Weddingbee PRO

Deciding which pieces to include with your wedding invitations can be a bit confusing if you’re just starting to research, so we thought it would be helpful to share some of the pieces we letterpress print most often and how you might use them. The great thing about all of these pieces is that you can pick and choose just those elements that are relevant to your event and fit comfortably within your budget, lending a lot of flexibility as you decide on your invitation suite.

{Save the Dates}
While not especially traditional, save the dates are becomingly increasing popular. Initially, save the dates were used almost exclusively for destination weddings, but we’re seeing a growing number of couples opting to send a save the date in advance of the wedding invitation to give guests a heads up on the upcoming event. Some simply list a date and location, while others might note a wedding website or specific venue. Usually couples send save the dates anywhere from six months to a year in advance, depending on the length of their engagement. Save the dates are especially helpful when you are expecting a lot of out of town guests, but are by no means a requirement.

{Invitations}
Your invitation card is arguably the most important element, and despite the dawn of the e-card age, the vast majority of couples to be wed still opt for a traditional paper invitation in some form. A general rule of thumb is that invitations include the date, time and location of the festivities and are sent to guests six to eight weeks in advance. Etiquette has long dictated the wording of invitations, although these days there is an increasing flexibility in how you word your invitation to guests. While we love printing traditional invitations, we also love to see how our brides and grooms get creative with language as they welcome guests to celebrate their union.

{Reception Cards}
Traditionally, reception cards were enclosed along with the main invitation and listed the time and place of the wedding reception only. The invitation itself was reserved exclusively for ceremony details. These days the reception information is typically included on the main invitation card, although there are certainly instances where the reception card is still applicable such as when there are separate guest lists for each event. One great way to save money is to forgo the reception card, which is not only budget friendly, but also eco friendly too as it saves on paper.

{Reply Cards/Postcards}
Reply cards as we know them are actually a modern custom, as traditionally invitations did not include RSVP information. Rather, it was customary for guests to reply with a handwritten note on their own stationery. How sweet is that? While this particular practice is largely a thing of the past, we do see a number of couples printing requests for replies directly on the invitation and forgoing a reply card altogether, sometimes directing guests to a website or email address. Another common option is the choice of a reply postcard in lieu of a reply card with envelope. Again there is a lot of flexibility with what information is included on a reply card, and these days it might include not only the names and number of guests, but also meal selections and where the guests might be lodging for the weekend.

{Website Cards}
Website cards are another modern evolution in wedding stationery and are often just small cards printed with a website address providing information on events, accommodations, directions, local attractions, and miscellaneous information that might be useful to guests. While not a traditional element, website cards are very useful for spreading the word that you have a wedding website and that you’d like guests to visit. Some couples even opt to print extras so they can keep them on hand to give out when friends and family ask wedding-related questions. What a great idea!

{Directions/Accommodation Cards}
An increasing number of couples are opting to include direction and/or accommodations cards these days, especially as more couples plan destination or weekend-long events. We’re printing a growing number of directions cards, with or without maps, and accommodations cards (sometimes one and the same) providing an abundance of really useful information for guests looking to make travel arrangements. It’s an extra element of hospitality that never goes overlooked by guests, as anyone can appreciate not having to take extra time to research the best places to stay or how to get to the church.

{Tips for Deciding Which Pieces to Include}

- Determine the information that would be most useful to your guests given the details of your particular event and make that your focus

- Combine pieces where possible to help accommodate your budget

- Get creative! Don’t be afraid to include something totally unique or nontraditional, especially if you think it might be helpful for your guests

- Make it your own - letting your personalities shine through will always guarantee a beautiful letterpress invitation suite

Hope this helps!  Please let me know if you have any questions!