invitation suite
checklist
everything you need to include
When deciding what information you need to include in your wedding invitations, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I have created this guide to help you narrow down your options and ask the questions you need to ask yourself before you get started.
The first thing I would think about is what your stationery budget is. There are many options you can choose from on how to provide important details your guests need to know, so it’s good to know what your options are with your budget in mind.
Invitations and save the dates are the most popular thing couples send, which get across all the need-to-know essentials to your guests. Adding a details card to your invitation suite is a great way to let your guests know all the nitty gritty things they need to be aware of in the lead up to the wedding.
The RSVP card is pretty up there on the list of important things to send your guests too, as they will need a way to let you know if they plan to attend your wedding or not. If you are looking to keep things minimal, or your budget is smaller, another option could be to link your invitation suite to a wedding website. Link guests to your website by including a URL link on your invites or details card or to keep it even more minimal, some couples opt for a QR code.
The essential details
At the bare minimum you’ll need an invitation, so it’s good to start there. Here are the essential pieces of information that your guests need to know, so be sure to include these. One thing to bear in mind, if you are having evening only guests, is that they will need to know different information than your day guests. The best way to do this is by creating two separate invitations to avoid confusion – one for day guests and one for evening guests.
- Couples names
- Wedding date
- Ceremony start time – this is the most commonly used time to put on your invites, but you can always put the guest arrival time if you want your guests to arrive early or you have welcome drinks before the ceremony. Evening guests will only need to know the reception start time.
- Ceremony venue location – leave this off for your evening guest invitations though.
- Reception venue location – be sure to pop this one on for evening guests! Day guests only need to know this if your reception is being held at a different location from the ceremony.
- RSVP instructions and dietary requirements – guests need to know how to accept or decline their invitation. The best way to do this is by including an RSVP card in your invitation suite. Important things to consider including on your RSVP cards are: when the deadline is for RSVP’ing, a place to say they accept/decline, somewhere for them to write their names, meal choices and dietary requirements. It can also be helpful to include a return address to send RSVPs to or a link/QR code to your wedding website if you have one. If you’re feeling fancy then you might like to include pre-addressed and stamped envelopes to make it even easier for your guests.
the optional details
Once you have the essentials in the bag, it’s time to think about anything else your guests need to know. Most guests choose to include these on their details card or wedding website. Here are some options you may want to consider. Not everyone will need everything listed here, but it’s a good place to get some ideas. It’s always worth speaking with your wedding venue coordinator or planner as well, as they may have specific things to let your guests know.
- Events happening either side of the wedding day – got something planned for the day before or after? Having welcome drinks, or a family dinner? Let people know where they need to be and when.
- Directions to venue – it can be helpful to include Sat Nav directions or any nearby landmarks if your venue is off the beaten track.
- Transport links – things like the closest train station, taxi rank or airport if you have guests travelling to you.
- Parking information
- Venue accessibility – think wheelchair access, disabled toilets and blue badge parking spaces.
- Accommodation – if you are planning on staying all together in the same hotel, it can be helpful to include a link/code so guests can book this. Alternatively, it may be helpful to recommend local accommodation available to suit all guests’ budgets and needs.
- Wedding website link
- Dress code – having a black tie event or perhaps you’re getting married on a farm and want guests to bring wellies? Give guests all the details, so they have time to plan their outfits.
- Children – are you having a ‘child free’ wedding? Or providing creche facilities? Politely remind guests early on, so they can arrange childcare if needed.
- Pets – the same goes if you have a ‘no pets’ policy for your wedding or maybe you have a ‘bring pets’ policy!
- Plus ones – it can be a good idea to specify if you are letting your guests bring a ‘plus one’ with them or not. Being clear on this can avoid disappointment nearer the time or the embarrassment of not catering enough for unexpected guests.
- Gifts
- Carriages – let people know when the latest time to leave the venue is, along with a reminder to pre-arrange their taxis or lifts home. This is especially important if you are getting married in a remote location, as you don’t want guests waiting in the cold and dark for their lift to come.
My last piece of advice is to keep things simple. Guests only need to know what they need to know and overwhelming them will only make an admin nightmare for yourself later on. I’d recommend to save this checklist and refer back to it when it’s time to start ordering your invitation suites. Lastly remember that your wedding is unique to you and is your day, so there’s no right or wrong on what you choose. Just make sure its right for you and enjoy the process.
Still confused about what to include on your invites? Don’t worry, I help all my couples through the process of ordering their wedding stationery and I’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch to order your wedding invitation suites today or if you need some help deciding what you’ll need.
