Wedding Invites 101: Your Ultimate Guide For What to Include & When to Send
It’s no secret that when you’re planning your wedding, there are a LOT of things on your to-do list. From engagement to “I Do,” it can feel like you’re constantly checking something off the list to make sure that your big day is everything you’ve ever dreamed.
One of the most important things on your wedding planning checklist is of course your invites!
Crafting the perfect invite is not only about providing the necessary details for your guests, but also about setting the tone for your special day and getting people excited for what’s to come.
As a wedding planner, I get questions about wedding invites so often, so I thought it was time to put together an ultimate guide for your invitations, so you feel confident that you’re doing them right.
In this blog post, you’ll learn the anatomy of a traditional wedding invitation, things to keep in mind when choosing your wedding invitation design and, probably most importantly, when to send your wedding invitations!
All of these things will ensure that your guests are not only well-informed, but also genuinely thrilled to join in your celebration. 🎉
The Anatomy of a Traditional Wedding Invitation
The Host Line
The host line of a wedding invitation indicates who is inviting the guests to the wedding.
Traditionally, this is where you’ll see the parents of the bride who are hosting the wedding and extending the invitation to guests.
As a wedding planner, I tend to see all sorts of variations for this and it’s completely up to you if you want to follow the traditional approach.
If you’re wanting to opt for a more modern invitation, the host line can reflect a variety of scenarios, such as both sets of parents, the couple themselves or even a combination of loved ones.
Like anything in wedding planning, I always encourage couples to keep it true to your situation and how you want your guests to portray your big day!
The Names of the Couple
Following the host line, your names will take center stage on your wedding invitation.
Typically, your names are displayed with beautiful fonts and styling and will really make up a large portion of the invitation itself.
All The Details
Now it’s time for the nitty gritty details that your guests need to be aware of!
This will of course include the date, time and the location of your venue, but also any other necessary details, such as reception location, arrival time requests, parking, venue directions or any other event details that are important for guests to know!
Dress Code
Aside from the obvious details of where and when your wedding is happening, you’ll also want to include any dress code details if you have any.
For example, if your wedding is a black tie affair, that needs to be made clear! If you want the style to be semi-formal or casual, let your guests know that as well.
As a guest to a wedding, knowing what to wear is often a frequently asked question, so providing this information up front on your invitations can remove that question barrier for your guests, which means less stress for you!
RSVP Information
Lastly, your RSVP information!
This is the section of your invitation that will provide a clear way for guests to respond to your invite to let you know if they can attend, which is SUPER important for you.
Traditionally, your invitation suite will include an RSVP card with an pre-stamped envelope so that your guests can easily mail back their response, but more modernly we’re seeing RSVP’s move to an online platform.
As a wedding planner, I tend to lean more towards the idea of taking your RSVP’s electronically, so that it's easier on both – you and your guests.
Of course, you can do what feels right for your occasion, but from experience electronic RSVP’s tend to get faster and more responses, which makes your life way easier during the planning process.
If you do opt for an electronic RSVP option, you can typically set that up via your wedding website, such as The Knot or Zola, and you can include a QR code on your invite for easy access to the website link.
In this RSVP section, make sure you also set a deadline so that guests know when they need to have their response to you for guest count purposes.
Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Invitation Design
Now that you know the traditional anatomy of a wedding invitation, it’s time to consider how you will design your invitation suite.
While it may seem like your invites are a small part of the overall planning, they actually set the tone for your big day and are one of the first things that guests will see!
With that in mind, there are a few tips to follow to ensure that your wedding invitation design is thoughtfully curated.
Keep Your Theme In Mind
Whether you're dreaming of a classic, elegant affair or a whimsical, rustic celebration, your invitation can give guests a sneak peek into the style and theme they can expect when they attend your wedding.
You want to make sure that you design your invitations based on the theme of your event and don’t stray too far from what the actual day will be like.
For example, if your big day will be black tie affair, you would probably opt for black and white colors and elegant fonts versus boho accents, such as bold flower designs.
Incorporate Your Personality
In addition to your theme, make sure you also incorporate your personality in your invitations! Just like you want your big day to reflect your personality as a couple, you want your invitations to do the same.
It can be tempting to use invitation templates (and if you decide to go that route, that’s TOTALLY ok!), but if you want to take it up a notch, consider how you can incorporate unique elements that really reflect who you are as a couple.
This can be done through special graphic elements, photos from your engagement session, custom monograms, etc.
If you’re stuck on how to make this happen, working with a designer can be a great option to help you think outside the box!
Use Unique Textures and Materials
Aside from your colors, fonts and overall design of your invitation suite, one way to really level up your invitations in a unique way is to use fun textures and materials that really wow your guests.
Some ideas for this include: luxurious paper, intricate embossing or even a touch of foil to make your invitations pop.
When to Send Your Wedding Invitations
Finally, when to send your wedding invitations – that is always the question and I’ll admit: timing is truly everything when it comes to this part of the wedding planning process.
Sending invitations out too early can result in misplaced invites, while sending them out too late might leave your guests with scheduling conflicts.
To ensure that you’re sending your save the dates AND your invites appropriately, I always encourage this timeline:
Save the Dates: If your wedding is more than six months away, send save-the-date cards FIRST! This gives your guests ample time to plan their attendance, clear their calendar and be fully aware to expect an invitation in the coming months.
Invitations: Generally speaking, I always encourage couples to send their wedding invitations around 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. For a destination wedding or if you have many guests traveling, aim for 10 to 12 weeks instead to allow for proper planning.
RSVP Deadline: As mentioned above, an RSVP deadline is super important, especially if your venue requires a final guest count before your wedding day – and most of them do! Generally, I encourage couples to have an RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks prior to the wedding day so that you still have time to follow up with those who have yet to respond if needed.
If you’re in need of a more general list of a wedding planning timeline, CLICK HERE for my 12 Month Guide for a stress free wedding day!
Overall, your wedding invitations are more than just pieces of paper – they are truly the first glimpse your guests have into the magical day you're planning.
By carefully considering what to include and when to send them, you're setting the stage for a celebration that's uniquely yours.
Remember, this is a chance to showcase your personality, love story and the exciting journey that lies ahead, so have fun, get creative and let your invitations reflect the beautiful adventure that your wedding will be! 👰🏼🤵🏻
