Wedding Invite Directions: A Concise Guide

Wedding invitations are an exciting part of the wedding planning process, but they can also be a little overwhelming. One of the most important things to include in your wedding invitation suite is a directions card, ensuring your guests can get to your celebration without a hitch. While most people these days use GPS, it's still a thoughtful gesture to include directions, especially for those who may not be tech-savvy or might have a low phone battery. Here's everything you need to know about what to put on your directions card.

Include a map

Including a map with your wedding invitations is a thoughtful touch that will ensure your guests can arrive at your special day with ease. Here are some tips to help you create a helpful and attractive map:

Keep it Simple

It's important to strike a balance between providing enough information and keeping the map uncluttered and easy to read. Focus on including the key locations relevant to your wedding, such as the ceremony and reception venues, and any important transport links or landmarks. You don't need to include every detail, as this may overwhelm your guests.

Choose a Style

Opt for a map style that complements your wedding theme and invitation design. Are you going for a rustic, elegant, or modern aesthetic? Choose colours, fonts, and illustrations that tie in with your invitations and reflect your personal style. You could even include a small illustration of the venue itself to add a charming touch.

Provide Clear Directions

Ensure your map includes clear directions to help guests navigate to your wedding. You can include written directions on the map or as a separate enclosure card. If your wedding venue is particularly tricky to find, consider adding written directions from multiple starting points or transport options.

Include Relevant Details

Think about the additional details that will be helpful for your guests. For example, you could mark nearby car parks or public transport stops. If your wedding spans multiple locations, you might want to include multiple maps or a larger map that covers a wider area.

Add a Digital Option

While a physical map is a lovely keepsake, it's also a good idea to include a digital option. Provide a link to your wedding website or a QR code that guests can scan to access digital directions. This ensures that everyone can access the information in a format that suits them.

Test and Proofread

Before finalising your map, test it out by trying to navigate to your wedding venues. Are there any adjustments you could make to improve clarity? Also, be sure to proofread all the details, including venue names, addresses, and postcodes, to ensure everything is correct.

Including a map with your wedding invitations is a thoughtful way to guide your guests to your celebration. By following these tips, you can create a helpful and attractive map that complements your invitations and ensures your guests arrive stress-free.

Add a link to your wedding website

Adding a link to your wedding website is a great way to give your guests all the information they need for your big day. Here are some tips and suggestions for including your wedding website on your invitation:

Privacy and Efficiency

Including your wedding website link on your invitations is the best way to share it with your guests while maintaining your privacy. Posting the link on social media may cause confusion about who is and isn't invited. Adding the link to your invitations also saves time, as sharing it via text or word-of-mouth can be time-consuming.

RSVP Management

Your wedding website can be used for online RSVPs, allowing guests to respond in a matter of minutes. Including the link on your invitations will streamline the process and make it easy for you to track responses and manage your guest list online. It also gives guests more time to prepare, especially if they need to make travel plans or schedule time off work.

Wording and Placement

There are a few different options for where to include your wedding website link on your invitations. One option is to include a separate enclosure card with your wedding website details. These cards are typically smaller than the invitations and are known as "wedding website cards", "wedding enclosure cards", or "wedding insert cards". This option helps to maintain a formal tone and gives you more space for wording.

Another option is to simply include the link at the bottom of your invitations with a short sentence. This approach is more cost-effective and can be applied to both paper and digital invitations. Here are some examples of wording for including your wedding website link:

• "For more information, visit: (insert URL)"
• "For event details and to RSVP, visit: (insert URL)"
• "For more wedding details, head to: (insert URL) using the passcode (insert code)"
• "Please RSVP by (RSVP deadline) at: (insert URL)"

Custom URL and Password

Consider creating a custom URL for your wedding website, using your names or future surname. For example, "TheFuture(Surname)'s" or "(Name)and(Name)GetHitched". This makes it easier for guests to remember and share the link. You can also set a custom password for extra privacy.

