Wedding invitations are the first taste your guests will get of the big day.
They are more than just an invitation: they anticipate the style and theme of the event, provide practical information , and create anticipation for the special moment.
In this guide you will discover everything you need to make perfect, error-free invitations, starting with what to write and when to send them.
When to Send Wedding Invitations?
Wedding invitations should be sent or hand-delivered about 6 months before the wedding. This gives guests time to make arrangements, book any travel arrangements, and arrange their schedules and work.
If you want to notify friends and family even further in advance, as soon as you know the date but don’t yet have all the details of the day, you can send a Save the Date: a pre-invitation to send out as soon as you have confirmed the date, perhaps in digital format so you can save on printing.
Digital vs. Paper Participations: Pros and Cons.
You can choose to send invitations in traditional paper format or opt for email wedding invitations. What are the advantages?
Paper Wedding Invitations
More elegant, customizable, and ideal for especially aesthetically conscious weddings. If you plan to make them yourself by hand, it will be even nicer to receive the paper format.
Digital Wedding Invitations on Whatsapp
They are quicker to send via chat, inexpensive and practical especially for distant guests. They are advantageous for those who have little time or a limited budget and give little thought to this aspect of the party.
Many couples sometimes choose a mix: paper invitations for close, more traditionalist relatives and digital invitations for more modern friends.
What to write in wedding invitations?
Participations must always contain:
- Names of the bride and groom
- Date and time of the ceremony
- Ceremony location: full name, address and useful details for reaching it. We will also discuss this later.
- Reception venue, if different from the ceremony.
Sayings and style: how to write invitations
Depending on the style of the wedding, you can choose a more formal or modern tone to announce the wedding. Using the same tone of voice as the theme you have chosen for the wedding is a modern and original idea to begin to let your guests know what to expect from your day.
Ho scritto un articolo che parla proprio dei testi delle partecipazioni di matrimonio, in cui puoi trovare esempi concreti e di ispirazione per il tuo matrimonio.
RSVP: confirm attendance
Adding an RSVP request, i.e., to confirm whether or not you will attend, is critical to your management of the day and to finalize arrangements with the venue. It can be a separate note or a sentence at the end of the invitation, with a date by which to confirm and contact information to send the response to. You can take a look at these RSVP ideas to be kind but clear about your intent.
Dress Code: an added touch of style to your party
If you have a dress code for your wedding and you would like your guests to follow it, indicate it in the invitations. You can’t expect everyone to adopt it, but surely the people you care about most will try to accommodate you and make your wedding even more special.
Some examples of how you might ask:
- “1920s-themed wedding: we invite you to dress in vintage style if you want to be in line with our big day”
- “Pastel colors for a spring wedding are welcome for our day!”
IBAN: how to apply for a contribution
If you prefer a financial contribution instead of a physical gift, you can include your IBAN directly in the participation, perhaps with a nice phrase. Some people say that this modern choice is not elegant, but I am of the opinion that times have changed and it is our right to express what we are more or less pleased about this occasion.
Many couples getting married nowadays already live together, so they probably own everything that used to be given as wedding gifts (blenders, spare set of sheets, silver frames–a couple hardly really needs them!).
In my wedding invitation texts, they suggest several phrases to include IBAN in a kind and discreet way in the invitations.
Remember that the IBAN can be printed on a separate card to be attached to the participation, so it will hardly impact the overall invitation.
Original ideas: directions to the location with QR code
If the location is difficult to reach, you can include a QR code with Google Maps coordinates so guests can frame it and reach it more easily. This is a modern solution that younger people will surely appreciate!
Additional details to conclude the invitation
You may wish to add additional practical details for your guests beyond directions to the venue, such as parking availability, any arrangements with hotels for those arriving from out of town who need to spend the night away from home, or your dedicated wedding website.
Taking care of these aspects will allow you to produce clear and well-organized invitations, avoiding possible misunderstandings and ensuring that all guests have the essential information they need to take part in your wedding.
Extra tips for perfect invitations
Adding a personal touch reminiscent of the wedding style will make them unique!
The style of the invitation should reflect the theme of the wedding. Some tips to follow for your wedding invitation graphics can be found in my article that also discusses wedding invitation texts.
Some ideas to make your invitations unique:
- Wax seals with the initials of the bride and groom, of the colors chosen in the wedding palette.
- Envelopes in wedding color palette .
- Personalized illustrations of the couple, perhaps made just by you or for you specifically.
- Handwritten or typewritten invitations for a handcrafted effect.
Where to store the Holdings?
If you want a special memory, you can:
- Glue the participation inside your album or create a scrapbook with the dedications received from your guests, in which you can also insert your envelope.
- Framing a copy of your participation.
- Keep them in the wedding keepsake box, the one you will receive from me along with your USB stick.
Frequently asked questions about wedding invitations
How many invitations to order?
Calculate about one participation per household. Always add an extra 10-15% for possible program changes.
Can I deliver them by hand?
Yes, indeed it is a much appreciated gesture! If the guests are far away, you can mail or email them.
What to do if a guest does not confirm?
If the RSVP date has passed and you have not received a response, contact them directly with a message or call.
Conclusion: Participations that tell your story
Wedding invitations are not just an invitation, but the first chapter of your big day. Plan the mailing well, take care of every detail and make them special-they will be the first memory your guests will have of your wedding!
If you would like personalized suggestions or a photo shoot for your wedding, please contact me and I will be happy to help!
