The Art of Wedding Invitation Suites: A Comprehensive Guide on What to Include
Starting to plan for your wedding invitations but overwhelmed by the different cards and their details? We’ve got your back! In this wedding stationery checklist, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of each stationery piece and share when to order, when to mail, and what info you should include on each.
And if you want to take these helpful details on the go, download our wedding invitation cheat cards and timeline, which are designed for easy reading on your phone!
Save the Dates
Save the dates are stand-alone cards that are mailed out several months ahead of the wedding invitation. It gives guests time to mark their calendars, plan around your wedding, and make travel/babysitting arrangements if necessary. Happily, save the dates are simple and don’t require a lot of fuss. Take this time to talk with your wedding stationery designer and hash out your style.
When to order: 10-12 months before the wedding
When to mail: 6-8 months before the wedding, or even 10 months if a lot of guests will need to travel.
Info to include:
Request to “Save the Date.”
Your names along with the wedding announcement
Date
City & State (or country if abroad)
Note that a “Formal invitation will follow.”
Optional: Engagement Photo
Wedding Invitation Suite: The Invitation
Your wedding invitation suite is made up of two or more cards. The largest and most important piece is the main invitation. Typically a 5 x7 card, the wedding invitation serves as the formal announcement of your nuptials.
When to order: 6-8 months before the wedding
When to mail: 8-10 weeks before the wedding
Info to include:
Wedding hosts–Typically you and/or your parents, but anyone paying for the wedding should be listed.
Your names–may include middle names if your wedding is formal.
Request for guests to attend–i.e. “request the honor of your presence,” “invite you to celebrate their wedding,” etc.
Date and time
Ceremony venue name & address
Note that “Reception to follow”
Wedding Invitation Suite: RSVP Card
AKA Response Card or Reply Card
The RSVP card instructs guests when and where they should go to RSVP. Wedding venues and caterers require a final headcount a few weeks before the big day, so it’s important that you collect responses from your guests.
There are multiple ways you can handle collecting RSVPs.
Option 1–By return mail: This is the most traditional format, which is typically included with luxury wedding stationery. With this option, you should include the following:
Request to respond by a specific date
Options to “Accept” or “Decline”
Blank lines for the guests to write their names
Return envelope with postage
Optional: Line for number of guests attending
Optional: Dinner selection if having a sit-down meal
*Note that since the guests will not be keeping an RSVP card returned by mail, you should never include additional information that they need.
Option 2–By Wedding Website: This is the most cost-effective and more modern choice. While more flexible, you should still always include the following:
Request to respond by a specific date
Your wedding website URL
Optional: QR code
*Since guests will keep an RSVP card pointing to the wedding website, it is okay in some cases to combine this card with the details card, which we’ll discuss next.
Wedding Invitation Suite: Details Card
AKA Information Card or Insert Card
The details card is a catch-all card where you’ll include other information about your wedding. What to include varies from couple to couple, so below is a list of common options. Include what applies to you and disregard what doesn’t.
Reception venue name and address, if different from the ceremony venue
Driving directions to the reception venue
Wedding website URL, if using a return by mail RSVP card or if combining with the RSVP card
Welcome party details
Hotel information and reserve by date
Dress code
NEVER include your gift registry, as this is typically considered poor taste. Leave this on your wedding website!
Note that all of the above information cannot fit on one card. This is why an RSVP card may need to be separate. For instance, if your reception is at a different venue and you’re also having a welcome party, then you’ll need multiple insert cards. If this is you, talk with your luxury wedding stationery designer, and she’ll be able to make the best recommendation for you.
Optional: Venue Illustration
Venue illustrations are a popular way to elevate your wedding invitation suite. If you have a beautiful venue (and many New Orleans venues are), then definitely consider this option! Most often, venue illustrations are included on a decorative envelope liner, which is a stationery piece that’s glued to the inside flap of the envelope.
If you go with this option, we recommend using an outer envelope as well. Sometimes guests will use a letter opener to rip through the envelope flap, and an outer envelope will protect the envelope liner within the unsealed inner envelope. Definitely a beautiful, luxury wedding stationery option!
If you’re looking for New Orleans wedding invitations, check out our collection of local venue illustrations! These may be used with any of our stationery services.
The Thank You Note
Never forget to say thanks! Guests may do a lot for your wedding, from buying you a nice gift to traveling across the country to watch you say “I do.” So it’s important to thank them for being there during one of the biggest moments of your life. Thank you notes come in different sizes depending on your preference, and they can either be folded or flat.
When to order: Same time as your wedding invitations so you can save on shipping.
When to mail: After your wedding, but before 3 months have passed.
Info to include:
Your names
Handwritten note
Optional: The words “Thank You”
Day-of Stationery
Day-of Stationery is a world unto itself, so we’re just going to touch on it here. That said, it’s best to get your day-of stationery from the same stationery designer so that it’s cohesive with your wedding invitation suite. Below is a list of common day-of stationery items.
When to order: 2 months before the wedding
When to send: Coordinate with your venue or wedding planner to have the items dropped off a week or so before your wedding.
Day-of Stationery Items to consider:
Welcome Sign
Reserved Tables Signs
Guest Book Sign
Advice Request Sign
Signs for other unique reception activities
Programs
Purchase the following only if you're having a sit-down dinner:
Menus
Place/Escort Cards
Seating Chart
Table Numbers
Was this blog helpful for planning your wedding invitation suite? Let us know in a comment below!
And if you’d like to have this info on the go, download our wedding invitation cheat cards and timeline! This free resource sums up the info in this blog, but it will live conveniently on your phone.