Guide To Sending Wedding Invitations With Clear Directions

Wedding invitations can be a major undertaking, and it's important to ensure that guests have all the information they need. While it's common to include a response card and details about accommodations, many couples wonder if they should provide directions to the wedding venue. Although most people use GPS these days, including directions is still considered proper etiquette, especially if the venue is hard to find or in an unfamiliar area. Here's a guide to help you decide how to send directions with your wedding invitations.

Include a map and directions card

Including a map and directions card in your wedding invitation is a great way to ensure your guests can arrive at your special day with ease. While it is no longer considered mandatory to include a map, it can be a cute touch that your guests will appreciate.

• Enclosure Cards: Use enclosure cards to provide directions to your wedding venue and reception site (if they are separate locations). This way, your guests will have all the information they need in one place, and you can choose a style that complements your invitation suite by matching your colour palette, theme, and tone.
• Full Addresses: Include the full addresses of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site on the directions card. This ensures that your guests can easily locate the venues, even if they are unfamiliar with the area.
• Map Options: You can choose to include a physical map or a digital map. A physical map can be a nice keepsake for your guests, while a digital map can be easily accessed on their smartphones. If you opt for a digital map, consider including a QR code or a link to the map on your wedding website.
• Clear and Legible Directions: Provide clear and concise directions on the card. Consider the font size and type to ensure all your guests can read the directions easily. Directions should be straightforward and include any relevant landmarks or road work that guests should be aware of.
• Accommodations and Other Information: You can include additional information on the directions card, such as accommodations for out-of-town guests, transportation details, and other relevant event information. This helps your guests plan their trip and have all the necessary details in one place.
• Timing: Send out your wedding invitations, including the directions card, about six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond and make travel arrangements if needed.

By including a map and directions card in your wedding invitation, you can rest assured that your guests will have the information they need to arrive at your celebration without getting lost!

Provide the full address of the venue(s)

Providing the full address of the venue(s) is essential when sending out wedding invitations. This ensures that your guests can easily locate the venue and arrive on time, reducing stress for everyone involved. Here are some tips to consider when including the venue address:

Format and Style:

Use a clear and easily readable font for the address to ensure your guests can decipher it without difficulty. It is best to write out the full address, including spelling out abbreviations like "Street" instead of using "St." and writing out the full state name. For example, "Washington, District of Columbia" instead of "WA" or "DC." This adds a touch of formality and ensures clarity.

Enclosure Cards:

Consider using enclosure cards, also known as direction cards or insert cards, to provide the venue address. These cards can complement your invitation suite by matching the colour palette, theme, and tone of your invitations. Enclosure cards are a great way to provide all the necessary information in a concise and stylish manner.

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Traditionally, wedding invitations included both an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope contains the full address for postal delivery and follows a more formal etiquette, including titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." The inner envelope is more informal and includes the names of the invited guests, including children. If you choose to include both envelopes, the inner envelope with the guests' names should face the back flap of the outer envelope.

Digital Alternatives:

In today's digital age, you may also choose to include a link to your wedding website on the invitation, where guests can access the venue address and other relevant information. This can be especially useful for guests who prefer digital directions over paper ones.

Additional Tips:

When providing the venue address, consider including the names of both the ceremony and reception locations if they are separate. This ensures that your guests know where to go for each part of the wedding. It is also a thoughtful gesture to include directions or a map, especially if the venue is in an unfamiliar area or is difficult to navigate.

Remember to give yourself enough time to assemble and send out your invitations. It is recommended to mail them about six to eight weeks before the wedding to allow adequate time for responses and ensure a reliable headcount.

Add a link to your wedding website

Adding a link to your wedding website is a great way to provide your guests with all the information they need to get to your wedding on time. Here are some tips to help you add a link and ensure your guests have a smooth and stress-free experience:

Include All the Necessary Details:

On your wedding website, make sure to include all the necessary details such as the full address of the wedding venue, directions, and any relevant information about transportation or parking. This will make it easy for your guests to find their way to the venue without any hassle.

