Crafting the perfect wedding invitation is an essential part of the wedding planning process. It's the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, and it should provide all the crucial information they need to be there to celebrate with you.
While there are certain standard elements every wedding invitation should include, there is also room for personalization. By understanding the essential information and considering your personal style, you can create an invitation that is both informative and reflective of your wedding's tone.
Below, we will outline the key elements that make up a typical wedding invitation, as well as provide tips on how to customize your invitation to reflect your style and preferences.
What to Include on a Wedding Invitation
Every wedding invitation should include the following essential elements:
- The names of the couple getting married
- The date and time of the wedding
- The location of the wedding
- The attire requested for guests
- The RSVP information
- The website (if any)
- Any additional information (e.g., parking instructions, gift registry)
Once you have included all of the essential information, you can then start to personalize your invitation with your own unique style. This could include using different fonts, colors, and graphics, or adding special touches like a photo of the couple or a quote that is meaningful to you.
The names of the couple getting married
The names of the couple getting married are the most important element of the wedding invitation. They should be prominently displayed at the top of the invitation, in a font that is easy to read.
- Use full names: It is traditional to use the full names of the couple getting married, including their middle names. However, if you have a long name, you may want to use just your first and last names.
- Order of names: The order of the names is up to you. Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. However, you may also choose to list the names in alphabetical order, or to use a different order that is meaningful to you.
- Titles and suffixes: If you have a title or suffix (e.g., Dr., Esq., Jr.), you may include it on the invitation. However, it is not necessary to do so.
- Pronunciation guide: If your name is difficult to pronounce, you may want to include a pronunciation guide on the invitation. This can be especially helpful for guests who are not familiar with your culture or language.
Once you have decided how you want to display the names of the couple getting married, you can start to think about the other elements of the wedding invitation.
The date and time of the wedding
The date and time of the wedding should be prominently displayed on the invitation, in a font that is easy to read. It is also helpful to include the day of the week, so that guests can easily see when the wedding is taking place.
Example: Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
If the wedding ceremony and reception are taking place at different times or locations, be sure to include both the ceremony time and the reception time on the invitation.
Example: Ceremony: Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Reception: Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM
If you are having a destination wedding, you may also want to include the city and state (or country) where the wedding is taking place.
Example: Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Maui, Hawaii
The location of the wedding
The location of the wedding should be clearly stated on the invitation, so that guests can easily find their way to the venue. It is helpful to include both the street address and the city, state, and zip code.
- Full address: The full address of the wedding venue should be included on the invitation, so that guests can easily enter it into their GPS or map app.
- Landmark or directions: If the wedding venue is difficult to find, you may want to include a landmark or directions on the invitation. For example, you could say "The wedding will be held at the park across from the library."
- Website or map: If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL on the invitation. Guests can then click on the link to get more information about the venue, including a map and directions.
- Multiple venues: If the wedding ceremony and reception are taking place at different locations, be sure to include both addresses on the invitation.
Once you have included all of the necessary information about the location of the wedding, you can start to think about the other elements of the wedding invitation.
The attire requested for guests
The attire requested for guests should be clearly stated on the invitation, so that guests can dress appropriately for the occasion. There are many different types of wedding attire, so it is important to choose a dress code that fits the formality of your wedding.
- White-tie: The most formal type of wedding attire. Guests are expected to wear floor-length gowns and tuxedos.
- Black-tie: A less formal type of wedding attire than white-tie. Guests are expected to wear floor-length gowns or cocktail dresses, and tuxedos or dark suits.
- Black-tie optional: Guests have the option of wearing black-tie attire or cocktail attire.
- Cocktail attire: Guests are expected to wear cocktail dresses, skirts, or dress pants, and jackets or blazers.
- Semi-formal attire: Guests are expected to wear dress pants or skirts, and dress shirts or blouses.
- Casual attire: Guests can wear more casual clothing, such as jeans and a nice top.
If you are having a themed wedding, you may want to include a note on the invitation asking guests to dress in accordance with the theme. For example, if you are having a beach wedding, you could ask guests to wear beachy attire.
The RSVinformation
The RSV information on a wedding invitation tells guests how to respond to the invitation. It typically includes the following elements:
- RSVP date: The RSV date is the date by which guests need to respond to the invitation. It is typically 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
- RSV method: The RSV method tells guests how to respond to the invitation. It can be done by mail, email, or phone.
- RSV contact information: The RSV contact information is the address, email address, or phone number of the person who is handling the RSV.
