Traditional Wedding Invitations Overview
Most people look to etiquette sources for “what’s
right.” Relax, and instead think of etiquette rules as etiquette
tradition. If you decide to do something different, it’s really
OK to do so!
Traditionalists usually favor an oversized, engraved invitation on
heavy ecru paper with a tissue layover and an inner envelope sent
inside of an outer envelope. The elegance of traditional wedding invitations
is often the perfect way to invite people to a celebration.
For the traditional basics, each mailing will include a wedding invitation
with outer envelopes, a response card, and a reception card. If you
believe as much as we do that the wedding invitation sets the tone
for your event, then you may want to include more. Nice touches for
wedding invitations include direction cards, maps, envelope lining,
and more. And there are other printed paper products to consider,
such as thank you cards or informal cards, programs, place cards,
seating cards and more.
Parts of a Traditional Wedding Invitation
Invitation enclosures are usually used
for formal events such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and corporate
dinner/cocktail receptions. Traditional etiquette has much to say
about each one, of course!
Response Card Response (or RSVP) cards allow your guests to inform you if they will
be attending your event and how many people they will be bringing
with them. Response cards can be classic fold over cards, panel cards
or double-sided postcards (with the RSVP wording on one side, and
address on the back side). They should be sent out accompanied by
an addressed, pre-stamped envelope to encourage your guests to send
it back. These cards can be blank with your own handwritten message
on them or they can be printed with your wording.
Response deadlines should be no later than two weeks before the special
day, or the date your caterer needs a final count. If after two weeks
you haven't heard from some people, phone calls can be made to those
having trouble putting pen to paper. This gives you time to figure
out exactly how many people will be attend.
A helpful trick that will save you lots of time is to lightly number
the response cards on the back in correspondence with the number that
appears next to your guest on the list. When you receive your response
cards, you can just check the number on the card with the number on
your list so you won't have a splitting headache trying to read everyone's
fancy handwriting.
Having your name and address pre-printed on the front of the Response
Card envelope is a handy and easy way to encourage your guests to
respond promptly. Traditionally speaking, the host’s name and
address (for example a bride’s parents’ address) should
appear on the response envelope. If your part of a blended family
or live a long distance from the host(s), you may need use your own
discretion. It’s traditional to save the first appearance of
the bride’s and groom's names together until after the wedding.
So, if an unmarried couple is living together, have the cards sent
to the bride only.
Reception Card Reception cards are needed only if the reception takes place at a
location separate from the ceremony. If they’re hosted at the
same location, you may choose to say, “Reception immediately
following,” or “Dinner and Dancing immediately following”
to inform your guests that the reception will be held in the same
location as the ceremony.
If the ceremony and reception are held in different locations, you
may enclose a reception card. Or, when only a select number of guests
are invited to the reception, a separate card is enclosed. It should
be of the same paper and type style and is generally half the size
of the invitation.
Map/Direction Card This card may be essential to ensure that no one gets lost or ends
up arriving late to your event. You can have simple text directions,
guiding your guests step by step to each of your destinations (usually
to the church, and to the reception). You can also opt to submit either
a hand-drawn map or have the ceremony site give you a copy of their
own map and have it printed on the card. Clearly written street names
and clear map drawings will certainly help out the chronically lost.
Please note that not all brands will allow you to submit your own
map. You will have to inquire about this option when you have decided
which invitation you would like to order.
For the most elegant look, have the same printer of your invitations
also print your directions card. This way, you can be sure that the
paper stock chosen will match your invitations perfectly. An alternative
to sending the directions cards with the invitations is to send it
upon receiving their response card indicating that they are planning
on attending your event.
Accommodation Cards You may want to send this card with the invitations going to your
out-of-town guests. It lists hotels or places to rent in the area
you are having your wedding. Include phone numbers and any information
they will need to know to schedule a place to stay. This is especially
helpful if your wedding will take place at a vacation spot.
Additional Matching Items It is always fun to have your Thank you cards or your Programs printed
on the same paper as your invitation and there are still so many options!
Save the Date Cards A great way to let your out of town guests know about your wedding
date is to send Save-the-Date cards. They may be essential for planning
flights and taking time off around peak vacation times. Save-the-dates
should be sent out at least 3 months in advance of your wedding date,
but it is recommended to send them 5 months to a year in advance.
This card may match your invitation; you can pick a similar card in
a smaller size or choose a very simple version of your invitation.
You may also opt to pick a card that is more casual or reflects the
location or theme of your wedding (Hawaii/tropical, Colorado/Mountains,
Hydrangeas, Lilies etc.).
Informal / Thank You Cards The informal card can be ordered to match your invitation and are
most commonly used as thank you notes. It can be printed with 'Thank
You', your names, a monogram or a motif on the outside. The inside
is left blank allowing you to write a small personal message. Thank
you notes can match your wedding invitations or your personality,
just remember that you will need plenty of them. You will be writing
thank you notes for more than just your wedding. There are always
many occasions surrounding your main event where gifts are given and
there are many people to thank for their gift of support. You will
want to write a thank you card for each gift given at each event;
bridal shower, engagement party, bachelorette party, etc. and they
should be sent soon after the gift is received. This means you may
be sending thank you notes before your wedding date. They never go
bad, so it can't hurt to order more than you think you will need!
At-Home Cards This card allows you to tell friends and family of your new address
and the date you will begin residing there.
Pew Cards Also known as within-the-ribbon card. This is sent to guests you want
to honor by having them seated in reserved pews closest to the altar,
or "within the ribbon". This lets the usher know who gets
the special treatment.
Programs Programs are an extra touch of formality that help guests understand
the direction a formal ceremony is going in, what is being done next,
and the explanation of any special rites that are unfamiliar to people
of a different religion. They can also be used as tributes to special
people in your lives. For the most elegant look, have the same printer
of your invitations also print your programs. This way, you can be
sure that the paper stock and typestyle chosen will match your invitations
perfectly.
Place Cards Place cards help your guests find which table they are seated at and
are usually blank or printed with your name with space for your guests'
names and table number, if they aren't already placed on the table.
This is great when you have a special seating arrangement and you
want your guests to find their place without any problems. They are
also helpful in letting your caterers know who is having the chicken
or the vegetarian option. You may tie different colored ribbons on
the place cards or use stickers to indicate the different meal choices
your guests have made.
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