EA_Masterbrand

Everything you need to know (and then some) about wedding paper etiquette. Plus, design ideas from our experts!    

Once you’ve chosen your ideal [wedding website design](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website), start adding in all of your ceremony details and events surrounding your big day. We’ve put together an A-Z list to help you decide what to put on your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) so that nothing gets missed along the way. 
## A - Accommodations
Under the Travel section of your website include recommended accommodations for your wedding guests. Make sure to include the promo code and supplemental information for the hotel where you’ve reserved rooms. Add one or two alternative suggestions that are close to the venue as well. Make it inclusive for all by giving recommendations that span across different budgets. 

## B - Bridesmaids
Let guests get to know part of your bridal party by adding bridesmaids bios to the website.[Wedding party bios](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/5-lovely-wedding-website-bio-examples) can be kept short and sweet, no lengthy details required. Share how you know each person and if there is a special connection to you as a couple. These are always fun for people to read.Feel free to add in humor and keep things lighthearted when you’re writing them. 

![List of What to Put on Your Wedding Website](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5nKqgZuqx9UgtqwXw8RZ2h/111dc1a9b7ea0ac81b15345db572d504/inline_theproswedding.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* The Pros Wedding

## C - Couple’s Story
The story of how you and your partner met is one that everyone wants to know or hear again. Take guests through where it happened, how you felt when you first met, and what created the spark that started your relationship. Let romance take the reins with a retelling of where your journey together began. Adding your [wedding story to your website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) is a great way for your guests to learn more about both the bride and groom. 

## D - Directions
Use the map feature to help your guest navigate  to the ceremony, reception, and hotel accommodations.You may also want to include notes about landmarks or signage that will let people know they’re in the right place. Add approximate time between places as a helpful detail as well.

## E - Events
The Events section of your website is where you can list details about the ceremony and reception. Additionally, if you’re hosting other wedding events during the week, add the time, date, and location to this area. This may include a cocktail hour the evening before or a friends-and-family brunch the morning after. Fill in this section as plans are confirmed. 

## F - FAQs
Your wedding website will help answer all of the frequently asked questions people have about your upcoming nuptials. General questions often include whether plus ones or children or allowed. You can also include any of the questions you’ve fielded regarding proper dress attire. Use this space to allow guests to get their questions answered all in one place. 

## G - Groomsmen
When it’s time to write bios, don’t forget to include the groom’s side, too. Add in a sentence or two about each of your groomsmen as a way to introduce them to your guests. A unique addition is to offer an icebreaker question that will encourage guests to mingle with them at the reception. For example, if one of your groomsmen is a baseball fan, the prompt could be: What is your favorite baseball stadium and why? 

## H - Honeymoon Funds
The registry feature allows you to add a cash fund for your honeymoon, new home, a favorite charity, or something else personal to you as a couple. Guests want a way to contribute to your new life together, and what better way to start than with your honeymoon? It makes it extra special for them knowing they’ve given you a gift to celebrate your marriage in a unique way. 

## I - Insider Information
As part of the Things to Do section, give guests insider information to your favorite places, restaurants, and activities. Let them know what are the must-trys and your personalized recommendations. This will help them feel as if they know more about your life as a couple and will help them appreciate your city as much as you do.

## J - Jokes
Although the main purpose of your wedding website is to share pertinent information, it should also be enjoyable to read. Feel free to add a few jokes or funny moments to your couple story or wedding party bios. It makes it feel inviting to everyone as you start to connect both sides of your guest list together leading up to the wedding celebration.

## K - Kids
Some weddings have a strict no-kids policy. Sometimes couples allow children at the reception but not the ceremony. Then again, there are weddings where the more, the merrier and everyone of all ages are invited. Make it clear on your website if kids are invited. 

## L - Location
Add where the wedding will be taking place. The main page of your website will read similarly to the wedding invite itself. It should include the date, time, and the location of your ceremony. This allows guests to make proper travel arrangements in advance and have an idea of when and how they should start planning their trip.  

![List of What to Put on Your Wedding Website](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/ZqGo9YjnLJU8GnYB1bH8r/812aa9335d73fc61e3f7cf9f8712eb5e/inline_youlooklovelyphotography.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* You Look Lovely Photography

## M - Maps
It’s easy to add maps to the various sections of the website, which makes it accessible for those who are getting the information on their phones. It’ll automatically link up to their chosen map app to get them where they need to go without too much hassle.

## N - Numbers
Add phone numbers to the hotels and other places where guests may need to call to make reservations, inquire about room availability, or request special accommodations. Having this information stored in one place with the addresses and map details helps to make everything streamlined. 
## O - Order
Following a wedding design template allows you to create order to the flow of your information. Edit, remove, or hide the different sections as you see fit. The goal is to make it as easy to understand and informative as possible for your guests.

## P - Photos
A good way to share your love story is through photos. Add as many photos as you want to depict your relationship, including engagement photos and images of family and friends who will be present at your wedding. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which means you can say a lot by adding a few for guests to scroll through and enjoy. 

## Q - Questions
In addition to answering FAQs, you can also add questions to your RSVP section about meal selections and how many guests are attending. Guests can fill out an RSVP for themselves or for their whole party. By having this option available online, it can encourage guests to complete this important step sooner rather than later.

[![Zola QR Code Promo](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hYJyrZbdCbVYf8gL8ZRtq/1abe728cdf14a9b3e0e0ade433128c67/EA_Article__1_.jpg)](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)

## R - Registry 
One of the main questions guests will ask once they know you’re getting married is where you are registered. Fortunately, by creating a wedding website through [Zola](https://www.zola.com/), you can easily add a [wedding registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry) where guests can shop directly. You can add gifts from the Zola store and items from other websites, too. 

This way you can have all of your registries in one place. This makes it easier for guests to see what’s available. Plus, it makes it easier for you to set up shipping and thank you notes for gifts received. Win, win for everyone. 

## S - Schedule
Guests can reference the Schedule section of the website for information about when ceremony begins and when other events are taking place and where they need to be. With each section, there is room to insert a detail or two to let guests know what to expect. For example, if you’re hosting a cocktail hour, let guests know if appetizers will be available. 

## T - Things to Do
For guests who are traveling from out of town, the Things to Do section will guide them to some of your city’s main attractions. When deciding what to put on your destination wedding website, include some of your favorite spots and general proximity to the wedding venue. You won’t have time to play tour guide leading up to your wedding day, but you can provide resources and recommendations for friends and family in advance.

## U - Unusual Requests
Depending on the destination or other details of your wedding, there may be a few unusual requests that you’d like to relay to your guests as they make plans for your wedding. 

For example, you may not want anyone to have their phones with them during the ceremony. Many couples ask this of their guest to help them remain in the moment and to give their wedding photographer ample opportunity to get the professional shots without inadvertently being blocked.

## V - Vision
The vision for your wedding website isn’t something you have to write out in detail. Guests will get a good idea of this by the design you choose. There are hundreds of Zola wedding website templates to choose from that reflect all kinds of personalities, styles, and tastes. Play around with different options before settling on the one that best speaks to you. 

## W - Welcome Message
Part of creating your wedding website will include writing a welcome message that invites people to check it out. Start with a tagline such as “We’re getting married!” followed by a greeting to your friends and family. Add a few lines to let them know what they can expect to find on your website and encourage them to RSVP as soon as possible. Sign off with a sentiment about how excited you are to celebrate with everyone. 

## X - E(x)citement
On that note, set a tone of excitement with every detail you share about your wedding day. While some of the information is purely logistical, write it in a way that makes people feel happy to read it. No one is likely more ready for your nuptials than you, but your guests will get some of those same feelings, too, if you convey it by being thoughtful with your words.

![List of What to Put on Your Wedding Website](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5tOYGe0hydA2dvjCKWYPtU/63044689a69f78e4b3efe4727b1c7bd7/inline_brooklynweddingphoto.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Brooklyn Wedding Photo

## Y - You
As you decide what to put on your wedding website, remember that it should reflect you as a couple. From the design to the details, guests should immediately feel as if they’ve arrived at the right place. Find ways to add in words, photos, and information that feels distinct to your relationship and personality as a couple. 

