The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invitation Details

Wedding invitations are an important part of the planning process. They should include the essential information about who is getting married, and when and where the ceremony and reception will be held. It is also important to include the full address and contact details of the venue(s), parking and transport arrangements, accommodation options, and the dress code. If you have a wedding website, be sure to include the URL on the invitation. Other details such as dietary requirements, children at the wedding, and gift requests can also be included but are not essential.

Date, time and location

When it comes to the date, time and location of your wedding, there are a few key things to include in your invitations to ensure your guests have all the information they need.

Date and Time of the Ceremony

Firstly, confirming the date and time of your wedding is essential. While your guests may have marked the date in their calendars already thanks to your save-the-dates, it's important to include this information in your invitations as well. Be sure to state the day of the week in addition to the date, especially if your wedding is not on a traditional day such as Saturday. This will give your guests plenty of notice. When stating the time, consider including both the start time of the ceremony and the time you want guests to arrive. For example, "Ceremony starts at 2 pm – please be seated by 1.45 pm". This will help to avoid latecomers and let your guests know that the ceremony will start without them if they are not on time. For formal invitations, it is customary to write out the time rather than using numerals, for example, "four o'clock in the afternoon".

Ceremony and Reception Location

Providing clear information about the ceremony and reception locations is crucial. Include the name and full address of each venue, including the postcode for Sat Nav users. If the ceremony and reception are taking place at the same location, you can simply add a line such as "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". However, if they are at different venues, you will need to include a separate reception card with the start time and address. If your venue is in a rural area or is off the beaten track, consider including brief directions on a details card or insert. You can also provide the website of the venue if it has useful information like maps and directions. Additionally, if parking is limited or not available at the venue, be sure to mention this in your invitation so that guests can plan accordingly.

Additional Timing Information

There are a few other timing-related details you may want to include in your wedding invitations. If you are providing transport for your guests, mention the pick-up and return times. Also, if you want your guests to arrive at a specific time before the ceremony for arrival drinks, include this information as well. Finally, if you want your guests to know what time the celebrations will end, you can include a traditional phrase such as "Carriages at midnight".

RSVP details

RSVP Card

It is important to include an RSVP card, even if you are also offering an online RSVP option on your wedding website. Older guests, in particular, may prefer to respond by post. The RSVP card should include a specific date by which you would like guests to respond, usually around eight weeks before the wedding, and space for guests to write their names. If you are offering a plated dinner, you can also include a section for guests to indicate their entrée preference.

Response Envelope

Provide a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for your guests' convenience. Numbering the cards and envelopes can help you keep track of responses.

Online RSVP

If you are offering an online RSVP option, ensure you include the wedding website address on the invitation. You may also want to provide a QR code that guests can scan to be taken directly to the website.

RSVP Deadline

It is recommended that the RSVP deadline is set for three to four weeks before the wedding date. This gives you enough time to chase any late responses and finalise details with your venue and caterers.

Additional Events

If you are hosting additional events, such as a welcome party or farewell brunch, it is best to include an insert with the invitation or send separate invitations. This ensures guests don't miss the information. You can also ask guests to RSVP to these events when they respond to the wedding invitation.

Vaccination Requirements

If you have any specific requirements for guests, such as vaccinations, it is a good idea to include this information on a details card with the invitation.

Contact Information

Provide an email address or phone number that guests can use if they have any questions or need further information.

Gift Registry

If you have a gift registry or prefer monetary contributions, this information can be included on a separate card with the invitation or on your wedding website.

Guest Names

If you are inviting guests by name, ensure that you spell their names correctly on the invitation. This is especially important if you are using formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mx.).

Return Address

Don't forget to include your return address on the RSVP envelopes. This ensures that any responses can be delivered to you, even if the guests forget to include your address.

Postage

Check the weight of your invitations and RSVP cards to ensure you have the correct postage. You may need more than one stamp, especially for heavier invitations.

By including clear and detailed RSVP information with your wedding invitations, you can make it easy for your guests to respond and help ensure a smooth planning process for your big day.

