Planning your wedding can be a huge task, but there is one major part that needs careful consideration: what should be included in the wedding invitation. Since your wedding invitation is the first impression you make on guests, it is important to remember to include all the necessary information on it.

In this blog post, we’ll make sure you don’t skip anything: here’s what to include in your wedding invitations.

There are two sections we will cover:

► 5 Most Important Parts of the Wedding Invitation: The 5 W’s (and 1 H)

► The Components That Make Up an Invitation Suite

Let’s get started!

For starters, there are 5 W’s to remember on your invitation card. The invite should inform your guests of the event and answer as many questions they may have as possible. When done properly, your guests will know the who, what, when, and where of the big day.

→ WHO: You’ll want to include Who is getting married! Be sure to include your names, first and last, on your wedding invitations.

→ WHO (Host): Who is hosting the wedding? Is it you and your partner? Your parents? Your partner’s parents?

→ WHAT: What is the event? It’s a wedding, but make sure you include that word on your invitations to make it concise.

→ WHEN: When will the wedding be held? Include your wedding date and the time the ceremony starts on the invitation.

→ WHERE: Where will the ceremony take place? Where is the reception?

Once you have the 5 W’s, be sure to include one very important H:

→ HOW: How will guests RSVP to your wedding? Include an RSVP card with an envelope to mail back or a digital QR code to scan for guests to respond via your wedding website.

Basic Inclusions

Now that you know the basics, let’s cover the pieces that make up a wedding invitation.

Here are the 5 basic components of a wedding invitation.

1. The Invitation Card

The invitation card is the heart of the invitation. It is the formal card used to tell guests the exciting news: who is getting married, what you have planned, when, and where it will be held. Don’t forget to put the date and time of the ceremony (some couples forget this!)

2. The Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is an important thing to include in your wedding invitation suite.

A proper invitation always has an outer envelope, which is used to address the invitations to your guests. The addressing provides additional info: it tells your guests who is invited, if they can bring a plus one, and if kids are included. For more on this, read: How to NOT Invite Kids to Your Wedding with Proper Etiquette.

3. The Reception Card

The reception is not mentioned directly on your invitation card per etiquette. This means you’ll need to include it on a separate reception card, also known as an enclosure card in your wedding invitation suite.

For more on wording your reception card, see these cards for inspiration.

4. The RSVP Card and Envelope

Every invitation must have a response card (aka an RSVP card) and an envelope. The envelope should always include a stamp on it, so guests can mail it back with ease. Make sure your your mailing address is on the front of the RSVP envelope (or whoever is collecting responses).

A proper RSVP should always be inside the invitation suite and can alternatively be done online if you prefer.

To accept online RSVPs, read Wedding RSVP Cards vs. Online for a quick and easy guide.

5. Addressing and Postage

Put proper postage (you can buy wedding stamps here) on the front of the outer envelope. You’ll need proper postage on the RSVP envelope, too, or guests won’t return them as quickly — or at all.

Pro Tip: Include a wedding postage stamp on invitations, like this boutonniere stamp or the LOVE forever stamp.

If you include these things in your invitation, you’ll be all set!

Creative Details to Add to Your Invitation

If you want to add a few more elements, here are some fun things to include on wedding invitations.

Wax Seals

Put a wax seal on the back of your envelope for a personalized touch.

Need an affordable alternative? Choose a personalized stamp like this or use an embosser.

QR Code

Make a FREE QR code here to include on wedding invites. This is a great way to encourage guests to visit your wedding website for more details.

Fun RSVP Card

Instead of a traditional yes or no, invite guests to send back their response with a song request. While building your playlist, you’ll also be encouraging guests to submit responses sooner. Guests love to help with the music list, so this inclusion makes them respond quickly. :)

Enclosure Cards

If you have additional items you’d like guests to know about your wedding, add enclosure cards like these. You can share details about the dress code, wedding website, and lodging accommodations.

Do not include any mention of your wedding registry: gift registries are not something a wedding invitation should include. Instead, here’s how to add the wedding registry to your invite.

Map or Directions

If you want to include a map or directions card, you can do so! It can be helpful for guests to know exactly how to get from the ceremony to the reception without needing to rely on GPS.

Belly Band

A belly band is a nice way to assemble invitations to look their best upon arrival. It is optional, but I wholeheartedly love the look!

I hope this blog post helps you include all the necessary information in your wedding invitation so guests are in the know! Remember, the invite is an important part of wedding planning and shouldn’t be taken lightly; after all, it is the invitation that needs to convey all the necessary information.

Here are some additional wedding invitation suite examples:

Now that you know the basics of what to include in your wedding invitation, it’s time to pick your favorite design! Browse beautiful invites here: it is one of the best places to shop.

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma