Creating Civil Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and creating your own wedding invitations can be a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're looking for elegant and traditional or fun and modern, there are many ways to make your civil wedding invitations unique and memorable. From choosing the right wording to selecting a design that reflects your style, you can create invitations that will impress your guests and set the tone for your wedding.

Choosing a template and customising it

When choosing a template, consider the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. Do you prefer a simple and elegant design, or something more intricate and detailed? Perhaps you want to incorporate specific colours or a particular theme that aligns with your wedding's style. Both Canva and Greetings Island offer a multitude of options, including rustic, floral, boho, and classic designs, ensuring that you can find the perfect template to match your vision.

Once you've selected a template, it's time to customise it! This is where your creativity can truly shine. Most templates allow you to personalise various elements, such as fonts, colours, stickers, and photos. You can even upload your own images to give your invitations an extra special touch. Play around with different fonts, add decorative stickers, or include a romantic quote or poem that holds significance for you and your partner.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different design elements until you achieve a result that you're happy with. Remember, your wedding invitations will be cherished keepsakes for you and your guests, so it's important to take the time to make them unique and reflective of your style as a couple.

After finalising the design, you can choose to download and print the invitations yourself or utilise the printing services offered by some platforms. This convenient option ensures that you receive high-quality prints delivered directly to your doorstep.

Including the correct information

When it comes to including the correct information on your civil wedding invitations, there are several key details you should cover to ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here is a breakdown of the essential elements to include:

Host Names

It is customary to include the names of the hosts at the top of the invitation. In traditional wedding invitations, this would typically be the parents of the bride. However, modern invitations may include the names of both sets of parents or even the couple themselves, especially if they are hosting the wedding. For example:

> Mr & Mrs John Smith and Mr & Mrs Alan Jones request the pleasure of [guest name/your company] at the marriage of their children Jessica and Edward.

A Warm Invitation Sentence

Your wedding invitation should include a friendly sentence inviting guests to witness and celebrate your special day. This can be as simple or creative as you like. Here are some examples:

> "We request the pleasure of your company"

> "Would love for you to join us"

> "Invite you to celebrate with us"

Couple's Names

Be sure to include the full names of the couple getting married. In traditional invitations, the bride's name typically precedes the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order that feels right for you.

Date and Time of the Wedding

Provide the date and time of the wedding ceremony. For formal invitations, write out the full date and time (e.g., Saturday, the twenty-first of May, at half past six in the evening). For casual weddings, using numerals is fine.

Location of the Ceremony and Reception

Include the name and address of the wedding venue(s). If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you may indicate this with a phrase like "followed by a reception" or "and afterward at the reception." If the reception is at a separate location, include the name and address on a different line.

RSVP Details

Provide clear instructions for how guests should RSVP. You may include a separate RSVP card with your invitation or direct guests to respond digitally via email or your wedding website.

Additional Information

For smaller details like travel, accommodation, attire suggestions, and parking information, consider including a separate card with your invitation. You can also direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Proofread and Edit

Before finalising your invitations, be sure to proofread them carefully. Ask detail-oriented friends or family members to review your invitation wording to catch any errors or typos.

Adding a separate RSVP card

When it comes to wedding invitations, a separate RSVP card is a useful addition. It is a great way to prompt guests to respond in a timely manner and help you organise the seating chart, menu and even a music playlist. Here are some tips for adding a separate RSVP card to your civil wedding invitation:

• Basic Information: The RSVP card should include the full names of the couple, the date and time of the ceremony and reception, the names and locations of the wedding venues, and the deadline date for the RSVP.
• Format Options: You can format the attendance line as checkboxes, fill-in-the-blank lines, or a simple line for guests to write their responses. You can also include dietary restrictions, song requests, and other special requests.
• Design and Customisation: Choose a design that complements your wedding invitation. You can select from various colours, styles, and themes to match your wedding style. You can also add a personal touch by including a photo of the couple on the RSVP card.
• Digital Alternatives: If you prefer a more sustainable and cost-effective approach, consider including a QR code or a wedding website link on your invitation. Guests can scan the code or visit the website to respond digitally, eliminating the need for separate RSVP cards.
• Envelopes and Postage: If you opt for physical RSVP cards, include pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelopes to make it convenient for your guests to send their responses. This also ensures that you receive the responses promptly.
• Timing and Reminders: Send your wedding invitations with RSVP cards enclosed about six to eight weeks before the wedding date. For destination weddings, it is advisable to mail the invitations at least three months in advance. If RSVPs are pending two weeks before the wedding, gently remind your guests to respond.

Proofreading and getting a second opinion

Get a Printed Proof

First, get a printed proof of your invitation. Reviewing a physical copy is much easier than proofing on a screen. Holding your invitation will help you feel confident about your colour, design, and paper choices. Check that the colours match between all the items in your suite.

Proof Punctuation and Grammar

Check all spellings, including names, and ensure that punctuation and grammar are correct. Look out for common mistakes such as misspelling, punctuation misuse, missing spaces after commas, adding extra spaces, and inconsistent capitalisation. Pay particular attention to ensuring the wedding day and date are correct.

Proof for Consistency

Check for consistency in type size, font types, and wording. For example, be sure to use either UK or US English consistently, e.g. "honour/honor" and "favour/favor".

Proof for Readability

Consider whether your text is easy to read. Is the font size big enough, but not too big? Remember that script fonts in all caps can be difficult to read. Avoid light text on a light background, and dark text on a dark background.

Proof Photo Quality

Only use high-quality, high-resolution photos. Check for blurriness and ensure your photos fit the frame.

Proof Styling and Graphic Elements

Check that text and design elements are properly aligned, with correct spacing between lines and words. Ensure the text isn't too close to design elements or the edge of the page. Look out for words or lines of text that appear separated from their paragraphs.

Get a Second Opinion

Ask a trusted friend or family member to review your invitation. They can provide a fresh perspective and might catch something you missed.

Sending them to print or sharing digitally

When it comes to sending your civil wedding invitations to print or sharing them digitally, there are several options available.

Printing Options

If you opt for printed invitations, you can either use a professional printing service or print them at home. Many online invitation companies offer high-quality printing services, often with customisable options such as envelope liners, foil details, and custom colours and fonts. Basic Invite, for example, offers seal-and-send invitations that come pre-addressed with your guest's addresses, and include a built-in RSVP section that can be torn off and mailed back.

Digital Options

Digital invitations are a great way to save money and time, as well as being more environmentally friendly. They can be just as stylish as printed invitations, and there are many online platforms that offer free or affordable templates, such as Greetings Island, Evite, Paperless Post, and Etsy. These platforms often provide additional services, such as RSVP tracking, event reminders, and customisable digital envelopes.

Mailing Options

If you choose to mail your invitations, you can either send them yourself or use a mailing service. Postable, for example, offers customisable invitations and will mail them to your guests for you.

Timing

It is recommended that wedding invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, allowing extra time if guests need to arrange time off and travel. Save-the-date cards can be sent out four to six months in advance, and earlier if the wedding is a destination wedding.

Frequently asked questions