What to include in your Wedding Invitation
Designing, packaging, and sending wedding invitations is a major undertaking. Often the wedding invite consists of more than just the wedding invitation which is why you will commonly see it referred to as a Wedding Invitation Suite. Here is everything you need to know about your wedding invitation suite:
A Wedding Invitation Suite includes:
Invitation
Response Card and Envelope
Mailing Envelope
Postage
See Brides Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation Suite here for a great visual —>
Additional Optional Elements include:
Inner Envelope
Reception Card
Directions
Weekend Events Card
Accommodations and / or Transportation Card
Let’s Start at the Beginning…
Wedding Invitation
Your wedding invitation should include key details like time, date, ceremony location, and/or the reception location, but commonly we see one of these key elements missing - so make sure to check over your invite for these items. Use this checklist from Bride Magazine to help —>
We also strongly suggest adding your wedding website somewhere on the invitation - even if you mentioned it on the save the date, still write it somewhere in the invitation suite.
Response Card
When sending response cards, include a pre-addressed envelope and stamp for your guests' convenience. For large weddings we advise to write a corresponding guest list number on the back of the guests response card so you can look up responses by number - just in case you can't read the handwriting or someone forgets to include their name.
If you're having meal choices, put checkboxes or circle options on the response cards for people to choose chicken, fish, steak, vegetarian options, etc. We also advise to ask for dietary restrictions on the response card so you can inform your caterer.
You can, forego response cards altogether. It’s 2021, it’s allowed. Direct guests to RSVP on your wedding website, but be considerate of older generations who prefer and may expect to respond formally via mail post. If you foresee guests being uncomfortable using a computer, consider sending them a response card even if you're not including them with the majority of the wedding invitation suites.
When you’ve sent the cards out, it’s a waiting game. To save yourself any stress, give a clear deadline. We recommend 6 weeks prior to the wedding date. Catering may require a headcount as early as four weeks before the wedding. Having your RSVPs back can make the process smooth and accurate.
Here are some creative RSVP card wording samples for inspiration —>
Formal
Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (RSVP)
Your response is requested before August 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ accept(s) with pleasure
▢ decline(s) with regret
Entrée Preference: ▢ Filet Mignon ▢ Vegetable Medley
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
Dress code: White tie
Casual
Kindly Respond
We ask you to reply before August 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ will be there to celebrate
▢ will be toasting from afar
Entrée Preference: ▢ Meat ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
Unique
Will You Be Joining Us?
We kindly request your reply before August 31st.
Name(s) of our fabulous guests:__________________
▢ will be there with bells on
▢ will be there in spirit
Song request:__________________
Advice for the newlyweds: __________________
Entrée Preference: ▢ Meat ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
Funny
Yay or Nay?
When we say ‘I do’, will we be seeing you? Reply before August 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ Yes, you will see our/my face(s)
▢ Sorry, we’re/I’m busy that day!
Give us your best advice:__________________
Entrée Preference: ▢ Meat ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
What should we pack for our destination wedding? __________________
Destination
Fly Away with Us!
Elope with us and watch us tie the knot. RSVP by August 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ Yes, we’re/I’m beachy keen to attend!
▢ Sorry, we/I can’t make the flight!
Entrée Preference: ▢ Meat ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
Modern
Will You Be Joining Us?
Say ‘yes’... You know you want to. RSVP by August 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ Yeah, baby!
▢ Dang, we’re/I’m busy!
Anything else you want to say?:__________________
Entrée Preference: ▢ Meat ▢ Veggie
Dessert Preference: ▢ Parfait ▢ Macarons
Mailing Envelope
Many stationery companies offer addressing services which we highly recommend for the convenience. When evaluating stationary, inquire if this service is offered. If not, contact us about excel hacks to make printing the mailing addresses easy.
We always advise to purchase a few extra envelopes for accidental errors as well as envelope moisteners which are lifesavers when assembling hundreds of wedding invitations!
We also advise to include your return address on the envelope to ensure you get your invite back if it is undeliverable.
