Get the Best Wedding Invitations & Wedding Invites

Wedding Invitations:

Everything You Need to Know

Creating a gorgeous wedding invitation suite is your first opportunity to show your wedding guests what the overall theme and style of your big day will be—it’s your first impression!. Consider this: your wedding invitations are often the first impression that your guests will have of the wedding aesthetic. That’s why it is so important that you work with a talented wedding stationer to craft wedding invitations and wedding stationery that will complement your style for your big day. But where do you begin the search? Our directory of wedding vendors can help you find a wedding invitation designer who will craft a wedding invitation suite that marries your wedding theme and vibe with all the important information for guests to know. We can help you throughout the process of wedding invitation design and stationery selection to ensure that you end up with a wedding invitation suite that will be a keepsake of your big day for the rest of your life.

What should you know about wedding invitations?

Designing the perfect wedding invitations begins with selecting a wedding stationery company. Once you’ve selected the wedding stationer you want to work with, it’s time to select an overall style for your wedding invitations and the wedding invitation suite. You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of wedding invitation ideas. The ideal wedding invitation will reflect both your personal aesthetic as a couple and your overall wedding theme. While figuring out where to start can seem intimidating, but we’re here to help.

Whether you are looking for luxurious wedding invitation styles or more affordable wedding invitations options you can find online, you’ll find the ideal wedding invitation suite for your big day with some patience and the help of our directory, the most talented wedding invitation designers in the business.

Creating a cohesive wedding invitation suite that encompasses all of the paper goods necessary for your event might seem overwhelming, but with the help of a top wedding stationer, it’s entirely possible. But what exactly is a “wedding invitation suite”? This commonly used term refers to any of the printed information that will be sent to your guests, and includes, but is not limited to, your official wedding invitations, envelopes, wedding response cards and stamped return envelopes as well as your save the date cards, even though those are sent separately (and earlier). That’s why it’s so important that there is a cohesive theme throughout each piece that ties into your wedding theme. Your wedding stationer can help you to create a beautiful and integrated look for each wedding paper item on your list.

Following proper wedding etiquette when selecting the wording of your wedding invitation and its style can help you to make the best possible impression on those who receive these special invites. In some cases, your wedding planner can help you navigate the ins and outs of etiquette and design for your wedding invitation, and can recommend reliable wedding stationery designers they’ve worked with in the past.

How do you find a wedding invitation designer?

Finding a wedding stationer can seem overwhelming, but there are several steps that you can take to find the right wedding stationery company. Have you received a wedding invitation that immediately impressed you? If so, you might be able to contact the couple to learn more about which wedding stationer they worked with to create their wedding invitation suite. This can help tremendously when you’re looking for wedding stationery for your own event.

If you are working with a wedding planner, they are also an excellent resource and can recommend an outstanding wedding invitation company who works with couples all over the country, or the best wedding stationers in your area. Your planner may also know about a wedding invitation designer who specializes in your type of wedding style. Whether you are planning a formal wedding, a country wedding or anything in between, your planner may have suggestions for wedding invitation designs that can go a long way toward establishing your own unique look for your event.

Our directory offers a chance to look at hundreds of wedding invitations in a wide range of styles to suit your wedding theme. This can help you select among existing wedding invitation styles or to create your own wedding invitation design with a little inspiration from us. Whether you want to work with a wedding invitation designer who’s located where you are so that you go through the design process in person, or are looking for inspiration from other invitation designs for weddings that took place at your wedding’s destination, our filterable directory can also help you find the best wedding stationers for your wedding invitation suite. The resources available from our online directory can help you manage all the little details that will make your wedding something special. From wedding save the dates to escort cards, we can help you manage every item on your wedding invitation planning checklist easily.

Should your wedding stationer be local?

There is certainly something to be said for having a face-to-face meeting with your wedding invitation company, and is really the ideal way to get a feel for card stock types, ribbons, and other elements of your wedding invitation suite and wedding stationery. But if you get inspired by a wedding invitation design that was created by a stationer outside your area, you can often conduct a consultation and arrange for production remotely.

When you choose your wedding invitation design, you will also need to decide whether you want to send out your invitations yourself or whether you would like the wedding invitation company to stuff, stamp, and mail your invitations. You may want your invitations to be postmarked from where you live, or you may not care. But in general, the more tasks your wedding invitation company helps with, the more you will need to pay in service fees in addition to the actual cost of the invitations, labor for addressing your wedding invitations, and postage expenses.

How much do wedding invitations cost?

