The Art Of Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Design And Style

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get them right. From traditional to modern, rustic to tropical, there are many styles to choose from. But what information should you include, and how do you make sure your invitations look good?

Design and key information

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding day, so you'll want to make them stand out. The design of your wedding invitation should reflect the style of your wedding, whether that's classic and elegant, casual and relaxed, or modern and glamorous.

The standard wedding invitation is a 4.5-inch-by-6.25-inch rectangular card, but couples are increasingly experimenting with different shapes, such as circular, scalloped, and square invitations. The colour scheme of your invitation is also important, and you may want to incorporate your wedding colours into the design. While ivory, cream, or white card stock paired with a black or gold font is the classic choice for formal weddings, you can also opt for colourful or metallic fonts, paper stock, envelopes, and liners. Just make sure that the text is still legible—avoid light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds.

In terms of key information, wedding invitations typically include the couple's names, the date and time of the ceremony and reception, and the location. It's also a good idea to include RSVP information, either on the invitation itself or on a separate RSVP card. If there is a dress code, this can also be included on the invitation, as can details of your wedding website or gift registry.

Other optional pieces of information you may want to include are:

• Reception details, if the reception is at a different location to the ceremony
• Directions to the venue(s)
• Details of any other wedding-adjacent parties, such as a welcome cocktail party or farewell brunch
• Accommodation options for guests travelling from out of town

RSVP and response card

The RSVP card is a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. It is a way to kindly ask your guests to reply to your invite so you know if they'll be attending your celebration. Here are some tips and ideas for your RSVP and response cards:

Response Card and Envelope

The response card and envelope are a traditional element of the wedding invitation suite. While it may seem obvious, couples often forget to include key details like the time, date, and ceremony and reception locations on the invite. It is also important to include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope with each response card so that guests can easily send their responses. Numbering the names on your guest list and writing the corresponding number on the back of the response card can help you keep track of responses, especially if someone forgets to include their name.

RSVP Wording

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to learn who is coming to your wedding. The card should include an attendance line for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines. You can also include meal choices on the response cards with checkboxes for guests to choose their preference. It is important to set an RSVP deadline, usually around four weeks before the wedding date, and feature it prominently on the card.

Special Requests

You can include a special request line on your RSVP cards, such as song requests or drink preferences to help you decide how to stock your bar. You can also ask for a favourite memory of the couple or relationship advice to make it more fun for you and your guests.

Online RSVPs

Even if you are providing an option for guests to RSVP online, it is still recommended to include a physical response card for guests who prefer not to use the web. You can include the wedding website URL on the response card or a separate card in the invitation suite.

Reception card

A reception card is an optional but important element of a wedding invitation suite. It is necessary if the wedding reception is held at a different location from the wedding ceremony. The reception card should include the following details:

• Type of reception (e.g. cocktail, formal, dinner)
• Directions and/or a map to the reception venue
• Theme of the reception, if it's not a surprise
• A line indicating an adults-only reception, if relevant

The reception card is part of the wedding invitation suite, which refers to all the paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. The suite should always include a response card and important information like directions and accommodations. Other optional elements include an inner envelope, a directions card, a weekend events card, and an accommodations card.

Envelopes

Types of Envelopes

There are two types of envelopes that are typically used for wedding invitations: outer envelopes and inner envelopes.

• Outer Envelopes: These are the standard envelopes that hold all the invitation materials and are addressed to the recipients. They should be sturdy enough to hold all the contents while still matching the theme and colour scheme of the wedding. Outer envelopes are usually included in the cost of wedding invitation packages, but sometimes they are an additional cost.
• Inner Envelopes: Inner envelopes are placed inside the outer envelopes and hold the invitation itself, as well as any other enclosure cards. They are a great way to add a personal touch and elegance to your invitations. Inner envelopes can be used to list the names of each guest, especially if you are inviting specific individuals within a family. For example, if you are inviting a family with children, the outer envelope can be addressed to "The Smith Family", while the inner envelope can list the names of the parents, "John and Victoria Smith", indicating that the children are not invited. Inner envelopes are not necessary, but they can add a luxurious feel to your invitations.

Preparing Your Envelopes

When preparing your envelopes, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Calligraphy: While not required, hiring a calligrapher to address your envelopes can add a beautiful and elegant touch. It is more formal and personal than using printed labels, but it can be more expensive. If you have neat handwriting, you can also consider addressing the envelopes yourself.
• Return Addresses: It is common to include return addresses on the back of the envelope, but this can cause issues with machine-cancelling stamps. If you choose to put the return address on the back, be sure to request hand-cancelling at the post office to avoid wavy lines on your envelopes.
• Stamps: Be sure to use the correct postage for your envelopes, especially if they are bulky or heavy due to multiple enclosure cards. You can also consider using customised stamps that match your wedding theme or colours.
• Assembly: When assembling your envelopes, place the invitation card down first, followed by any other enclosure cards, such as reception cards, response cards, and directions/lodging cards. If you have an inner envelope, place it inside the outer envelope with the front of the inner envelope facing you.

Timing and Mailing

It is recommended to send your wedding invitations out between six and eight weeks before the wedding date. If you are having a destination wedding or getting married during a holiday season, it is a good idea to send them out even earlier (12 weeks in advance).

Enclosure Cards

In addition to the invitation card itself, there are several types of enclosure cards that can be included in your envelopes:

• Response Cards: These cards are essential and allow guests to confirm their attendance, indicate their meal preferences, and provide any other necessary information. Response cards should be included even if you are using an online RSVP system, as not all guests may be comfortable using a computer.
• Reception Cards: If your wedding reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include a separate card with the reception details, including the type of reception (cocktail, formal, dinner, etc.), directions, and any theme or dress code information.
• Directions/Lodging Cards: These cards are especially important if your wedding venue is in a remote or hard-to-find location. Include clear directions and any relevant information, such as unmarked roads or transportation options. If you are providing accommodations for guests, include this information as well.
• Weekend Schedule/Events Cards: If your wedding spans multiple days or includes additional events such as a rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, or a post-wedding brunch, include an itinerary or schedule for your guests.
• Belly Bands, Wax Seals, or Customised Stamps: These additions can hold all the enclosure cards together and add a finishing touch to your invitations. Belly bands are typically made of string or paper/fabric bands, while wax seals and customised stamps offer a personalised mark.

Remember to include stamped and addressed return envelopes for your response cards to make it convenient for your guests to reply.

Timing

The timing of sending out your wedding invitations is crucial. It's recommended that you send out your 'save the dates' 8 to 10 months before the wedding, especially if you're having a destination wedding or getting married during the holidays. This will give your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and request time off work.

When it comes to the official wedding invitations, aim to send them out 8 to 10 weeks before the big day. This means you should order your invitations about 4 to 5 months in advance. If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding during the holidays, it's advisable to send out your invitations even earlier, about 12 weeks in advance.

The RSVP deadline should be set 3 to 4 weeks after guests receive the invitations. Check with your caterer to find out when they need the final headcount. Keep in mind that the more time you give guests to respond, the more likely they are to forget. However, you'll need sufficient time to create a seating chart and finalise décor elements, which your vendors will need a few weeks before the wedding.

If you're sending out 'save the dates', it's a good idea to scout stationers 9 to 11 months before the wedding. This will give you plenty of time to choose a style that suits your wedding theme and colours. It's also more cost-effective to order everything from one stationer, so consider ordering your 'save the dates', invitations, and any other stationery items from the same place.

Frequently asked questions