How to choose wedding invitations?

The tone of your wedding and reception can be conveyed to guests through the design of your invitation. Most of the time, it will be a reflection of your personal colour scheme and taste in design. Wedding invitations should match the theme and aesthetic of the wedding itself to create a unified impression. The following suggestions can help you select the best possible wedding invitations.

Choosing your wedding invitations may not seem like the most pressing matter when you have a million other things to do, but these paper goods are the first hint guests will receive of your special day's style. Your loved ones should feel excited about attending your wedding, and your invitations should provide them with all the information they need to do so in comfort and style.

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Here are a few things to consider when it comes to how to choose your wedding invitations.

Consider the price point

Wedding invitation prices range from pennies to fifty dollars or more, as you'll see in the examples below. So, when deciding which invitation to send, keep your finances in mind. That also implies that you should finalise your guest list ahead of time, so you can determine whether or not you should send out 20 invitations or 200.

Incorporate your wedding's theme and colour scheme

Choosing a wedding invitation that matches the theme you've chosen for the big day is a fun way to incorporate the motif. We have provided many amusing examples for you to peruse below. Or perhaps you'd like your invitation to serve as a proclamation of the primary hue(s) you've chosen. Before you go out and buy wedding invitations, you need to have those nailed down.

Figure out the inserts you'll need

RSVP cards, directions cards, cards for noting dietary restrictions, and other cards can be added to most wedding invitation suites. You should know what kinds of cards you'll need for your wedding invitation suite before you start shopping.

We've laid out a few wedding concepts and provided a sample invitation to go along with each. If you're trying to decide on a wedding invitation, you'll find some helpful hints here. Be aware that the listed price is per invitation.

Modern

Today's nuptials are a huge trend. So, if you're planning on having a stylish, modern wedding (lots of black and white, maybe some touches of gold, simple but elegant floral arrangements), select a modern wedding invitation that conveys your sense of style.

These all-black invitations are stunning and perfect for the modern minimalist. They're the perfect addition to a wedding with a minimalist vibe because of their straightforward language and focus on the essentials. Straight, horizontal lines make it easy to focus on the essential details of your wedding day.

What to include in your wedding invitations

However, it's important to remember that the invitations' primary function is to inform guests of the wedding's essential details, so don't skimp on that information just because you want them to look pretty. The amount of information you provide is up to you, but there are some facts that must be included to guarantee that your guests are well-informed and show up on time.

There's a wedding, and you're invited!

Inviting guests to your wedding requires wording that fits the tone of the invitation and the ceremony itself. Whether you'request the pleasure of their company' or simply tell them you're 'tying the knot,' this is the time to let everyone know. The introduction at a traditional wedding should be more solemn, while at a modern wedding it can be more lighthearted and casual.

Names of the happy couple

Guests should be able to easily identify whose wedding they are attending, so be sure to include both your names and your fiance's or fiancé's. While it is customary for the bride's name to come before the groom's, this is not always necessary, especially for same-sex weddings.

The venue and location

You must include the location of both your wedding and the reception. If you'd like to spare your guests any extra reading, just give them the name of the venue and the city/country it's located in along with some basic directions on how to get there.

The date and time

Share with guests the specific date and time of your big event. If guests are invited to a destination wedding and plan to stay for multiple days of festivities, they need to know exactly how long each day will last.

Reception info

Indicate on the invitation if the evening's event will be held elsewhere, and specify whether or not transportation will be provided. Also, specify on the invitation if the guest is only invited to the evening festivities.

RSVP details

The reply information can be included at the bottom of the invitation or on a separate card. Set a cut-off date four weeks in advance so that you have time to notify the venue or caterer of the final guest count.

Establish Your Wedding Look

In addition to conveying the event's specifics, such as time and place, the invitation can also subtly hint at the formality of the occasion through the use of wording that suggests a more solemn occasion than the date and location might suggest. You can't go wrong with stationery if you know whether the party is going to be formal and elegant, casual and fun, or glitzy and cutting edge. In this way, you can choose an invitation format that is guaranteed to be well received. You can offer your stationer a suggestion of your prefered style by looking at stationery websites and sample wedding invitations from other couples.

Understand Colors

The wedding colours should also be taken into account. You can create a cohesive look for your wedding by carrying over the colours and design elements from your invitations to other printed pieces (like escort cards, menus, and programmes) for the big day. Although traditional wedding invitations are printed on white card, you can jazz things up by using paper stock, envelope liners, and envelopes. Make sure the colours you use are legible.

Looking for someone to help decorate on your special day? Check out our list of Wedding Decorators in Melbourne

Experiment with the size and shape

Standard invitations for weddings are rectangular cards, measuring 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. However, couples who want to project a more lighthearted or contemporary image are increasingly opting for invitations with circular, scalloped, or square shapes. When planning your budget, please remember that the price of postage may increase if your invitations are too bulky or heavy to fit in a standard envelope.