## Z - Zola 
Add links to your Zola registry for your guests. You can also hide certain sections from public view, such as pages you’re using to store links and information while you plan. Allow your website to serve as a resource for your wedding planning and a guide for guests as they prepare for your big day. 

Website + Invites

A-Z List of What to Put on Your Wedding Website

Invites + Paper

Your <a href="https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop" target="_https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop">wedding invitations</a> are an important piece of the planning puzzle. Not only are your invitations one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding, but they do an important job of conveying critical information. For the sake of politeness and formality, as well as for clarity of your message, be sure to choose clear and appropriate wedding invitation wording.

<a id="include"> </a>
Worried you’re not good with words, or you don’t know all the proper “rules” for wedding invitation wording? Follow our comprehensive guide, outlined below, to understand the ins and outs of wedding invitation wording and etiquette.

## What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation 
![what-to-include-in-your-wedding-invitation](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6OrqLSs7G5su3LU5E5fq1x/b66c146a6b51f678844aa5dccc591c64/what-to-include-in-your-wedding-invitation.jpg)

The wedding invitation sets the theme for your wedding. When guests see [a rustic invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/rustic) with informal wording, it lets them know that the event will be casual. When they see a [classic wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/classic) with traditional wording, they will expect a formal event. Like your wedding, invitations can be as simple or as grandiose as you want as long as they accomplish the following jobs:

- Tell guests the critical information about the wedding: who is getting married, the wedding date, and the wedding location.
- Recognize the hosts of the wedding.
- Convey the tone and formality of the wedding, including the dress code.
- Indicate how guests should RSVP, if no response or other enclosure cards are included.
- Recognize the couple’s parents, if they are not also the hosts. (Optional)

If you are writing your own invitations from scratch, follow these requirements line-by-line as you fill out this piece of your wedding stationery. Each section outlines what information should appear, and in what order, on a traditional wedding invite. Once you understand the various components of invitation wording, feel free to get creative with your own personal touches and style, using the language that feels right for you and your partner.

[![Zola QR Code Promo](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hYJyrZbdCbVYf8gL8ZRtq/1abe728cdf14a9b3e0e0ade433128c67/EA_Article__1_.jpg)](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)

## Essential Wedding Invitation Wording (Line-by-Line)

### 1. Host Line
Located at the very top of the invitation, the host line is where the name(s) of the event hosts appear. The hosts are typically the people who are paying for the wedding. Depending on who’s hosting, the wording will vary slightly: it could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents together, or just the couple. Jump down to the <a href="#wording">Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette</a> section for guidance on how to format names in your invitation.

### Host Line Etiquette
- Capitalize proper names and titles.
- Don’t use punctuation, except after courtesy titles.

### 2. Request Line
The request line is where you'd invite your guests to join your wedding celebration! Traditionally, couples would include formal wording in the request line to denote a formal religious ceremony, whereas modern celebrations tend to use more casual language in their invitation.

#### Request Etiquette
- Include the British spelling of "honour" to denote a more formal tone to your wedding day (“request the honour of your presence”)
- Opt for more casual language if you're planning a non-religious service or more casual wedding ceremony. Common wording options include "invite you to join," "please join us to celebrate," and "love the pleasure of your company."

### 3. Couple’s Names
Make sure you and your partner’s names are front and center. They may be placed high, low, or center depending on your invitation design, but make sure they are clearly legible. For heterosexual couples, the bride’s name traditionally comes before the groom’s. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate who’s name comes first (i.e., if one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first and their child’s should follow). If you are hosting yourselves, then it’s up to you which name comes first.

#### Name Etiquette
- Capitalize proper names and titles.
- Don’t use punctuation, except after courtesy titles.
- Avoid abbreviations; in general, spell everything out except courtesy titles.
- Don’t spell out courtesy titles, except for “Doctor” in the case of medical doctors.
- Consider using both partners’ full legal names. If you prefer to go by a nickname, use it on the save the date or other, less formal pieces of the invitation suite.
- Drop the bride’s and/or groom’s middle names if they become too long to fit on one line.

### 4. Ceremony Information (Date, Time, and Location)
Don’t make your guests guess. Include everything they need to show up at the right place at the right time. The real meat of the <a href="https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper" target="_https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper"> invitations</a>, the information section follows the couple’s names. It states the date of the wedding, where the ceremony and reception are taking place, and the start time. Include the address of the wedding venue(s), unless your invitation design doesn’t allow room. You can also include information on dress code and how guests should RSVP (a wedding website, an email, and/or phone number, and an RSVP deadline) if you forgo a response card.

#### Information Etiquette
- Spell out the date and year for formal invitations so that guests do not transpose numbers.
- Spell out time for formal invitations.
- Don’t use a.m. or p.m. Instead use “in the morning”, “in the afternoon”, or “in the evening”. 
- Include the ceremony location, using the full address for a destination wedding or out-of-town guests.

### 5. Reception Details line
The party line comes at the end of the invitation and notifies guests of what’s scheduled to follow the wedding ceremony. Let your guests know what type of wedding reception they should expect, whether it’s dinner and dancing, a light luncheon, or cocktails and canapes.

#### Reception Details Line Etiquette
<a id="etiquette"> </a>
- Include the reception location, if different than the ceremony, on a separate card for [formal wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/formal). 

## Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette and Examples
![wedding-invitation-wording-etiquette](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/hlMIKAeagmXrwzYvymnRc/aaeee860c12da1a4db12d697f626c7c3/wedding-invitation-wording-etiquette.jpg)

Wedding invitations, and how they are worded, are a topic that makes people nervous. What if you accidentally misspell a word, or leave out critical info? Or, worse yet, what if you don’t know the proper “rules” and end up committing a social faux pas? Never fear—we’ve put together a list of wedding invitation wording etiquette and examples that will help you craft perfectly on-point invitations.

__Note__: We realize that every wedding is unique. You will have to decide as a couple what type of language feels right for your specific style. These etiquette “rules” are really more suggestions for the most traditional and formal invitation wording. If you are having an informal wedding, and/or prefer a more modern approach to your invitation design, then do whatever works for you and your style.

### Hosted By One Set of Parents
![hosted-by-one-set-of-parents](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5ShCgsAATreIQByWCnFeJy/9850df43ba058415cfe1b904573e1846/hosted-by-one-set-of-parents.jpg)

Traditionally, the bride's family hosted and paid for the wedding. While that is still common, the groom’s family or even other loved ones may host the event. In all of these cases, it is a nice gesture to include their names on the invitation.

- Include your parents’ full names with middle names (for very formal invites).
- Avoid using initials. 
- Write "and" to join the two names if the parents have different last names.

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Lively 
> invite you to share in the joy 
> of marriage uniting their daughter 
> Blake Ellender 
> to 
> Ryan Rodney 
> Saturday, the ninth of September 
> two-thousand twelve 
> at noon 
> Boone Hall 
> Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 
> Dinner and merriment to follow 

#### Casual Invitation Example

> Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Simon Peter Blunt 
> invite you to the marriage of 
> Emily Olivia Leah 
> and 
> John Burke 
> July 10, 2010 
> at half past six in the evening 
> Via Regina Teodolinda, 35 
> Como, Italy 
> Food, wine, and merriment to follow 

### Hosted By Both Sets of Parents
![hosted-by-both-sets-of-parents](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2v37R0g9ao3mqyZdY1tdgn/05518e0f091bb63185d8d22168633206/hosted-by-both-sets-of-parents.jpg)

Weddings are beautiful celebrations of unity and what better way to demonstrate that unification than both sets of parents hosting the big day. If you are fortunate to have both families host your wedding, configuring all of the names on the invitation may be tricky. 

- List the bride’s parents’ names first if you are a different-sex couple. 
- List parents’ names in alphabetical order if you are a same-sex couple. 

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Adams 
> and 
> Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham 
> request the pleasure of your company 
> at the marriage of their children 
> Victoria Caroline 
> to 
> David Robert Joseph 
> Saturday, the fourth of July 
> Nineteen ninety-nine 
> at half past seven in the evening 
> Luttrellstown Castle 
> Clonsilla, Ireland 
> Reception to follow. 

