Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning! They provide the first impression for your guests on the style and formality of your wedding and they communicate all of the essential information for your wedding celebration.
Today we are answering three of our most frequently asked questions about wedding invitations! How many should I order? When do I send them out? And what details should be included? Read on to get the answers to these questions!
Invitation Design by Veronica Preston Design | Photo by Decorus Fine Art Photography
1. How many invitations should I order?
The first thing to look at is how many households are on your guest list! It’s common to look at your guest count and assume that’s how many invitations you need, but you typically need far less than that because you will only send one invitation per household. The caveat to that rule is for guests over the age of 18 living in the household – they should receive their own invitation. For example, a college student living with their parents should receive their own invitation.
After you have your household count, be sure to order extras! We recommend ordering 10-20 more invitations than you need. This allows you to have some invitations to hold on to as keepsakes, some to give to your photographer for photos, and some to have as extra in case you forgot someone on your initial list! It’s always better to have a couple more than to be scrambling to order more invitations later.
Photo by Sarah Porter Photography
2. When should I send out my wedding invitations?
We use two simple steps to determine when to send out wedding invitations:
- Count 6 weeks before your wedding date – this will be your RSVP deadline!
- Count 2 – 3 months before your RSVP deadline – this will be when you send out your invitations!
If you’re having a destination wedding or have many out-of-town guests, you can send out your invitations earlier to ensure your guests have time to arrange travel and accommodations. However, we always recommend keeping your RSVP date six weeks before your wedding. This will ensure you have proper time to finalize your reception layout, seating chart, place cards, and catering headcount.
Photo by Abbey Rice Photography
3. What information should be included on my invitations?
There are five main details that should be included in your invitation suite:
- Time
- Location
- Dress code
- How to RSVP and the RSVP deadline
- Any guest details (such as shuttles or lodging information)
You can communicate these details with the language, fonts, and colors that match the style of your wedding! Browsing through invitation designs on sites like Minted and The Knot is a great way to get inspiration on what you’re looking for. Many designs will include the option to add on a matching details card, reception card, and RSVP card. Or you can work with a professional to design a custom invitation suite and include unique details like a drawing of your venue or a custom wax seal!
For reception cards, if you’re holding your ceremony and reception at the same venue, you can simply include “Reception to follow” at the bottom of your invitation. However, if your reception will be at a different location, treat it as a separate event and include a reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.
As for RSVPs, you have the option to have your guests respond via a traditional response card or through your wedding website. If you prefer to have a traditional response card mailed back to you, make sure you include a stamped envelope with your address in each invitation suite. If you’re having your guests RSVP through your wedding website, include the website address and password (if there is one). This is also the time to ask your guests about their dietary restrictions or meal choice if you’re doing a plated dinner!
Invitation Design by Ink and Root | Photo by Laura Murray Photography
We hope this information was helpful to you! You can find more wedding planning tips and inspiration on our Instagram and Pinterest. And if you’re interested in learning more about our wedding planning packages, fill out our contact form today!
leave a comment