Verify their legitimacy

The invitation's wording is as crucial as the design's aesthetics. That was the whole purpose of sending out invitations, in fact. While stationery is always helpful, it's best to avoid the temptation to use white ink on white paper or black ink on black paper. If you must use a light colour, like yellow or pastel, for text, use a highly contrasting background or incorporate that colour further into design itself to make the text stand out. If readability is more important than aesthetics, then you should stay away from Comic Sans and other heavily scripted typefaces.

Pick your words carefully.

Explore appropriate invitation wording options. The customary order of the names on an invitation places the host's name first. Details, such as the ceremony's start time, are expected to be publicly displayed as per custom. You'll find wording following the host's name on most wedding invitations. In case the language needs to be updated as the hosting situation develops, double-check that everyone who should be included is included.

Avoid crowding the card.

Only include the essentials on your invitations, such as the date, time, location, hosts, your name and your fiancé's name, the optional dress code, and the information on how guests can respond. Overstuffing an invitation card will make it less readable and less classy. Details like where to find the ceremony and reception can be found on the wedding website or on inclosure cards. The location of your registration should not be displayed anywhere in your room. Your wedding website is the only appropriate venue for sharing registry details.

Start Early

Eight months prior to the wedding, please send out the latest information. They can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to print, depending on how much detail you need. Although it's not required, sending out coordinated invitations and save-the-date cards is a nice gesture that can help you save both money and time. In the ten to eleven months leading up to the wedding, you should begin searching for a stationer. Ideally, invitations would be ordered five months in advance of the wedding so that they could be printed and sent out eight to ten weeks beforehand. Wedding invitations need to be sent out much earlier than usual for destination weddings and weddings that occur around the holidays.

Organize Your Dates

Your guests will need at least three to four weeks from the time they receive your invitation before making a decision about whether or not to attend. Please include your RSVP information in the lower right corner of the card or on a completely seperate inclosure. The caterer will need a final headcount a certain amount of time before the event. To make a seating chart, you'll need to give guests plenty of notice; however, more the time you give them, the more likely it is that they will forget. Also, a few weeks before the wedding, your vendors will need to know how many people are expected to attend so that they can get the right amount of centrepieces and other decorations ready.

Examine the costs

Invitees can spend anywhere from a dollar to several hundred dollars. The layout, printing method, paper quality, and quantity are all variables that affect the final cost of printing. More expensive materials, such as premium paper and coloured ink, conventional printing methods like letterpress, and custom design, as well as decorative touches like envelope liners and multiple enclosures, will increase your costs. This is why it's important to do your research ahead of time so you can prioritise specific aspects, such as superior printing quality, an original design, or a selection of enclosures. Find out how much it will cost to hire a calligrapher at the same time you're choosing invitations so you can factor that into your stationery budget.

To get more budget tips in your wedding, check out our post on How to plan a wedding on a budget? 

Have a Pro Address Your Envelopes

Make sure the invitation envelopes are available for pickup when you place your order. Since most stationers will print the return addresses for free (sometimes it's even included in the price of the suite), you may want to have someone else (a calligrapher, for example) publish the addresses on the envelopes to save money. Even though it's not required, having your envelopes addressed by a calligrapher is a great way to make a great first impression. If your handwriting is less-than-perfect, it's probably best to have a professional handle the envelopes and stamps.

If you insist on doing them on your own, divide the work up into smaller chunks and spread it out over multiple sessions to avoid getting too tired to make good decisions. Preprinted labels save time and money, but handwritten addresses show more professionalism and thoughtfulness. Sending out wedding invitations with each guest's name and address handwritten (or calligraphed) on the envelope is a great way to show how much you appreciate them being there. Digital calligraphy software on a computer can be used to print addresses even if you have terrible handwriting and lack the funds to hire a calligrapher.

Double-check the evidence

Your stationer will confirm your invitation order via email before they are printed. You shouldn't stop checking for errors just because your mum and your significant other have already seen it. Check the proof with a spelling friend or bridesmaid to make sure everything is perfect before you sign off on it. It's incredible what can slip your mind. Reading the proof is a common method used by copy editors to catch every error.

The Number of Households

You don't have to invite everyone who might show up. Look at your guest list and determine how many households will need invitations before you give that number to the stationer. If you and your partner share a residence, you only need to send one invitation; if you and your partner do not, you and your partner's names should appear on the inner and outer envelopes separately. There will be only one invitation sent to each household. Those who are older than 18 but still living at home, as well as children who do not live at home, are the only ones who should not receive an invitation (like college students).

Purchase Extra

Additional invitations printed after the fact can be quite pricey. Everyone on your guest list should receive an invitation, and you should order 25 extra in case you need to resend any, want to keep some as keepsakes (your mothers will want at least a few), or intend to invite people who aren't on your guest list. You should consider ordering a second batch of invitations and moving the RSVP deadline back if the number of people on your "B" list is large. Keep extra invitations on hand even if you hire a calligrapher address them, just in case some guests don't respond or there are problems with the addresses.

Remember to Finish Up Your Suite

In addition to invitations, guests should also order the menu, programme, and appreciate notes for the event at the same time. All of your stationery requirements can be met with a single order, saving you time and money. Even if the designs for different pieces of stationery are slightly different, this is a great way to make sure everything still looks cohesive. Goodie bag favour tags and thank you notes are a nice touch that are often overlooked.

Don't Forget to Say "Thanks!"

Use an attendance manager programme or just a simple spreadsheet to keep track of the answers you receive. Make sure to have a column set aside for recording the gifts given and received. If you don't want to get behind on writing your thank-you notes, you should get started as soon even as wedding gifts begin to arrive. A note of thanks for pre-wedding gifts should be sent no later than two weeks after the wedding. Give yourself a month if you want to give a gift after or during the holiday.

Put on weight

You should bring a sample request (including any enclosures) to the post office to be weighed before mailing the actual invitations, even though you're probably just itching to get them in the mail and check that task off your list. You can save time and energy by not having to make as many separate trips. We can guarantee that your invitations will not be returned to you because of a lack of postage, which is a major headache. While you're at the post office, enquire about having invitations manually cancelled. Doing so entails affixing a postage stamp to your correspondence to prove that it was delivered. In spite of the fact that cancelling by mail doesn't cost anything, you should still verify with your post office that it supports this option. Even though most offices make an effort to maintain hand-cancelled mail different from standard mail, there is no guarantee that your invitations will avoid the processing machines. To avoid automated sorting, you could really pay extra for manual handling.

Do You Put Registry On Wedding Invitations?

Including information about your wedding registry on your invitations is considered bad manners. If you'd like to direct guests to your wedding website, you can do so on a separate inclosure card. Many website hosts include a simple registry integration, which is why the vast majority of couples opt to have their registries hosted on their wedding website.

There are numerous alternatives to consider when selecting wedding invitations. On the other hand, you need to pick something that suits your needs without breaking the bank. If you're planning a wedding, we hope this book is a helpful resource.

Conclusion

It's possible to set the mood for both the ceremony and the reception with the invitation you send out. In most cases, it will reflect your prefered colour palette and aesthetic preferences. Your wedding invitations should reflect the style and tone of your big day. Concentrate on the most important aspects of your wedding day with the help of horizontal lines. The primary purpose of wedding invitations is to relay important information to guests.

The depth of your description is up to you, but certain specifics are required. Plan a deadline four weeks out to give yourself time to inform the venue or caterer of the final guest count. Colors and design elements from your invitations can be used in the rest of your printed materials to create a unified look (like escort cards, menus, and programmes). If an invitation card is overly stressed, it will be difficult to read and will look cheap. Your search for a stationer should begin about ten to eleven months before the big day.

You need to order your wedding invitations five months before the big day to give yourself enough time to print them and mail them out eight to ten weeks before the ceremony. The cost of inviting guests can range from one dollar to several hundred. There will be a price jump if you want to use high-end materials like coloured ink and heavy paper. When selecting invitations, it is also a good idea to enquire about the cost of hiring a calligrapher. It's professional and thoughtful to send out invitations you've written by hand.

Addresses can be printed using digital calligraphy software on a computer. To ensure that no mistakes slip through, copy editors often read the proof. If you must do them without assistance, divide the work into multiple sessions. Menus, programmes, and thank-you notes can all be ordered for the invited guests. Putting in a single order will take care of all of your stationery needs.

Two weeks after the wedding is the absolute latest you should send a thank-you note for pre-wedding gifts. Not having to make as many stops along the way can save you time and effort. Check with the post office about cancelling invitations by hand while you're there. Inviting guests to your wedding can be done in a number of ways. We pray this book serves as an invaluable tool in your wedding preparations.

Content Summary

• The tone of your wedding and reception can be conveyed to guests through the design of your invitation.
• However, it's important to remember that the invitations' primary function is to inform guests of the wedding's essential details, so don't skimp on that information just because you want them to look pretty.
• The venue and locationYou must include the location of both your wedding and the reception.
• The reply information can be included at the bottom of the invitation or on a separate card.
• You can create a cohesive look for your wedding by carrying over the colours and design elements from your invitations to other printed pieces (like escort cards, menus, and programmes) for the big day.
• The invitation's wording is as crucial as the design's aesthetics.
• Pick your words carefully.
• Explore appropriate invitation wording options.
• You'll find wording following the host's name on most wedding invitations.
• Find out how much it will cost to hire a calligrapher at the same time you're choosing invitations so you can factor that into your stationery budget.
• Even though it's not required, having your envelopes addressed by a calligrapher is a great way to make a great first impression.
• Sending out wedding invitations with each guest's name and address handwritten (or calligraphed) on the envelope is a great way to show how much you appreciate them being there.
• All of your stationery requirements can be met with a single order, saving you time and money.
• If you don't want to get behind on writing your thank-you notes, you should get started as soon even as wedding gifts begin to arrive.
• A note of thanks for pre-wedding gifts should be sent no later than two weeks after the wedding.
• While you're at the post office, enquire about having invitations manually cancelled.
• In spite of the fact that cancelling by mail doesn't cost anything, you should still verify with your post office that it supports this option.
• Including information about your wedding registry on your invitations is considered bad manners.