The cost of your wedding invitations will vary depending on a variety of factors that include your geographical area, the quality of the wedding invitation and wedding stationery, the caliber of the wedding invitation designer, and the extras you select. For instance, if you want wedding calligraphy done by hand, you’ll likely spend more than you would if you simply had the invitations printed. To give you some context, the average cost of a wedding in 2020 was $20,300. In most cases, your wedding stationery and invitations will constitute a small fraction of these costs. But since wedding invitations can still cost thousands of dollars due to wedding invitation design services, as well as printing and mailing expenses, it is important to include these costs when budgeting for your wedding. In general, invitations should not constitute a large percent of your wedding budget.

Wedding calligraphy and custom wedding illustrations may be included by your wedding invitation designer’s standard services, or may be available for an additional cost. However, it’s important to keep in mind that custom wedding calligraphy that is done by hand can add significantly to the cost of your wedding invitation. Similarly, having an artist create a custom wedding illustration for your wedding stationery can also be costly, and should be planned for in advance to ensure that it is completed on time and to your satisfaction—and within budget. These wedding invitation ideas can set your wedding invitation apart from the every day and can even be incorporated into all elements of your wedding stationery—and even your wedding day paper—to create a real impression on your guests.

Wedding invitation templates may also be available through some wedding invitation companies and websites. Selecting wedding invitation templates can often streamline the process of designing your wedding stationery, and can help you to keep costs lower for this part of your wedding budget. Typically available in both traditional and modern styles, wedding invitation templates can help you to keep costs lower while still creating a lasting keepsake for yourself and your guests.

What are the different parts of a wedding invitation suite?

When selecting your wedding invitations, it’s helpful to keep in mind the key components that you will work with your wedding stationery company to create. This is typically referred to as a “wedding invitation suite.” The design of the wedding invitation suite should be cohesive, and will typically include the following elements:

Wedding Save the Dates

Usually sent to guests early in the wedding planning process, your wedding save the date cards mark the first time your guests will be notified of your wedding—and will give them a preview into the design. They can often be simpler than other parts of the wedding invitation suite, but should be informative as well as give a nod to what’s to come.

Official Wedding Invitations

The wedding and reception invitation itself should reflect both the overall formality and aesthetic of your wedding, as well as your own stylistic preferences. Envelopes for your wedding invitation should be both sturdy and elegant to survive mailing and to impress your guests upon their arrival in the mail. Traditionally, a wedding invitation is enclosed in an “inner envelope” with the guest’s name on it, which is then mailed in an “outer envelope” where the address and stamps are placed.

Response Cards

Also known as RSVP cards, these are used by your invited guests to respond to your wedding invitation and indicate the number of guests who will attend. Sometimes menu choices for attendees will also be included on the RSVP card.

Self-addressed, Stamped Envelopes

In order to make it easier for guests to respond to your wedding invitation, it is common to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the RSVP card.

These are the basic components that should be included in a complete wedding invitation suite. You can discuss these different elements when you choose your wedding stationer and stationery. Depending on your personal taste and the structure of your event, you may be able to find wedding invitation templates through your stationery company or online that will suit your needs perfectly.

What are the optional parts of a wedding invitation suite?

Of course, some couples wish to customize their wedding invitation suite, especially if they are having a wedding weekend full of events that do not fit with typical wedding invitation templates. You can work with your wedding invitation company to achieve an entirely personalized wedding invitation for you and your event. There are several ways that you can upgrade your wedding invitation to include additional pieces of information. These paper goods are some of the most popular wedding invitation suite upgrades:

Information Cards that let your guests know vital info about local attractions, accommodations or registry information
Additional Event Invitations to rehearsal dinners, farewell brunches, or other add-on activities
Custom Maps of your wedding destination that highlight key locations for the event
Itinerary Information for weekend-long weddings and for destination weddings in order to facilitate travel(This can also go in the welcome bags for guests to receive on arrival)
Wedding Ceremony Programs that include the key wedding party members who are participating, as well as details on any readings or music that will be included

Your wedding stationery designer will typically provide you with options for these add-ons, which can allow you to enjoy the widest selection for personalizing your wedding invitation and ensuring that your wedding suite reflects your own personal style and preferences. They may also provide you with information on wedding stationery choices, wedding calligraphy professionals, and in some cases, artists for all your wedding illustration needs (if that is not something they do in-house). If you have any questions regarding these add-ons, it’s ideal to discuss them with your wedding stationery company during your initial consultation.

What are the options for wedding invitation language?

