Essential Elements For Crafting Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get them right. There are several key things to consider when putting together your invites. Firstly, the design and key information – this includes the couple's names, the date, time and location of the ceremony and reception. It's also useful to include RSVP details and your wedding website address. You might also want to mention the dress code and gift registry information. Response cards are another important element, allowing guests to confirm their attendance and their menu choices. Finally, don't forget the envelopes! You'll need both inner and outer envelopes, with the outer envelope containing all the materials and the inner envelope providing an extra layer of protection and elegance.

Key information: Couple's names, date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception

Wedding invitations should include the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. The invitations are the first glimpse guests will have of the wedding, so it's important to make them shine. Here are some tips for including the key information:

Couple's Names

The names of the couple getting married should be included. For heterosexual couples, the woman's name typically comes first, but the order can be changed to whatever feels right. LGBTQIA+ couples may choose to list their names alphabetically, by age, or in another preferred order. First and middle names or full legal names can be used, depending on the formality of the wedding.

Date and Time

The date and time of the ceremony are essential. It is recommended to include the hour and specify am or pm to avoid any confusion. For formal invitations, the time should be written out in words rather than using numerals (e.g. four o'clock in the afternoon).

Location of Ceremony and Reception

The name and address of the ceremony and reception venues should be included. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, a simple line such as "Reception to Follow" can be added. If the reception is at a different location, a separate reception card with the start time and address is needed.

Additional Tips

• It is common to include an "invitational line" listing the names of the hosts, usually the people paying for the event.
• The invitation should indicate the level of formality, whether it be a black-tie event or a casual beach ceremony.
• The invitation suite may include an inner envelope, which is slightly smaller than the outer mailing envelope. The inner envelope holds the invitation and specifies who is invited.
• Response or RSVP cards are standard and allow guests to confirm their attendance, indicate if they are bringing a guest, and specify any food preferences.
• A details card can be included to provide extra information without overcrowding the invitation. This card can include the wedding website, parking arrangements, transport details, accommodation options, and other relevant information.
• The return address should be included on the back flap of the outer envelope, and postage should be considered, especially if the invitation is bulky.
• It is recommended to have a professional address the envelopes, such as a calligrapher, to ensure an elegant and legible result.

The wedding invitation is a key part of the planning process, providing guests with essential information about the big day. By following these tips, couples can create invitations that are both informative and stylish.

RSVP and response card

Format and Wording

Response cards can be formatted in several ways, including checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines. The primary purpose of the card is to allow guests to accept or decline the invitation, so this should be the most prominent feature. You can use wording such as "Accepts with pleasure" and "Declines with regret" for a formal invitation, or something more casual like "Yasss, let's party!" and "No, party on without me" for an informal wedding.

Names

It is important to include a blank line for guests to write their names, so that you know who will be attending and how to correctly spell their names for the seating chart. On a formal RSVP card, the line should begin with an "M", indicating that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss).

Number of Guests

To prevent guests from adding extra names to their RSVP, it is important to carefully address your wedding invitations. You can also use your wedding website to communicate any limits on additional guests, such as an adults-only wedding. If you are still concerned, you can indicate the exact number of guests invited on the RSVP card, for example, "_ out of _ attending".

RSVP Deadline

It is recommended that couples set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before the wedding date, to allow enough time for final planning and coordination with vendors. This deadline should be featured prominently on the card, and could be the largest text.

Food Preferences and Dietary Requirements

If you are serving dinner at the wedding, you may want to include space for guests to indicate their food preferences and any dietary restrictions or allergies. This could be formatted as checkboxes for entree options, and/or a fill-in-the-blank line for other requirements.

Special Requests

You may also want to include a special request line on your RSVP cards. This could be for song requests, drink preferences, a favourite memory of the couple, or relationship advice.

Directions and accommodations

If your wedding venue is in a remote location or is difficult to find, it is important to include a directions card in your wedding invitation. This can be a simple card with directions to the venue, or a custom map with the venue and surrounding area. This is especially helpful for guests who don't have smartphones or if your wedding is in a rural area with poor signal reception.

You can also include the address and contact details of the venue(s) on a separate card. This is useful for guests who are driving and need to use a Sat Nav to get to the venue. If parking is limited at the venue, it is helpful to include this information on the card, as well as any recommendations for where else guests can park.

If you are providing transport for your guests, for example, from the ceremony to the reception, you can include a card with brief details about the pick-up times and locations.

