Wedding Invitation Essentials: Enclosure Etiquette

Wedding invitations are more than just an elegant design and the date of your nuptials. They are a chance to communicate important details to your guests, such as directions to the venue, dress codes, and any arranged transportation. This is where enclosure cards come in. Enclosure cards are small pieces of paper that go inside your wedding invitations, providing guests with extra details and instructions. They are a great way to include those extra details that are important to your big day while keeping your invitations neat and clean.

Reception cards

What to Include

Additional Details

You may also want to include other relevant details on the reception card. For example, transportation arrangements can be mentioned, especially if you are providing shuttle services between the ceremony and reception locations. Additionally, if you have a specific dress code or theme for the reception, this is a good place to indicate it. For instance, for a beach wedding, you can mention beach-friendly attire, or if there is a particular theme, you can list the dress code details.

Wording and Etiquette

The wording on reception cards can vary, but it is common to use headings such as "Reception," "Celebrate," "Dinner and Dancing," or "The celebration continues." If the reception starts right after the ceremony, you can use phrases like "following the ceremony" or "immediately following the ceremony." You can also specify if there will be a cocktail hour or provide start times for dinner and dancing.

Combining with Other Enclosures

To avoid having too many enclosure cards, you can combine the reception card with other details. For instance, you can create a multi-purpose "Information" insert that includes reception specifics along with helpful information like your wedding website, hotel accommodations, or other relevant details. This way, you provide guests with a concise and informative guide while keeping your invitations neat and elegant.

Response cards

When creating response cards, it is important to include a deadline for guests to respond by, as well as a space for them to write their names and specify any plus ones. It is also a good idea to include an area for guests to accept or decline the invitation and to provide them with entree options to choose from.

If you are using a wedding website for guests to RSVP instead of a response card, you can instruct them to do so on the invitation, along with the RSVP deadline. This can be a good way to save on stationery costs, but it is worth remembering that not all guests will be tech-savvy, so a physical response card may be preferable for some.

Accommodation cards

The purpose of an accommodation card is to provide guests with information about where to stay, including any special rates or blocks of rooms that you have reserved at specific hotels. If you don't have a wedding block at a hotel, you can use this type of enclosure card to list two to three recommended hotels in the area, along with their contact information and physical addresses. This will help your guests find accommodations that are close to the wedding festivities and in safe locations.

You should also include any relevant travel information, such as shuttle schedules and pick-up times from the hotel to the ceremony and reception venues. This will ensure that your guests can easily get to and from the wedding events without getting lost.

> "Shuttle service will be provided from the ceremony to the reception. Shuttles will depart at 3:30 pm immediately following the wedding ceremony.

>

> Shuttles will also be available from the Rose Garden Hotel at 2:00 pm to the Wedding Ceremony at The Brookstone. Following the reception, shuttles will return to the hotel at 9:00 pm."

You can also include the web address, phone number, and physical address of the hotels you are recommending to make it easy for your guests to book their stay.

Attire cards

When deciding what to include on your attire card, it's important to be clear and specific about the dress code. Here are some examples of dress codes and their typical meanings:

• Black Tie: Usually indicates an evening wedding where men wear tuxedos with black bow ties and women wear formal floor-length gowns.
• Formal or Black Tie Optional: Guests are encouraged to wear black-tie attire, but it is not required. Men can wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie, and women can wear a floor-length gown, knee-length cocktail dress, pantsuit, or dressy separates.
• Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal: Suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. The wedding party will be in formal attire, and guests can opt for a more casual look. Men can wear a classic suit or tux with a tie, and women can wear a cocktail dress or pantsuit.
• Cocktail Attire: Not overly formal, this dress code encourages guests to be dressed a step above smart casual. Women can wear dresses with an above-the-knee hem or other lengths besides floor-length, and men can wear a suit with or without a tie or a sports jacket and dress shirt.

If you want to add a unique touch to your attire card, consider announcing your theme with a short story or riddle and encouraging guests to participate. You can also include a fun and casual dress code, such as "No suits or tuxes required!"

Remember, it's best not to include more than three enclosure cards in your invitation, so choose the most important information and direct guests to your wedding website for additional details.

Direction cards

Information to Include

Map Cards

While not necessary if you already have a direction card, a map card can be a fun and visual way to guide your guests to the venue. It's especially useful if you have multiple wedding events at different locations, allowing guests to easily pinpoint each site.

Design and Customization

When designing your direction cards, you can choose from a variety of templates, colours, decorative trims, and elegant foils to match your wedding theme and style. You can also opt for a unique look by using stylish fonts and embellishments. Premium paper and precision printing ensure your cards are of the highest quality, with clear, crisp text and images.

Online Options

If you're looking for a convenient and customizable option, online platforms like Mixbook offer intuitive software to create direction cards that match your wedding's theme and colour scheme. You can also coordinate your direction cards with your response cards and invitations for a cohesive look.

Why Direction Cards Matter

Not everyone has a GPS, and even those who do may not know how to use them effectively. Direction cards ensure that all your guests, regardless of their technological skills, can find their way to your wedding without getting lost.

Remember, your direction cards should be printed on coordinating paper and placed inside the outer envelope with the invitation and other enclosures. Keep the information clear, concise, and easy to follow, so your guests can focus on celebrating your special day with you!

Frequently asked questions