#### Casual Invitation Example

> With great pleasure 
> Kimberly and Jonathan Biel 
> and Lynn Bomar Harless and Randall Timberlake 
> invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children 
> Jessica and Justin 
> October 19, 2012 
> at four o’clock in the afternoon 
> Borgo Egnazia Resort 
> 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy 
> Dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please

### Hosted By the Couple
![hosted-by-the-couple](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3te0hlIJQ9TltYpu6L6gjw/45d88869621a1c9a49c4758a52f79c17/hosted-by-the-couple.jpg)

For modern couples, the tradition of parents hosting a wedding is often skipped. Whether the couple has unique ideas for their wedding, wants to keep it small, or don’t have parents with us anymore, hosting your own wedding is a wonderful thing.

- To save space you can skip the host line or you can start the wording with a welcoming introduction.

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Amal Alamuddin 
> and 
> George Timothy Clooney 
> request the pleasure of your company 
> at the celebration of their marriage 
> Saturday, 27 September 2014 
> at noon 
> Aman Canal Grande Hotel in Venice, Italy 
> Festivities to follow 

#### Casual Invitation Example

> Miss Beyonce Knowles 
> and 
> Shawn “Jay Z” Carter 
> are getting married 
> Friday, April 4th, 2018 
> at four o’clock in the afternoon 
> Join us for dinner and drinks 

### Hosted By Divorced Parents
![hosted-by-divorced-parents](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/8WBKuDroA8kwAU4KB7Sez/03ef4a198d9a1e4f2993a9897de7b8b7/hosted-by-divorced-parents.jpg)

To include divorced parents on the invitation—either for the bride or the groom—include the mother’s name first followed by the father’s name on a separate line without an “and” separating them.

- For divorced mothers who are not remarried, use the courtesy title “Ms.” followed by whichever last name she prefers (maiden or married).
- To include stepparents on the invitation—for either the bride or the groom list the mother and stepfather’s names first, followed by the father and stepmother’s names.
- List the mother first regardless if the father is remarried and the mother is not.
- The bride should consider including her last name if multiple sets of parents, with different last names, come before her on the invitation.

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Mr. Angiolo Guiseppe and Ms. Elettra Rossellini 
> invite you to share in the joy 
> of marriage uniting their son 
> Roberto Rossellini 
> to 
> Ingrid Bergman 
> Saturday, the twenty-fourth of May 
> nineteen fifty 
> at noon 
> Hotel Boca Chica, Acapulco, Mexico 
> Dinner and merriment to follow 

#### Casual Invitation Example

> Ms. Pamela Jacobsen 
> Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jacobsen 
> invite you to share in their wedding festivities 
> at the marriage of their daughter 
> Jordan 
> to 
> Paige 
> Saturday, the tenth of April 
> two thousand and twenty one 
> at half past six in the evening 
> Hotel Chantelle 
> New York City, NY 
> Dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please 

### Hosted By Parent, Including Deceased Parent
![hosted-by-parent-and-deceased-parent](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3q6HDcYU32ifqAFKT6cHn/015637a1699b93d14d94a8f85666d44e/hosted-by-parent-and-deceased-parent.jpg)

Weddings are emotional events especially when a parent isn't there to witness it. If you want to honor a deceased parent on your invitations include them in the host line or after the bride or groom's name.

- Use the phrase “the late” preceding his or her name.

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton 
> request the honour of your company 
> at the marriage of their daughter 
> Catherine Elizabeth Middleton 
> to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge 
> Son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales 
> Friday, the twenty-ninth of April 
> two thousand and eleven 
> at eleven o’clock in the morning 
> at Westminster Abbey – 20, Deans Yard 
> London, England 
> Reception to follow 

#### Casual Invitation Example

> Together with their families 
> Malaak Compton 
> daughter of Gerald and Louisa Compton 
> and 
> Christopher Rock 
> son of the late Julius Rock and Rosalie Rock 
> invite you to share in their wedding festivities 
> November 23, 1996 
> at eight o’clock in the evening 
> The Estate at Florentine Gardens 
> 97 Rivervale Road 
> River Vale, New Jersey 
> Dinner reception to follow 

### Hosted By Same-Sex Parents
![hosted-by-same-sex-parents](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5yrqGZ53EITqbo4HXNw3Di/e15c40542de42bb03318611ac387131d/hosted-by-same-sex-parents.jpg)

If your parents identify as the same sex here are a few ways to best honor them on your invitation.

- To include the names of two parents with different last names, use the courtesy title “Mr.” “Mrs.” or “Mx.” and list their names in alphabetical order by last name.
- To include the names of two parents with the same last name, use the courtesy title “Mr.” “Mrs.” or “Mx.” and list their names in alphabetical order by first name.

#### Formal Invitation Example

> Mr. Michael and Mr. Sean Flannigan 
> request the pleasure of your company 
> at the marriage of their daughter 
> Julie Marie 
> to 
> Stephen Anthony 
> Saturday, the tenth of April 
> two thousand and twenty one 
> at half past six in the evening 
> Hotel Chantelle 
> New York City, NY 
> Reception to follow 

#### Casual Invitation Example

<a id="cards"> </a>
> Ms. Jane and Ms. Courtney Lowe 
> invite you to attend the marriage 
> of their daughter 
> Madison 
> to 
> Colton 
> Saturday, April 10th, 2021 
> at half past six in the evening 
> Allan House 
> 1104 San Antonio Street 
> New York City, NY 
> Party to follow 

## Enclosure Cards Wording
![enclosure-cards-wording](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7qhfUvckCPh8G7zZhjM5SQ/dceec1cde74f1a1b179665295b52dde4/enclosure-cards-wording.jpg)

Once you have your bases covered on your invitation, feel free to include enclosure cards to inform your guests about details. Your cards could include reception details, RSVP information, or anything else that wouldn’t fit on the invitation. 

### RSVP Cards

RSVP cards are great tools for getting an accurate headcount for your big day. Make sure to include a reply-by date that occurs at least three weeks before the wedding. This will allow you to give a final headcount to the caterer and fill out your seating chart. On the RSVP card include specific instructions about how they should respond. If you expect them to be mailed back to you, it is courteous to include a stamped envelope. If you would like guests to RSVP online, include the URL to the wedding website on the card. If you have meal choices for your reception, the RSVP card is a great way to collect your guests’ preferences. 

### Change the Date Cards

Due to the ever-changing social distancing guidelines in response to COVID-19, changing a wedding date has become a reality for couples all over the world. If you had to make the difficult decision to postpone your wedding day, include a <a href="https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/change-the-date/shop" target="_hhttps://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/change-the-date/shop">change of date card</a> with information about the new date and time along with social distancing details. These will help keep your guest informed during these confusing times.

### Details Card

If you run out of space on your invitation but need to mention details about accommodations, directions, or attire, a details card is the perfect place for overflow. These are especially important if the reception is held at a different location than the ceremony.

Browse <a href="https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop" target="_https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop">Zola's Invites + Paper designs</a>. You can even order sample wedding invitations to get a feel for the, well, feel ahead of making your invites. Stay on top of your planning with our suite of <a href="https://zola.app.link/PaLG7eguI7" target="_https://zola.app.link/PaLG7eguI7">Wedding Planning Tools</a>.

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Invitation Wording

Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

If you’re reading this, chances are a typo made its way onto your wedding invitations. Perhaps you were overwhelmed with [planning](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/your-wedding-planning-to-do-checklist), or you were so taken with the design that you didn’t proofread. Mistakes happen—even the obvious ones. While it sucks (you’ve been awaiting the boxes since you clicked order, after all), you may not be entirely out of luck. From easy fixes to other options, here’s what you should—and shouldn’t—do about a typo on your wedding invites.