If you have guests travelling from out of town, it is a good idea to include an accommodations card. This can include details of hotels where you have reserved rooms, along with any special codes or deadlines for booking. You can also suggest some alternative nearby options, considering different price points.

Sample Text for Directions and Accommodations Card

Directions:

• Our wedding venue, [venue name], is located at [address and postcode].
• If you are travelling by car, please be aware that parking is limited. We recommend parking at [alternative parking location].
• For guests without cars, we will be providing transport from [pick-up location] at [time]. The return journey will depart at [time].

Accommodations:

• We have reserved rooms at [hotel name and address]. Please book directly with the hotel, quoting [booking code] to receive a preferential rate.
• Alternative accommodation options include [list of alternative options with price range].

Envelopes and postage

Outer Envelopes:

Outer envelopes are necessary to contain and protect all the materials you are sending to your guests. Choose envelopes that are sturdy enough to hold everything while still aligning with your wedding theme and colour scheme. Simple and standard envelopes can be used, or you can opt for custom-made envelopes to match your invitations. The cost of envelopes can vary, typically ranging from $30 to $100. It is important to ensure that your envelopes are the correct size, as veering away from standard envelope dimensions may increase postage costs.

Inner Envelopes (Optional):

Inner envelopes are smaller than the outer envelopes and are placed inside, holding the invitation itself. They allow for a more personalised presentation by providing space for hand-written calligraphy of your guests' names. Inner envelopes also serve a functional purpose by keeping the invitation contents together and protected. However, they are not necessary, especially if you want to avoid adding bulk or extra cost to your invitations.

Addressing Envelopes:

When addressing your envelopes, ensure that you have the correct spelling and preferred titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or the gender-neutral Mx.) of your guests. It is also important to ask for their last names, as not all married couples share a surname. Include your guests' addresses below their names. If you are unsure about someone's address, reach out to them personally to confirm. Don't forget to include your return address on both the outer envelope and the response card envelope.

Postage:

The weight of your invitation suite will determine the required postage. Heavier invitation bundles with multiple enclosures may require extra postage. Take a fully assembled and stuffed invitation to your local post office to determine the exact postage needed. Remember to consider the weight of any additional elements such as wax seals, belly bands, or ribbons, as these may also increase postage costs.

Hand-Cancelling and Special Processing:

When mailing your invitations, consider requesting hand-cancelling instead of machine-cancelling. Hand-cancelling involves manually stamping your mail to prevent the reuse of stamps, whereas machine-cancelling leaves tacky, wavy lines on your envelopes. Hand-cancelling is especially important if you have placed the return address on the back of the envelope, as machines may not be able to identify the front of the envelope.

Additionally, if you want to track your invitations during the mailing process, select a special processing option offered by postal services. This will allow you to follow your invitations from start to finish, ensuring they reach your guests safely.

Stamps:

Choose stamps that complement your wedding theme and colours. From hearts to flowers, postal services often have a variety of stamp designs available. You can also consider custom-made stamps featuring your names or initials for a personalised touch.

Postage for Response Cards:

Don't forget to include appropriate postage on the response card envelopes to make it convenient for your guests to send back their replies. Pre-address and stamp these envelopes for your guests' convenience.

Timing:

Finally, pay attention to the timing of sending out your invitations. For destination weddings or holiday weddings, it is recommended to send invitations earlier (12 weeks before the wedding) to allow guests sufficient time to make travel arrangements. For local weddings, aim to mail your invitations 8 to 10 weeks in advance.

Optional extras: belly band, wax seal, or customised stamp

Belly bands are a great way to hold all the components of your wedding invitation together, especially if you're not including an inner envelope. They can be made from ribbon, quality paper, or fabric and hold together your cards in a neat stack. Basic Invite offers a range of wedding belly bands in various styles, including vintage, floral, and modern designs, with prices starting at $0.17.

Wax seals are a personalised way to secure your wedding invitation suite, especially if you're using a belly band or vellum inner envelope. You can customise your wax seal with a couple's monogram for extra flair. Artisaire offers a wide selection of wax seals in 36 colours, with prices starting at $0.77. You can also opt for self-adhesive wax seal stickers, which are easy to use and mail-friendly.

Customised stamps can add a unique touch to your wedding invitations and other wedding-related mail. USPS offers a range of wedding-themed stamps that can coordinate perfectly with your wedding stationery. You can also create custom postage stamps to match your wedding theme. WeddingStamps.US provides helpful tips and guidance on selecting the right amount of postage for your invitations.

Frequently asked questions