The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invitation Details

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of wedding planning. They should include essential information such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. But what else should you list in your wedding invitation details? From accommodation options to dress codes, there are many elements that can be included to help your guests plan and prepare for your big day. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure you provide all the necessary information in your wedding invitations.

Date, time, and location

The date, time, and location of your wedding are essential details that your guests need to know. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to include this information in your wedding invitations:

Date and Time:

• Confirming the date of your wedding is crucial. It is a good idea to have your guests mark the date on their calendars in advance with save-the-dates.
• Communicate the time of the ceremony clearly to avoid latecomers. Stating the start time will help guests know how early they need to arrive.
• Provide the hour and the time of day (a.m. vs. p.m.) to avoid any confusion.
• For formal invitations, write out the time rather than using numerals (e.g., "four o'clock in the afternoon" instead of "4:00 p.m.").
• If you are having a destination wedding or a multi-day event, consider including a weekend itinerary or timeline with the dates and times of all related events.

Location:

• Include the name and full address of the ceremony and reception venues, especially if they are at different locations.
• Provide clear directions or a custom map, especially if the venue is off the beaten track or in a rural area with limited cell service.
• Mention any parking instructions or alternative transportation options to help your guests plan their journey.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply include a line like "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• For separate reception venues, include a separate reception card with the start time and address.

RSVP and wedding website details

RSVP cards are a useful, though optional, addition to your wedding invitation suite. They are a great way to prompt guests to respond to your invite in a timely manner and help you organise the seating chart, menu and music playlist. If you choose not to include an RSVP card, you should still include wording on your formal wedding invitation regarding how guests can accept or decline their request for attendance. This may include a wedding website link so they can RSVP digitally, or a phone number to call and confirm their attendance.

If you are including RSVP cards, the first thing to include is a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, you should write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name.

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to learn who is coming to your wedding, so you'll need an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invite. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling or fill-in-the-blank lines. It's also a good idea to set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before the wedding date, to give you and your vendors time to coordinate last-minute details.

If you'll be serving dinner at your wedding reception, you may want to collect your guests' food preferences and dietary requirements. You can indicate their entree options with checkboxes or leave a fill-in-the-blank line for guests to detail any restrictions.

You can also include a special request line on your RSVP cards. This could be for song requests, their drink of choice, or a favourite memory of the couple.

If you are choosing to have guests RSVP online, you can include the link to your wedding website on your printed wedding RSVP card. This is a great way to save time and streamline the process. You can also include the link at the bottom of your invitations, with a short sentence such as:

> "Please RSVP by [date] at [insert URL]"

> "Kindly RSVP by [date] via our wedding website: [insert URL]"

> "For more wedding details and to RSVP, visit [insert URL]"

Dress code

When it comes to dress code, it's important to give your guests a clear idea of what to wear. This can be done through specifying a dress code, giving them an idea of how formal the event will be, or even by giving them an idea of what the wedding party will be wearing.

• Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suits or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach casual (long- or short-sleeve shirts with pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)
• Casual attire
• Dressy casual attire
• Semi-formal attire
• Black-tie optional
• White tie

If you don't want to include a specific dress code, you can indicate the formality through the design of your invitation. A more formal invitation will suggest a more formal dress code, while a simpler invite suggests a more casual dress code.

You can also give your guests an idea of what to wear by letting them know what the wedding party will be wearing. For example, if the wedding party will be wearing pink, you could say "We'd love for you to coordinate!"

If your wedding has a unique venue, like a barn or a farm, it might be helpful to give your guests a heads-up so they can choose their footwear and attire accordingly. For example, you could say "The reception will be in a barn on a working farm, please choose your footwear accordingly."

Travel and accommodation information

When it comes to travel and accommodation information, there are a few key details you can include in your wedding invitation. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs to guide you:

Hotel Room Blocks

Reserving a block of hotel rooms is a thoughtful gesture, especially for out-of-town guests. It is recommended to book these rooms as soon as possible, and if this information is available before sending out your save-the-dates, be sure to include it. Provide a separate insert card with your wedding invitation, matching the motif if possible, that includes the hotel's name, address, contact information, and any special rates or booking instructions. Here is an example:

> "For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at [name of hotel] in [city and address]. To secure special rates, please reference the [your names] wedding when booking. Be sure to book by [date] to receive this discounted rate."

Transport Arrangements

If you are providing any transport for your guests, such as a shuttle service from the ceremony to the reception, include a separate insert card with brief details. This could include the pick-up and return times and locations. If you wish to estimate the number of guests for transport, you could add a tick box to your reply cards. Here is an example:

> "A shuttle will be provided from [pick-up location] one hour prior to the ceremony and will be available after the reception."

Venue Parking

It is helpful to include information about parking arrangements at your venue, especially if parking is limited or restricted. Let your guests know if there are specific areas or roads where they can park their cars. Here is an example:

> "Parking around the venue is limited. We recommend parking on Ton Road. Cars may be left overnight but must be collected by 10 am the following morning."

Wedding Website

Creating a wedding website is an incredibly helpful resource for your guests. You can include the website address on a separate insert card, and this can be the go-to place for guests to find all travel and accommodation information. Be sure to keep your website updated with any changes or deadlines.

Additional events

If your wedding will span a whole weekend, 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 where you would mention if any wedding weekend activities are adults-only.

• Welcome drinks
• A cocktail reception
• A day-after brunch
• An after-party
• A farewell brunch

You can include these on an insert card that lists the weekend events. This insert officially invites guests to these activities and puts the details physically in their hands. Include things like hotel recommendations with room blocks and transportation locations and times.

If your wedding is a multi-day affair, you might opt for multiple invitation enclosures with your custom invitations. Enclosure cards contain various pieces of wedding information, including itinerary or special accommodation information.

If you're having a specific event with its own set of details and a different location, you might find it easier to include a card just for that event.

Frequently asked questions