FAQ
Do I need to send Save the Dates?
Save the dates are mostly used for when the wedding is far in advance or abroad. I would recommend sending these about a year in advance.
When should I send my wedding invitations?
Typically, in the UK wedding invitations are posted out between 8-12 weeks before the wedding. You can set a date on the card for guests to RSVP by. This gives you plenty of time to receive your responses, as the wedding venue needs to know numbers, meal choices, make seating arrangements and so on.
Where do I start with planning what I would like my invitations to look like?
That is why I am here to help, I have a number of invitation suites. We can build off them or else make a totally custom suite. My advice is to have a look on pinterest and pin any images you like. This is a great starting point for me to see what you envision.
How many invitations do I need?
A common mistake is to count the total number of guests. If you have mostly couples and families you will need roughly half of the total number of guests and then add 10.
I always suggest ordering about 10-15% more invitations that you need as this allows for some spares just in case. It is much easier and cost effective to have a few spares rather than having to arrange printing more.
What are the print options?There are a number of printing options.
Digital Print- is the process of printing digital-based images directly onto a variety of media. We can also digitally print in white, which is very effective on dark, bold paper stocks.
Digital Foil- is a lovely way to add shine. It is a mix of foiling and digitally printing, the image to be foiled is digitally printed and a different type of foil is used which adheres to the printed image.
Hot Foil- Foiling adds luxury to your wedding stationery. It is more expensive than digital foiling as it is a lot more time consuming to set up and die costs. this technique is an application of metallic or pigmented foil on to a solid surface by applying a heated die on to the foil.
Paper- There are a number of paper types avaible, from gesso (slightly textured/hammered paper) to pearl paper. They come in lots of different paper weights however I suggest 300gsm as it is nice and thick and feels rich.
Envelopes- I will source envelopes to match your invitations, weather that be the same colour as the little elements in your invitation to keep in line with the colour scheme, or keep it neutral and have lovely thick paper to match the invitation.
What should I include in my wedding invitations?
Here is the main breakdown:
- Who’s hosting
- The request to come to the wedding
- The names of the couple
- The date and time
- The location
- Reception information
- Separate RSVP card
- You can also add some extras if you would like:
- Order of the day
- Gift List
- Accommodation
- Directions/Parking (if needed)
Traditionally, weddings are hosted and paid for by the bride’s parents and are named at the top of the invitation. Often worded “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of their daughter’.
Of course, modern weddings aren’t necessarily going to be arranged in this way. Perhaps your big day is being paid for by both sets of parents, or you may have step parents to also acknowledge on the invitation. You could include each set of names at the top of the invitation, or keep it more general by using ‘Together with their families’, followed by your names.
If you’re paying for the wedding yourselves, the invitation is likely to come from you as a couple. You could keep it simple with ‘David and Emma would like to invite you to join them…’. Wording your invitation this way can set the tone for a more informal and relaxed wedding day.
Request to Attend:
- "the pleasure of your company"
- “honor of your presence”
- “honor of your presence”
- "would love for you to join them"
- "invite you to celebrate with them"
Names of Couple:
If their names haven’t been included in the host line, they should still take center stage a few lines down. Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom’s name. Formal invitations issued by the bride’s parents refer to her by her first and middle names, the groom by his full name and title. If the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.
Also, think about whether you want to include both your full names or keep it informal with just first names. Some couples make their names the feature of the invitation, which can look very effective.
Guest Names:
It is totally up to you if you want to add the guests name on the invite or not.
If you do, you will need to decide whether to write their full names, first names or even nicknames. Once you have decide on this is you could type it up on an excel document for me. This make less chance of error as I will add them striaght into the designed invite using this. I also advise to print some spares so if needed you can handwrite their names on the invite.
Many people choose not to include guests names on the invitation itself, so as not to detract from the design. If you decide this is the option for you, it’s important that the envelope makes it clear exactly who is invited, especially if you’re having a ‘no children’ policy.
Can I see some wording examples?
Traditional:
Mr & Mrs. BRIDE’S FATHER’S NAME + PARENTS SURNAME request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of their daughter BRIDES FIRST AND MIDDLE NAME to MR GROOMS FIRST NAME AND SURNAME at NAME OF CHURCH, LOCATION OF CHURCH (e.g. Cookstown) on DATE (e.g. day, month, year) at TIME followed by a reception at LOCATION OF RECEPTION
Contemporary Traditional:
Mr & Mrs. BRIDE’S FATHER’S NAME + PARENTS SURNAME
request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of
GUEST NAMES
at the marriage of their daughter
BRIDES FIRST AND MIDDLE NAME
to
GROOMS FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME AND SURNAME
at NAME OF CHURCH, LOCATION OF CHURCH (e.g. Cookstown)
DATE
TIME
followed by a reception at LOCATION OF RECEPTION
Contemporary Traditional:
Together with their families
BRIDES FIRST AND MIDDLE NAME
to
MR GROOMS FIRST NAME AND SURNAME
request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage
at NAME OF CHURCH, LOCATION OF CHURCH (e.g. Cambridge)
on DATE(e.g. day, month, year)
at TIME
followed by a reception at LOCATION OF RECEPTION
Simple:
BRIDE OR GROOM’S FIRST NAME & BRIDE OR GROOM’S FIRST NAME
would love you to join them at their marriage celebration
on DATE.
Ceremony at TIME, PLACE.
Dinner and dancing to follow.
RSVP: EMAIL ADDRESS
How do you write the guests names?
If you’re inviting a married couple, put their names on the same line. You’re free to forgo titles and list the names separately (as shown below in example one). If they have different last names, list the person you’re closest with first. If you’re equally close with them, go in alphabetical order. Or, if one person has taken the other person’s name, you can address the invitation to reflect that (shown below).
Example 1:
On the outer envelope:
Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell Or Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell
On the invitation:
Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell Or Celine and Jacqueline
Example 2:
On the outer envelope:
Mr. John and Mrs. Samantha Rivera Or Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera
On the invitation: Mr. and Mrs. Rivera Or John and Samantha
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Children and Families
Include younger guests on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation by their name(s). For girls under 18, you can use “Miss” if you’d like. Boys don’t need a title until they’re 18—then they can be addressed as “Mr.”
Note: If you don’t include each child’s name, you’re implying that children are not invited. That said, don’t be surprised if some guests still mistakenly assume their children are welcome. If you’re concerned this will happen with your guests, ask your immediate family and wedding party to help spread the word that the wedding will be adults only.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
On the invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Mx. Kelly