Dear Bride, let’s make this as easy as possible for you. Just exactly what kinds of content do you put on these cards? Below are some helpful tips when composing your custom wedding suite.
—SAVE THE DATE CARDS— This pre-invitation card officially announces your wedding date and lets your guests know that they will be invited. Save-the-Date cards are sent out as soon as you have set the date and booked the arrangements, which ideally happens 6–12 months before your wedding. The information you include are your names, the wedding date, the wedding location (not a specific site, only the city and state), and a small note to let your guests know that a formal invite will be coming. You may also consider adding your website if you intend to have one, accommodations and travel information, and your itinerary especially if it is a destination wedding. If you’re considering adding artwork, illustrations of the rings, a portrait of the couple, a watercolor painting the flowers, or destination scenes are appropriate visual content to include.
—WEDDING INVITATIONS— The host and request line is written first and denote who is hosting (or paying for) the wedding. Traditionally, the bride’s father made the arrangements, however not all weddings are hosted by the bride’s parents today. Sometimes both the bride’s and groom’s parents chip in or the couple may pay for the wedding themselves. And sometimes parents are divorced and remarried. In these instances, you may list both parent’s names separately. You may use “honor of your presence” when getting marriage at a house of worship and “pleasure of your company” for all other venues. Typically you include the bride’s first and middle name and the groom’s first, middle, and last name. However, if the bride’s parent’s are not hosting the wedding (or not listed on the request line), then she would also use her first, middle, and last name. Whether you use the word “to” versus “and” between the bride’s and groom’s names depends on the aforementioned considerations. Of course phrasing is completely up to you! And whether or not you use nicknames is based on the formality or informality of your wedding. For Example: Mr. and Mrs. _ request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter to, son of Mr. and Mrs. _. Following the host and request line, include information detailing the wedding:
A. Day, date, and time (including the year) B. Ceremony location and address C. Dress code D. You may also consider including an illustration or watercolor painting of the flowers or relevant decorative patterns.
—RESPONSE CARDS— RSVP Cards ask your guest(s) whether or not they are able to attend the wedding and reception. You should include a specific reply due date, a line for the guest(s) to write their name(s), a place for them to check whether they accept or decline the invitation, a line to write how many guests are attending, and their food preferences. Wedding invitations are typically sent out 6–8 weeks before the wedding. It is recommended that you ask your guests to respond 3–4 weeks before the wedding date. Provide an envelope with a return address and stamp. When assembling your wedding invitation package, stack all of your cards in order of size facing up, with the Response Card on top. For Example:
M___ [ ] joyfully accepts [ ] regretfully declines _ of attending Kindly respond by . Note to Bride & Groom: . Dietary Restrictions: __.
—RECEPTION CARDS— You will want to print reception cards if your wedding ceremony and reception are held in different locations OR if your guest list varies between the two events. You should include the reception location and address as well as scheduled events, such as the cocktail hour time, dinner time, and dancing time. An illustration of the reception hall or an iconic destination scene tastefully accompanies the text.
—DETAIL CARDS— It is helpful for guests to include any other ceremony and reception information such as the wedding website, directions, or travel accommodations such as reserved hotel room blocks and transportation options for out-of-town guests. You may also include information about other planned activities, such as a welcome dinner or brunch. Registry information can be included on your site to avoid sounding rude.
—CEREMONY PROGRAMS— These bi-fold pamphlets accompany the wedding ceremony and “Welcome (the guests) to the wedding of _ and _.” The font page should also include the venue name, location (city and state), and date. Inside the pamphlet, list the celebrant and the participants in the ceremony, such as the grandparents and parents of the bride and groom, the maids of honor, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, and the ring bearer. Also list the order of events, such as the processional, opening prayer, readings, homily, sacrament of marriage, liturgy, Lord’s prayer, communion, blessings, recessional, and arch of swords. On the back, you may include a message to your family and friends, a dedication to your parents, and a remembrance to those who are no longer with you. An illustration of the church or ceremony location is typically included on the program.
