INVITATION SUITE Anatomy

by JENNIFER CHAGNON, THE PINK POLKA DOT

Wondering what to include in your wedding invitation suite? Thinking of cutting back and skipping the suite altogether? We hear you. Designing, packaging and sending your wedding invitations can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be, especially if you enlist the help of a stationery pro. Remember: your invitation suite sets the tone for your big day and, most importantly, shares all the essential information your guests need to prep for your celebration. Cape Cod-based event planner and stationery expert Jennifer Chagnon of The Pink Polka Dot (thepinkpolkadot.net) shares her guide on exactly what to send with wedding invitations.

Wedding Invitation 1.

This piece provides the details of the wedding ceremony. Wording will vary based on who is hosting the event or doing the inviting (parents of the bride, the couple, both sets of parents, etc.). If your ceremony and reception are at the same location, a line is added at the bottom to indicate the reception will follow.

Reception Card 2.

If your reception is at a different location from the ceremony, you will need to include a reception card that indicates the location and time of the reception.

Weekend Details Card 3.

These are often included if there are additional events you’d like to invite guests to (welcome cocktails, after-party, post-wedding brunch, etc.). It’s also a good place to include your wedding website. Websites are great tools for communicating accommodations, things to do in the area, and other information that you wouldn’t want to put in the invitation. This extra card could also be used as an accommodations card if you are not creating a wedding website. Directions are sometimes included, although we do not see this as much since everyone has GPS on their phones!

4.

Rehearsal Dinner Card

A rehearsal dinner insert is sometimes included in suites to guests that are invited to the rehearsal dinner, although this is most commonly a separate insert.

Response Card 5.

Most stationers will advise against email RSVPs as many guests will forget to do so. Chagnon suggests turning off the online RSVP option on your wedding website altogether. Instead, include a reply card that has a place for the guest(s) names, a meal choice selection if needed, as well as the date by which you would like the cards mailed back. Add verbiage for guests to indicate dietary restrictions. If you are doing welcome bags at hotels or offering transportation, you can even include a line for guests to indicate where they are staying. Another common addition is for guests to RSVP for other events, such as welcome cocktails or a brunch. It’s so much easier to get all the information you need at one time!

Response Envelope 6.

This is included with each suite and will have your address pre-printed on the front (or your parents’ address, if they are the hosts). It’s proper etiquette to pre-stamp these envelopes for your guests.

7.

Invitation Envelopes

Your invitation will either have single or double envelopes (inner and outer), depending on the style you choose and formality. Pocket invitation suites do not have inner envelopes. You may choose to add an envelope liner to your suite.

8.

Belly

Band or Seal

There are many options for embellishing your invitation; belly bands wrap around the entire pocket or suite and can be made of paper, twine or ribbon. Paper versions can be custom printed in any design. Seals for pockets can be made of paper or wax. Wax seals are also available for your envelopes.

9.

Coordinating Paper Products

While there are endless options and products, the most common items to complement our wedding suite include escort cards.

10.

Save the Dates

While they don’t have to match exactly, it’s always nice to start the “branding” of your wedding with the first piece of mail!

11.

Thank You Notes

Finally, don’t forget to order your thank-you notes to coordinate. They can also include a photo from your big day!