The Essentials Of A Wedding Invite

Wedding invitations are an essential part of the planning process, providing guests with key details about the big day. While the design and wording of invitations can vary, there are several standard components that should be included. These include the full names of the couple getting married, the hosts (usually the people paying for the wedding), the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, as well as an RSVP card or online RSVP details. Additional details such as dress code, parking arrangements, transport, and accommodation options can also be included, either on the invitation itself or as separate inserts.

Date, time, and location

When it comes to wedding invites, the date, time, and location are essential. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure your guests have all the information they need:

Date

It is important to include the date of your wedding, confirming the day your guests will need to be available. While it is customary to write out the day of the week, date, and month in full, some contemporary invitations may use abbreviations or numerals. For example, "Saturday, the fourth of June 2018". Avoid using ambiguous language or formats that could cause confusion.

Time

Clearly state the time of the ceremony on your invitations to avoid latecomers. Indicating the start time will help guests understand when they should arrive and at what time of day (a.m. or p.m.). For formal invitations, it is recommended to write out the time rather than using numerals, for example, "four o'clock in the afternoon". If you prefer, you can also specify the part of the day, such as "Saturday afternoon".

Location

Provide the name and full address of your ceremony and reception locations. This ensures your guests know exactly where they need to be and at what time. If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, you can simply add a line like "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". However, if they are at different venues, include a separate reception card with the start time and address.

Additionally, consider including specific spaces within the venue, such as "In the Chapel" or "On the Lawn". If your venue is in a remote area or has limited parking, it may be helpful to include brief directions or suggest alternative parking locations. You can also provide the website of the venue if it contains useful information like maps and directions.

In conclusion, the date, time, and location are crucial elements of a wedding invitation. By including this information clearly and comprehensively, you can help your guests arrive at the right place at the right time, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

RSVP details

Response Card and Envelope:

Include a physical RSVP card with your invitation, even if you also offer an online RSVP option. This caters to guests who may not be comfortable using a computer or prefer a more traditional response method. On the card, provide a specific deadline for responses, typically two to four weeks before the wedding date. It is also helpful to include checkboxes for meal choices if you are offering a plated dinner.

Contact Information:

Provide clear contact information for responses, such as a name, address, phone number, or email address. This ensures guests can easily reach you with their RSVPs and any questions they may have.

Guest Names and Plus-One Details:

On the response card, include a space for guests to write their names. If you are offering a plus-one option, specify this on the card, for example, "John Smith and Guest." Numbering your guests on the RSVP cards and your guest list can help you keep track of responses, especially if you have guests with similar names.

Pre-Addressed and Stamped Envelope:

Provide a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for the RSVP card to make it convenient for your guests to respond. This small envelope should be designed to fit only the RSVP card and should be marked with your address.

Online RSVP Option:

If you choose to offer an online RSVP option through your wedding website, ensure that the website link is clearly included on the invitation or on a separate small card. However, be mindful that not all guests will visit the website, so include all essential information on the paper invitation as well.

Additional Events:

If you have other wedding-related events, such as a welcome party or brunch, consider including separate inserts or cards with those details. You can also ask guests to RSVP to these events when they respond to the wedding invitation. This ensures that guests don't miss out on important information.

Accommodation and Travel Information:

Provide details about recommended hotels, room booking deadlines, and transportation options. You can include this information on your wedding website or as a separate insert or card with the invitation.

Gift Registry Information:

If you have a gift registry or prefer certain types of gifts (or no gifts at all), this information can be included on your wedding website or as a separate card.

Dress Code:

While not essential, including dress code information can be helpful for your guests. You can specify the expected attire, such as black-tie, semi-formal, or casual, to ensure your guests are appropriately dressed for the occasion.

Remember to be selective and include only the most relevant and essential details in your RSVP section. You want to provide enough information for your guests to plan and respond effectively without overwhelming them with excessive instructions.

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding invitation as it lets guests know what kind of attire to plan for. While it's not essential to include, it can be useful to give your guests a sense of the style of your wedding day.

• Black Tie: This is a formal dress code, and guests are expected to wear formal attire such as tuxedos or evening gowns.
• Semi-formal: This dress code is a step down from black tie, but still calls for elegant attire. For men, this could mean a suit and tie, while women might wear a cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit.
• Lounge Suit: This dress code is less formal, and guests are expected to wear a suit, but not a tuxedo.
• Cocktail: For this dress code, guests should wear dressy attire that is a step above semi-formal. Women can wear cocktail dresses or nice jumpsuits, while men can wear suits or blazers with dress pants.
• Smart Casual: This dress code is more relaxed, and guests can wear something nice but not too formal. For men, a button-down shirt with dress pants or a blazer would work, while women can wear a nice blouse with dress pants or a skirt.
• Casual: This dress code indicates that guests can wear whatever they feel comfortable in. It's important to note that "casual" doesn't mean jeans and a t-shirt; guests should still dress neatly and appropriately for a wedding.

You can also include additional details about the dress code if there are specific requests or instructions. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you might specify that guests should wear dressy sandals or wedges instead of heels, as they may sink into the sand. Or, if your wedding has a particular colour scheme, you could encourage guests to wear outfits that coordinate with it.

It's worth noting that you don't have to include the dress code on the invitation itself. Many couples now use their wedding website to communicate this detail, which gives you more flexibility in terms of wording and allows you to provide additional context if needed.

Additional events

If you are planning to have additional events, such as a welcome party, cocktail hour, or a farewell brunch, it is a good idea to include an insert in the invitation or send a separate invitation for these events. This ensures that your guests don't miss out on any of the festivities.

For events like a welcome cocktail party or a farewell brunch, it is advisable to include a separate card with details about these gatherings. This card can be included in the same envelope as the main invitation or sent out separately. Providing information such as the date, time, and location of these additional events will help your guests plan their attendance accordingly.

If your wedding spans an entire weekend with multiple events, a full itinerary or "weekend events card" can be beneficial. This card can include details such as welcome drinks, an after-party, a day-after brunch, or any other activities you have planned. It is also a good idea to include hotel recommendations, room block information, and transportation details for out-of-town guests.

Additionally, if you are having a destination wedding or have guests travelling from another country, providing travel information and recommendations can be extremely helpful. This can include online travel resources, directions to the venue, and any other relevant details to navigate the destination.

Gift preferences

If you have a wedding gift registry, it is considered poor etiquette to include this information on your wedding invitation. Instead, you can include this information on a separate insert card that matches your wedding theme. You can also include your wedding website on the invitation, where guests can find more information about your gift registry.

If you would prefer money instead of gifts, you can create a cash fund or a gift card registry and include a polite note on your insert card, such as:

> "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.]."

If you don't want gifts at all, you can include a line such as:

> "Your presence on our special day is gift enough for us."

If you would like to suggest that guests donate to a charity in lieu of gifts, you can include a line such as:

> "In lieu of gifts, we would be honoured if you would consider donating to [charity name]."

You can also include a separate card with your invitation that provides more information about the charity and how to donate.

If you are including children on your guest list, it is considered acceptable to include a polite note on your insert card stating that gifts are not necessary, such as:

> "No gifts required – your presence is a gift to us!"

Frequently asked questions