Last week Lucky In Love Events brought to you, with the GRACIOUS insight of MD Calligraphy, an in depth look at Invitation Addressing Etiquette - seriously one of the most important things to be aware of during your wedding journey. If you missed the post and want to stay on point - click here to head back over to last week!
Now that you are addressing everyone to a perfect "T," lets make sure you actually send them all the right stuff! They call it an "invitation suite" rather than just a simple "invitation" for a reason. Wedding invitations are more like a package than a single piece of paper in an envelope. Each invitation suite you send should serve as a complete package of information for each guest. The importance of providing a proper invitation suite is not only becasue it is a guide for your guests on your BIG day, but it is also the first impression for all your attendees. You should make sure that your invitations give your guests a glimpse of what your BIG day is going to be all about - choose your invitation style and colors wisely so it truly represent your special day to come!
A proper invitation suite always contains the following: (1) Exterior envelope, (2) Interior envelope. (3) Formal Invitation, and (4) A stamped response card. These four elements are vital in order to let your guests know when and where to be, who is actually invited, and so that YOU personally know who is coming to celebrate the BIG day! Once you have the essential four elements of an invitation suite intact, there are several optional pieces you can add to any invitation suite to take it to the next level --- look out below for an explanation of what purpose each element provides and all of the options you can stuff into your sweet "suite!"
The Four Must-Haves
Exterior Envelope
The exterior envelope is the outermost part of your invitation suite - it holds all the "goodies' inside! The front of exterior envelope has the address of your guest(s), proper postage, and a personal return address in case there is a issue during the mail process. Since this element is protecting the rest of your invitation package, make sure to choose a hefty paper weight that can withstand all the tossing in the mail room.
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| Brown Sugar Designs |
Interior Envelope
The interior envelope serves to officially address everyone who is invited to the wedding. Each invitee's name and their possible guest should be written individually on the front of the interior envelope - is you want a further explanation, head back over to the Invitation Addressing Etiquette post!
Formal Invitation
The formal invitation is usually presented on a high quality paper stock, often with an embossed border and decorative embellishments. Here, your guests are given a formal request for their presence by the host of your wedding (usually the bride's parents), and given both time and date of the occasion.
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| Izzy Girl Designs |
Response Card
The response card's purpose is to allow guests to RSVP to your event. Without a response card, you would have no idea of who many guests are attending your event (and your budget won't allow for guest work). The response card should allow space for your guest to write their name, whether they are attending or not, and IF attending, the number of people attending as well. If you are having a seated dinner, the response card should also have a section where guests can choose their meal preference. Most importantly, your response card should be accompanied by a self addressed envelope that ALREADY has a postage stamp on it - you do not want to make your guests pay to respond.
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| Zenadia Designs |
The Additional Options
Tissue Paper
A small sheet of tissue paper, cut to size, is a traditional element of invitation suites. The tissue paper should be placed in the interior envelope if front of the formal invitation. While tissue paper may seem useless, it allows guests to easily pull out the invitation without tearing or crumpling it.Direction Card
An additional card may be used to accompany your invitation in order to give your guests directions to your venue. If a direction card is used, it may be wise to give directions from several main interstates/highways. A direction card is highly important if your event venue is in an unfamiliar place, farther than 30 miles away from most guests, or if your ceremony venue and reception venue are at two separate locations.
Hotel and Contact Card
If you have large amounts of guests coming from out of town fro your BIG day, hotel blocks are very important. Provide a small card with the hotel information and its respective nightly rates inside your invitation suite. Furthermore, provide your guests with some contact numbers (such as a few important family members) in case they get lost on the day of.
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