After the excitement of your engagement passes and you begin planning your wedding, it can be easy to overlook wedding invitations. Compared to other planning tasks, sending out invitations seems easy.
Your wedding invitations are so important for planning because they announce your wedding and share important information with guests.
There is a lot to consider when designing, creating, and sending your wedding invitations. What do you want your invitations to look like? Are you sending print or digital copies? What information should you include on your invitations?
Once you begin the process, these questions can become overwhelming. I hope this post will help ease some of that stress! There is no right or wrong when it comes to wedding invitation design. Your wedding planning experience should be something you and your love cherish for years to come. Don’t get too caught up in the details. Let your creativity shine through, and everything else will fall into place!
What is a wedding invitation suite?
An invitation suite includes all the pieces you need for your wedding invitations. This is usually a Save the Date card, an invitation, a details card, and an RSVP card. You can also customize your invitation suite by adding an itinerary, directions and accommodations, and thank you cards (to be sent after the wedding, of course!).
What information do you need in a wedding invitation suite?
The information needed in your wedding invitations is entirely up to you. The style of your wedding and your personal preferences both contribute to your choices. Typically an invitation suite has 3-4 items: your Invitation Card, Details Card, RSVP Card, and Itinerary Card – this is optional.
Save the Dates
Save the Dates should include your names, the location of your wedding, and the date of your wedding. If you don’t have a specific date or venue set, you can give less specific details. Let your guests know a formal invitation with details will follow.
Be sure to think about who you’d like to invite to your wedding before you send your Save the Dates. Only send Save the Dates to guests you intend to invite! Think of them as a heads up to let guests know that they are on the guest list!
If you’re unsure about sending printed copies, see if your Save the Date can be sent digitally. This will allow you to change details quickly if needed.
Save the Dates do not need to be complicated. Simple elegance is a great design choice for your invitation suite, especially if you have yet to decide on wedding colors.
Invitation Cards
Your invitation card can be as formal or informal as you’d like. Traditionally, wedding invitation wording was very formal. The bride’s parents would be listed as hosts, their names and the guest’s names and dates would be written in full. Many couples today host, plan, and organize their own weddings. Invitations are becoming far more personal and creative in both design and words used!
Most wedding invitations include who is getting married, the time, date, and location of the ceremony, and any reception details. You may also want to include who is hosting the wedding – this is a traditional detail, but it is not a necessary one.
You may also choose to include a details card, where you can put other important information such as your gift registry, transport options, and accommodation recommendations or a link to your wedding website if you have one. Personally, I prefer to add the reception information to the details card as well. It will keep your invite looking sleek and streamlined.
Look for inspiration before making a decision. The style, venue, and dress code of your wedding may all play a role in the formality of your invitations. If you prefer simple language, leave out the formalities. It’s your wedding – do what makes you happy!
RSVP Cards
RSVP cards allow your guests to let you know if they plan to attend your wedding. RSVPs usually have a blank line for guests’ names, the due date of the RSVP, and attendance options.
RSVPs are so important for wedding planning. They let you know how many guests will be attending, which is important information for your wedding vendors. Seating charts, place cards, menus, and food quantities are all dependent on guest RSVPs.
Set your RSVP due date for 1 month before your wedding. This will give you enough time to follow up with guests who have not responded and send a final headcount to your vendors. If you are requesting mailed RSVPs, don’t forget to include stamped and addressed envelopes!
How many wedding invitations do I need?
The determine the correct number of wedding invitations you need, follow this simple formula:
# of households + 10-20
Why do you need so many extra invitations? 2-4 to preserve as keepsakes, 3-6 for your vendors so they can get a sense of your style, and 5-10 for “in case” situations. You never know what may come up! It’s better to be prepared and stress-free than scrambling to find last-minute invitations.
Should I print my wedding invitations or send them digitally?
This is entirely up to you. There are positives and negatives of each.
Print invitations are more formal and sentimental. They also cost more money, but there is just something so special about snail mail!
Digital invitations are better for the environment, are quick and easy to deliver, and are easy to update. They’re also easy to forget and may get lost in spam if sent via email.
If you’re unsure which you’d like to use, find an invitation designer who creates designs that can be sent either way. Talk to your invitation designer to decide which method of delivery is best for your wedding invitation suite. You can always do a combination of both to mix things up!
When should I send wedding invitations?
In my experience, it is best to send Save the Dates 6-9 months before your wedding. Your formal wedding invitation and RSVP should be sent out 3-4 months before your wedding. If you have a shorter engagement, a digital invitation may be a better option.
Don’t forget to account for design, print time (if applicable), and delivery time. Give yourself plenty of space to send out invitations so you don’t feel rushed. Your invitation designer will let you know how long their unique process will take.
Are custom wedding invitations worth the investment?
I cannot answer this question for you. But, as a wedding invitation designer and a lover of unique details, I say absolutely!
Your wedding invitations are one of the only tangible pieces of your wedding you get to keep. Just like a seamstress helps you fit perfectly into your wedding attire, your invitation designer will help you create invitations that are unique to you.
I believe it’s so important to work with an invitation designer who matches your style. My design aesthetic is all about modern simplicity. Clean lines and simple type. Feel free to browse my invitation gallery to see if we’d be a good fit!
Few aspects of the wedding planning process allow you to be truly creative. You could order premade invitations online and save time and money, but you won’t have the unforgettable experience of designing your own invitation suite.
If you have the time and want to add unique details to your wedding that your guests will never forget, investing in custom wedding invitations is so worth it!
And if you’re not looking for a totally unique invitation suite, but love the modern luxe aesthetic, consider taking a look at my semi-custom suites.
DesigningLove also has custom and semi-custom monograms available for all your wedding stationery needs. I’d love to help you make your wedding day your own!
There’s a lot to weigh when thinking about wedding invitation design. I’d be happy to help you decide if this is the right decision for you. Fill out the contact form on my website and I will be in touch.
I’ll be here to help you every step of the way. Let’s make your wedding planning process a memory you will never forget!
XO Penelope
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