The Complete Wedding Invitation Suite: What's Included?

The entire package of wedding invitations is called a wedding invitation suite. It usually consists of multiple cards in different sizes, including the invitation card, reception card, RSVP card, and envelope. The suite may also include additional details such as directions, accommodation information, and wedding website details.

Response/RSVP card

A wedding invitation suite refers to all the paper goods sent out with the wedding invitation. This includes a response card, directions, and accommodation information. Response cards, also known as RSVP cards, are a useful but optional addition to the wedding invitation suite. They are usually included to prompt guests to respond to the invite in a timely manner, helping the couple organise the seating chart, menu, and music playlist.

RSVP stands for "Répondez, s'il vous plaît", which is French for "please respond". On a wedding RSVP card, guests indicate their names and whether they will attend the wedding. They may also be asked to mark their food preferences and include any song requests or other information that will be helpful for the event's organisation.

When including RSVP cards, it is customary to also include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope so that guests can easily send their responses back. The envelopes should have the name(s) and address of whoever is handling the RSVPs, which could be the couple, their parents, the wedding planner, or someone in the wedding party. It is also considerate to pre-stamp the reply envelope to save your guests from having to find postage.

RSVP cards can be formatted in various ways, such as checkboxes, circling options, or fill-in-the-blank lines. They can also be designed to match the wedding invitation suite. Some couples may opt for online RSVPs instead, providing a wedding website link or phone number for guests to respond.

Reception card

A wedding invitation suite refers to all the paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. This typically includes a response card, directions, and accommodations. If the wedding reception is at a different location from the ceremony, a separate reception card should be included.

When designing your reception card, you can include graphic elements like icons, vectors, or illustrations to match your wedding theme. You can also add the URL to your wedding website and password info. If the main wedding invitation is a folded card, place the reception card within the folded invitation, rather than on top.

• Start with the invitation card at the bottom, print side up.
• (Optional) Include a thin sheet of vellum on top of the invitation card.
• Place the reception card face up on top of the invitation card.
• Stack the remaining enclosure cards (direction or detail card, map card, hotel accommodations card) face up on top of the reception card.
• Add the RSVP card and envelope to the suite. Place the envelope for the RSVP printed side down, with the flap on the left, and the reply card under the envelope flap, face up.
• (Optional) Add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to hold the suite together.
• Insert the whole suite into the envelope with the cards facing up.
• Seal the envelope.
• Add address labels.
• Mail your invitations and start your final wedding preparations!

Direction card

A wedding invitation suite refers to all the paper goods sent out with the wedding invitation. This includes the invitation itself, as well as any other cards with important information for the guests. One of these optional cards is a direction card.

When creating your direction cards, it's important to use a legible font to ensure that all your guests can read the information easily. You can also include a custom map or weekend itinerary for a more personalised touch.

• Place the direction card within the folded invitation or stack it on top of the reception card, facing up.
• Include other enclosure cards, such as a map card or hotel accommodations card, along with the direction card.
• Provide your wedding website address and password info on the direction card or one of the other enclosure cards.
• Consider including a QR code that guests can scan to access your wedding website easily.
• Update your wedding website with all the relevant information before sending out the invitation suite.
• If you're concerned about postage costs, consider including the directions on your wedding website instead of in the invitation suite.
• If you have a lot of enclosures, use an inner envelope, belly band, folder, or pocket-style invitation to keep everything organised.
• Remember that direction cards are optional, and you can include directions on your wedding website instead.
• Be mindful of the font size and style to ensure all your guests can read the directions easily.
• Include any additional information that may be helpful for your guests, such as parking instructions or venue requirements.

Invitation wrapper/belly band

An invitation wrapper, also known as a belly band, is a strip of paper, ribbon, or fabric that holds together all the cards in a wedding invitation suite. Belly bands are typically made from lightweight, flexible paper or premium text-weight paper and come in a variety of colours and finishes, including matte and metallic. They can be personalised with names, dates, or meaningful messages and are often adorned with jewels or botanicals.

Belly bands are especially useful when invitation suites do not include an inner envelope, helping to neatly secure all the components together. They are usually placed over the stacked invitation cards, with the invitation card at the bottom and all cards facing upwards. The band is then secured at the back with adhesive or a sticker.

Belly bands can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, ribbon, vellum, and fabric. When using ribbon, it is recommended to use double-sided tape instead of glue to achieve a flat and mess-free finish. Belly bands made from vellum can be used as a protective layer between invitation cards, preventing the ink from smearing or rubbing off.

Invitation wrappers are an optional but stylish addition to wedding invitation suites, adding a touch of glamour and ensuring that all the paper goods are neatly presented to the guests.

Inner envelope

The entire package of wedding invitations is called a wedding invitation suite. This includes all the paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. While the inner envelope is optional, it is still considered a part of the wedding invitation suite.

The inner envelope is smaller than the outer mailing envelope. It holds the invitation and indicates who is specifically invited to the wedding. This is where you write the names of each wedding guest. If a guest has a specific plus-one, write both their names. If they can bring anyone, the envelope should include their name and "Guest". If there's no plus-one, simply include the guest's name.

The inner envelope is also used to indicate whether or not children are invited. For example, if you are inviting a family, the envelope should be addressed to "The Smiths". If it's adults-only, however, it should read "John and Victoria Smith".

Historically, the inner envelope served a practical purpose. Throughout most of the 20th century, mail was sorted by hand, and envelopes would often arrive dirty and smudged with fingerprints. The inner envelope ensured that the wedding invitation itself arrived in pristine condition.

Today, the inner envelope is still used in formal wedding invitations as part of traditional wedding invitation etiquette. It can be more casual than the outer envelope, with titles such as "Mr." and "Miss" or first names only. It is also an opportunity to get creative and use nicknames, such as "Grandpa" or "Papa B".

Frequently asked questions