For your wedding day, it’s only natural that you’ll want to have the very best. As well as conveying the wedding theme, your wedding invitations will also communicate the most important information like when and where your wedding will be held, reception details, dress code and accommodations. Wedding stationary may seem confusing on the surface but with our guide, you’ll discover how to choose paper types, printing types, how to word your invitations and how to make them at home if you choose.
Wedding Invitation Elements
The most common (and most traditional) elements include:
- ‘Save the date’ card
- Wedding invitation
- Response card
- Reception card
- Map/Directions
- Envelope
You may also want to add other touches like a thank you card, seating card, and place card if necessary. Of course there is no right or wrong when it comes to your wedding invitations, so choose what works best for your and your wedding. As long as people have the important details you’ll be good!
“Save the Date” Card
These cards should be sent several months before your wedding date. While save the date cards are not required, it’s a great way to allow your guests to prepare for taking time off work, hiring a babysitter or booking travel arrangements.
Response Card
These can be cards that fold over or double sided with RSVP on one side of the card and an address on the other. Send these with a self-addressed envelope to make it easier for guests to reply. Ensure you set a response date that is no later than two to three weeks before your wedding day. Traditionally, the responses should be sent to the bride’s parents address or to the bride herself.
Reception Card
If your reception is being held at a separate place than the ceremony you may want to include a reception card. If they’re at the same location, you can add ‘followed by reception’ or ‘dinner following immediately’ to your invitations.
Map
You may wish to include text instructions as well as a detailed map. Of course these days everybody has GPS and a map app on their phones, so this is completely optional.
Accommodation Card
This will help guests who reside out of town find a hotel or home to rent while attending your special day. This is great to have but again totally optional.
Program
Another optional feature to send with your invitations is the program. If your wedding is going to have a formal ceremony, then the program will explain what is happening and when. You may also wish to include a menu to inform your guests of dining arrangements.
Types of Paper
Traditional invitations are usually ecru, ivory or cream, however, there are many color options available and you can choose one to suit the theme of your wedding and your personal preferences. As for paper, there are a variety of options including:Cotton – This type is incredibly smooth and used for many formal invitations. Be prepared to pay up though as it isn’t cheap.
Linen – Contains a cross weave texture and is a favorite with many couples.
Jacquard – Has a layered appearance.
Corrugated – Appears thick and wavy with ridges.
Parchment – Translucent paper that looks cloudy.
Vellum – Has a smooth finish and is a cotton blend, but less expensive.
Resources on Choosing Paper Types
Types Of Wedding Invitation Paper and How to Choose One
How to Choose the Best Wedding Stationary Paper
How to Choose the Best Paper for Your Printable Wedding Invitations
Printing Types
Engraving
This can be expensive; however, it looks beautiful for formal invites. This technique features a design or lettering etched in copper plate in order to create raised lettering. Generally black is the best color to use and it can take longer to print than other techniques.
Thermography
A more affordable alternative to engraving, this technique uses heat to fuse ink and powder together. This then creates the appearance of raised lettering. The overall process is quick and it looks beautiful for formal invitations with colored ink.
Letterpress
Using a moveable machine, raised letters are stamped onto your paper of choice. It’s best used on textured paper and it tends to be less popular than other methods of printing due to few vendors providing it as an option.
Foil stamping
This technique is best for textured paper and it can be expensive. Foil printing allows you to use differing styles or fonts as well as motifs. The text is placed onto a copper plate via a film negative and is applied to paper. Heated copper plate is then pressed onto paper, giving its effect.
Embossing
With this technique, letters are etched onto metal plates and then stamped onto paper. This method looks striking when used for borders, addresses, motifs and monograms. While it’s costly, the beautiful 3D effect is visually pleasing.
Calligraphy
The appearance of hand writing gives a personal effect and can be cost effective for smaller weddings. You can opt for a professional calligrapher or you may prefer computerized calligraphy.
Resources on Printing Types
Paper Makes Perfect: Options for Printing Wedding Invitations
A Guide to Wedding Invitation Printing Techniques
How to Word Wedding Invitations
These days, it can be tricky on how to word your wedding invitations due to the myriad of family circumstances. Traditionally, the parents of the bride and groom are listed on a wedding invitation, however, this may not occur if there have been divorces or a death in the family. The good news is that there are no official rules on how to word your invitations, so have fun with it!
See our helpful infographic below for help on wording your invitations:
Wording Structure
First Line
The first line of the invitation is traditionally who hosts the wedding, which is usually the bride’s parents. However, in modern times, this can be close family or friends.
Second Line
The second line can depend on the venue and your personal choice. Depending on formalities, these are a few suggestions:
- Formal wedding ceremonies – ‘request the honor of your presence’
- Less formal settings – ‘request the pleasure of your company’
- Contemporary style of wording – ‘invite you to celebrate the wedding of’
Wording Style
As your wedding is catered towards your personal tastes and preferences, you can be as creative as you like. Just remember that an invitation should contain all the essential details that your guests will need to know.
Mentioning Gifts
While responding positively to an invite implies a gift being purchased for the bride and groom, it’s considered impolite to mention the gift registry on the wedding invitation. This should be given to close family who will inform guests of what to purchase. Similarly, if you don’t want to receive gifts, it shouldn’t be stated on your invitations. Instead, this should be communicated to guests via family and close friends.
Weddings without Children
An adult only wedding requires you to communicate with your guests that you have a no children policy. Proper etiquette suggests that this be conveyed via word of mouth. However, if you intend to have a reception card, stating ‘adults only’ is perfectly acceptable.
