Essential Details To Include On Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are the key source of information for guests, so it's important to include all the necessary details. The invitations should include the names of the couple, the hosts, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and the dress code. It is also helpful to include an RSVP card and envelope, as well as information about the reception venue and any additional events. For destination weddings or hard-to-find venues, providing directions and accommodation options is essential. Finally, don't forget the all-important postage and consider adding a personal touch with custom stamps or wax seals.

Date, time, and location

The date, time, and location of the wedding are essential details that must be included in the wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions to consider when providing this information:

Date and Time:

It is crucial to include both the date and time of the ceremony on the invitation. Be sure to specify the day of the week, the date, month, and year to avoid any confusion. For a formal invitation, it is customary to write out the time rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon."

Location:

Provide the full address and name of the venue for both the ceremony and reception. If the ceremony and reception are held at the same location, you can simply add a line such as "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." However, if the reception is at a different venue, include a separate reception card with the time and address. This card should also indicate the formality of the event. For instance, "Breakfast Reception" for events before 1 p.m. or just "Reception" for events after 1 p.m.

Additional Considerations:

You may also want to include other details related to the date, time, and location to make it easier for your guests:

• Directions or Map: Consider including a separate direction card, especially if the venue is hard to find or in a remote area. You can also include a custom map or weekend itinerary for a more personalised touch.
• Accommodations: If you have guests coming from out of town, provide a separate accommodations card with hotel options and transportation details. You may also include a deadline for making reservations.
• Weekend Schedule: If your wedding spans multiple days and includes events like a rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, or a post-wedding brunch, include a schedule or itinerary for your guests. This can be part of the invitation suite or provided on your wedding website.
• RSVP and Response Card: Include a way for your guests to respond to your invitation, such as an RSVP card with a pre-addressed and stamped envelope. You can also direct guests to RSVP through your wedding website, but it is considerate to provide a physical response option as well, especially for older guests who may not be comfortable with digital responses.

Remember, the key is to provide your guests with all the essential information they need to celebrate your special day with you.

RSVP details

RSVP cards are one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. Unless you decide to use an online RSVP system, a physical response card is standard. A response card, once mailed back, confirms whether or not the guest will attend. It also allows space for them to indicate if they are bringing a guest and their food preference, if applicable.

Response cards can be bought separately or as part of a wedding invitation package. They should include an RSVP deadline, which is typically three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to get a final headcount for the caterer and finalise your seating chart.

When sending response cards, include a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for your guests' convenience. Number the names on your guest list and write the corresponding number on the back of the response card. That way, you can look up responses by number in case of illegible handwriting or if someone forgets to include their name.

If you're offering a plated dinner, include checkboxes on the response cards for guests to choose their meal preference. You can also include a song request line, such as "We promise to dance if you play ___________".

If you decide to forego response cards and direct guests to RSVP on your wedding website, be considerate of older guests who may not be comfortable using a computer. In this case, you could send them a response card even if you're not including them with the majority of the wedding invitation suites.

Online RSVPs

If you're asking your guests to RSVP online, it's still a good idea to include a paper RSVP card for guests who prefer not to respond via the web.

Addressed/Postmarked RSVP Envelope

Include a small envelope designed to fit the RSVP card and nothing more. It should be included empty, stamped, and marked with your address so that guests can easily mail their responses back to you.

Dress code

Including a dress code on your wedding invitation is optional. However, it can be helpful for guests to know whether to wear casual attire, dressy casual attire, semi-formal attire, black-tie optional, black tie, or white tie. If your wedding is black tie, you must include that on the invitation. If you don't include any wedding attire information, guests will infer the dress code based on the formality of the invitation itself. For example, a simpler invitation suggests a more casual dress code.

• Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suits or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach casual (long- or short-sleeve shirts with pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)

Website and registry info

Your wedding website is an incredibly helpful resource for your guests, so don't skip this step! Your website is the perfect place to include important details such as accommodations and registry info.

Including your wedding website on your invitation is a great idea, but it may cause the invitation to look a bit cluttered. Instead, you can include it on a separate insert or information card. This way, you can also include other details such as directions, transportation information, lodging suggestions, etc.

Registry details are not typically included in the invitations. You can put that information on your wedding website instead.

If you'd like to ask for money instead of wedding gifts, you can create a cash fund or a gift card registry. Here are some ways to word your request:

• "Your presence at our wedding is gift enough, but should you wish to buy us something, we'd greatly appreciate a contribution toward [insert cash fund here, and get specific about what it’s going toward: “buying a home,” “paying for our honeymoon,” etc.].".
• "We’re so lucky to have everything we need to start our life together. But if you wish to give a gift, we would be so grateful if you could help us make memories by contributing to our honeymoon fund."
• "The best gift you could give us is your presence at our wedding. However, if you’re inclined to give us a gift, we would graciously accept a contribution to our [insert cash fund here]."

Directions and accommodations

Directions

It is important to include directions to your wedding venue, especially if it is in a rural location or difficult to find. You can include a custom map or a list of directions to help your guests navigate to the venue. This is especially helpful for guests who may not have smartphones or access to the internet.

Accommodations

If you have guests travelling from out of town, it is a good idea to include details about hotel options near your venue. You can also include information about transportation to and from the hotels to the wedding venue. If you have reserved a room block, be sure to include the name and address of the hotel, as well as any special codes or booking deadlines that your guests should be aware of.

Additional Information

You may also want to include other relevant information such as parking instructions, a list of things for guests to do in the area, and any wedding weekend activities that are planned. This can be included on an insert card that matches your wedding theme, or on your wedding website.

Destination Weddings

If you are having a destination wedding, be sure to give your guests plenty of time to plan by sending out your invitations early. Include recommended travel information and other helpful details about navigating to the destination. You may also want to provide an alternate/online reply method for guests who are travelling from a different country.

Frequently asked questions