The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invitation Details

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. They should include the essential information about who is getting married, and when and where the ceremony and reception will be held. The invitation should also include the full address and contact details of the venue(s), parking and transport arrangements, accommodation options, venue payment methods, arrival time for guests, end time, menu options, dress code, gift list or wish poem, and whether children are invited. In addition, it is useful to include an RSVP card and envelope, a stamp, and an outer envelope.

Date, time, location, and duration

The date, time, location, and duration are essential components of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for including this information effectively:

Date and Time:

It is crucial to confirm the date and time of your wedding on the invitation to ensure your guests' attendance. Avoid using abbreviations or numerals and instead write out the full date and time, including the day of the week, date, month, and year. For example, "Saturday, the sixteenth of October 2024, at four o'clock in the afternoon." Specify the time of day, such as afternoon or evening, to provide clarity for your guests.

Location:

Clearly state the ceremony and reception locations on your wedding invitation. Include the name and full address of each venue, along with any specific spaces within the venue, such as "In the Chapel" or "On the Lawn." Providing the website links of the venues can also be helpful, especially if they offer useful information like maps and directions. If your venue is in a remote area or has limited parking availability, consider including brief directions or suggestions for parking locations.

Duration:

Informing your guests about the expected duration of the wedding celebration is essential for their planning. While it is not necessary to provide an exact end time, you can use traditional phrases such as "Carriages at midnight" to indicate the approximate conclusion of the event. This information helps guests arrange their transportation, especially if they need to pre-book taxis or other forms of travel.

Additional Considerations:

Depending on the complexity of your wedding logistics, you may want to include additional information related to date, time, location, and duration. Consider providing:

• Arrival time for guests: It is common to request guests to arrive and be seated before the ceremony begins. For example, "Please arrive from 12:30 pm to be seated for the ceremony starting at 1:00 pm prompt."
• Reception timing: If your reception follows immediately after the ceremony in the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow." However, if the reception is at a different venue or starts at a significantly later time, provide the reception time and address separately.
• Transport arrangements: If you plan to provide transportation for your guests between venues, include brief details about the pick-up and return times and locations.
• Overnight parking: If your venue allows overnight parking, mention this in your invitation to accommodate guests who may need alternative transportation arrangements.

Remember to be selective and include only the most relevant and essential information. You can always direct your guests to your wedding website for additional details and updates.

RSVP and deadline

The RSVP and deadline are crucial components of your wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure you effectively communicate this information to your guests:

RSVP Method:

It is standard practice to include an RSVP card within the invitation suite. This physical card allows guests to confirm their attendance without the need for personal stationery. You may also include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for their convenience. However, if you prefer to receive responses electronically, you can direct guests to your wedding website or provide an email address. It is worth considering that older guests may be more comfortable with traditional RSVP methods, so you could offer both options to ensure an accurate headcount.

RSVP Deadline:

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of three to four weeks before the wedding date. This deadline should be clearly communicated on the RSVP card or the wedding website, if applicable. This deadline is essential for confirming final numbers with your venue and caterer.

Additional RSVP Details:

If you are offering a plated dinner, you can include a section on the RSVP card for guests to indicate their entrée preference. It is also helpful to have a space for guests to write their names, especially if you are expecting attendees who share the same last name. Numbering the RSVP cards and matching them to your guest list can also help you keep track of responses, especially if the guest's handwriting is illegible or they forget to include their name.

Managing Responses:

Even with a clear deadline, you may need to follow up with some guests for their responses. It is a good idea to anticipate this and have a system in place for tracking responses and chasing outstanding replies. This could be a simple spreadsheet or a more complex system, depending on the size and complexity of your guest list.

In summary, the RSVP and deadline are critical components of your wedding invitation, and by following the above suggestions, you can effectively manage your guest responses and ensure a smooth planning process for your big day.