- Meal choices: If you are having a sit-down dinner, you may want to include a line on the invitation asking guests to indicate their meal choice. This can be done by writing "Please indicate your meal choice on the RSV card" or "Please select your meal choice on the website."
Here is an example of a complete RSV information section:
RSVP by May 1, 2023
[email protected]
(555) 123-4567
Please indicate your meal choice on the RSV card.
The website (if any)
If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL on the invitation. This is a great way to provide guests with more information about the wedding, including:
- The couple's story
- The wedding ceremony and reception details
- The attire requested for guests
- The RSV information
- The gift registry
- Travel and accommodation information
- A photo gallery
- A blog
Including the wedding website URL on the invitation is a convenient way to give guests access to all of the information they need in one place. It is also a good way to keep guests updated on any changes to the wedding plans.
If you do not have a wedding website, you can still include a note on the invitation directing guests to your social media pages or other online resources where they can find more information about the wedding.
Any additional information (e.g., parking instructions, gift registry)
In addition to the essential elements listed above, you may also want to include some additional information on the wedding invitation, such as:
- Parking instructions: If the wedding venue has limited parking, you may want to include instructions on where guests can park.
- Gift registry information: If you have a gift registry, you can include the website or store name on the invitation. You can also include a note saying "No gifts, please" if you prefer not to receive gifts.
- Accommodation information: If you have a block of rooms reserved at a hotel for out-of-town guests, you can include the hotel name and contact information on the invitation.
- Transportation information: If you are providing transportation to and from the wedding venue, you can include the pick-up and drop-off times and locations on the invitation.
- Other important information: Any other important information that guests need to know, such as whether children are invited to the wedding or if the ceremony will be unplugged (i.e., guests are asked to turn off their phones and cameras).
It is important to keep the invitation concise and easy to read, so only include the most essential additional information.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about what to put on a wedding invitation:
Question 1: What are the essential elements of a wedding invitation?
Answer 1: The essential elements of a wedding invitation include the names of the couple getting married, the date and time of the wedding, the location of the wedding, the attire requested for guests, the RSV information, and the website (if any).
Question 2: What is the proper way to list the names of the couple getting married?
Answer 2: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. However, you may also choose to list the names in alphabetical order, or to use a different order that is meaningful to you.
Question 3: What information should I include in the RSV section?
Answer 3: The RSV section should include the RSV date, the RSV method, and the RSV contact information.
Question 4: Should I include a gift registry on the invitation?
Answer 4: It is not necessary to include a gift registry on the invitation. However, if you do have a gift registry, you can include the website or store name on the invitation.
Question 5: What other information can I include on the invitation?
Answer 5: You may also want to include additional information on the invitation, such as parking instructions, accommodation information, transportation information, or other important information that guests need to know.
Question 6: How can I make my invitation unique?
Answer 6: There are many ways to make your invitation unique, such as using different fonts, colors, and graphics, or adding special touches like a photo of the couple or a quote that is meaningful to you.
Question 7: What is the best way to word the invitation?
Answer 7: The best way to word the invitation is to be clear and concise. Use formal language and avoid using slang or colloquialisms.
By following these tips, you can create a wedding invitation that is both informative and stylish.
In addition to the FAQ above, here are some additional tips for creating a wedding invitation:
Tips
Here are some additional tips for creating a wedding invitation:
Tip 1: Order your invitations early.
Invitations typically take 6-8 weeks to print and mail, so it is important to order them early to avoid any delays.
Tip 2: Proofread your invitations carefully.
Before you send out your invitations, be sure to proofread them carefully for any errors. Check the spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and make sure that all of the information is correct.
Tip 3: Consider your guests' needs.
When designing your invitation, be sure to consider your guests' needs. For example, if you have any guests with disabilities, you may want to include information about accessibility on the invitation.
Tip 4: Send out your invitations on time.
Invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests plenty of time to save the date and make travel arrangements.
Tip 5: Use high-quality paper and printing.
Your wedding invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding, so it is important to use high-quality paper and printing. This will make your invitation look and feel more special.
By following these tips, you can create a wedding invitation that is both informative and stylish, and that will be cherished by your guests for years to come.
Once you have created your wedding invitations, you can relax and enjoy the planning process knowing that your guests have all the information they need to attend your special day.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect wedding invitation is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, and it should provide all the crucial information they need to be there to celebrate with you.
In this article, we have discussed the essential elements of a wedding invitation, as well as some additional information that you may want to include. We have also provided some tips for creating a wedding invitation that is both informative and stylish.
By following these tips, you can create a wedding invitation that will be cherished by your guests for years to come.