Essential Details For Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. They are the first line of defence when it comes to delivering important details to guests. While the specifics of what to include may vary depending on cultural or personal preferences, there are several key elements that should be included. These include the names of the couple, the hosts, the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, as well as information on how to RSVP. Other details such as dress code, travel and accommodation information, and additional events may also be included but are not essential. The invitation suite may also include response cards, envelopes, stamps, and directions or map inserts.

Date, time and location

The date, time, and location of your wedding are essential details to include in your invitations. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure your guests have the information they need:

Date and Time:

It is crucial to confirm the date and time of your wedding on the invitations. While your guests may have marked their calendars based on save-the-dates, providing this information again ensures everyone is on the same page. Be sure to include the day of the week, date, and time of day (a.m. or p.m.) to avoid any confusion. For formal invitations, it is customary to write out the time rather than using numerals, for example, "four o'clock in the afternoon."

Location:

Clearly state the ceremony and reception locations, including the names and addresses of the venues. If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, you can simply add a line like "Reception to Follow." However, if they are at different locations, provide separate cards with the relevant information. If your venue is unique or off the beaten path, consider including extra details such as parking instructions or a custom map illustration to guide your guests smoothly to your celebration.

Additional Considerations:

Depending on the complexity of your wedding plans, you may need to include additional information related to date, time, and location. Here are some optional elements to consider:

• Reception Card: If your reception is at a different location or has a notable time gap from the ceremony, a separate reception card can be helpful. This card can include the reception location, address, and time.
• Weekend Schedule: If your wedding spans multiple days with various events, a weekend schedule card can be included. This card can outline events such as welcome drinks, rehearsal dinners, after-parties, or brunches, providing guests with a comprehensive overview.
• Directions/Lodging Card: If your wedding venue is remote or challenging to find, consider providing a separate directions card. You can also include lodging information on this card, such as hotel options and transportation details.
• Map Insert: For unique or hard-to-find venues, a hand-drawn or illustrated map insert can be both charming and functional. It adds a personalised touch to your invitation suite while helping your guests navigate to your special day.

RSVP details

RSVP cards are one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. Unless you decide to use an online RSVP system, a physical response card is standard. This card allows guests to confirm their attendance and indicate any dietary requirements or other preferences.

If you are collecting RSVPs by post, include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for your guests' convenience. Number the names on your guest list and write the corresponding number on the back of each response card. This will help you identify any unclear responses.

The deadline for responses should be included on the RSVP card, and it is recommended that this is set three to four weeks before the wedding date. You may also want to include a place for guests to write their names and the number of guests attending.

If you are offering a plated dinner, you can include a section for guests to indicate their entrée preference. However, avoid including the entire meal description, opting instead for short meal options such as "chicken/beef/vegetarian".

For a more cost-effective option, you can skip the added cost of RSVP envelopes by directing guests to respond online through your wedding website. Alternatively, you can use a postcard format for responses.

Gift registry information

When it comes to gift registry information, it is considered bad etiquette to include this directly on your wedding invitation. Instead, you can include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, where guests can find details of your registry. It is also acceptable to spread the word by mouth.

Your wedding website is a one-stop shop for guests to access all of your wedding information, so they will expect to find your wedding registry there. This is a much more subtle approach when it comes to asking for gifts from guests. It is commonplace and proper etiquette to include the URL for your website on your wedding invitation to direct guests to the web page to RSVP and to find more details.

Most wedding website templates offer a registry tab, which is the perfect place for couples to list their registry information. If guests navigate to that section, they are actively seeking your registry to buy a wedding gift. You can also include your registry information in the wedding details section of your website.

> "We're looking forward to celebrating with you on our big day. Having you attend our wedding is the greatest gift of all, however, if you're looking for wedding gift ideas, we've registered here for things that we need to outfit our home: [insert details]."

> "We're moving in together for the first time after the big day, so we've put together a gift registry of things we need to complete our home and for our new life together. You can find our wish list at [insert details]."

> "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! If you would like to honour us with a gift, we have registered a list with [insert details]. Gift cards to [insert details] are also appreciated, as we are moving into a new home after the wedding."

> "We're thrilled that you're coming to celebrate with us—and that's the best gift of all! But, if you'd like to help us spruce up our place, you can find our registry at [insert details]."

If you are having a bridal shower, it is appropriate and encouraged to include registry information on the invitations. Keep the information short and sweet, for example:

> "The happy couple [or their names] have registered at [insert store details]. You can find their gift list online at [insert store URL] or in-store with registry ID number: [insert registry number]."

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding invitation, as it informs guests about the formality of the event and what they should wear. Here are some tips and suggestions for including dress code information in your wedding invitations:

Including Dress Code Information:

• The level of formality of your wedding will dictate the dress code. For instance, a black-tie ballroom event calls for a different attire than a casual beach ceremony.
• You can include a line that indicates the expected attire, such as "Casual Attire," "Dressy Casual Attire," "Semi-Formal Attire," "Black Tie Optional," "Black Tie," or "White Tie."
• If you're unsure about the dress code, consider taking a quiz or seeking advice from a wedding planner or stylist.
• You can also include dress code information on your wedding website, especially if you want to provide more detailed explanations or suggestions.

Optional Attire Cards:

• If your wedding venue requires a strict dress code beyond the standard categories like black-tie or cocktail attire, you may consider including a separate attire card.
• This is particularly important for weddings held at military bases, where a specific dress code may be required for admittance.
• Keep the attire suggestions brief and concise, focusing only on the necessary details.
• As an alternative to a separate card, you can simply note the dress code (e.g., black-tie or cocktail attire) in the lower right corner of the main invitation.

Other Considerations:

• It's considered rude to include an "Adults-Only" dress code or any age-related restrictions on the invitation or any of its enclosures.
• If you prefer adults-only celebrations, it's recommended to address this through word-of-mouth or by listing only the parents' names on the invitation envelopes.
• For destination weddings or weddings with a unique theme, ensure your dress code aligns with the location or theme. For example, suggest "beach casual" attire for a beach wedding.

Additional events

If your wedding will span a whole weekend, with multiple events such as welcome drinks, an after-party, or a day-after brunch, it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for your guests so they know what to expect and pack for. This is also the place to mention if any wedding weekend activities are adults-only.

You can include things like hotel recommendations with room blocks and transportation locations and times. This is also where you would mention if any wedding weekend activities are adults-only.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's important to establish the wedding guest list early to get a grasp on where your guests will be travelling from. If the whole guest list is travelling to a destination wedding, send your save-the-date cards well in advance, and include recommended online travel information that can be accessed early. If only some guests are travelling from a different country, keep in mind that invitations may need extra mailing time, and an alternate/online reply method is recommended.

If you're laying on any transport for your guests, for example, from the ceremony to the reception, include those details too. Brief details are enough, for example, where and when the pick-ups are and what time the return journey will be. If you want an idea of numbers for any transport, you could add a tick box to your reply cards.

If you're having a seated, served reception with multiple entrée options, you can list the entrée options on the RSVP card, for example, chicken, beef, or vegetarian, and have people note the number of each they will want.

If you're getting married in a unique venue or somewhere your guests may not be familiar with, it's useful to include an insert with extra information. Instructions around parking can be extremely helpful to guests who've never seen your wedding venue. Other ideas include a custom map of the area to show where your ceremony and reception are in relation to each other, or a list of things your guests can do in the lead-up to your nuptials.

If you're throwing your post-wedding bash at a different locale than the ceremony, you should provide a reception card. This piece will note the location of the reception, the address, and the time (whether it's an exact hour or just "immediately following the ceremony").

Frequently asked questions