Provide Clear and Concise Directions:

When adding directions to your wedding website, make sure they are clear and concise. Consider including a custom map or a link to a Google Maps location pin. This will help guests visualize the route and ensure they don't get lost, especially if the venue is in a remote or hard-to-find location.

Make the Link Easily Accessible:

When including the link to your wedding website on your invitation suite, make sure it is easy to find and access. You can include it on the same card as the directions or on a separate insert card. Ensure the font size and formatting are legible, so guests can easily type the link into their web browser.

Test the Link:

Before finalising your invitations, be sure to test the link to your wedding website. Double-check that it directs guests to the correct webpage and that all the information on the website is up-to-date and accurate. This will help avoid any last-minute confusion or errors.

Encourage Guests to Visit the Website:

Consider adding a gentle reminder on your invitation, encouraging guests to visit your wedding website for more information. This can be a simple phrase such as "For more information and directions, please visit our wedding website." This will ensure that guests know to look for additional details beyond what is included on the paper invitation.

Consider a card with directions and accommodations

If you have guests coming in from out of town, it is a good idea to include a separate card detailing hotel options. This is especially helpful if you have negotiated a special rate with a hotel for your guests. You can also include a deadline for making reservations, although this is optional.

If you are providing transport from the hotel to the venue, you can include this information on the same card. It is also a good idea to include the hotel's phone number, address, and the name or group code for your room blocks.

If your wedding venue is hard to find or does not show up properly on GPS, a map insert or directions card can be very useful. You can include a hand-drawn map, which adds a fun and colourful element to your stationery suite, or a text-based card with directions. If the venue is easy to find, you can skip this card and just include the address on your invitation.

If you have negotiated a special rate with a hotel, you can include this information on a card with the directions. You can also include an illustrated map or list out driving directions. If you have a lot of directions to multiple locations, you may want to use a double-sided card.

Use enclosure cards for directions

Enclosure cards are a great way to provide your wedding guests with clear directions to your venue. Here are some tips to make the most of these cards and ensure your guests arrive at your celebration without a hitch:

Design and Content

Firstly, ensure that the style of your enclosure cards complements your wedding invitation suite. Opt for cards that match your colour palette, theme, and tone. This creates a cohesive and elegant look for your wedding stationery.

For the content, include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site if they are in different locations. This ensures that your guests can easily find each place, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. You can also add a link to your wedding website, where guests can access the address directly and find other helpful information related to your special day.

Formatting and Font

When formatting your enclosure cards, it's essential to use a legible font. Select a font that is easy to read for all of your guests, especially those who may have difficulty with smaller print or intricate scripts. You don't want your guests squinting to decipher the directions!

Maps and Personal Touches

While including a map is not necessary in this age of GPS and smartphones, it can be a cute and fun addition to your enclosure cards. A custom weekend map, for example, adds a touch of personality and can also serve as a keepsake for you and your guests.

Timing and Assembly

Be sure to give yourself enough time to assemble your invitations and enclosure cards. It's recommended to send out invitations about six to eight weeks before the wedding. This allows your guests adequate time to respond and for you to get a reliable headcount.

When assembling your invitations, place the invitation at the bottom, print side up. Stack all other inserts, such as the enclosure cards, on top of the invitation, with the smallest insert on top. Finally, insert everything into the inner envelope with the print side up, so that when guests open the envelopes, they will immediately see the lettering.

Weighing and Postage

Before sending out your invitations, bring a completed invitation suite (including the enclosure cards) to the post office to have it weighed. This will ensure you have the correct postage, as many invitations require postage for more than one ounce.

Hand-Cancelling

When you visit the post office, you can also request that your invitations be hand-cancelled. This means that each stamp will be manually marked, preventing the damage that can be caused by machines printing bar codes on the envelopes. This is a great way to keep your invitations neat and pristine.

By following these tips for your enclosure cards, you'll be well on your way to ensuring your guests have a smooth and stress-free journey to your wedding celebration.

Frequently asked questions