The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are an important aspect of wedding planning. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day and can set the tone and style of your wedding. The process of choosing and sending out invitations can be daunting, but with the right guidance, you can create elegant and informative invitations that will impress your guests. From deciding on the design and wording to assembling and sending the invitations, there are many factors to consider. In this topic, we will explore the art of wedding invitations, providing tips and advice on everything from etiquette and timing to cost and assembly. We will also discuss the role of save-the-dates, response cards, and other enclosures, ensuring that you have all the information you need to create invitations that shine.

Timing: Send save-the-dates 8-12 months before, and invitations 8-10 weeks before the wedding

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and sending out your invites is one of the most important steps in the process. It's essential to get the timing right to ensure your guests can attend and to give them enough notice to plan and prepare.

Save-the-dates are the first step in the process, and it's a good idea to send these out early, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend. The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 8-12 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to book travel and accommodation and ensures they don't make other plans. It's also a good opportunity to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more information and check for updates.

The next step is to send out your official wedding invitations. Etiquette suggests that these should be sent out 8-10 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to reply and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel if they haven't already. It's also important to request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding so that you can finalise numbers with your vendors and complete your seating plan.

If you're inviting a lot of international guests or having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to add a few extra weeks to this timeline. Aim to send out invitations around 12 weeks in advance to give your guests ample notice.

Design: Opt for a classic or modern look, with a colour scheme and motif

Wedding invitations are the guests' first impression of the wedding, setting the tone and giving a preview of the special day. The design of the invitation is an important part of this.

The design of the invitation should reflect the style of the wedding. For example, if the wedding will be a casual beach wedding, the invitation should convey this from the start. If the wedding will be a formal event, the invitation should be equally formal in tone and style.

The colour scheme of the invitation is also important. While ivory, cream or white card stock paired with a black or gold font is the classic choice for formal invitations, couples may also choose to incorporate their wedding colours and motifs into the invitation design. Colourful or metallic fonts, paper stock, envelopes and liners can be used to create a cohesive look throughout the wedding paper, including escort cards, menus and ceremony programs.

It is important to keep the invitation simple and elegant, ensuring it stands the test of time. Creative or trendy designs can quickly look outdated or cliché. The invitation should also be easy to read, with a clear font and colour contrast between the text and background.

The invitation should include the full names of the couple getting married, the names of the hosts (if different), the date, time and address of the wedding, and a small section on the reception. This information should be displayed on the front of the invitation, with the couple's names in the largest font. Any additional details can be included on a separate insert to avoid cluttering the invitation.

Overall, the design of the wedding invitation should be classic or modern, with a colour scheme and motif that reflects the style and tone of the wedding. This will create a cohesive and elegant look that makes a great first impression on the guests.

Wording: Include the couple's names, date, time, venue, and dress code

Wedding invitations are the guests' first impression of the event, and they set the tone and style of the wedding. The wording and design are important to get right, and there are several elements that should be included.

The invitation should include the couple's full names, the date, time, and venue. The date should be written out in full, including the year, and the time should be indicated using “half after” instead of "half past" or "four-thirty". The city and state of the wedding location should be included, and the venue name can be added for clarity.

The dress code is also an important piece of information for guests. This can be indicated using general wording such as "dress casual" or "black tie".

The invitation may also include the names of the hosts, such as the parents of the couple or those paying for the wedding. If the couple is hosting and paying for the majority of the event themselves, it is not necessary to include other hosts.

The invitation may also include a small section on the reception, stating "Reception to follow" if it is at the same location, or providing the address of the reception venue if it is elsewhere.

The wording of the invitation will depend on the design, and it is best to keep the most important information displayed on the front of the invitation, with the couple's names in the largest font. Any additional details can be included on a separate insert to avoid cluttering the invitation.

Assembly: Stack the cards in size order, with the largest card at the bottom

Wedding invitations are usually assembled in size order, with the largest card at the bottom. This is the main invitation card, which should be placed face up.

If you are using a vellum liner, place it on top of the invitation card. Vellum liners are thin sheets of paper that were traditionally used to prevent ink from smearing or rubbing off in the post.

Next, add your reception card, followed by any other enclosure cards, such as a direction or detail card, a map card, or a hotel accommodations card. These should also be placed face up. If you have a wedding website, include the address and password on one of these cards, or even a QR code that guests can scan.

If you are including a traditional, mailed RSVP card, place the envelope for this, printed side down, on top of the enclosure cards, with the envelope flap on the left. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.

Finally, add any finishing touches, such as a belly band, a ribbon, or a vellum wrap.

Envelopes: Address by hand or hire a calligrapher for a personal touch

Wedding invitations are a guest's first glimpse into your wedding day, and they set the tone for the entire event. The envelope is an important part of the invitation suite, and there are a few options for addressing them.

Handwritten Addresses

Handwriting each address is a more formal and personal approach. It shows your guests that you took the time to handwrite their name and address, indicating that you want them at your wedding. However, this option requires impeccable handwriting, so if your penmanship isn't the best, you may want to consider another option.

Printed Labels

Printed labels are an easy and affordable option, but they may not be as formal or personal as handwriting. This option is good if you're short on time or want a consistent look for your invitations.

Digital Calligraphy

If you want the look of calligraphy but don't want to hire a calligrapher, you can use digital calligraphy software to print the addresses from your computer. This option gives you the elegance of calligraphy without the expense of hiring a professional.

Hiring a Calligrapher

Hiring a calligrapher is a great way to add a beautiful, personal touch to your wedding invitations. A calligrapher uses special tools and ink to create ornamental writing in a range of fonts and styles. They can address your envelopes by hand, giving them a unique and elegant appearance.

When choosing a calligrapher, it's recommended to go local for convenience and to save time. You can find calligraphers on vendor pages or social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where you can check out their previous work and learn more about their style. If you find someone you like but want a unique style, create a Pinterest board with samples to share with them so they can match your vision.

Be sure to get your envelopes to the calligrapher at least two to three weeks before you need them. This will give them enough time to complete the task and ensure that your invitations are mailed out on time.

Envelope Assembly

Once your envelopes are addressed, it's time to assemble the invitation suite. The invitation card goes on the bottom, followed by any vellum liners, reception cards, and other enclosure cards. If you have a wedding website, include the address and password on one of the enclosure cards. Finally, add the RSVP card and envelope, with the printed side visible and the envelope flap on the left.

After assembling the suite, insert it into the envelope with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. This ensures that when the flap is opened, guests can immediately read the invitation.

Final Steps

Seal your envelopes using a bottled envelope moistener, being careful not to use too much to avoid sogginess. Place a heavy book on top of the stack to ensure all envelopes are securely sealed. Add any wax seals or return address labels, and your invitations are ready to be mailed!

Frequently asked questions