## How To Avoid Typos On Your Wedding Invitations
Of course, it’s ideal to prevent typos from happening in the first place. Hindsight is 20-20, but if you’ve yet to order your invitations, read closely. As overwhelming as wedding planning may be, you need to take your time when it comes to your [paper suite](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choosing-engagement-photos-for-your-paper-suite). Ensure zero mess-ups by doing the following:

- __Have 2+ people proofread.__ Asking more than one person to proofread might seem excessive, but some misspellings are so small that they go undetected. Before ordering, show your invitation to a couple of trusted confidants. Ideally, one is grammar-savvy or has editing experience. One (or two) extra set of eyes means it’s less likely that a typo will go unseen.
- __Read your contract.__ Most stationary designers and printers include a clause in their contract that states they aren’t liable for reprints if a mistake is made (even if it was theirs). Carefully read through your entire contract before signing on the dotted line. This allows you to create a solid backup plan in case of a mistake.
- __Triple-check critical information.__ It isn’t a huge deal if their is misspelled thier. Names, dates, addresses, phone numbers, and URLs? Well, that’s a different story. Before approving a proof or mock-up, be absolutely sure that all the important information is spelled correctly. A small misspelling is likely inconsequential, but a mistake in the venue name or wedding date can be a problem.

![INLINE Zola 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7noXAIxVvKKAqAOZm28IuS/7dbbb81bf46f35c98b2f0758f065dec2/INLINE_Zola__1080x720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

## How To Fix A Typo On Your Wedding Invitation
That being said, if you’ve already ordered or received mistyped invites, you have options.

### Order a proof.
Proofs are a crucial part of the invitation process. This is a physical or digital copy of what your invitation will look like once printed. Ordering one—or getting a mock-up, if your retailer only sends digitals—is highly recommended. You can still edit at that point. Sometimes it takes holding your invitation in your hands to notice something’s off. Better to have a typo on your proof than every invitation. __Pro tip: Read the invitation out loud from right to left. Reading left to right, you may gloss over some mistakes. Doing the opposite has you focus on each individual word.__

Zola makes ordering proofs simple. When you’re finished designing, just go to the review page and click “Order A Proof.” Here’s a [screenshot](https://help.zola.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009389912-Can-I-get-a-proof-of-my-invitation-or-save-the-date-).

### Request a fix from your retailer.
As mentioned, most retailers state in their contract that they’re not liable for mistakes. Even so, errors are worth bringing up to your stationer. Some may be willing to offer you a discount on the second round of prints. Ask for a quote on reprints—and keep in mind that you may only need one piece of your paper suite redone. Review your contract (that you read thoroughly beforehand, of course) and talk to your vendor about your options.

### Have a backup plan.
As with most things wedding, it’s good to have a backup plan. If your invitations show up with a typo and your retailer won’t budge, a plan B can save you time, stress, and money. Online retailers are ideal here thanks to [affordable cost](https://help.zola.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009389912-Can-I-get-a-proof-of-my-invitation-or-save-the-date-) and quick turnaround times. [Zola invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) are a great digital option to keep in your back pocket (or bookmarks). We can get new invitations to you without delaying your wedding timeline too much.

Mistakes happen, though, so you can also cancel your Zola order up to two hours after purchase. That way, if you excitedly rushed to the finish without proofreading, you can go back and prevent any permanent mistakes. Just remember that this is a temporary safety net. You should always check your text at least once—and order a proof first, just in case.

![INLINE Zola 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3FZ4Q4cCwRM0vFExwaaxT4/e1db30e2c23d9e23efddb03ab8a1ca7c/INLINE_Zola_1080x720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

### Send them out as is.
If there are no other options, you can always mail your wedding invitations out as is. Yes, with the typo. As mentioned, small typos such as thier and Sepetember aren’t a big deal if you’re in a time crunch. It’s not ideal, but it’s passable so long as the important information is correct. Send out your invites as planned—you’ll probably be shocked at how few people even notice the mishap. And those that do will understand.

### Avoid self-correcting.
You may feel inclined to correct the invitations yourself. We recommend avoiding that. Doing so—by writing over it, for example—will only draw more attention to the typo. It may be tempting to try and cover it up or explain yourself but it isn’t worth it. Especially when you might be the only one who notices. At most, make a joke about it at your reception and move on. No wedding is 100% flawless, but if you can move past the little things it can still be perfect for you.

The main point is: Don't panic. It happens and it can potentially be fixed. Don't let a literal blip stress you out more as you plan your wedding. Plus, you can always correct any information on your wedding website.


How to Include Your Wedding Website on Your Invitation

wedding thank you notes on a marble counter next to a ring dish and a vase of pink peonies

How to Write Wedding Thank You Cards

Should We Send a Wedding Invitation to Someone We Know Can’t Come?

11 Dos and Don'ts for Your Wedding Website

7 Reasons to Make a Wedding Website

wedding ceremony program from Zola on a table tucked half inside a leather clutch purse

A Guide to Wedding Ceremony Programs

Wedding Invitations

What to Do About a Typo On Your Wedding Invitations

It goes without saying that this year has brought some unprecedented hurdles to those who planned on getting married. Weddings have been postponed, adjusted to accommodate the present normal, and even canceled. Many couples, however, are opting for a more intimate wedding ceremony (some are even virtual), and celebrating with a wedding reception including family and friends later. That’s where [reception-only invites](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop?receptionOnly=elopementandvowrenewal) come in.

Whether you’re splitting your ceremony and reception dates or have always wanted to only host guests at the reception portion, reception only invitations are a must. Read on for our full rundown of what they are as well as how and when to use them.

## What are reception-only invites?
As the name suggests, these are invitations sent to guests invited only to your wedding reception. Reception only invites come in handy if the couple has a handful of guests that are not invited to the ceremony or if the couple has already been wed, especially through an intimate elopement ceremony. In essence, reception-only invites contain information only pertaining to—you guessed it—the reception.

## Why have reception-only invites?
That being said, let’s talk about why someone would send out reception-only invitations. What we’re seeing a lot of right now due to the coronavirus are couples that—rather than postponing their weddings entirely—are having [small civil ceremonies](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/micro-wedding-essentials). Sometimes a small group attends, but often it’s just the couple that’s being wed, the officiant, and any witnesses. 

[Thanks again to COVID](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/is-coronavirus-impacting-your-wedding-heres-what-to-do), currently many receptions are being postponed to a later date, when more people can safely gather together. This way, couples can still get married as planned and, down the line, throw their celebratory bash.

Reception specific invites aren’t new, though. There are a handful of situations in which an engaged couple would want to send them out. For example, destination weddings or elopements where the couple plans on having an in-town celebration later. Similarly, couples opt for reception-only invites if they plan to have a smaller, intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception.

## When do I send reception-only invites? 
Like standard wedding invitations, these should be [sent out six to eight weeks in advance](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/when-should-you-send-out-your-wedding-invitations). This allows guests just as much time to reply with a yes or no, purchase a gift off of your [Zola Wedding Registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry), and (if needed) book travel and accommodations. While a ceremony may not be taking place, this is still a special occasion and people will need to plan ahead.

## Who do I send them to?
If your wedding plans have changed and you already sent out invitations, reception-only invites should be sent out to everyone who received one before. Doing so will clarify your new plans with your entire guestlist. Plus, having a formal invite will help make the event feel special and important, despite the hurdles it may have taken to get there.

If you’re having a ceremony the same day as your reception, make sure these invitations are only sent to those who are invited to the reception. Think friends, friends of family members, coworkers, and the like. 

When sending out paper suites, consider printing two separate cards: the main reception card and a ceremony card with all the wedding details. Guests invited to both should receive both cards, while reception-only guests receive only the main card. Include instructions on how to RSVP in both. This way you get the right information to the right people without confusion and potentially offending anyone.

## Reception-Only Invitation Etiquette.
Before dropping your envelopes in the mail, there are a few pieces of etiquette you should consider. This differs slightly from wedding reception invitation etiquette, so take note!

### In the case of a same-day ceremony:

- __Don’t give reception-only guests access to ceremony information.__ Invitations and wedding websites including this should be limited only to guests invited to both.
- __Have two separate guest lists.__ This will aid you immensely in sending the right things to the right people.
- __If you’re inviting someone to your ceremony, invite them to your reception as well.__ While it’s understandable to invite someone only to the latter, you shouldn’t do the opposite. Besides, if you want a person there to watch you take your vows, wouldn’t you want them to stick around for the party?
- __Have an honest, kind response__ to any questions like, “Why aren’t I invited to the ceremony?” in case it comes up. Whether it’s budget constraints or the desire to have an intimate ceremony, be truthful and express how excited you are to have them at your reception.