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding invitation as it helps your guests plan and prepare for your big day. Here are some tips and suggestions for including the dress code on your wedding invitations:

Including the Dress Code

Including the dress code on your actual wedding invitations is optional. Nowadays, many couples choose to omit this information from the invitation itself and instead use their wedding website to communicate the dress code to their guests. However, if you prefer to include it on the invitation, you can add a line that indicates the dress code expectation. Some common dress code options include:

• Casual Attire
• Dressy Casual Attire
• Semi-Formal Attire
• Black Tie Optional
• Black Tie
• White Tie

Choosing the Right Dress Code

When deciding on the dress code for your wedding, consider the formality of your event. For example, a black-tie ballroom soiree calls for a more formal dress code, while a casual beach ceremony suggests a more relaxed attire. If you're unsure about which dress code is appropriate for your wedding, you can take a quiz or seek guidance from wedding planning resources.

Providing Additional Details

In addition to the dress code, you may want to include specific instructions or requests. For instance, if your wedding will be held in a barn or on a farm, you might want to request that guests choose their footwear accordingly. Another example is encouraging the use of wedding hats as part of the attire. These additional details can be included on a separate details card along with other relevant information for your guests.

Online RSVP and Website Information

If you're collecting RSVPs through your wedding website, it's a good idea to include the website address on the invitation or on a separate details card. This ensures that your guests have easy access to the website where they can find additional information, including the dress code.

Hosts and guests of honour

The first part of your wedding invitation should include the names of the hosts (those who are paying for the event). This is usually followed by a request line, such as "request the pleasure of your company" or "invite you to celebrate the marriage of". If the ceremony is taking place in a place of worship, you may want to use "request the honour of your presence".

If the bride and groom are hosting, their names can be listed first, followed by the invitational lines. If the bride's or groom's parents are contributing financially or covering all the costs, their names should be included.

For heterosexual couples, the woman's name typically goes first, but you can order your names however you prefer. LGBTQIA+ couples can order their names alphabetically, by age, or however else feels right. You can include your first and middle names, first and last names, or full legal names. If the couple's parents' names are mentioned, the couple will usually use their first and middle names. However, you can also use the formality level of your wedding as a guide. For example, at a black-tie ballroom event, you may want to include full names, whereas a casual beach ceremony may call for just first names.

Wording Examples

• Bride's parents hosting: Mrs Lauryn and Mr Robert Devine request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Sophia Anne Devine to Matthew Paul Johnson...
• Both bride's and groom's parents hosting: Mrs Lauryn and Mr Robert Devine together with Mrs Dianna and Mr Peter Johnson request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of Sophia Anne Devine and Matthew Paul Johnson...
• Bride and groom hosting: Sophia Devine and Matthew Johnson invite you to join them as they exchange vows...

Additional events

If you have additional events such as a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or farewell brunch, it's a good idea to include this information in your wedding invitation. Here are some suggestions on how to communicate these extra events to your guests:

Insert Cards

You can include insert cards along with your wedding invitation. These cards can provide details about the additional events, such as the date, time, and location. This ensures that your guests have all the necessary information in one place.

Separate Invitations

If you prefer, you can create separate invitations for each additional event and include them in the same envelope as your wedding invitation. This approach allows you to provide more detailed information and gives a clear indication of who is invited to each event.

Website Details

If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL on your invitation or on a separate insert card. On your website, create a dedicated page for each additional event, providing all the necessary details. This approach saves space on your invitation while still allowing guests to access the information easily.

RSVP Options

When guests RSVP for the wedding, you can ask them to RSVP for the additional events as well. This can be done through your wedding website or by providing a separate response card specifically for the additional events. This helps you keep track of attendance for each event.

Direction Cards

If your additional events are taking place at different locations, consider including direction cards. Provide clear and concise directions, especially if the venues are in rural areas or hard-to-find locations. You can also include custom maps or recommendations for transportation options.

Weekend Itinerary

If your wedding spans an entire weekend, a weekend itinerary card can be helpful. Provide a schedule of events, including any pre- or post-wedding activities such as welcome drinks, brunches, or after-parties. This gives your guests a clear overview of the entire celebration.

Frequently asked questions