If you are planning a traditional wedding, you may be studying a variety of wedding invitation designs and styles to get an understanding of what the appropriate wording is. In general, wedding invitation wording for traditional ceremonies and receptions will follow some fairly strict guidelines. Typical wedding invitation wording for traditional ceremonies includes the following elements:

Because the bride's family is customarily expected to pay for the wedding, traditional wedding invitations include language that indicates that the bride's parents will be hosting the wedding. This can be reflected by a simple sentence that reflects that the mother and father of the bride are inviting guests to the marriage of their daughter.
In traditional wedding invitations, the last name of the bride is omitted and only the first and middle names are listed. The groom's name is listed in full.
Conservative wedding invitation styles are generally more appropriate for traditional weddings. You can check out the royal wedding invitations of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for a look at the most traditional wedding invitations created recently. In some cases, you may be able to coordinate the look of your wedding cake with your wedding calligraphy to create a beautiful and cohesive look for your entire ceremony and reception.
For modern or rustic weddings, including barn weddings and receptions, choosing non-traditional wedding invitations may be more appropriate and welcoming. You will have greater leeway when choosing wedding invitation wording and wedding calligraphy or lettering options for less formal weddings held in a local event space rather than a more formal environment.

If the cost of your wedding is being split by both sets of parents, it is customary to include all of their names on your invitation to show. In these instances, however, wedding invitation wording etiquette dictates that the bride's parents be listed first. Alternatively, if you and your partner are working together with your parents to pay for the wedding, you can also list your own names along with the phrase "together with their families" to stay within the bounds of wedding invitation etiquette. Unlike traditional wedding invitations, you can choose less formal wedding invitation language and more avant-garde wedding invitation designs to suit your own personal style and your preferences perfectly.

In some instances, you and your partner may prefer to invite guests on your own behalf rather than referring to your families. This can often be best accomplished with wedding invitation wording that begins with both of your names, followed by "invite you to celebrate their marriage." Wedding invitation companies can sometimes provide you with examples of traditional wedding invitations and less traditional wedding stationery wording to help guide your decision on the right wedding invitation wording for your special day.

Our library of wedding galleries is a great resource to view a wide range of traditional wedding invitations as well as custom wedding invitation ideas from weddings with similar themes or formality-levels as yours. Simply filter the wedding library to see invitation examples from real-life weddings that can help you choose the perfect wedding invitation wording for you. Then you can identify the wedding stationery designers who created your favorites and get in touch with them to discuss creating your wedding invitation suite.

When should you send out wedding invitations?

Depending on the wedding stationery you select, you will want to send out your invitations and other information according to the following timeline:

Wedding Save the Dates:

Your save the date notification should usually be sent out as soon as you have a date and a venue for your wedding. By giving as much notice as possible to your family and friends to save the date, you can reduce the chance of conflicting plans that could prevent some of your guests from attending your ceremony and reception.

Wedding Invitations:

In most cases, your wedding invitation should arrive six to eight weeks before the wedding. If you are including menu choices on your response cards, you may want to extend this timeline to allow your wedding caterer to plan accordingly.

Response Cards:

It is usually advised to set a strict deadline for your guests to return their RSVP cards to you a month or more before the wedding. This will allow time for your caterer to adjust the menu, and for you to plan for the wedding ceremony and reception with more flexibility. The most commonly used traditional wedding invitation wording for response cards includes the phrase "The favor of a reply is requested by" the date you choose.

For wedding save the dates, it may be worthwhile to request a preliminary response from your invited guests, particularly for destination weddings. This can assist in planning your wedding and determining how many guests are likely to be at your ceremony and reception, which can help you to adjust your wedding budget accordingly and can reduce the risk of planning for guests who will not be able to attend.

How should you address your wedding invitation envelopes?

If you are in the planning stages for your wedding, you may be wondering how to address wedding invitations properly. In some cases, your wedding invitation company can assist you with the right wedding invitation etiquette regarding how to address wedding invitations, depending on the formality of your particular event. In general, the way in which you choose to address your invitations will depend on whether your wedding will be more or less traditional:

Traditional wedding invitations should be addressed with Mr. and Mrs., followed by the full name of the man (ie, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith).
For less traditional ceremonies and receptions, you can often use wedding invitation wording that omits the titles and simply includes the first names and last names of each of the individuals to be invited to your festivities. If both first names are used, it is good wedding invitation etiquette to list the woman's name first.
Couples with differing last names should have both their names listed on the outer and inner envelopes. This can be accomplished by joining their names on one line with the word "and."
If you are inviting individuals or couples with specific titles, proper wedding invitation etiquette requires you to spell out the title on the outside envelope. Such titles include Reverend, Doctor, The Honorable, or other official titles. Wedding invitation etiquette does allow you to abbreviate the titles on the inner envelope.
If you are inviting an entire family, including children, only the names of the adults should appear on the outer envelope. All invited members of the family, however, should be listed on the inner envelope.