### In the case of a postponed reception,

- __Inform guests ASAP.__ While invitations will be sent out several weeks in advance, it’s respectful to give guests more of a heads up (especially if you don’t plan on sending out new save the dates). Keep everyone up to date as you figure things out and new details are set in stone. A wedding website is a great hub for this information!

## Reception-Only Invitation Wording Examples
Now that we’ve covered the common questions like the whats, whos, whens, and hows, let’s look at some wording examples. Again, keep in mind that these tips may differ from traditional [wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) wording.

### Private ceremony, later reception
Refer to in the case of a destination wedding, elopement, or civil ceremony followed by a reception at a later date. What’s key here is letting the guest know you’ve already been married. For example, don’t invite them to witness your marriage. Instead, invite them to a reception in celebration of your wedding. However much or little information you want to include in this regard is up to you.

*“First Last and First Last
invite you to their wedding celebration party!
Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at 7pm.
123 Street Name
City, State
Please respond by October 19th by mail or online.”*

*“WE DID IT!
First Last and First Last
were married in a private ceremony in Location on Wedding Date.
Please celebrate with us at our reception on
October 10th, 2020 at 7 pm.
123 Street Name
City, State
Please RSVP by October 19th.”*

### Private ceremony, same day reception
Refer to if your ceremony and reception are on the same day with different guest lists.

*“First Last and First Last
will be married in a private ceremony
on Saturday, the tenth of October.*

*Please join us in celebrating
at our wedding reception following the ceremony
at seven in the evening.
123 Street Name
City, State
Please respond by October 19th by mail, online, or to somebody@theiremail.com”*

As always, we’re here to assist you in these unique times. If you have questions regarding your wedding and COVID-19, check out our [dedicated advice section](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/topic/covid-19). __If you have any further questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at support@zola.com.__


A Guide to Invitation Enclosure Cards

couple walking in the street before wedding

A Guide to Postponing Your Wedding and Change the Date Checklist

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A Guide to Reception-Only Invitations

[Wedding websites](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) aren’t exactly a new concept. They are, though, a modern and easy way to gather all of your wedding details in one place for you and your guests. You can’t print all of the venue details, travel and transportation notes, and accommodations suggestions on your [paper invites](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) after all. So, consider your wedding website a one-stop-shop for all of that (plus, fun things like the story of how you met and sharing your engagement photos)! We can explain further. Here are seven reasons to make a wedding website—and how to share it once you do.

## What is a wedding website?
A personal wedding website is a website created by an engaged couple. Its primary purpose is to act as a central hub for your guests to access information about your wedding day or weekend. Typically, wedding websites include details on the date, location, travel plans, and even the dress code for your wedding. Modern updates to these websites—like tracking RSVPs—are also backend tools that can aid in the planning process.

## Benefits of a Wedding Website
Your wedding website serves as an all-in-one platform for you and your guests. These are some of the major benefits. 

- __It’s Convenient For Guests.__ Let’s be honest: Some guests are probably going to lose their invitations. Directing them to a website with all they could need is simpler than giving them the entire rundown yourself. Your website will also provide information that isn’t included in your paper suite, which means you don’t have to be answering the same questions over and over again.
- __No-Hassle Updates.__ Last-minute information you need to share? No problem. Adding it to your website is far simpler than trying to contact everyone individually. If your website or app allows you to send alerts to guests, do that. If not, send a quick email to your guest listserve and ask everyone to please check the site for an update. 
- __Keep Information Organized.__ Wedding planning can be a bit, well, all over the place. Having a place to add and look back at all of your day-of information can be a lifesaver for you and guests.
- __Skip Repetition.__ Avoid an avalanche of queries through call and text by having everyone refer to the website for all of their need-to-knows.

![Zola InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5TkABisgQxeUpR5Gx66fQK/b8e140b7c72d9695d3482a0ebce59561/Zola_InlineImage__1080x720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // [Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website)

## Reasons to Make a Wedding Website
It’s pretty simple—your wedding website can do a lot for you. 

- __Manage and organize information.__ As we mentioned, this is a space to include all of the information that doesn’t fit on your save-the-dates or invitations. This can include your schedule, travel and lodging logistics, directions and parking, dress code, and more. Anticipate the questions your guests will ask and cover the answers on your site. You can even put this in the form of an FAQ.
- __Easy registry access.__ You can note your registry on your invitations, but wouldn’t it just be easier to share a direct link? Integrate your [Zola registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry) directly into your wedding website instead. Simply navigate to the registry page while editing, click “Add Existing Registry,” and it’s done. No hassling from one platform to the next. When we said all in one, we meant it.
- __Share your couple story.__ Your wedding website isn’t just a place to share information. It’s a space to share your unique couple story. Your close friends and family may know your couple origin story, but others may not. Share the story of how you met to build excitement for guests. Add photos from your proposal, engagement photo session, or some cute blasts from the past for a personal touch.
- __Track RSVPs.__ Keeping track of RSVPs sent back by mail can be inconvenient. Luckily, with one of Zola’s free wedding websites, you can collect and track them online. Set it up as your building and include a link to the RSVP on your invitation. Guests can simply navigate to the RSVP page and submit their replies. Still keep an eye on the mail, though, just in case.
- __Create a matching paper suite.__ Let’s be clear: We love a paper suite and your wedding website is no replacement for a classic physical invitation and save the date. In fact, you can create a wedding website that matches your paper suite.
- __Share photos and videos after the wedding.__ You might not want to flood your social channels with every single image that your wedding photographer snaps that day (or maybe you do, which is totally OK). Upload photos from your wedding day to create a quick, familiar place for guests—or anyone who couldn’t attend–to view. If you want to get a bit tech-savvy, you can even create a page for your wedding hashtag and watch your loved ones’ own photos roll in.
- __It’s easy and free.__ The amount of time you’d spend answering questions far outweighs the short time it takes to create your own free wedding website. Set aside an hour of time to build your wedding website with your partner. You can bond together about your history and also be on the same page for all of your wedding details.

![Zola Inline Image 1080x729](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6G8dea3wmDLRRoub3qOj9p/71025aae44ffa446cddce3a31ef960ee/Zola_Inline_Image_1080x729.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // [Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website)

## How to Make Your Free Wedding Website 
You don’t have to be a genius at coding to create your own wedding website. In fact, it only takes a few steps. 

1. __[Sign up with Zola](https://www.zola.com/onboard/select-product)__ and find __Website__ on the navigation bar. 
2. __Pick an overall design for your site.__ Don’t stress—from minimalistic to floral to classic, there’s a style for every couple and theme. 
3. __Customize everything.__ Make your website personal by filling out the template with your wedding details. Take it a step further by adding stories, photos, links to your registry, and any other personal or helpful touches. 
4. __Publish.__ Just like that, your wedding website is out and available to see. Need more details? We got you.

## How to Share Your Wedding Website
Now it’s time to share your wedding website with your guests—emphasis on your guests. Don’t blast your wedding website out to your social channels or anyone not invited to your wedding. Sharing your site with people beyond your guest list can create confusion. Plus, once it’s public on the internet, anyone can access the details of your day, which isn’t ideal. You can make your wedding website private and include a code for guests to access the pages.

To [share your wedding website](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-include-your-wedding-website-on-your-invitation), include the URL on your save-the-dates and invitations. You can also place a call out to your website on physical [RSVP inserts](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-invitation-rsvps) if you’re including them (we recommend you still do!) so guests know to RSVP via your site.

### Where to Place Your Wedding Website URL
Add your wedding website information below any standard wedding invitation wording (so, below the venue information). Your wording can be something like this: 
- __“For more information, please visit URL”__
- __“Kindly RSVP by RSVP deadline at URL”__

A polished, informative wedding website may look difficult to achieve, but it’s ultimately easy and entirely practical—and, with Zola, it’s free! 


To answer the first question that popped into your head, yes, there are different wedding invitation sizes. In fact, there is a whole world of possibilities out there when it comes to how you invite your guests to your wedding, and what the invite looks like in terms of shape, size, and color. Since you may be new to this whole other realm, we’ll take our time introducing you to the different [wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) options to choose from. We’ll remind you of the standard wedding invite size and explore the alternatives to it, both big and small, and even a few fun shapes, too. Before you say “yes” to your wedding invitation size, there are a few other considerations to address first.  

