denim, chinos, or suit pants with a neat shirt, while women can wear a skirt or smart trousers.

Example wording: "Smart casual attire. We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. For this time of year, we suggest the following attire: Women: sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels. Men: light dress shirt with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional."

RSVP deadline

Setting an RSVP deadline is crucial for finalising your wedding plans. Here are some tips for determining the deadline and ensuring your guests respond on time:

When to Set the RSVP Deadline

Ideally, the RSVP deadline should be around three to four weeks before your wedding. This gives you enough time to finalise the guest list, create a seating chart, and share the final guest count with your vendors. If you have a destination wedding, the RSVP deadline should be about two months before the wedding, and invitations should be sent out four months in advance.

How to Ensure Timely Responses

To make it easier for your guests to respond promptly, include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope with your invitation. Also, consider providing options for responding, such as a wedding website where they can submit their RSVP digitally. Be sure to clearly state the RSVP deadline on your invitations and website.

Following Up with Guests

Even with a clear deadline, you may need to follow up with some guests. It's a good idea to send a friendly reminder to guests about one week before the deadline. If the deadline has passed, wait about a week before reaching out to those who haven't responded. It's important to give yourself enough time to follow up with non-responders and finalise all the wedding details.

Other Considerations

When determining your RSVP deadline, keep in mind the time needed to order any personalised items, such as place cards with guest names. You may need to set an earlier deadline to allow for printing and delivery of these items. Additionally, if your venue requires final numbers close to the wedding date, you may have some flexibility with the RSVP deadline, but it's still beneficial to set one to help with your planning.

In summary, setting an RSVP deadline of three to four weeks before your wedding is generally recommended. This timeframe allows you to finalise details and follow up with any delinquent responses. By providing clear information and multiple response options, you can increase the likelihood of timely responses from your guests.

Frequently asked questions