When in doubt, your wedding invitation designer can often provide you with expert guidance to find the right language and etiquette for your wedding paper products. By working with an experienced wedding stationery designer, you can often ensure that your invitations are addressed properly, and that they make the best impression on your recipients. You can also look at wedding invitation templates online to see how the addresses are formatted. This can often provide you with added confidence when addressing inner and outer envelopes for your wedding invitations.

Do you need a wedding website?

Wedding websites are becoming a popular addition—or alternative—to printed wedding stationery and wedding save the dates. Online wedding invitations make it much easier for your invited guests to respond and to provide the necessary information for you and your wedding party. Additionally, these virtual wedding invitations can often save a significant amount of money by taking paper, printing and postage out of the equation for your budget. However, most couples prefer to go the traditional printed invitation route and create a wedding website to share up-to-the-minute information with their guests, or details that did not fit on the printed invitations (like supplementary event details, attire, etc.)

Your wedding website can also be designed to reflect your personal style. Additionally, wedding save the dates can be sent out using email or by mailing your intended guests a link to your wedding website. They can then access the response forms and let you know if they can attend and how many guests you should expect.

While online wedding invitations can save you time and money, they may not be an adequate replacement for wedding stationery and printed invitations, which can serve as keepsakes for generations to come. Many couples want the programs and invitations to their wedding as souvenirs of their special day. Combining online wedding invitations for your peripheral events (rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, etc.) with printed invitations can be a cost-effective option that makes it much easier for your guests to access information in a way that feels most comfortable to them. If you do decide to combine a virtual wedding website with your printed invitations, you can use the same wedding invitation styles for your wedding website that you use for the printed information. This can help to create a cohesive and elegant look for all your wedding-related materials, both online and in print.

Is there anything else you should know about wedding invitations?

Whether you go with a custom wedding invitation suite, existing wedding invitation templates, or a wedding website, you will still need to consider some of the finer points of wedding etiquette when planning for your wedding invitations. With 2.3 million weddings occurring in the United States every year, you will likely find plenty of information about proper wedding procedures and etiquette for a variety of questions you may have.

Why does your wedding invitation suite need multiple envelopes?

If you examine a typical wedding invitation suite, you might notice that there are several envelopes included. This could lead you to wonder why multiple envelopes are necessary for your wedding invitations but there are several reasons:

The names of children should not appear on the outer envelope, only the inner envelope to indicate that they are included in the day’s events. Additionally, if you are allowing guests to bring a plus one to your wedding or reception, it is not appropriate to add the words "and guest" to the outer envelope, only the inner envelope.
Outer envelopes can also provide an added layer of protection against damage that can be caused by mail services, and allows your guests to enjoy a clean, fresh envelope when opening your invitation.
Most wedding invitation suites contain multiple components, like the RSVP card and self-addressed and stamped envelopes. The more items there are in the envelope, the more banged up it can get in delivery, which makes an inner envelope ideal for containing all the necessary elements.

How do you mention the wedding dress code to wedding guests?

If a particular dress code is required for your wedding, you can often check wedding invitation templates to see how this information is typically communicated by other couples. In general, letting your guests know about any required dress code either in your printed invitations or on your wedding website can help them to feel more comfortable on your special day. If you have any questions regarding how to communicate this with your guests, you can ask your planner or wedding stationery company.

Where do you list wedding registry information on wedding stationery?

While some online wedding invitation templates do include a space for listing your wedding registry, it is better etiquette to refer to your wedding website instead, and list the specific registry information there. This is one perk of having a wedding website and including the link information on your wedding invitation or an information card

How do you inform guests that the wedding is adults only?

If you are looking to inform guests that the wedding is adults only, in theory your wedding envelopes should indicate that, since the only guests who are officially invited are those with their names on the inner envelope. However, it may be helpful to spell out the fact that you prefer to have adults only attend your wedding, which can be done on your website, or by creating an itinerary of the activities and clearly indicating which events children are or are not included invited to join.

How do you decide what wedding paper products you need?

Your wedding planner is often a great resource for determining what types of wedding paper products are most important for your specific event. If you select a wedding invitation template, it may include options for various types of wedding day paper products like ceremony programs, escort cards, menus, and place cards

How do you get in touch with wedding invitation designers?

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding stationer to create unforgettable wedding invitations for your big day, we can provide you with access to the top wedding stationers in your area. Plus, with more than 10,000 real wedding galleries on our site, we are your best source for wedding invitation inspiration and ideas. Browse weddings in your style, color theme, or location to find the perfect inspiration, then get in touch with the wedding stationery companies who created your favorites.