## What’s Your Budget? 
Before you get your heart set on one invitation card size or another for your stationery, consider your overall budget for invitations. You will have to account not only for the number of invites, but also any additional invitation pieces you include, such as RSVP cards, maps, and details cards, in addition to postage (this can add up). When you’re including additional pieces, working with heavier-weight paper, or sending a booklet, you will need to add additional postage to accommodate the weight.  

Some of the more unique wedding invitation sizes may also require special envelopes that could cost extra, while envelopes for smaller invitations could cost less. Keep in mind, your guest count dictates the cost of your invitation stationery the most. An additional 100 or even 50 guests can make it swing a couple of hundred dollars easily. 

## What’s Your Mood? 
Have you nailed down the mood you’re going for on your wedding day? Whether you choose a specific color scheme or theme, or you settle on a few words that will inspire the overall direction, it’s important to land on a [wedding style](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-your-wedding-style) before you land on an invitation size. The mood will dictate both the size and style, so you’ll want to have it top of mind when you start shopping.

![Guide to Wedding Invite Sizes](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7uuwLczbWjV3sMsbSAMduf/b75aefbb31bf7aae1de161e8c9df58ae/INLINE_AGuidetoWeddingInviteSizes___.jpg)*Photo Credits //* Zola

## Invitation Details
When selecting your wedding invite size, what you want to put on the invitation can not only play an important role, but it can also narrow down your choices. After all, you have to have enough space to display the essentials. A few non-negotiable pieces of information to include on the actual invite are:

- The wedding date and time.
- The location, which can be just the name of the venue or property, plus the city and state. If it’s a private residence, you can also list the address, but otherwise include this detail on the wedding website.
- The hosts’ names, which can be the names of both sets of parents, one set of parents, or just the couple. The more names you need to list, the more space you’ll need. 

If you want to include photos or more information, such as the reception location and or time, you may want to go with one of the bigger invite sizes or a booklet invitation to ensure that it all fits and is legible.

[![Zola QR Code Promo](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hYJyrZbdCbVYf8gL8ZRtq/1abe728cdf14a9b3e0e0ade433128c67/EA_Article__1_.jpg)](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)

## Wedding Invitation Sizes
Now that you have your budget, style, and what’s going on the invitation top of mind, you can settle on the right invite size. Here are your options: 

#### Standard
The standard invitation size is a 5 x 7 inch rectangular card. Traditionally, standard invitations are vertical rectangular-shaped cards; however, nowadays, you will see almost as many horizontal options, too. The standard size is perfect if you're going for a traditional or [classic wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/classic) style, but that doesn’t mean they’re boring. You can incorporate your aesthetic with fun fonts, colors, and even fancy edges. Since 5x7 this is the standard size, you’ll have the most options to choose from when it comes to your [wedding invitation style](https://www.zola.com/blog/wedding-planning/whats-your-wedding-invitation-style/). You’ll also be able to fit all the information you need and be able to include standard size detail and RSVP cards, too. 

#### Tall
For a unique invite that can feature a lot of information, consider a four-by-nine inch invite. These are also known as thin or skim invites. They can portray a contemporary vibe, and they hold plenty of information, which could be useful if you don’t want to include a details card or if you’re having a destination wedding that requires more logistics.

#### Folded Invitations
With all the necessary info to be included on wedding cards, it’s not surprising that stationers have begun to offer folded invitation options. These can appear similar in style to that of a greeting card, with traditional invite wording on the front, and more details and sometimes photos on the inside. Or, they can appear similar to a pamphlet with multiple panels. Although this type includes more info than a standard five-by-seven invite, it can be more cost-effective, since you won’t have to pay for additional details cards. 

#### Booklets
Another way to get all the information in one concise format is with a booklet invitation. Booklets feature multiple pages that include the standard information, in addition to details, and maybe even portraits. Plus, they can be nicely tied up with ribbons and bows, clasped with modern grommets, or sewn together with string to match your style.

#### Petite Invites
You can also opt for a smaller invitation. Petite invites are cute, modern, and take up less space on the fridge. They’re a great option for couples who want a pocket-size invite that conveys just the necessary details. You can use the small space to direct guests to your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) for further information.

#### Large Invites
If there are petite invites, you can bet there are invites on the other end of the spectrum, too. Large invites are typically six-by-eight inches and can handle large fonts and loads of information. If your personality is big and bold, your [wedding stationery](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper) might as well be, too. 

#### Square
Square wedding cards can be large or small, but consider five-by-five inches to be standard. This size and shape sends a contemporary vibe to your wedding guests. It can also feature chic borders, cool edges, and symmetric phrasing. If you like things to look clean and cool, this could be the right kind of invite for you. 

#### Special Shapes
Circle, oval, diamond—oh my. Now, you can print your invite on paper of all shapes and sizes. An invitation in a cool shape can help communicate your theme. For instance, round invites can say casual or celestial, and oval invites can say elegant or feminine. Meanwhile, a totally out-there shape, such as an octagon can foreshadow geometric decor. Pick the shape that suits your wedding style, and include details cards that match. 

![Guide to Wedding Invite Sizes](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/hGTzImS7Vj7sDdMu4K4J4/06059cb5b6c1e77a27bea7aef4bf84d8/INLINE2_AGuidetoWeddingInviteSizes___.jpg)*Photo Credits //* Zola

## Additional Invitation Pieces

While the “when” and “where” are the most important details of your wedding day, there is more information to include with your wedding invitations, which means, more paper parts. You can get just as creative with these additional pieces as you did with your invitation. Like we mentioned above, the details can be included in a booklet or fold-out format, or have their own special card floating within (or on top of) the actual invitation.  

### Details Card

The details card is the place for all the extra information you want to provide to your guests. It’s on this little card that you will list where to find your [registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry), wedding website, and any other pertinent information, such as driving directions and resources for accommodations. Like the invite, the details card can vary in shape or size. Stick to the same general shape as your invite so that it’s consistent, but make sure it’s smaller so guests aren’t confused. For example, if your invite is square, keep your details card square, or, if your invite is geometric, keep your details card geometric, and so on.

### Map
If your details card is getting too full, you can also include a travel card or map to show guests the way to your big day. A custom illustrated map is both unique and personal. This is especially popular for destination weddings, as it can give guests a better picture of where everything is taking place, from the ceremony spot to the reception venue and the pre-wedding games or post-wedding brunch. Plus, it adds an artistic touch to your invitation suite as a whole.

### RSVP Card 

Last, but not least, don’t forget the RSVP card. This is how you will determine who’s coming and who can’t make it. It will not only provide answers to the “who” and “how many” questions, but also the “what they want to eat” question. These important details need to get to you, your planner, your caterer, and the venue. Yeah, a lot is riding on this itty bitty card, so make it stand out. 

An invitation is essential to provide your guests with the right information, but it can be much more than that. It’s the very first thing your guests will lay eyes on, so it should reflect you and your fiancé. The invite size can help show off your style and embody the overall aesthetic of your wedding day.


Wedding Invitation Sizes - A Guide

Your [wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) are the first thing your guests will see. Think of them as not only a necessity to relay important information and details of your big day, but also an introduction to your wedding design and theme. 

There are so many unique wedding invite ideas out there, which allows you to be creative and let your personality shine. But, it can also be a tad overwhelming, especially when you throw in trends and trinkets (yes, you can send trinkets in tow with your invitations). 

To help you navigate the numerous options out there, we’re sharing the latest and greatest wedding invite ideas. Here are 16 new and exciting concepts to inspire you:

## 1. Big, Bold Fonts
Thank goodness for graphic designers and calligraphers in the business of font making. Say “goodbye” to Times New Roman and old-timey script—unless, of course, that’s your style—and say “hello” to big, bold modern fonts. Giant, loopy calligraphy and big, block letters are just a couple of the fun fonts you can play with for your wedding invitations. And, they’ll get the point across loud and clear. For an extra modern look, pair a big bold font with a small, minimalist serif. The combo will make your [modern wedding inivitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/modern) both legible and cool.   

## 2. Go With a Theme
If you’ve already envisioned your dream wedding day, from the colors you’ll wear and the flowers you’ll carry, to the feeling you want it to embody, carry that vision through to your invitations. This is the prime opportunity to let your guests in on the wedding style and vibe of your big day. Incorporate prints, colors, and motifs that speak to the theme. Think palm leaves on a [beach wedding save the date](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop/beach) for a tropical theme, antique roses on a romantic wedding invite for a garden soiree, or [art-deco borders](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/15281fd5-a93e-44f0-b480-bc0df933b290) for a glamorous vibe. 

You can even carry the theme through to your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) and other paper goods, such as programs, menus, and thank-you cards so that everything is consistent. 

![Unique Wedding Invite Ideas](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1yGHLGxGk5ZCkwA6kszqs3/1a4e8f39cd3b8acc6e759851692233d1/INLINE_UniqueWeddingInviteIdeas.jpg) *Photo Credits //* Zola Inc

## 3. Leather Invites
Did we say leather? Yes, we did. Letterpress doesn’t only work on parchment paper and cardstock. It looks just as good on alternative materials, such as wood and, yes, even leather. Consider brown leather invitations if you’re having a rustic, Southern fete, or black leather invitations for a more masculine vibe. Leather invites are a sure way to impress your guests. Plus, they make for a pretty cool keepsake. 

## 4. Fun Shapes and Sizes
Did you know that you can send circular, square, or other polygon-shaped wedding invitations? Heck, you can even make them extra small or super-size. If you want to buck tradition or just put a twist on the classic five-by-seven, go with a fun shape or novel-sized invite. Squares are the safest, while a geometric shape could still fit into a normal envelope, and a tiny size or postcard could save you money on postage. However, if you decide on a unique shape or size, do it for the look. Round invites can come across as casual or celestial, while an octagon can foreshadow geometric decor. 

## 5. Light-Hearted Wording
If you and your fiancé are the ones hosting (read: paying) for the wedding, you can boot traditional wording formats for something a little different. For unique wedding invite wording ideas, consider something less formal, such as “We invite you to share in the festivities” or “Come for the love, stay for the party,” and light-hearted phrases, such as “tie the knot” or “bring your dancing shoes.”

## 6. Vellum Layers
Vellum additions are one of the latest wedding invite ideas to grace stationers’ desks. Vellum is a transparent parchment that can act as a veil to the invitation, or be printed on as the invitation itself and backed by a solid or patterned piece of paper of the same size. If you’re going for an elegant, yet modern look, vellum is a great option. The layer is both a unique and pretty addition to any invite. 

## 7. Personalized Motifs
If you and your fiancé are having a traditional wedding, a personalized motif made from your monogram or family crest is not only a fun addition to your wedding invites, but it can also be incorporated throughout your wedding day. You can place it on everything from the envelope seals to the cocktail napkins to give your wedding an extra personal touch. 

## 8. Illustrations
Sending your invitations off to be calligraphed is tradition. But, sending them off to be illustrated is new. Watercolor illustrations have become popular of late, and for good reason, as [watercolor wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/watercolor) typically extremely custom. The designs can range in style, but often highlight the venue, the theme, or the couple themselves in beautifully artistic ways.  

## 9. Color
From color blocking to full-bleed invitations, color is all over invites. If you love a little pink here or a bold blue there, don’t be afraid to incorporate your favorite hue into more than just the flowers on your wedding day; browse [dusty rose wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/dusty_rose) and navy blue save the dates. Have fun with the color of your invitations, too. You’ll love the look and you’ll make them stand out on your guest’s fridge to boot.

![Unique Wedding Invite Ideas](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3LaakUCmS0BuDxfCRMw7LZ/ea4b492589919badf2c575360b32d72d/INLINE2_UniqueWeddingInviteIdeas.jpg)*Photo Credits //* Zola Inc

## 10. Ribbons and Bows
There are at least a few parts to every invitation. When it comes time to stuff your envelopes, making these moving parts look cohesive and organized is half the battle. Tie them all together with ribbon and bows, or some other fun material. You can choose a pretty fabric ribbon (think velvet, tulle, or silk) in one of your wedding colors, or use an alternative material, such as twine, rope, or leather, as we mentioned above. You can bind the pieces like a book, tie them together horizontally, or string your tie through a hole in them at the top. 

## 11. Envelope Liners
Florals, stripes, marbled designs—oh my. Envelope liners can bring some much-needed personality to your invitation suite. If your invite is monotone or minimalist, consider adding a bit of flare where you can, for example, with an envelope liner. There are so many options to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that aligns with the rest of your suite in both hue and theme. Have fun and pick a print or color that makes you happy. After all, it’s only the envelope.

## 12. Wax Seals
Seal it with a kiss, or wax seal. Wax seals date way, way, back, but they have recently become more popular on wedding invitations. It’s easy to see why, not only are wax seals elegant, but they can also be personalized in both color and design. If you have the option, imprint them with your married last initial or another meaningful motif. If you can’t customize it completely, standard seals still look just as pretty.

## 13. Postmark It
Go one step above pretty stamps (and save your pretty stamps from being machine-canceled) and postmark your own invites. A lot of post offices allow you to postmark your own wedding invites with a special stamp, or they will hand-cancel them for you. If you’re sending the invites out from your hometown, or your wedding destination, this is a fun way to add a little something that will make them extra personal.

## 14. Go Virtual 
If your wedding guest list is big, invites, including all the parts that come with them, can add up. When you tack on postage, this small, but important element can end up taking a big chunk out of the budget. Don’t be afraid to save a buck (and a tree or two) and send your invites out virtually. We’d bet a majority of your wedding guests are tech-savvy. Plus, virtual invites make following up for RSVPs, or with important updates, a breeze.  

## 15. Make a Video 
If you want to send an invite that your guests have never seen before, work with your videographer to create a video invitation or save-the-date that they won’t soon forget. This is another fun way that technology is changing wedding invitation etiquette, and you can be one of the first to embrace the trend. 

## 16. Boxed Invitations 
If you’re in the market for something truly jaw-dropping, a custom invitation suite, sent in a box, may be the way for you. Now, this isn’t just any box. No, wedding invitation boxes are the classiest of boxes, often just as pretty as their contents. Picture wood or another durable material, coated in velvet or trimmed with color, and tied with a bow. Inside, you’ll find all the elements of a typical wedding invitation: the invite, details and RSVP cards, and a memento or thematic trinket, such as a flower, key, or other small favor. 

Whether you send a pop-up box full of butterflies, or a postcard with your wedding website, your wedding invitation should reflect you and your fiancé. There is no shortage of wedding invite ideas out there, but these are a few to spark inspiration and get your wheels turning. 

Zola wedding website as seen on a laptop computer

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How to Purchase Wedding Stationery Through Zola

16 of the Best Wedding Invitation Ideas and Where to Get Them

20 Most Popular Zola Wedding Website Templates

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16 Unique Wedding Invite Ideas: Design, Delivery, and More

[Save the dates](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) serve as the first piece of formal communication about your wedding logistics that you’ll share with guests. Before the invitation, a save the date simply lets wedding guests know, well, what date to save for your wedding. Here’s everything you need to know about wedding save the dates (sometimes called wedding save-the-dates), from etiquette, wording examples, to when to send save the dates, and much more.

## What Is a Save The Date? 
As the first piece of your wedding stationery or invitation suite, save the dates serve a functional purpose and add an extra touch of style and coordination to your wedding event. Sent to your guest list months ahead of actual invitations, save the dates let guests know that your wedding is happening—and they should quite literally “save the date” for the celebration. They also indicate that a [wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) is coming. 

These announcements most often take the form of printed cards sent via snail mail. Some couples get creative with save the date magnets or other small mementos, though (also sent via snail mail).

## Save The Date Goals
Your wedding save the date card should serve the following purposes: 
1. Alert your guests to your wedding date, and have them record it in their calendars.
2. Let guests know that there’s a [formal wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop/formal) to follow.
3. Direct guests to your wedding website to learn more details about your wedding weekend.
4. Prompt your guests to think about travel arrangements, if necessary.
5. Set the general tone (including style, theme, or formality) for your event.
6. Provide a tangible memento (that can coordinate with the rest of your wedding paper) to include in your wedding album or scrapbook. 

