Making wedding invitations sounds simple enough but until you’re at the point when you need to make them, it can actually be a daunting task. Wedding invitations etiquette must be learned when making wedding invitations for the first time – whether you’ve been hired by the engaged couple, or you’re one half of the pair yourself, make sure you know the necessary formalities!

What to Include

This is the most important part of wedding invitations! The details that need to be included on your invitations are, of course, the names of the soon-to-be-married couple, the names of the guests invited, the time and date of the event, and the venue location.

Depending on how many guests you’re planning on inviting, this is where you need to make it known who’s invited to the ceremony, and who’s only invited to the wedding reception.

If you don’t mind receiving however many RSVP cards back, then it’d be a good idea to include any specific dress code you may have decided on the RSVP card (separate to the invitation itself), as well as the meal options or any dietary requirements. It may also be worthwhile to add whether it’ll be an adult-only occasion here, depending if the guest is invited to the ceremony or only the reception.

Don’t forget to mention the deadline on when guests need to send the RSVP!

Format

The very first thing to establish for the format of the invitations is the tone of the writing – ensure that it’s consistent with the tone of your overall wedding day. For example, if you’ve prepared a more casual and informal wedding ceremony, match that exact tone with your invitations.

The design and layout of your wedding invitations is completely up to you. Many couples prefer a minimalistic and traditional approach, with a colour palette of a few shades (or literally two) and a simple font that’s easy to read. Others may opt for a more modern or personalized approach, incorporating intricate patterns, illustrations, or even photographs that reflect their theme or personality. For those looking to create their own unique designs, the best apps for wedding invitations can offer a wide range of customizable templates and tools to bring your vision to life. Whether you lean toward elegance or whimsy, these apps make it easy to craft invitations that perfectly capture the essence of your special day.

Not looking to make conventional wedding invitations? Why not experiment with different colours or even illustrations printed on the invitations? Some couples are also opting for all-in-one invitations and RSVP cards, meaning there’s no need to stuff an additional card into the envelope when sending it off.

Whatever design you’re going for, like with the tone, the same principle applies – it needs to be consistent with the style and theme of your wedding. While there’s more space for creativity in the design of invitations, the invitations themselves can set the entire ambience of your wedding for your guests, so make sure the atmosphere of your wedding is reflected in your invitations.

If you’re inviting a great number of people, print finishing equipment would make it especially easier for you to print in large batches. Regardless, ensure that you create enough for the number of guests you’re inviting, and maybe a few extra in the event that it gets lost in transit.

When To Send Them Off

It’s recommended that wedding invitations should be sent off six to eight weeks before the wedding. There’s no set rule to this so if you want to send your invitations earlier, especially if it’s abroad or during the holidays (like summer or Christmas), then go ahead.