What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Suite - Everything you need to know about Wedding Stationery
Have you ever wondered what you should include in your wedding stationery pieces?
Don’t worry! Today we’ll share everything you need to know about your wedding invitation suite.
What is a “Wedding Invitation Suite”?
A wedding invitation suite consists of all the stationery that will be sent out for your wedding, in addition to the invitations themselves.
Typically, it includes the invitation, RSVP card, and a card (also known as “insert”) with additional details (such as hotel information, transportation, a map—anything that will help make the guest experience easier).
When working on your guest list, sit down with your partner and identify who may need extra information, and establish a budget.
Now, we’ll share a simple guide to help you understand the purpose of each piece in the suite:
Traditional Elements:
Invitation
RSVP and envelope
Main envelope
Postage – stamps and the process for mailing invitations
Additional Elements:
Save the Date
Weekend itinerary
Reception details card
Map
Accommodations (transportation, hotel)
Details card with wedding website information
Invitation
The invitation is the core of your wedding suite. Don’t forget the key details to include for your guests:
Names of both partners
Date and time
Ceremony and reception venue locations
If the ceremony and reception are in the same place, you can add If the ceremony and reception are in the same place, you can add “Reception to Follow”.
RSVP Card
This is where you'll receive your guest confirmations and the number of people attending with each guest.
What additional information can you collect?
Main course choice for dinner
Song requests for the reception
Modern Alternative for RSVP:
You can include a QR code on the RSVP card that directs guests to fill out a questionnaire on your wedding website.
Keep in mind that for older guests, this might be a challenging step.
If you think some guests may struggle with this, you can still opt to send the traditional RSVP card to them, while others can use the QR code.
Additional Tips for Your RSVP Card:
Avoid printing the RSVP card in black or dark colors, as it will be hard for guests to write on it (not everyone has a white ink pen)
If you still prefer to use black paper for some stationery, consider using a white font for the details card where guests don’t need to write.
Envelope
This is a somewhat obvious point, but you will need an envelope to send the invitations and stationery.
Many designers offer the service of including the addresses on the envelopes!
This is definitely a time-saver!
Postage (Stamps)
With all the pieces in your suite, the envelope will likely weigh more than a regular letter. That’s why you’ll need to visit the post office with your invitations so they can weigh them and tell you the correct postage cost. You can also explore various wedding-themed stamps and pick your favorite.
Also, it’s highly recommended to request “hand-cancelled” stamps. This means a person (not a machine) will cancel each stamp to prevent it from being reused.
Disadvantages of machine-cancelled stamps:
It can tear the envelope and damage the stationery inside
It can leave wavy lines or glue marks on the envelope
It may confuse the return address
If the return address is on the back of the envelope (instead of the front), the machine might not be able to recognize which side is the front, causing issues with delivery and returns.
Additional Elements:
Save the Date
The purpose of a "Save the Date" is to give your guests a heads-up about the wedding and ask them to mark the date on their calendars.
Here you’ll include:
Names of the couple
Date
Since this is sent before the invitations, it’s not necessary to have the venue booked yet.
When should you send the Save the Date?
It’s never too early to send out the Save the Date! It’s recommended to send it 8-12 months before the wedding. So, as soon as you’ve set the date, you can send this piece. If it’s a destination wedding, you may want to send it a bit earlier (14+ months).
We’ll soon be publishing a blog discussing everything you need to know about Save the Dates!
Weekend Itinerary
If you have multiple events related to your wedding over the weekend, it’s recommended to include a card detailing each one.
What events could you have alongside your wedding? Some examples include:
Welcome cocktail
Rehearsal dinner
Brunch the day after the wedding
Reception (if it’s in a different location from the ceremony)
By creating an itinerary, guests will have an idea of what to expect and what to pack for each event.
Although this information can be included on your wedding website, it’s still recommended to include the printed itinerary with your invitations. This insert ensures that everyone receives and reads the essential details.
What else can you include?
Hotel recommendations where you’ve booked blocks of rooms at special rates, and the locations
Transportation details
Indicate if any event during the wedding weekend is adults-only.
Reception Card
If your reception is at a different venue from the ceremony, it’s recommended to include a separate card with the reception information, where you’ll provide:
Venue address
Start time
Dress code
Transportation details, if applicable
Accommodations (Transportation, Hotel)
If you’ve arranged transportation to take guests to and from the ceremony or reception, share the details!
This will alleviate stress regarding parking, traffic, etc.
Details Card with Wedding Website
Whether it’s the website or a QR code, this is a great opportunity to share the website with essential details and FAQs for your guests.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Thank you for reading!
I hope this guide was helpful 💗
