How Wedding Invitations Work

Wedding invitations are one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding. They are the first impression that your guests will have of your big day, and they set the tone and style of your event. But how do wedding invitations work? How do you choose the right design, wording, and etiquette for your invitations? And how do you manage the process of sending and receiving them? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, to help you create the perfect wedding invitations for your special occasion.

What are Wedding Invitations?

Wedding invitations are formal or informal cards or letters that invite your guests to attend your wedding ceremony and/or reception. They usually include the following information:

The names of the hosts (usually the bride’s parents, but can also be the couple themselves, or both sets of parents)
The names of the couple
The date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony
The date, time, and location of the wedding reception (if different from the ceremony)
The dress code (optional)
A response card or RSVP instructions (optional)
A map or directions to the venue (optional)
A wedding website or registry information (optional)

Some couples also choose to include additional items with their invitations, such as:

Save-the-date cards (sent before the invitations to announce the date and location of the wedding)
Accommodation cards (providing information on nearby hotels or other lodging options for out-of-town guests)
Reception cards (if the reception is at a different venue from the ceremony, or if only some guests are invited to both)
Ceremony cards (if only some guests are invited to the ceremony)
Menu cards (listing the food options for the reception)
Program cards (outlining the order of events for the ceremony and/or reception)
Thank-you cards (sent after the wedding to express gratitude to the guests for their attendance and gifts)

How to Choose Wedding Invitations?

Choosing wedding invitations can be a fun and creative process, but also a daunting one. There are many factors to consider, such as:

Your budget
Your theme and style
Your colors and fonts
Your paper and printing options
Your wording and etiquette

Here are some tips to help you choose wedding invitations that suit your needs and preferences:

Budget

Wedding invitations can vary widely in cost, depending on the design, quality, quantity, and extras that you choose. According to [The Knot], the average cost of wedding invitations in 2020 was $590, but you can spend more or less depending on your choices. Some ways to save money on wedding invitations are:

DIY: You can design and print your own invitations using online templates or software, or craft them by hand using materials from craft stores. This can be a great way to personalize your invitations and save money, but it can also be time-consuming and require some skills and equipment.
Online: You can order your invitations from online vendors that offer a wide range of designs, styles, and prices. You can customize your invitations online and have them delivered to your door. This can be a convenient and affordable option, but you may not be able to see or feel the quality of the paper and printing before you order.
Local: You can work with a local stationer or printer that can help you design and print your invitations. You can choose from their samples or create your own custom design. You can also see and feel the quality of the paper and printing before you order. This can be a more expensive option, but it can also offer more personalized service and quality assurance.

Theme and Style

Your wedding invitations should reflect your theme and style as a couple and as a wedding. You want your invitations to match the tone and mood of your event, whether it is formal or casual, traditional or modern, elegant or rustic, etc. Some popular themes and styles for wedding invitations are:

Classic: These invitations feature simple and elegant designs, such as monograms, borders, or floral motifs. They usually use neutral colors, such as white, ivory, black, or gold. They also use formal fonts, such as script or serif. These invitations are suitable for formal or traditional weddings.
Modern: These invitations feature bold and minimalist designs, such as geometric shapes, lines, or typography. They usually use bright colors, such as red, blue, green, or yellow. They also use contemporary fonts, such as sans serif or handwritten. These invitations are suitable for casual or trendy weddings.
Vintage: These invitations feature retro and nostalgic designs, such as lace, ribbons, or stamps. They usually use muted colors, such as beige, brown, gray, or pink. They also use vintage fonts, such as calligraphy or typewriter. These invitations are suitable for romantic or whimsical weddings.
Rustic: These invitations feature natural and organic designs, such as wood, burlap, or leaves. They usually use earthy colors, such as green, brown, orange, or cream. They also use rustic fonts, such as script or serif. These invitations are suitable for outdoor or country weddings.

Colors and Fonts

Your wedding invitations should also reflect your colors and fonts as a couple and as a wedding. You want your invitations to match the colors and fonts that you use for your other wedding elements, such as your flowers, decorations, attire, etc. Some tips for choosing colors and fonts for your wedding invitations are:

Colors: You can choose colors that complement or contrast each other, depending on the effect that you want to create. You can also use different shades or tones of the same color for a more subtle or harmonious look. You can also use different colors for different parts of your invitation, such as the background, the text, or the accents. You can also use metallic colors, such as gold, silver, or copper, for a more glamorous or festive look.
Fonts: You can choose fonts that suit your theme and style, as well as your personality and message. You can also use different fonts for different parts of your invitation, such as the names, the details, or the headings. You can also mix and match fonts, such as using a script font for the names and a serif font for the details or using a sans serif font for the headings and a handwritten font for the text. You can also use different sizes or weights of fonts for emphasis or contrast.

Paper and Printing Options

Your wedding invitations should also reflect your paper and printing options as a couple and as a wedding. You want your invitations to have the quality and appearance that you desire, as well as the durability and functionality that you need. Some paper and printing options for your wedding invitations are:

Paper: You can choose paper that has different textures, thicknesses, finishes, or shapes. Some common types of paper are:

Cardstock: This is a thick and sturdy paper that is suitable for most types of printing. It can have a smooth or matte finish or a glossy or metallic finish.
Cotton: This is a soft and luxurious paper that is made from cotton fibers. It has a smooth and elegant finish that is ideal for letterpress or engraving.
Linen: This is a textured and refined paper that is made from linen fibers. It has a subtle woven pattern that adds dimension and character to your invitations.
Vellum: This is a translucent and delicate paper that is made from animal skin or synthetic materials. It has a smooth and glossy finish that creates a layering effect when placed over another paper.

Printing: You can choose printing that has different methods, effects, or costs. Some common types of printing are:

Digital: This is the most common and affordable type of printing. It uses inkjet or laser printers to print your design directly onto the paper. It can produce high-quality images and colors, but it may not be as crisp or durable as other types of printing.
Offset: This is a more professional and expensive type of printing. It uses metal plates to transfer your design onto the paper using ink rollers. It can produce sharp and consistent images and colors, but it may require a minimum order quantity or extra fees for custom colors.
Letterpress: This is a traditional and elegant type of printing. It uses metal or wood blocks to press your design into the paper using ink. It can create a tactile and vintage effect, but it may be limited in color options or detail level.
Foil-stamping: This is a modern and glamorous type of printing. It uses heat and pressure to apply metallic foil onto the paper. It can create a shiny and eye-catching effect, but it may be more expensive or difficult to combine with other types of printing.

Wording and Etiquette

Your wedding invitations should also reflect your wording and etiquette as a couple and as a wedding. You want your invitations to convey your information clearly and politely, as well as follow the norms and expectations of your culture and guests. Some tips for choosing wording and etiquette for your wedding invitations are:

Hosts: You should start your invitation with the names of the hosts, who are usually the ones paying for the wedding. You can use formal titles, such as Mr. and Mrs., or informal names, depending on your relationship with them. You can also use phrases such as “Together with their families” or “With joyous hearts” to include both sets of parents or other relatives.
Couple: You should follow the hosts with the names of the couple, who are usually the ones getting married. You can use full names, first names only, middle names only, nicknames, etc., depending on your preference and style. You can also use “and” or “&” to connect your names, depending on your space and design.
Date: You should write the date of your wedding in full words, such as “Saturday, the twenty-second of October”, rather than