To help with wedding envelope-addressing, we've put together an easy guide —>
To a Married Couple With the Same Last Name
For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name.; unless you feel the wife has a strong aversion to having her name left out and if so, opt for the third option. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren" or
"Mr. and Mrs. Warren or "Thomas and Michelle" or
"Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"
To a Married Couple With Different Last Names or One Hyphenated Last Name
For a heterosexual couple, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first; if the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately.
"Mrs. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Harper"
"Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"
For a spouse who has chosen to hyphenate their last name, address using:
"Mr. David Lehman and Mr. Brian Janvrin-Lehman" or
"Mr. Lehman and Mr. Janvrin-Lehman" or "Marcus and Brian"
To an Unmarried Couple
Invitations to a couple who are unmarried but live at the same address are addressed to both guests on one line. List the person whom you are closest to first.
"Mr. Stanley Janvrin and Ms. Amanda Harlow or
"Mr. Janvrin and Ms. Harlow" or "Stanley and Amanda"
To a Single Female or Male
For female guests, use "Ms." if over the age of 18 and “Miss” if younger. For male guests, use "Mr." if over 18 and no title if younger:
"Ms. Stephanie Harlow" or "Miss Stephanie Harlow"
"Mr. James Janvrin."
To guests with Distinguished Titles
Spell out distinguished titles for doctors, military personnel, judges, reverends, etc. Example:
“Dr. Mathew Smith” or "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith" for a couple who are both doctors.
"The Honorable Josephine Wood and Mr. Jonathan Wood" or "Captains Josephine and Jonathan Wood, US Navy"
To a Family, Including Children
When inviting an entire family, the family name or the parents' names should be listed alone.
"The Janvrin Family"
Postage
With all this stationery, your envelope may weigh more than standard postage covers. Head down to the post office with your invitation suite and get it weighed to see what postage you'll actually need. This is also the time when you can go over stamp options to find a stamp that's suited for a wedding.
When you actually mail the invitations off, request that the stamps be hand-canceled rather than machine-canceled. All stamps need to be canceled when they're sent out so that the stamp cannot be reused, but stamps that are canceled by a machine can leave tacky, wavy lines all over your beautiful envelope.
Additional Optional Elements
Inner Envelope -
Slightly smaller than the outer mailing envelope, the inner envelope holds the invitation and indicates who specifically is (and isn't) invited to the wedding. This is the place to clearly write the names of each wedding guest. If your guest will have a specific plus-one, write both their names. If they can bring anyone, the envelope should include their name and a generic guest: "John Janvrin and Guest." If there's not a plus-one, it's simple: just include the guest's name.
This is also the way to indicate whether or not children are invited. For example, if you are inviting a family, the envelope should be addressed to "The Janvrins." If it's adults-only, however, it should read "John and Victoria Janvrin."
Reception Card
If your wedding reception is not going to be held in the same location as the wedding ceremony, you'll need to include a separate card with the reception information with wording that indicates the formality and nature of the event.
Directions
While Google Maps work great, a guest's phone could die or lose reception or your elderly guests might prefer the convenience of an easy-to-read card. To be on the safe side, include a direction card.
If you choose to not include a direction card in your wedding invitation suite, list the directions to your venue and its address on your wedding website. For some added personality and intimate touch, include a custom weekend map. They make a great addition and keepsake for you and your guests.
Weekend Events Card
If your wedding will span a weekend and will include multiple events such as welcome drinks, an after-party, a day-after brunch, etc., it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for guests so they know what to expect and pack for. Guests should receive as much information as possible to best plan their weekend..
Accommodations and of Transportation Card
For guests coming in from out of town, an extra card detailing hotel options is helpful, including a deadline for making reservations. Rooms can book up fast, so it's nice to give your guests a date to shoot for. Be sure to include any information regarding transportation to and from hotels to the wedding.
Invitation Wrapper
Once you assemble your wedding invitation suite, an invitation wrapper like a belly band or silk ribbon may be used to hold all the pieces together neatly.