What to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite

It's often one of the most exciting parts of the wedding-planning process: mailing out your invitations. After securing your venue and finalizing your guest list, it's time to inform your loved ones of all of the details surrounding your big day. Regardless of whether you decided to send out save-the-dates or not, there are a number of essential pieces of information you'll need to include in your official invites. In addition to noting the date, time, and location of the celebration, you'll want to identify the dress code, inform your invitees how to RSVP, and, depending on your venue, potentially write out directions. Without including all of these critical details, you may be forced to respond to a mountain of questions and inquiries.

Your wedding invitations also give your loved ones a sneak peek into—and basic understanding of—the aesthetic and vision for your big day. "If you think guests will not care about the invitation or will just throw it away as soon as they read it, I definitely disagree," says Le'Trice Penn, the founder and creative director of Lepenn Designs. "An invitation suite that is thoughtfully designed with the couple [and] their wedding style/theme and formality of the event in mind will provide guests with an added level of respect and consideration for the couple and their wedding." Ultimately, your invitation suite serves as a window into your celebration, which is why it's so important to include all of the essential details.

Below, the experts break down what to include in a wedding suite, as well as which elements you can potentially forgo. Read on for more.

Traditional Elements to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite

• Invitation 
• Response card and envelope
• Mailing envelope 
• Postage
  

Optional Elements to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite

• Inner envelope 
• Reception card 
• Directions 
• Weekend events card 
• Accommodations card 
• Invitation wrapper 

What to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite: 4 Mandatory Elements, Explained

In addition to writing out the key details of your big day, there are some other mandatory aspects to include when it comes to your wedding invitation suite. Here's what to know.

Wedding Invitation

Naturally, your wedding invitation suite should include the actual invitation. While it may seem obvious what should be written on an invite, couples commonly (and surprisingly) forget to include key details like time, date, ceremony location, and/or the reception location. Make sure to check over your invite—and then check it again.

Response Card

Before reply cards existed, couples would send a single-letter sheet invitation, and guests would have to use their own supplies to respond. "Invitations now typically include a way to reply; no one expects guests to own personal stationery anymore," says Velez. When sending response cards, don't forget to include a pre-addressed envelope and stamp for your guests' convenience. Prior to mailing out your invitations, number your guest list—and then write the number corresponding to each guest on the back of their RSVP card. By doing so, you'll ensure you're able to keep track of everyone's RSVPs, even if a guest forgets to write their name on their response card.

You can, of course, forgo response cards altogether and direct guests to RSVP on your wedding website. However, be considerate of older generations. If you can foresee that certain guests might not be comfortable using a computer, consider sending them a response card—even if you're not including them with the majority of your wedding invitation suites.

Mailing Envelope

Another obvious (but important) mention: You'll need an envelope to send off all the paper goods. Luckily, you don't have to handwrite the addresses yourself, as many stationery companies offer addressing services. When it comes to your envelopes, make sure to write out guests' full names, which may include a title, Penn says.

Postage

With all this stationery, your envelope may weigh more than standard postage covers. Head down to the post office with your invitation suite and get it weighed to see what postage you'll actually need. This is also the time when you can go over stamp options to find one that's suitable for a wedding. From hearts to flowers, you'll be surprised at the variety of stamps they have hiding behind the counter.

When you actually mail the invitations, request that the stamps be hand-canceled rather than machine-canceled. All stamps need to be canceled when they're sent out so that the stamp cannot be reused, but stamps that are canceled by a machine can leave tacky, wavy lines all over your beautiful envelope. Even if you don't mind the wavy lines, hand-cancellation might be necessary; if you put the return address on the back of the envelope rather than the front, which is common practice for wedding invitation addressing, the machine might not be able to read which side of the envelope is the front, thus necessitating hand-cancellation.

What to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite: 6 Optional Elements, Explained

Depending on the style of your wedding, you may not need to include certain elements in your invitation suite. Here, the experts break down a few you can potentially forgo.

Inner Envelope

Slightly smaller than the outer mailing envelope, the inner envelope holds the invitation and indicates who specifically is (and isn't) invited to the wedding. This is the place to clearly write the names of each wedding guest. If your guest will have a specific plus-one, write both their names. If they can bring anyone, the envelope should include their name and a generic guest: "John Smith and Guest." If there's not a plus-one, it's simple: Just include the guest's name.

This is also the way to indicate whether or not children are invited. For example, if you are inviting a family, the envelope should be addressed to "The Smiths." However, if it's adults-only, it should read "John and Victoria Smith."

Reception Card

If your wedding reception isn't going to be held in the same location as your wedding ceremony, you'll need to include a separate card with the reception information with wording that notes the formality and nature of the event. Do you want to indicate a sit-down meal? The first line should read 'Dinner Reception.' If you'd like to throw an adults-only affair, you should notify guests through word-of-mouth and by the names addressed in the invitation. However, if you must include an "Adults-Only Reception" line, do so as the last line on the reception card.

Directions

Don't leave guests to their own devices when it comes to getting to your wedding on time. While Google Maps a great tool, a guest's phone could potentially die or lose reception. Plus, your elderly guests might not even have a smartphone that can give them directions instantly. To be on the safe side, always include a direction card.

In the event you don't include a direction card in your wedding invitation suite, you should still list the directions to your venue and its address on your wedding website. For some added personality and an intimate touch, Velez recommends including a custom weekend map.

Weekend Events Card

If your wedding will span a weekend and will include multiple events, such as welcome drinks, an after-party, and a day-after brunch, it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for guests, so they know what to expect and pack for. "Between the website and the invitation, guests should receive as much information as possible to better plan their weekend," says Velez. "Guests will appreciate the extra info, especially for those traveling from out of town, and the planner and/or couple will handle fewer questions."

While many wedding websites include detailed logistics, Velez recommends having an insert card that lists weekend events. "This insert officially invites guests to these activities and puts the details physically in their hands." Include things like hotel recommendations with room blocks and transportation locations and times. This is also where you would mention if any wedding weekend activities are adults-only.

Accommodations Card

If you have guests coming in from out of town, they'll likely appreciate the extra card detailing hotel options. While a deadline for booking their stay isn't required, it may be helpful to ensure that there's space for them at your preferred spot. Be sure to include any information regarding transportation to and from hotels to the wedding.

Invitation Wrapper

Once you properly assemble your wedding invitation suite, an invitation wrapper like a belly band or silk ribbon may be used to hold all the pieces neatly together. Choose a coordinating color and accentuate the wrapper with a jewel or botanicals for added glam.

What to Include in an Invitation for a Destination Wedding

For those hosting a destination wedding, you'll have some extra things to consider. "It's important to establish the wedding guest list early to get a grasp on where all of the guests live and will be traveling from," says Velez. If the whole guest list is traveling to a destination wedding, be sure to give plenty of time for planning by sending the save-the-date cards well in advance. These should include recommended online travel information that can be accessed early. "Additional information in print is helpful for navigating foreign destinations, so don't be shy with the weekend information," says Velez. If only some guests are traveling from a different country, keep in mind the invitations may need extra mailing time, and an alternate/online reply method is recommended.