Preparing your wedding invitations is when it starts to feel a bit more real. It’s really exciting but with all the stationery options that are available to couples, it can seem daunting. But, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Read below for my top 10 things to consider when ordering your stationery.
The Essential Information
First things first, include you and your partner’s name, the date of the wedding, the location and the time. These four are the bare bones of your invitation, so get these jotted down first to get you started.
RSVP Details
RSVP details are next on my checklist. Give information on how you want your guests to send their replies back to you. It could be traditional and have your guests send back a RSVP card in the post, or a trending idea is to direct them to your wedding website. There are many companies that provide an easy DIY wedding websites like theknot.com and gettingmarried.co.uk are great examples that can really help with organising your RSVPs. You can even have a QR code printed on your invites for a fun way to let you friends easily access your website.
RSVP Deadline
I’ve put this under its own heading. It’s so important to give you guests a deadline for answering your invite. Your venue and caters need to know your final numbers by a certain date. Be organised and one step ahead and put your deadline date a little before it’s needed so that you have time to follow up those late replies.
Illustrated Wedding Map Extra Information Card
Should I Include a Map?
For some couples, maps aren’t strictly essential when sorting out your wedding stationery as most people have sat naps readily available on their phones/cars. Having said that, if your wedding reception is in a different location to your ceremony and its say off the beaten track at a family member’s farm it could be a really helpful option.
Maps are good if you know the postcode doesn’t exactly take you door to door from ceremony to the reception. It can be so helpful for guests that don’t live in the area. I can illustrate a map for you that can match in with your wedding styles and colour schemes.
Click here to order your custom illustrated map.
Menu Options
If you are having a sit down meal, then this good to have on your wedding invitations. Add ‘Extra information Cards’ that can list the choices on offer and then can easily slot in the envelopes alone with the main invite. The menu needs one side of a card to itself so you don’t end up trying to cram it in with the main invite information. I can always help with the layout of your extra information cards when ordering.
Pheasant Wedding Gifts Extra Information Card
Gifts
Traditionally with weddings, gifts consisted of items and gadgets for newly weds setting up home together. But these days, couples are already living together and have all the items that they need. I have worked with many of my customers to create little poems to politely request for money for honeymoons or renovations. Alternatively you can have a link to a wedding directory for guests to purchase gifts from to avoid a collection of unwanted gifts. Click here to order some extra information cards with a wedding gift poem.
Taxi Services
Your guests will do their own research on taxis services but it’s helpful for those that don’t live in the area and what the local taxi services are.
Accommodation
There might be dedicated spaces at your wedding venue for guests to stay over, so this is great to include on your invites. If there’s a wedding guest discount code that they need to quote when booking then add this here as well.
Envelope Seals
Needless to say, you’re tongue is going to get pretty tired if your are sealing 30+ wedding invitations. Get yourself some pretty little stickers to seal down your envelopes. Your tongue will thank you for it! Click here to order your wedding invitation sticker seals.
Order Plenty
Not really something to include but it’s really important to think about how many copies that you need. My advice is to order at least 5 extra cards than you think you need. It’s always lovely to have one for yourself. It’s a lovely keepsake to have and look back on in years to come.
Keep in mind that some of your guests may not be able to come. So, it’s good to have some extra copies to send out to other friends if you have more space at your ceremony. A few extra £££’s spent here could help you in the long run and avoid having to order a whole extra print run down the line if you then need those extra copies.