What You Need to Know About Wedding Invitations: A Complete Guide

Your wedding invitation suite is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding day. It sets the tone, conveys essential information, and gives a glimpse into the theme and formality of your celebration. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand event, getting the details right is crucial. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about wedding invitations—from types and design considerations to etiquette and common pitfalls.

Types of Wedding Invitations

Traditional vs. Modern Invitations:
Traditional invitations often feature classic designs, formal wording, and elegant fonts. Modern invitations, on the other hand, might include bold colors, contemporary layouts, and creative elements. Choose a style that reflects your wedding's theme and personality.

Custom vs. Semi-Custom vs. Pre-Designed:

• Custom Invitations: Fully personalized to your vision, including bespoke designs and tailored wording. Custom invitations generally come with a heavier cost.

  Learn more about our custom invitations process here.

• Semi-Custom Invitations: A popular option where you choose a base design and customize elements like colors, wording, and paper. Semi-custom invitations are generally a more cost efficient route.

  Check out our Semi-Custom invitations here.

• Pre-Designed Invitations: Ready-made templates that offer affordability and quick turnaround but limited personalization. Pre-designed invitations are commonly sold on Etsy. Generally, this is the most cost efficient route to take, but print production, assembly, and mailing responsibilities fall on the couple.

Tip: Consider your budget and timeline when deciding which type suits you best.

Key Components of a Wedding Invitation Suite

Main Invitation Card:
This card includes essential details: the couple's names, wedding date, time, and venue. Use clear, concise wording that matches the tone of your wedding.

RSVP Card:
Helps you track attendance. Include options for meal choices if applicable. Digital RSVPs are becoming popular, but traditional mail-in cards add a personal touch.

Details Card:
Provide additional information like directions, accommodations, dress code, and a link to your wedding website.

Envelopes and Envelope Liners:
Choose high-quality envelopes and consider decorative liners for an extra touch. Ensure addressing is clear and accurate, especially for formal invitations.

Embellishments:

Choosing embellishments, like ribbon, belly bands, vellum wraps, or wax seals, make the suite feel more cohesive and put together.

Timing and Logistics

When to Order Invitations:

• Custom Invitations: Start the process 6-8 months before the wedding.

• Semi-Custom or Pre-Designed: Allow at least 3-6 months.

When to Send Invitations:

• Domestic Weddings: 4-6 months before the event. Vendors generally need a final guest count 3-5 weeks before the wedding. Sending invitations 4-6 months in advance gives ample time to resend any invitations necessary and gather all RSVPs.

• Destination Weddings: 9-12 months in advance to allow guests ample time to arrange travel, accommodations, and plan for expenses.

How Many to Order:
Order enough for each household, plus extras for keepsakes, last-minute guests, and addressing mistakes. I recommend that couples order an extra 10% to account for any postal mishaps and to have as keepsakes.

Design Considerations

1. Choosing Colors:
Select colors that compliment your wedding theme. For a seasonal wedding, consider incorporating hues that reflect the time of year.

2. Paper Types and Printing Methods:

• Letterpress: Creates a luxurious, textured effect.

• Digital Printing: Cost-effective and versatile.

• Foil Stamping: Adds an elegant, metallic shimmer.

3. Personal Touches:
Include unique elements like crests, custom illustrations, or a sketch of your venue to make your invitations stand out.

Invitation Wording and Etiquette

Formal vs. Casual Wording:

• Formal: "[Name] and [Name] request the honor of your presence..."

• Casual: "[Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate their wedding..."

Who’s Hosting:
Traditionally, the hosts (usually the parents) are listed first, but modern invitations often highlight the couple.

Addressing Envelopes:
Use proper titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) and ensure all names are spelled correctly. For plus-ones, address the invitation to both individuals if known.

For a detailed guide on wedding invitation wording and etiquette, check out our comprehensive page here on our website! It covers everything you need to know to get your wording just right.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spelling Errors and Omissions:
Triple-check all details, especially names and dates. Have someone else review the final draft.

Incorrect Information:
Ensure consistency across all elements—double-check the venue address, times, and RSVP details.

Overloading with Details:
Keep your invitation clear and concise. Use your wedding website for additional information.

Your wedding invitation is more than just a piece of paper—it's the first step in sharing your love story with guests. By understanding the types of invitations, essential components, and key design and etiquette considerations, you can create beautiful, meaningful invitations that set the perfect tone for your special day.