Table of contents
- Why Wedding Invitation Details Matter
- Key Information to Include in Your Wedding Invitations
- Information to Include On the Wedding Inserts
- How to Address Wedding Invitations Properly
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Invitation Etiquette and Timing
- What Are Some Resources I Can Use to Order Wedding Invitations?
- How Lone Star Mansion Enhances Your Wedding Experience
When it comes to wedding planning, many couples get caught up in deciding on the larger details. What kind of flowers will decorate their venue and bouquet? What traditions do they want to follow or new ones they would like to start? What type of cake will they want to serve? The choices and decision-making can seem endless.
However, one of the most daunting parts of wedding planning comes when it is time to make the wedding invitations. While many couples already have an idea of what they want to choose as far as design for the invitations goes, writing the text and ensuring all of the vital information is where it can get tricky.
The dedicated wedding planning specialists at Lone Star Mansion have created this inclusive guide to ensure you include all of the necessary details on your wedding invitation and that the text inspires excitement for your big day.
Why Wedding Invitation Details Matter
Wedding invitations are much more than just a way to provide your wedding date, time, and location. You also need to include a way for your guests to RSVP as well as a link to your wedding website. Even the invitation design can help set the tone for the event.
But, don’t allow the amount of information you have to include to overwhelm you.
You can include inserts to be sent alongside your invites, such as RSVP cards, maps illustrating where your wedding venue is located or how the venue is laid out, as well as special features. This can include asking individuals to share their favorite feel-good tunes for the reception. Making sure this information is provided ahead of time can help mitigate last-minute questions or texts from family and friends along with the amount of work that will be needed during the big day.
Key Information to Include in Your Wedding Invitations
Here is a detailed list of the information that you will need to include to ensure that your wedding invitation conveys all of the necessary information to ensure your guests know what to expect for the big day.
Names of the Individuals Hosting the Wedding
Most wedding invitations will open with an “invitational line.” This line lists the names of the individuals who are hosting the wedding. Traditionally, this will be the parents but it could also be another relative or the couple themselves.
The invitational line is often followed by a request line. For example, it could say, “Sue Ann and Joe Formally Request the Pleasure of Your Company,” or, “Sue Ann and Joe Invite You to Celebrate the Marriage of.”
What Makes an Individual a Host of the Wedding?
The host of the wedding is typically the person who pays for the event. Again, this is normally the parents of the bride and groom, but it could be any family member who has contributed financially or agreed to cover the full cost.
The Names of the Couple Getting Married
It may seem self-explanatory to include the names of the people getting married but you will be surprised by how many couples forget to include this detail in the hustle and bustle of the planning phase.
Traditionally, the names of heterosexual couples will have the name of the bride going first, though some couples are now opting to put the name of the groom first. Couples who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community typically choose to order their names alphabetically, by age, or even play “rock, paper, scissors,” to decide on whose name should appear first.
How Much of The Couples’ Names Need to Be Included?
If the couple is hosting their own wedding, then they may choose to include their full names (first, middle, last) on the invitation. If the parents’ names are included on the invitation because they are the ones hosting, they may shorten it to include only their first and middle names.
However, if you are sticking with a specific theme, such as a black-tie wedding, including the full names of the couple may fit better with the overarching theme. However, a casual barn wedding may only call for the first names of the couple. In the end, it is your wedding, so do whatever feels right for you and your future spouse.
Date and Time of the Ceremony
You will want to include the state, city, and venue location, especially if your wedding is considered a destination wedding. (Guests should already have this information early thanks to the save-the-dates.)
You will also want to include the start time of the wedding so that guests will know how early they need to arrive. The time should be listed by the hour and the time of day, (a.m. or p.m.). This will help avoid confusion about the start time.
Ceremony and Reception Location
Some couples choose to have their ceremony and reception at the same venue while others choose to have them in two different locations. Whatever the case is with your wedding, you will need to include the name and the location of both places. This will help your guests know exactly where they are going and what time each of the festivities is scheduled to start.
If the ceremony and the reception are taking place at the same location, you can simply include a line that states, “Reception to Follow.”
If the reception is at a different location, make sure you include a separate reception card that lists the address of the location of the event as well as the start time.
Attire Details
Every wedding has a dress code. Including this information on your wedding invitation is now considered optional, as the wedding website typically provides further information about the event. However, be aware that if you are inviting older individuals, such as grandparents, they may not have the technological skills to properly navigate your website for the information they need.
