Wedding Site Info: Including Details On Your Invites

Wedding websites are a great way to give your guests all the information they need in one place. But how do you include your wedding website on your invitations without sacrificing style or committing an etiquette faux pas? Here are some tips and tricks to seamlessly guide your guests to your wedding website for all the details on your big day.

RSVP and registry information

RSVP cards are an optional but useful addition to your wedding invitation suite. They are a great way to prompt guests to respond to your invite in a timely manner, helping you organise the seating chart, menu, and music playlist for your big day.

If you choose not to include RSVP cards, you should still include instructions on your formal wedding invitation, reception invitation, or another enclosure card regarding how guests can accept or decline. This may include a wedding website link so they can RSVP digitally, or a phone number or email address to confirm their attendance.

If you are including RSVP cards, here is some information to consider:

• Provide a deadline for responses, usually around two to four weeks before the wedding date. This will allow you and your vendors to finalise any last-minute details, such as the amount of food and drinks needed and the seating chart.
• Include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope with each RSVP card so your guests can easily send their responses. The envelopes should have the name(s) and address of the person handling the RSVPs.
• On the RSVP card, provide a blank line for guests to write their names. This will guarantee that you know who is attending and how to correctly spell their names on items such as the seating chart.
• To avoid any misunderstandings, carefully address your wedding invitations to make things as clear as possible. For example, indicate whether plus-ones are welcome.
• Include an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invitation. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• If you are serving dinner at the wedding, you may want to collect your guests' food preferences and any dietary requirements or allergies.
• You can also include a special request line on your RSVP cards, such as song requests or drink preferences.
• "The favour of your response is requested by [date]"
• "Kindly respond by [date]"
• "___ Accepts with pleasure ___ Declines with regrets"
• "___ Joyfully accepts ___ Regretfully declines"
• "___ Will attend ___ Unable to attend"

If you are including registry information, it is best to include the link to your wedding website on an information insert rather than outlining the stores on the invitation suite. Ensure that the registry tab on your website is clearly marked so that guests can find it easily.

Save-the-date cards

When creating your save-the-date cards, consider choosing a design that matches your wedding theme and reflects your personal style as a couple. You can also add a personal touch by including a photo of you and your partner. Keep the wording simple and direct, and don't forget to proofread before sending them out!

• The names of the couple: "Emma Ray and Lucas Davenport"
• The wedding date: "The sixteenth of December two thousand and fifteen"
• The location: "Ballarat, Australia"
• A brief message: "We can't wait to celebrate with you! More details to come."
• Your wedding website: "www.ourwedding.com"

Paper vs digital invites

There are several options for how to include wedding website information on invitations. The traditional paper invitation suite includes multiple enclosure cards to convey critical information, such as RSVP cards, details cards, and wedding website cards. However, modern couples are increasingly opting for digital invitations, which offer a seamless and cost-effective alternative.

Paper Invitations

The paper invitation suite is a classic choice for couples who want to set a formal tone for their wedding. It typically includes the invitation card, an outer envelope, and various enclosure cards. The invitation card should cover the essential details such as the who, what, when, and where of the wedding. It is also common to include a separate RSVP card with a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for guests' convenience.

To avoid overcrowding the invitation card, couples can include a details card that provides additional information like the wedding website link, directions, and accommodation options. This card can also be used to indicate the dress code and any other relevant details. Another option is to include a separate reception card if the reception is held at a different location or to specify an adults-only reception.

Couples can also choose to include an inner envelope, slightly smaller than the outer envelope, to indicate who is specifically invited. This is where couples can specify if guests are allowed to bring a plus-one or if children are invited.

The cost of paper invitations can vary depending on the printing method, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. It is important to consider the time and effort required to assemble and mail paper invitations, including closing envelopes, securing stamps, and writing addresses.

Digital Invitations

Digital wedding invitations offer a more modern and cost-effective alternative to paper invitations. They are typically priced at under $2 per invite, with some sites offering unlimited sends for a monthly subscription fee. Digital invitations are highly customizable, allowing couples to choose from various templates, edit backgrounds, colours, and text, and even add virtual envelopes, wax seals, and stamps.

One of the biggest advantages of digital invitations is the ease of sending and receiving RSVPs. Guests are directed to the wedding website, where they can immediately respond, and couples can access this information instantly. This also eliminates the need for collecting and managing paper responses.

Digital invitations are also environmentally friendly, as they do not require any paper or printing. They can be sent instantly, making them ideal for last-minute or spur-of-the-moment weddings. Additionally, digital invitations can be easily accessed by guests, regardless of their location, and can be sent via email or text.

However, one potential drawback of digital invitations is their accessibility to less tech-savvy recipients, and there is always the risk of emails ending up in the junk mail folder. Digital invitations may also require more work to gather each guest's email address, especially if they do not share an inbox with other household members.

The decision between paper and digital invitations ultimately depends on the couple's preferences, budget, and the level of formality they want to convey. Paper invitations offer a traditional and formal option, while digital invitations provide a more modern, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative. Couples should consider their guest list, the level of interaction they want with their guests, and their overall wedding vision when making this decision.

Adults-only announcements

Deciding on an adults-only wedding can be a tricky conversation, but it's important to be clear and consistent about the parameters. Here are some ways to politely and effectively communicate this to your guests:

Be Direct and Clear

Be straightforward and explicit about your adults-only request. This avoids any confusion and ensures your guests know your wishes from the start. Here are some examples of clear and concise wording:

• "Please join us for an adult reception at six o'clock."
• "Please note this will be an adults-only celebration."
• "Adult (18 and older) reception to follow."
• "We respectfully request no children under 16 at the reception."
• "Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair."
• "The bride and groom request that this be an adults-only reception."

Provide an Explanation

If you want to soften the request, consider adding a brief explanation about your reasons or any limitations you may have. This can help your guests understand your perspective and might make it easier for them to accept your decision. Some examples include:

• "Due to limited venue space, adults only please."
• "Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children."
• "Regrettably, our chosen venue is unable to accommodate children. Professional babysitting will be provided at the hotel."
• "To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation, we respectfully ask that no children attend the reception."
• "We love your kids, but we thought you might like a night off! Adults only, please!"

Be Consistent and Set Boundaries

It's important to stick to your decision and avoid making exceptions for certain guests, as this can cause confusion and upset other guests. Be consistent with your parameters, such as age restrictions, and only allowing children in the wedding party if you choose to include them.

Use Name Bands or Personalised Notes

To make your invitation wording more budget-friendly, consider using "name bands." These are paper wraps digitally printed with your guest names, which can also include the names of invited children. Alternatively, include a personalised note with your invitation, such as, "We'd love to have Lexie and Max there, but unfortunately, we're limited by budget/space constraints. We hope you can still make it."

Include Information on Your Wedding Website

Most couples have a wedding website with details about their big day. Include an FAQ page and address the question, "Can we bring kids?" Clearly state your preference for an adults-only event, and provide information for a local babysitting agency if needed. This ensures that your guests have easy access to this information and can plan accordingly.

Additional events

If your wedding spans a whole weekend, it's a good idea to include a schedule of events so that guests know what to expect. This could include welcome drinks, an after-party, and a day-after brunch. You can include this information on your wedding website, or on an insert card that lists the weekend's activities.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's helpful to give guests plenty of time to plan by sending out save-the-date cards at least eight months in advance. These should include recommended travel information that can be accessed early. It's also a good idea to include additional print information to help guests navigate foreign destinations.

If you're hosting a rehearsal dinner, you can include a card inside the invitation with the date and location. Similarly, if your reception is at a different location to the ceremony, include a separate card with the reception information, including the formality and nature of the event.

If you're providing transport for guests, for example, from the ceremony to the reception venue, include those details too. Brief details are enough, for example, where and when the pick-ups are, and what time the return journey will be.

Finally, if you're having a post-wedding bash at a different location, provide a reception card with the address and time.

Frequently asked questions