Overall dos and don’ts for formal invites
- Use capital letters at the beginning of sentences
- Numbers, years and the time should be spelled out
- Write in the third person
- Don’t use abbreviations or nicknames
- Use words in full, such as “do not” as opposed to “don’t”
Examples of Wording
This will change depending on who is hosting the wedding.
Hosting: Parents of the bride (formal invitation)
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Elizabeth Rose
to
John James Cullen
on
Friday, the second of August
at one o’clock in the afternoon
Five North Edge Street
San Francisco, California
Hosting: Brides parents who are divorced
Mr. Edward Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hanks
request the honor of your presence
Hosting: Both bride and groom’s parents
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cullen
invite you to the wedding of
Hosting: Bride and groom’s parents who are divorced
Mr. Edward Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Adams
Along with
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cullen
Hosting: Bride and groom only
Miss Elizabeth Rose
and
Mr. John James Cullen
request the pleasure of your company
Hosting: Bride, groom and their children
Miss Elizabeth Rose Smith
and
Mr. John James Cullen
along with their children
Anna and Kimberly
request the pleasure of your company
Resources on Wording Your Wedding Invitations
The Ultimate Guide to Invitation Wording
How to Address Wedding Invitations – Handy Tool
How to Address Wedding Invitations – The Knot
How to Address Envelopes
Married Couples
For married couples, place ‘and’ between their names and list the husband first. That is unless, the wife has a professional title, such as doctor, in which she should be named first. For same-sex marriages simply use ‘and’ between their names.
Unmarried Couples
Unmarried couples’ names should be on separate lines and placed in alphabetic order. Couples of the same sex should also be listed alphabetically.
Children
Those over the age of thirteen should be sent their own invitation. Young children can receive a joint invite unless you have a tight budget, in which case, their names can be added underneath their parent’s name on the inner envelope and invitation only.
Abbreviations
Only titles should be abbreviated on the envelope, apart from professional titles which should be spelled out correctly. Middle names should also be spelled out in full.
Guests
The inner envelope should only name those who have been formally invited to the wedding and should state if your recipient can bring a guest. For example, Miss Wright and Guest. However, for close friends and family, you can be less informal on the envelope.
Budgeting
Custom Designer
For a custom designer, you’re looking at paying at least $1000 upwards. While you can choose from detailed calligraphy, custom designs and hand drawn illustrations, this option is for those who are prepared to pay more for their invitations.
Stationary Store
A stationary store will set you back around $700 and more. You’ll be able to see your design in the flesh as well as take advantage of sales that arise.
Online Stores
Online retailers can provide custom printing and designs. However, it’s important that you get a proof of your invitation as well as conduct thorough research to ensure that your chosen store has good feedback. Online stores can cost around $300 to $400 upwards for invitations.
Ordering Your Wedding Invitations
You should always order slightly more than you think you’ll need. You should consider buying more to cater for last minute guests. Remember that families living in one home only need one invitation. Your wedding invitations should be ordered several months before your special day.
Getting Proofs
Most professional printers will provide you with proof of your invitation before it’s sent to printing. This gives you the opportunity to correct any mistakes or alter anything that you’re not happy with.
Ordering Envelopes
You can choose a simple, standard envelope or an inner envelope with lining or special paper to enhance elegance. If you are only using one outer envelope, you could choose to add lining to this instead. Lined envelopes cost extra, but they appear highly sophisticated.
Enhancements
Monograms
To personalize your invitations, add a monogram or motif. Monograms normally use the bride’s first initial with the groom’s last name initial in the middle and his first name initial last. For example, Sarah Webb and Matthew Foster would be SFM.
Ribbon or Lace
Ribbon and lace are a classic touch to any invite. Ribbon is available in a variety of colors and materials to match your text type and color scheme. They help to hold all parts of your wedding stationery together. On the other hand, lace is generally used around the invitation and tied with a ribbon or it can be used as part of the invite itself.
Questions to Answer
- What is my budget?
- Am I ordering in plenty of time?
- How many invitations do I need?
- What size do I need?
- What color scheme do I want?
- What type of font do I like?
- What wording will I use?
- Are the details of my wedding correct?
- Do I need details like a monogram, lace or ribbon?
Before you order, be sure to ask these questions to your chosen wedding invitation professional to ensure the best results with your order.
The DIY Process
This is the recommended choice for those on a strict budget. Supplies can cost $150 upwards and you’ll need to be prepared to spend more time on the creation process.
A DIY project for your wedding invitations will save you money, but if you require a complex design, it’s advisable to use a professional. Unless you’re skilled in art or design, opt for a simple DIY design.
Begin with blank card or paper
There are a multitude of styles, but traditionally, unfolded card, wallets or cards with one-fold are the best option. Choose white or a neutral tone so you can add color in the design process.
Lettering
For lettering, you can choose foil stickers, learn calligraphy or print your text using a template. Black is the safest color to choose.
Decorate
For a simple invite, ribbon and lace add a touch of luxury. If you wanted to be completely creative, try glitter, decorative panels using special paper or choose an accent color to provide contrast.
Where to find inspiration
You can do literally anything you like when you’re making your invites from scratch. For inspiration, try searching Pinterest.
DIY Envelopes
As the envelope is the thing people will notice first, why not consider decorating them to match your invitations? Alternatively, perhaps you could use textured envelopes, those with special lining or hand write them to add a personal touch.
Resources on Going DIY
How To: Print Your Own Wedding Invitations
16 Tricks and Tips for Printing Wedding Invitations at HomeDIY Wedding Invitations: Everything You Need To Know
Whatever you choose for your wedding invitations, remember to decide your budget and do your research beforehand. Take your time to find the perfect design and most importantly have fun with it!