Creating A Wedding Invitation Suite: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a wedding invitation suite is an important part of wedding planning. It is the first impression your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get it right. A wedding invitation suite typically includes the invitation itself, providing details such as who is getting married, when and where the wedding will take place, as well as additional cards with information about the reception, travel and accommodation, directions, and RSVP details. Couples may also choose to include decorative elements such as belly bands, vellum overlays, wax seals, and ribbons to add a luxurious touch to their invitations. The assembly process can be time-consuming, especially if you're adding extras, so it's recommended to plan ahead and create an efficient system for stuffing and addressing the envelopes. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create elegant and informative wedding invitation suites that delight your guests and get them excited about your special day.

Include a response card

Response cards are an important part of your wedding invitation suite. They are a way to get an accurate guest count for the reception and are included with the wedding invitation. Response cards are usually engraved or printed in a similar style and paper stock as the invitation but are smaller in size. They are often included as part of an invitation set.

It is a good idea to pre-address and stamp the response card envelope to make it convenient for your guests to send their replies. If you prefer to receive replies via email or phone, you can skip the envelope and include the necessary information on the response card.

The response card should include a "reply by" date, usually two to three weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to follow up with guests who haven't replied and provide accurate numbers to caterers and other vendors.

The response card should have a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal response card, you can write "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss). This guarantees you know who is attending and how to correctly spell their names for the seating chart.

The primary purpose of the response card is to learn who is coming to your wedding, so there should be an attendance line for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.

If you are serving dinner at the reception, you can also collect your guests' food preferences and any dietary requirements or allergies. You can mention the meal type (buffet or plated dinner) and use checkboxes to indicate entree options.

Finally, you can include a special request line on the response cards. This could be for song requests, drink preferences, or a favourite memory of the couple.

Add a reception card

A wedding invitation suite refers to all the paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. If your wedding reception is at a different location from the wedding ceremony, you should include a separate reception card. This card should include the location, address, and time of the reception. It should also indicate the formality and nature of the event. For example, if you are hosting a reception before 1 pm, the first line should say "Breakfast Reception". Anything after 1 pm is simply "Reception".

If you are having a sit-down meal, the first line should read "Dinner Reception". If you want to indicate that the reception is adults-only, this should be the last line on the card. The reception card should be placed face-up on top of the invitation or tissue paper, if you are including it.

The reception card is a great way to give your guests important information about the reception, especially if it is at a different location from the ceremony. It is also a good opportunity to indicate the formality of the event and any meal options.

Provide directions

Providing clear directions to your wedding venue is a crucial part of your invitation suite. Even if your wedding venue is easy to find, it's a good idea to include a separate card with directions to ensure your guests can arrive on time and without stress. This is especially important if your wedding is in a rural location or if some of your guests don't have smartphones.

Format and Design

The directions card is typically an insert with the other enclosures in your invitation suite. It can be a simple card with text or include a map or other graphics. If you want to include a map, you can choose a whimsical hand-painted design or a vintage map. This adds a personal touch and makes a great keepsake for your guests. You can also include other important information on the directions card, such as parking information or public transport options.

When designing your directions card, it's important to choose a legible font that is easy for all of your guests to read. You may also want to include the address of the venue and any relevant websites or contact information.

Online Directions

In addition to including a physical directions card, you should also provide online directions on your wedding website. This ensures that your guests have access to the information in case they lose the card or need to check the location on the day of the wedding. You can also include a QR code on the directions card that links to an online map or your wedding website.

Mailing Considerations

When assembling your invitation suite, place the directions card face-up on top of the other enclosures, with the largest enclosure at the bottom. If you are using a folded invitation, place the enclosures inside the fold.

Remember to take your assembled invitation to the post office to get the correct postage amount. The weight of the paper and the number of enclosures can affect the postage required.

List accommodation options

When it comes to listing accommodation options for your wedding invitation suite, there are a few key things to consider and include. Here are some detailed and instructive paragraphs to guide you through the process:

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It is essential to provide your guests with accommodation details, especially if you have guests travelling from out of town or if you are hosting a destination wedding. This information can be included on a separate accommodations card that matches the motif of your invitations. The card should include the name, address, and contact information of the recommended hotels or accommodations. It is also helpful to provide a unique code or information on how to receive a discounted rate for your guests.

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When creating your accommodations card, be sure to keep the wording clear and concise. Provide the name and location of the hotel(s) and any relevant booking information. For example, you can say, "For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at [name of hotel] in [city]. Please call [hotel's phone number] to make your reservation and mention the [your last names] wedding to receive a discounted rate." This will ensure your guests have all the necessary information to secure their accommodations.

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If you have a wedding website, it is a good idea to include accommodation information there as well. This allows you to provide more detailed information and any updates or changes to your hotel recommendations. You can then include a separate insert card with your invitations, directing guests to your website for more information. This card can simply read, "For more information about travel and accommodations, please visit our wedding website: [website address]."

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When creating your accommodations card or website section, consider including any important dates or deadlines for booking. For example, you can note, "Be sure to book your hotel room by [date] to receive the discounted rate." This will help ensure your guests don't miss out on the opportunity to stay at your recommended accommodations.

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In addition to hotel options, you may also want to include other relevant travel information such as transportation options to and from the hotel and wedding venue. This will help your guests easily navigate their way during the wedding festivities. It is also a thoughtful gesture to include a map or directions card, especially if your wedding is in a rural area or if guests may have trouble finding the location.

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Finally, when it comes to the presentation of your accommodations card, consider including it as part of your invitation suite. It can be placed face-up on top of the reception card or other enclosure cards. If you have multiple enclosure cards, order them from largest to smallest. Remember, creating a cohesive and informative invitation suite will not only impress your guests but also ensure they have all the necessary details to comfortably attend your wedding celebrations.

Use a belly band to hold it all together

Belly bands are a great way to hold all the components of your wedding invitation suite together. They are narrow strips of material, usually made of paper, that wrap around the middle (or belly) of your invitation suite, keeping them neatly assembled.

You can buy belly bands in a variety of materials, including paper, vellum, and fabric. They come in a range of colours and designs, so you can choose one that matches the theme and colour palette of your wedding. You can also personalise your belly band with monograms, dates, names, or anything else you can think of.

If you're not including an inner envelope with your invitations, a belly band is a good way to keep all the pieces of your invitation suite together. It also adds a touch of elegance and prestige to your invitations.

When arranging your invitation suite with a belly band, it's best to order the contents by size, with the largest items placed at the bottom. This means that the formal invitation, which is usually the largest piece of correspondence, should go on the bottom, followed by the reception card, enclosure cards, and then the reply envelope. Place the entire arrangement within the belly band and secure it closed using the accompanying sticker. Then, place the bundle inside the envelope.

You can buy belly bands online from websites such as Minted, Amazon, and Etsy.

Frequently asked questions