Depending on how important it is for you that your guests follow a specific dress code, you can include a line on your invitation that expresses this. The line can be something such as “casual work attire,” “semi-formal attire,” or for lavish events, “black tie.” The dress code will be based heavily on the couple’s wishes for pictures and the theme of their wedding.
Information to Include On the Wedding Inserts
The wedding invitation itself usually provides your guests with the basic information about the celebration while the inserts include additional necessary details, such as the RSVP deadline and the wedding website address. Here is a quick rundown of the insert information you can include:
- Wedding website address
- RSVP Card that includes entree preference if you are doing a plated dinner
- Information or a map of the venue
- Any special information or requests you may have from your guests, such as a song choice they would like to share
How to Address Wedding Invitations Properly
Addressing your wedding invitations is an important step that many couples are unsure of how to do properly. Here is a quick look at what your wedding invitation envelopes should look like to ensure that they get to their destination.
Guest Name
The name of the guest should be front and center on the wedding invitation envelope. Make sure that you spell their name correctly and include preferred titles such as (Mr., Mrs., or Miss.) Make sure you also ask for the last names, as some couples choose not to share a surname.
Guest Address
Underneath your guest’s name should be their address. Make sure you confirm the spelling of street names and any abbreviations before you put it on the envelope. If you’re unsure, reach out to the individual and personally ask them instead of guessing. Wrong addresses are often the root of individuals getting upset because they feel they were not invited.
Return Address
Make sure to include your return address on the back flap of the envelope or the front in the left-hand corner. This ensures the invitation is sent back to you should it get lost in the mail.
Postage Stamps
Place stamps in the upper right corner of the envelope. The heavier the invitation the more postage it will require. If you are unsure, you can go to the post office and speak with one of the attendants for more help on how many stamps you will need. Make sure that an extra stamp is inside the envelope if you want your guests to send back a reply card. This will allow guests to simply fill out the card and send it back to you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few things that you should not include on the wedding invitation or the inserts inside that many couples accidentally do. These mistakes can lead to a lot of headaches for the couple.
Information Outlining That the Wedding Is Kid-Free
Putting this information on the card may rub guests who have small children the wrong way. There are several ways to communicate to your guests that you do not wish for children to be included in the wedding. For instance, make sure on the front of the envelope you put the names of the adults in the family instead of saying, “The Jones Family.”
You can also include your wish to have a child-free wedding on your wedding website. This can be a simple line that says something like, “We look forward to celebrating and having a relaxing kid-free evening with you.”
Putting Down Your Phone Number
While most of your guests most likely already have your phone number, placing it on your invitation gives them the open invite to contact you with questions on the big day. There will be so much going on that morning that adding the stress of answering questions or early well-wishes from family or friends may be a bit overwhelming.
You can always designate an individual in your wedding party or a trusted family member to answer these questions for you. If they agree, you can place their phone number on the insert or wedding website.
List of Accommodations & Pricing
If you are providing a room block or want to suggest places in the area for your guests to stay if they are out of town, this information will go perfectly on your website. It can also be placed on a separate insert included in the invitation for those guests who are from out of town.
Your Wedding Hashtag
Many couples are choosing to create cute hashtags these days. However, that hashtag is best left on social media, your wedding website, or little signs for your wedding day. The invitation should remain formal. Adding the hashtag can make it feel a bit tacky.
Invitation Etiquette and Timing
A standard rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. If it is a destination or holiday season wedding, you will want to send it out 10 to 12 weeks to give your guests more time to make plans.
What Are Some Resources I Can Use to Order Wedding Invitations?
Many websites create gorgeous custom wedding invitations that couples can use. Here are some of our recommendations:
How Lone Star Mansion Enhances Your Wedding Experience
When it comes to wedding destinations, DFW’s Lone Star Mansion has been a coveted wedding destination with over 20 acres of breathtaking grounds, gorgeous architecture, and a team of dedicated staff. Our wedding planners at Lone Star Mansion ensure that your wedding captures the serenity and beauty of your love.
We offer a wide range of amenities and services to make sure that every single aspect of your wedding day goes off without a hitch. We are partnered with well-known professional organizations such as WeddingWire and The Knot. Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule a tour of our incredible grounds.