Provide the full address of the ceremony venue

Providing the full address of the ceremony venue is an important part of your wedding invitation. This ensures your guests can find the location with ease and don't get unnecessarily stressed while travelling there. It is also particularly helpful for guests who are not familiar with the area.

• Include the address on a separate card: You can include the full address on a separate card, known as an enclosure card, directions card, or accommodations card. This card can also include other relevant information such as directions, a map, and accommodation options for out-of-town guests.
• Provide clear and detailed information: When listing the address, make sure to include all relevant details such as the name of the venue, the street name and number, the city, and the zip code. You may also want to include additional information such as nearby landmarks or public transport options.
• Consider formatting and font: Ensure the address is easy to read by choosing a clear and legible font. You may also want to format the address with bold or italics to make it stand out.
• Include a link to your wedding website: In addition to the physical address, consider including a link to your wedding website, where guests can find the address and other relevant information. This provides an additional reference point for your guests.
• Proofread and double-check the address: Before finalising your invitations, be sure to proofread and double-check the address for accuracy. A small mistake or typo can cause confusion for your guests, so it's important to verify all the details.

Remember, it is always better to provide too much information rather than too little. By including the full address of the ceremony venue, you can ensure that your guests have all the information they need to arrive at your wedding without any hassle.

Give the address of the reception site if different

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's essential to provide clear and detailed information for your guests, especially if the reception site is different from the ceremony location. Here are four to six paragraphs with instructive and focused content on "Give the address of the reception site if different" for your wedding invitations:

• It is crucial to include the address of the reception site if it differs from the ceremony venue. This information should be provided on a separate card, known as a reception card, which is placed face-up on top of the wedding invitation. By doing so, you ensure that your guests can easily locate the reception venue, even if they are unfamiliar with the area. The reception card should also include details such as the time and any specific dress code requests.
• When creating the reception card, consider the design and wording carefully. Choose a style that complements your wedding invitation suite, including matching colours, themes, and tones. Be sure to include all the necessary details, such as the full address of the reception site and the time guests are expected to arrive. You may also want to mention any specific dress code or theme for the reception.
• In addition to the reception card, you can include other enclosure cards, such as maps or accommodation details, to provide guests with a comprehensive overview of the day. These enclosure cards can be placed face-up on top of the reception card, with the largest cards on the bottom, creating a neat stack. This ensures that your guests have all the information they need in one place.
• While providing the address of the reception site is essential, you may also want to include directions, especially if the location is difficult to find. This can be particularly helpful for guests who may not rely solely on GPS or smartphone maps. Consider including a custom map or clear written directions to guide your guests smoothly from the ceremony to the reception venue.
• If you have guests travelling from out of town or unfamiliar with the area, consider including accommodation recommendations or room blocks near the reception site. This information can be provided on a separate accommodations card, placed with other enclosure cards. Including a deadline for making reservations is also helpful, especially if rooms are limited.
• For a cohesive look, match the design of the reception card and any additional enclosure cards to your wedding invitation suite. This can include using similar colours, fonts, or motifs. You may also want to include your wedding website address on these cards, providing guests with easy access to further information and updates.

Offer directions to the venue(s)

It is important to include directions to your wedding venue(s) in your invitations. Although most guests will have smartphones and can easily search for the location, it is more convenient for them if they have the directions printed on paper.

Years ago, it was proper wedding etiquette to include a map and directions in invitations. Now, a map is not a requirement since it is easy to attain one on a phone. However, you should still include directions to the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site (if the locations are separate). This will ensure your guests find the venue(s) easily and don't get unnecessarily stressed while driving around, especially if they are not familiar with the area.

At the very least, include the full address of the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site (if separate) on a directions card (also known as an enclosure card) in your wedding invitations.

You can also include a link to your wedding website, where guests can access the address directly, as well as other helpful links associated with your wedding.

If you are providing accommodation for your guests, it is also helpful to include directions to the accommodation and the venue(s) on the same card.

If your wedding will span a weekend and include multiple events such as welcome drinks, an after-party, or a day-after brunch, it is a good idea to include a full itinerary for guests so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions