An invitation to a wedding is kind of like your profile picture on a dating app; it’s your first chance to make a great first impression. Invitations are one of the first wedding details your guests will see, so it’s important that it sets the tone. That being said, there are a few do’s and don’ts of wedding invitations that are important for you to keep in mind as you send them out.
Some may seem obvious, but trust us, you’d be surprised what people forget (or decide) to include!
Here’s what you should put on your invitation
Location (city, state and venue address)
If they haven’t already, people will need to make their travel arrangements when they receive your invite. Specifying the state, city and venue location only makes it easier for your guests to get there smoothly.
Date and start time of the wedding
This is important because it can affect when guests may travel into town. If your wedding doesn’t begin until the early evening, that gives people who aren’t too far away the option to travel that morning. However, if your wedding begins in the early afternoon, guests may want to travel the night before. Be as specific as possible so family and friends can plan accordingly.
Wedding website
This is where people will find even more detailed information that won’t fit on the invitation. Things such as registry, accommodations and detailed information about the timeline for the weekend, such as welcome parties or brunches, can be outlined here.
Here’s what you should put on the outer envelope
First and last names of guests invited
This is especially important if you’re only inviting a few members of a household to your wedding. For instance, if you’re having an adults-only wedding, rather than putting “no kids allowed” on the invite, be as specific as possible on the outside of the envelope about who’s invited so there’s no confusion.
EX) Mr. James Sullivan and Mrs. Julie Sullivan
Name of your guest’s plus-one
If you know the name of the your friend or family member’s plus-one, be sure to include their first and last name. If you don’t know what it is, do some snooping or ask the invitee. They’d rather have you ask for clarification than get an invite with no last name. If they don’t have a significant other at the time the invitation goes out, writing “and guest” will work just fine.
Here’s what should go on the reply card
Space for the invitees to write their name
If you’re unsure of the spelling of a guest’s name, this is a great resource to use when making the seating chart or place cards.
Food selection
If you’re having a plated dinner be sure to include all the options guests can order on the reply card so they can mark their preferred choice. You should also leave space for guests to write down any allergies or dietary restrictions they may have.
Space to check yes or no if they can attend
Everyone you invite, no matter if they can come or not, will be sending in a reply card. Be sure to include a YES or NO area to check so guests can let you know.
Here’s what goes on the reply envelope
Stamp
The reply envelope should already be stamped. It’s poor etiquette to make your invitees pay for their own postage.
Address you want the reply card mailed to
Whether you’re collecting replies or it’s a family member, make sure to put the address on the reply card so the invitee isn’t forced to guess where they’re supposed to send it. We recommend not having this address be your work one, you don’t want to be that co-worker.
Here’s what you shouldn’t put on your invitation
Kid-free wedding
Writing out “no kids allowed” on your invitation isn’t the nicest way to let your guests know they can’t bring their little ones. It’s fine if they’re not invited, but it’s important to say so strategically. Instead of printing that, be very specific about who is invited by writing the name of each invitee on the outside envelope.
Your phone number
The last thing you want is giving people the opportunity to call you with questions. Obviously, most of your guests know your phone number, but putting it on the invitation is, well, an invitation for people to reach you at any time. Refer people to the wedding website if they have inquiries.
List of accommodations & pricing
This is information that should live on your website. If you want to include a separate piece of stationery in your invitation suite with these details, that’s up to you, but there’s no need to put it on the main invitation when it would be perfectly appropriate on your website.
Your wedding hashtag
Again, this is a detail that belongs on your website or your Instagram. It takes up unnecessary room and takes the formality of the invitation down a notch.
Overall, excess information that isn’t the wedding venue, date or time, can live on your wedding website.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Sarah Title is a travel & wedding writer and editor living in Washington D.C. She also works part-time at a bridal salon helping women find the perfect dress. When she isn’t working, you can find her at the closest oyster bar enjoying a glass of rose or catching up on the latest celebrity gossip.