Wedding Car Details: What To Include In Your Invitation

A wedding details card is a small piece of stationery that is part of a wedding invitation suite. It provides guests with pertinent information that wouldn't typically go on the invitation itself. This includes details such as accommodation, transportation, directions, dress code, and parking arrangements. The card should be concise, brief, and easy to read, with only essential details included. It is usually smaller than the invitation and can be included in the same envelope.

Venue and accommodation details

The venue and accommodation details card is a crucial part of your wedding invitation suite. It provides guests with essential information that will help them plan their attendance at your special day. Here are some tips and suggestions on what to include in this card:

Venue Details:

• Full address and contact information: Include the full address, including the postcode or zip code, of your ceremony and reception venues. This information is crucial for your guests' navigation systems. You may also include brief directions if the venue is off the beaten track or hard to find.
• Parking arrangements: Inform guests about parking options and any relevant instructions. If parking is limited, suggest alternative parking areas. Also, mention if overnight parking is allowed at the venue.
• Transportation arrangements: If you are providing transportation for your guests, include pick-up and return times and locations.
• Arrival and end times: Let guests know when they should arrive and be seated before the ceremony. You may also include a line about any pre-ceremony activities, such as arrival drinks. Additionally, a traditional way to inform guests about the end time is to use the phrase "Carriages at midnight."
• Cashless venues: If your venue only accepts card or contactless payments, it is helpful to inform your guests about this in advance.

Accommodation Details:

• Accommodation options: Provide a range of accommodation options, including hotels, inns, or the possibility of staying at the venue itself. Include contact information, booking instructions, and any special rates or arrangements you have made for your guests.
• Room blocks: If you have reserved a block of hotel rooms for your guests, communicate this clearly. Provide the hotel's name, address, phone number, reservation deadline, and any group codes. You may also mention that guests should refer to your wedding when booking to receive a discounted rate.
• Website references: Include your wedding website address on the accommodation details card. This will allow guests to access further information, such as maps, directions, and updates.

Remember to keep the information concise and well-organised. You may also consider including graphics or illustrations to make the card more engaging.

Transportation information

If you are providing transport for your guests, it is important to include these details in your wedding invitation. This will help your guests plan their journey to your wedding and ensure they arrive on time.

• The type of transport provided, such as a party bus or shuttle service.
• The pick-up and drop-off locations.
• The time of the first pick-up and the return journey.
• Any relevant times, such as when guests need to be seated or when celebrations will end. This will help guests who need to pre-book taxis or arrange alternative transport.
• Parking information for guests who prefer to drive themselves. Let them know if parking is limited or if there are any restrictions, such as overnight parking allowances.
• A map or directions, especially if your venue is hard to find or off the beaten track. This could be included on the same card as transport details or as a separate insert.

You may also want to include a tick box on your reply cards to get an idea of numbers for any transport you provide.

Parking and directions

The venue for our wedding ceremony is [venue name], [full address and postcode] and the reception will be held at [venue name], [full address and postcode].

If you are travelling by car, there is parking available at the [venue name] but spaces are limited so we recommend arriving early to secure a space. If you are unable to find parking at the venue, there is additional parking available at [location].

For those not driving, the nearest train station is [station name] which is a [duration] walk/drive from the venue.

If you are travelling from overseas or interstate, the closest airport is [airport name] which is approximately a [duration] drive from the venue.

For those who would like to stay nearby, we have reserved a room block for our guests at [hotel name], [full address and postcode]. This is located a short [duration] walk/drive from the venue.

Please note that our venue is [brief directions] and can be difficult to find on GPS, so we recommend allowing plenty of time for travel and referring to the directions provided or using the map included with this invitation.

We look forward to celebrating with you on our special day!

Dress code

If you have a specific dress code in mind for your wedding, it's a good idea to include this on your details card. This is especially important if your wedding venue has a strict dress code, such as a military base.

Your dress code details card should include brief attire suggestions, such as "lawn-appropriate shoes" or "beach casual". Keep the details concise and avoid listing a long set of rules or suggestions.

If you don't want to include a separate card, you can simply note "black-tie" or "cocktail attire" in the bottom right-hand corner of your invitation.

Examples:

• "Black-tie"
• "Cocktail attire"
• "The wedding party will be in pink, we'd love you to coordinate!"
• "The reception will be in a barn on a working farm, please choose your footwear accordingly"

Itinerary

A wedding itinerary card is a great way to give your guests a clear overview of the day's events. This is especially useful if you are having a multi-day celebration or a destination wedding. Here are some tips on what to include:

Timing is Everything

Provide timings for each part of the day, from the ceremony itself to the dinner service, first dance, and any other key moments. This will help your guests know what to expect and when, ensuring they don't miss a thing.

Location, Location, Location

If your wedding celebrations span multiple venues, be sure to include the addresses and, if necessary, directions to each location. This is a great way to ensure your guests can easily navigate their way between venues and arrive on time.

Transport

If you are providing any transport for your guests, such as a shuttle bus between venues, be sure to include these details on your itinerary card. Let guests know where and when they can hop on board, and any return times they need to be aware of.

Additional Events

If you are hosting any additional events, such as a post-wedding brunch or a welcome cocktail hour, be sure to include these in your itinerary. This will give your guests a full picture of the celebrations and allow them to plan accordingly.

Keep it Concise

While you want to provide your guests with all the necessary information, be sure to keep the wording concise and to the point. A cluttered and wordy itinerary card may be off-putting for guests, so stick to the essential details.

Design and Style

As with all your wedding stationery, the design and style of your itinerary card should match the overall aesthetic of your wedding. This could be a simple, classic design or something more fun and creative, perhaps incorporating small graphics or illustrations.

Frequently asked questions