Dress code

Including the dress code on your wedding invitation is optional. However, it is helpful for guests to know what is expected of them attire-wise. If you want to be specific about the dress code, you can include it on the wedding invitation, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. Here are some examples of dress codes and their meanings:

White Tie

This is the most formal wedding attire. Men typically wear tailcoats, while women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged.

Black Tie

Black tie usually indicates a formal, evening wedding. Men wear tuxedos, and women wear floor-length gowns. It is important to note that black tie does not mean one must wear black. However, traditionally, men would wear a black bow tie and a tuxedo.

Formal or Black Tie Optional

These indicate that guests can opt for black-tie attire or something slightly less formal. For men, this could mean a dark suit with a shirt and tie, while women can wear a floor-length gown, a knee-length cocktail dress, a pantsuit, or dressy separates.

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal

This dress code is suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. Men can wear a classic suit or tux with a tie, while women can opt for formal evening wear, such as floor-length dresses or evening pantsuits.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire strikes a balance between elegant and comfortable. Women can choose a tea-length, knee-length, or midi dress, while men are expected to wear a suit and tie, regardless of the setting.

Smart Casual

Smart casual dress code means neat attire without being too dressy or too casual. For men, this could mean dark denim, chinos, or suit pants with a shirt, while women can wear a skirt or smart trousers.

Additional events

If you are hosting additional events, such as a welcome cocktail party, an after-party, or a day-after brunch, it is a good idea to include a separate card with the full itinerary for guests. This ensures that they have all the necessary information and can plan and pack accordingly, especially if they are travelling from out of town.

For events like these, it is also recommended to ask guests to RSVP separately, as some may not be invited to all events. This can be done by including an insert in the invitation, sending something separately, or asking guests to RSVP to additional events when they respond to the wedding invitation.

If you are providing transport for your guests, for example, from the ceremony to the reception venue, then this is also worth mentioning. Include brief details such as the pick-up and return times and locations.

If you are planning to host a destination wedding or have a number of out-of-town guests, it is worth considering sending save-the-date cards in advance, along with recommended travel information. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan their trip and navigate any potential challenges associated with foreign destinations.

Gift requests

When it comes to gift requests, it's considered bad etiquette to include registry details on your wedding invitation. Instead, you can include this information on your wedding website, by word of mouth, or on a wedding shower invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you with your gift requests:

Wedding Website Registry Wording: Your wedding website is the perfect place to include registry information. Most wedding website templates offer a "Registry" or "Wedding Details" tab where you can list your registry details. Here are some examples of what you can write:

• "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 honor 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."

Wedding Cash Fund Wording: If you prefer monetary gifts, you can set up a cash fund wedding registry or a wishing well at the reception. Be sure to specify what the money will be used for so that guests understand their contribution. Here are some examples:

• "We are so excited to have you join our special day and your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could ask for. However, if we are to be honored with a present, a monetary gift towards our [insert how funds will be used] would be very much appreciated."
• "As we're getting married we thought it would be fun to move into a brand new home—we need to get it done. As wedding gifts are bulky and we're a little short on space, some money would be the ideal gift to help us buy our place!"

Charity Wedding Registry Wording: If you'd like to use your wedding as an opportunity to support a charity close to your heart, here are some examples of what you can include:

• "Thank you for being a big part of our special day. If you feel inclined to give us a wedding gift, it would mean the world to us if you made a donation to [insert charity name], a charity very dear to us."
• "In loving memory of [insert name], we'd be deeply touched by a donation to [insert charity name] in lieu of a wedding gift."

No Wedding Gifts Wording: If you don't want any gifts at all, especially for a destination wedding, you can make this clear on your wedding website:

• "Having you join us for our celebration is the only wedding gift we want or need. These precious memories will last a lifetime, so no gifts, please."
• "We're so thrilled you're making the trip to [insert location] to share in our joy. Celebrating with you after we say 'I do' is all we could ask for, so, in lieu of gifts, please bring your hugging arms and dancing shoes."

Frequently asked questions