Everything You Need to Know About Modern Wedding Invitations

POV: You identified your target wedding dates and narrowed down your guest list, which was a relief until you started waking up in cold sweats wondering, „what if no one shows up?„

Wedding planning can be scary, especially since you’re investing much of your time, energy, and hard-earned cash into the process! However, know that the best way to ensure that all of your loved ones are there is to execute a seamless invitation suite.

Unsure of what this entails? We’ve got the 411 on everything you need to know so you can do so without a hitch (pun intended).

But for starters, what even is a wedding invitation suite? As tradition will tell you, shooting a quick text or setting up a Facebook event won’t suffice when it comes to your nuptials.

An invitation suite refers to all of the paper materials you’ll need for your wedding: save the dates, RSVP cards, invites, reception cards, wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, and/or thank you cards.

If that sounds like a lot, don’t stress! We’ll be breaking down all of the do’s and don’ts on how and when to send out wedding invitations while keeping your wedding budget and sustainability in mind.

Save the Dates

If you’re new to wedding invitation etiquette, you might not be familiar with the term “save the dates.” Well, it’s all in the name: a save the date is a first communication to ask that your guests block out your wedding date on their calendars. Typically, this is sent in the form of a postcard that announces your wedding with your names, the location (town or venue), and the date.

It’s best practice to send save the dates out six to eight months ahead of your wedding, and definitely closer to eight months if you’re hosting a destination wedding. This way, you’ll be giving everyone on your wedding guest list enough time to make their travel arrangements, book their accommodations, and plan for childcare.

It’s definitely possible to go virtual for your save the dates if you’re looking to save a few trees or dollars. Using seed paper is another great sustainable alternative!

However, if you do go the snail-mail route, order your invites sooner than later. Aim for eight to twelve months in advance of your wedding date.

Feel free to get creative if you want to start the festivities off with a bang. Opt for personalization by including a photo from the engagement, an inside joke you and your partner share, or a timeline of your love story.

Many couples will send a keepsake magnet instead of a postcard, which can be a nice touch. This is particularly true if you have older family members who’d cherish it—especially if you plan to go digital for some of your other invitation suite materials.

Keep in mind, an invitation suite can get pricey! On average, couples will typically spend $150 on their save the date postcards alone.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a ton of replies right away. Generally-speaking, guests aren’t expected to respond until they receive their formal invitations. The real plus side of the save the date is that it may buy you some extra time with your invites.

Oh, and don’t forget to send save the dates to the wedding party as well. They should receive all of the materials included in your invitation suite, just like any other guest!