Etiquette Guide: What To Send With Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day and the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding's style or theme. While the style of your invitations can range from formal to casual, there are certain key details that you should always include.

The wedding invitation itself should include the who, what, when, and where of the nuptials. This means the full names of the couple and hosts, the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, and the full address of the location.

You can also include additional cards in the invitation suite, such as an RSVP card, a map to the event location, accommodation details, and information about any wedding-related activities.

RSVP card and envelope

The RSVP card and envelope are essential components of a wedding invitation suite. This is how you will collect guest RSVPs and ensure you have a final headcount for your big day. Here are some tips and guidelines for including RSVP cards and envelopes with your wedding invitations:

Number of RSVP Cards and Envelopes

Include one RSVP card and one RSVP envelope for each invited household or family. This means that each couple or family will have their own RSVP card and envelope to respond. It is important to ensure you have an accurate count of invited guests to facilitate seating arrangements and catering plans.

Wording and Format

The RSVP card should include a specific date by which guests need to respond, usually about two to four weeks before the wedding date. This deadline allows enough time to finalise the headcount for the caterer and complete the seating chart. The card should also include a line for guests to write their names and, if offering a plated dinner, their entrée preference.

The RSVP envelope should be marked with your address and stamped so that guests can easily mail in their responses. It is important to include postage on the RSVP envelopes as it is considered proper etiquette and makes it more convenient for your guests.

Timing

It is recommended to send out wedding invitations, along with the RSVP cards and envelopes, six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending out invitations too early may cause the wedding to slip your guests' minds, while sending them out too late may not give your guests enough notice.

Online RSVPs

While paper RSVP cards and envelopes are traditional, you may also consider offering a digital option. Many couples now provide guests with the opportunity to RSVP through their wedding website. This can be especially useful for international guests, as it eliminates the need to wait for their responses to travel through the mail.

In conclusion, the RSVP card and envelope are crucial elements of your wedding invitation suite, allowing you to gather guest responses and finalise your wedding plans. Following the guidelines above will help ensure a smooth and organised process for collecting RSVPs.

Details card

A details card is a great way to provide your wedding guests with additional information about your big day. It is usually included in the wedding invitation suite, which refers to the components of the wedding invitation that go inside the envelope.

Wedding Website URL

The details card is the perfect place to provide the URL to your wedding website, where guests can find more information about your wedding. This is especially useful if you don't want to overcrowd your actual invitation with too much text.

Dress Code

Including the dress code on your details card is a great way to give your guests a heads-up about what to wear. Whether it's "Black Tie", "Cocktail Attire", or "Dress Casual", your guests will appreciate knowing what the expected attire is.

Directions and Accommodation Information

If your wedding venue is in a rural area or is difficult to find, consider including a map or directions card to help your guests locate the venue easily. Additionally, if you have reserved a room block at a hotel, you can include this information on the details card, making it convenient for your guests to book their accommodations.

Wedding-Related Activities

If you are planning any additional wedding-related activities, such as a welcome cocktail party or a farewell brunch, you can include these details on the card. This is especially relevant for destination weddings or if you have a lot of out-of-town guests.

RSVP Information

Including an RSVP card with a deadline and a self-addressed, stamped envelope is essential for collecting responses from your guests. You can also include this information on your wedding website and offer a digital RSVP option for added convenience.

Remember, the details card is a great way to provide your guests with all the extra information they need to fully participate in your wedding celebrations. Keep it concise, clear, and coordinated with your wedding invitation design for a cohesive look.

Outer envelope

The outer envelope is the first thing your guests will see when they receive your wedding invitation, so it's important to choose something that reflects your wedding theme and gives your guests a hint of what to expect.

If you're sending out physical invitations, don't forget to consider the weight of your envelope. Heavier invitation bundles will require extra postage, so it's worth taking a fully stuffed invite to the post office to figure out the correct amount of stamps needed.

When addressing your outer envelopes, it's recommended to handwrite your guests' names and addresses for a personal touch. Their names should be written out in full, preceded by social titles like Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or the gender-neutral Mx. All the words in the address should be written out in full, with house numbers under twenty spelled out. The return address should be written on the back flap.

Finally, if you're worried about your invitations getting lost in the mail, you can select a special processing option at the post office to track your letters from start to finish.

Inner envelope

An inner envelope is a great option for couples who want to personalise their stationery and add an elegant touch to their invitations. This envelope goes inside the outer envelope and holds the invitation, as well as indicating who is and isn't invited to the wedding. This is where you can include the names of each guest, as well as the name of their plus-one (if applicable). If you are not offering a plus-one, simply include the guest's name. This is also the place to indicate whether or not children are invited. For example, if you are inviting a family, the envelope can be addressed to "The Smiths". If it's adults-only, it should read "John and Victoria Smith".

If you are including an inner envelope, you may need to pay for additional postage as it will increase the size and weight of your envelope.

Map or directions card

A map or directions card is an essential addition to your wedding invitation suite, especially if you're having a rural wedding or one in an off-the-beaten-path location. It's also useful if you have guests who might not be tech-savvy and rely on GPS to get around.

You can include a whimsical hand-painted map to the ceremony or reception venue, or a simple directions card with a QR code that links to Google Maps. If your wedding is in a unique venue, like a national park, it's helpful to include parking instructions and a custom map of the area. That way, guests can easily find their way around and you won't have to answer the same questions over and over.

You can find a variety of map or direction card templates online, or you can design your own to match your wedding theme. These cards are usually 3.5" x 5.75" and are the tallest of the enclosure cards that go with your wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions