Wedding Invitation Enclosure Cards: What To Include

Wedding enclosure cards are a great way to provide guests with additional information about your big day. They can be used to include details about the reception, especially if it's at a different location or there's a gap between the ceremony and reception. Enclosure cards can also be used to provide guests with information about dress codes, travel and accommodation, COVID protocols, and shuttle services. If you have a wedding website, you can include the link and RSVP deadline on the enclosure card as well. While it's not necessary to include all the details on the enclosure card, it's a good idea to provide guests with key information, as not everyone may check the website.

Reception details

If your wedding reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.

If you're not serving a full meal, you could say something like:

> Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing.

If your wedding is black-tie, you must include this on the invitation. If you don't include wedding attire information, guests will infer it based on the formality of the invitation. For example, if the invitation is formal, guests will likely anticipate a formal affair.

If your wedding reception is not in the same location as the ceremony, include a separate card with the reception information, indicating the formality and nature of the event. If the reception is before 1 pm, the first line should say "Breakfast Reception". Anything after 1 pm is simply "Reception".

If you want to indicate a sit-down meal, the first line should read "Dinner Reception". If you want to throw an adults-only affair, you should notify guests verbally and by addressing the invitation to the adult guests only. If you must include an "Adults-Only Reception" line, do so on the reception card, and as the last line.

Dress code

There are a few options for where to include dress code information, but the most common place is on the wedding invitation itself. This can be included in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre of the design. Alternatively, you can include it on a separate information or details card, or on your wedding website.

White Tie or full evening dress:

> We ask that men wear tailcoats and women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged.

Black Tie:

> We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown.

> Black tie does not mean you must wear black. However, traditionally men would wear a bow tie and black tuxedo.

Black-Tie Optional:

> We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie and women wear an evening gown or midi or knee-length cocktail dress.

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> Formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit.

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal:

> We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress or dressy separates for women and a suit and tie for men. Please note that the venue does not permit blue jeans or sneakers.

Cocktail Attire:

> We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi- or knee-length dress or dressy separates.

Smart Casual:

> We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year in California, may we suggest the following attire:

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> Women: sundresses, lightweight separates and flats or wedge heels for the outdoor ceremony on the lawn.

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> Men: light dress shirt with khaki or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional.

Travel and accommodation

If you have guests travelling from out of town, it's a good idea to include an enclosure card with travel and accommodation details. This is especially important if your wedding venue is hard to find or you have older guests who may not have modern navigation systems.

You can include the name, address, phone number, and website of the hotel(s) you recommend or have a group rate with. If you have a group rate, be sure to include instructions on how guests can receive the discount when booking. It's also helpful to include a deadline for when they should book by.

> For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at:

> The Comfort Inn & Suites

> 2918 Route 15 South | Lewisburg, PA 17867

> 800-493-5555

>

> Please reference the "Smith-Johnson" Wedding when making your reservation. Please make your reservations by June 3rd to receive the special group rate.

If you are providing shuttle services or transportation for your guests, be sure to include this information as well. Include the travel itinerary, pick-up times, and locations.

> Transportation will be provided to and from the wedding ceremony and reception from the Comfort Inn & Suites. Shuttles will depart from the hotel lobby 45 minutes prior to each event and return every half-hour beginning at 8 pm. The final shuttle departs the reception at 11 pm.

If your wedding venue is difficult to find, you may also want to include a map or written directions. You can include the complete address of the venue and step-by-step driving directions. If your guests are travelling from different directions, provide separate sets of instructions for each direction.

For destination weddings or weddings with a lot of out-of-town guests, you can also include travel info such as website links, phone numbers, travel dates, car rental info, and things to see and do in the area.

RSVP details

If you are doing online RSVPs, it is important to include a separate RSVP card with instructions on how to RSVP and the deadline for doing so. This is to ensure that your guests don't miss this information, as not everyone will check your wedding website.

> For more details and to RSVP, please visit our website [insert website URL]. Kindly respond by [insert date].

If you are collecting RSVPs by mail, you could include an RSVP card with the following text:

> RSVP by [insert date]

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> We have reserved [insert number] of seats in your honour.

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> Please mail your response to [insert address].

If you are doing online RSVPs but still want to include an RSVP card, you could combine the two examples above:

> RSVP by [insert date]

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> We have reserved [insert number] of seats in your honour.

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> Please scan the QR code to RSVP on our website [insert website URL] or visit the website directly.

If you are doing online RSVPs, it is a good idea to include the website URL and/or a QR code on your RSVP card, even if you include this information on your wedding invitation or details card. This is to ensure that your guests have easy access to the website and don't miss the RSVP deadline.

COVID protocols

Enclosure cards are a great way to share important details about your wedding with your guests. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these cards can be used to communicate safety measures and protocols to your guests. Here are some paragraphs that you can include on your enclosure cards or wedding website to inform your guests about COVID-19 protocols:

• We understand if you don't feel comfortable attending our wedding during these uncertain times, and we completely respect your decision. We want to assure you that we will be taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our guests on our special day.
• The safety and well-being of our guests are of utmost importance to us. We will be following all local health guidelines and regulations to create a safe environment for everyone in attendance. We kindly request that all guests wear face masks during the ceremony and reception. Please bring your own mask, and we will also have extra masks available for anyone who needs one.
• To maintain social distancing, we have chosen a venue that allows for ample space for our guests to spread out. We will be setting up both indoor and outdoor spaces to ensure everyone's comfort and safety. We encourage you to move freely between these spaces and find an area where you feel most at ease.
• In addition to face masks, we ask that you bring your own hand sanitiser for personal use throughout the day. We will also have hand-sanitising stations set up at various locations to encourage proper hygiene. Please remember to sanitise your hands frequently and practise social distancing as much as possible.
• We understand that some guests may have different comfort levels regarding physical contact. To respect everyone's boundaries, we will be implementing a colour-coded band system. Guests can choose to wear wristbands indicating their comfort level with hugs, high fives, or keeping their distance. This way, everyone can feel comfortable and respected during the celebration.
• To stay informed about any changes or updates to COVID-19 protocols, please visit our wedding website, which we will keep current with the latest safety regulations. We will also be providing a detailed timeline of the wedding day, including which parts will be held indoors and outdoors. This way, you can make informed decisions about your comfort level and attendance.

Frequently asked questions