[![Zola QR Code Promo](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hYJyrZbdCbVYf8gL8ZRtq/1abe728cdf14a9b3e0e0ade433128c67/EA_Article__1_.jpg)](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)

## Save the Date Etiquette: The Five Ws of Save The Dates

### WHO Gets a Save The Date?
One hundred guests on your list, 100 save the dates, right? Think again. Every household on your guest list (rather than every individual guest) should receive a save the date. 

### WHAT Should I Include on My Save The Dates?
Save the dates provide guests with the most basic information: who is getting married, when, and where. An engagement photo of you and your partner from your engagement shoot is also a great addition. You can also include a link to your wedding website if it’s set up so that invited guests can check for updates in real time. See below for more information about how to word save the dates. 

### WHEN Should I Send My Save the Dates?
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If you’re wondering when to send save the dates, it all depends on your specific wedding timeline. The standard rule of thumb is to send save the dates four to six months before your wedding celebration (if it’s a local wedding). If your timeline is different, don’t stress: the safest thing to do is to send them as soon as possible once you’ve booked a venue and settled on a date. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, you want to send save the dates earlier. If you have a year, send them two [months](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) earlier than normal.

### WHERE Should I Shop for Save The Dates?
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We might be a little biased, but [Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) has an incredible selection of save the dates and related wedding stationery. Designed to coordinate with our [free wedding websites](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website) and matching [paper invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), our stunning array of save the dates means there’s a design for every style and type of wedding. Customize the wording (and upload your favorite photo) to make it feel 100 percent personal to you. 

### WHY Are Save The Dates a Thing?

Since the trend gained traction in the mid-2000s, these classy head’s ups have become increasingly popular as people become busier (and more forgetful) and couples need to give their invited guests more time to block out the event on their calendars. They are especially important if your wedding day falls during a popular month to travel like close to the holidays or during the summer.

## How to Word Wedding Save The Dates
<a id="wording"> </a>
Save the date wording should be short and sweet, and communicate the basic information guests need to know: who is getting married, where the wedding is taking place, and when. Typically you can just name the city in which you’re getting married—at this stage, guests only need to know if travel is required. 

If you have a [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website), which we highly recommend you set up as soon as you’ve secured your wedding date and location, include the link so guests can read more details about your wedding online for themselves. Then save other details for the invitations you’ve promised them—and do be sure to promise them invitations to follow! 

## Save the Date Wording Ideas

If you want to know exactly how to word your wedding save the dates, here are some examples in a variety of styles, moods, and formalities. Use them as a jumping-off point when crafting your own original save the date wording. 

### Formal Wording Examples

> Meghan Markle and Prince Henry of Wales 
> are getting married in London 
> May 19, 2018 
> Formal invitation to follow 
>

> Please save the date 
> to celebrate the marriage uniting 
> George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin 
> September 27, 2014 
> Venice, Italy 
> Formal invitation to follow 

### Traditional Wording Examples

> Please save the date 
> to share in the joy of 
> Gisele Bundchen 
> and 
> Thomas Brady 
> at their marriage on February 26, 2009 
> in Santa Monica, CA 
> Invitation to follow 
>

> Please save the date 
> for the wedding of 
> Neil Patrick Harris to David Burtka 
> September 6, 2014 
> Perugia, Italy 
> Formal invitation to follow 

### Casual Wording Examples

> Save the date! 
> April 4, 2008 
> for the wedding celebration of Beyonce and Jay Z 
> New York City 
> Formal invitation to follow 
> 

> Jessica and Justin 
> are tying the knot! 
> Friday 19 October 2012 
> Fasano, Italy 
> Invitation to follow 

### Whimsical Wording Examples

> We’re spreading the news! 
> Ellen and Portia are getting hitched! 
> Please save the date: 8/16/08 
> in Beverly Hills, California 
> Invitation to follow 
> 

> Will proposed… 
> Jada said yes! 
> Join us on December 31, 1997 
> as we say, “I do!” 
> in Baltimore, Maryland 
> Invitation to follow

wedding guests laughing with bride at wedding receptions

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bride holding a beer bottle in black "best day ever" wedding koozie

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Save the Dates

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How Much Do Wedding Invitations Cost on Average?

Props to you: Wisely, you decided to go ahead and get an engagement photo session done to document those blissful days post-proposal. You know, the days you were walking around deliriously happy, before phrases like “cost per head” and countless wedding planning emails were always on your mind. After carefully deciding on your photographer, where to shoot, and [what to wear](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-to-wear-for-your-engagement-photos), we bet you looked glowing, gorgeous, and completely in love.

Now, apart from framing your favorite shots and adding them to your living room gallery wall, what else are you going to do with all of your beautiful photos?

We’ve got two words for you: Share them! Take advantage of these stunning celebratory shots by including them on or alongside your wedding stationery (e.g. save the date cards and wedding invitations) and wedding website. Starting with your big day’s very first impression—[save the dates](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-save-the-dates).

This might sound intimidating—especially with so many gorgeous photos to decide from. For that reason, we’ve gathered our best tips on how to select the very best photos to share ASAP. Read them below.

![2b76c553-b908-437b-8b50-968d292d488d-1](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/fcm5MvcIGFzkTOKXYJLVj/6c66db712943083ee417ebb878e4b216/2b76c553-b908-437b-8b50-968d292d488d-1.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Cruise Portrait](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

## How to Choose Engagement Photos for Your Paper Suite

First thing’s first: How do you get started? Often, when customizing your own save the date cards online, many [design templates](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/save-the-date-design-ideas) will allow you to add a photo (or two) to your card of choice. There’s a variety of ways this can be done—as a background, front and center, featured on the backside, and plenty more. But choosing the right portrait (or stunning landscape shot) for your save the dates is paramount. When it comes to featuring photographs, there’s much to consider that can take your card from not-very-well-done to beautiful and memorable.

To aid in informing your choice, these are our top tips on how to pick the best engagement shoot photo(s) for your wedding save the date.

![a4e4005e-71e8-4e0d-af54-06aa6906de96](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5ZlWm427TmoRsly9pmE7ba/a98975f7212e02bf8f2bba332b77d755/a4e4005e-71e8-4e0d-af54-06aa6906de96.jpeg)

*Photo Credit ||  [Tillage Portrait](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 1. Keep It Simple

A general rule of thumb is that simplicity is key. Minimalist engagement photoshoot pictures—such as those with simple backgrounds and no clutter—tend to be the most striking and awe-inspiring. After all, you and your partner (and perhaps your pet or child) are the subject of these photos, no need to add any more into the mix.

*Keep the composition of the photograph clean and uncluttered*. This isn’t the time to show off the avant-garde artistry of your wedding photographer, as cool as those cinematic, areal view, shot-from-above-through-the-ceiling-rafters pics may be (and we’re betting they’re really cool). Choose a photo that’s distraction-free, clearly showcases you and your partner, and features good lighting.

![c3b5883d-ec5a-4e88-bf4f-03a3b6c5f044](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1hiGGFJyk6Eiy2y4x6hSKc/5f1a1119f39567ffd7757ed96e16b93b/c3b5883d-ec5a-4e88-bf4f-03a3b6c5f044.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Riverside Type](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 2. Keep Quality in Mind
When it comes to printing, photo quality should absolutely be top-of-mind. If you worked with a professional photographer to achieve your engagement photos, this shouldn’t be an issue. The finished product that they delivered to you should include large, high quality photo files that will work beautifully for many, if not all, save the dates. On the other hand, we recommend that you don’t use photos that were taken on a phone. These don’t often turn out well when printed onto wedding paper (or in general), whereas a photographer’s files are made to be printed.

Make sure the central elements of the photograph are in focus (or else it might look like you uploaded an image with a too-small file size) and that they have room to breath—either in the photo or within the card’s design. More on the latter below.

![927bf61b-f800-4733-a0f6-8df07cd41671](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7HSlqrXX1YL0sys1ePktXT/4a66456996bcc6ffd7deba965db7a650/927bf61b-f800-4733-a0f6-8df07cd41671.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Woads Frame](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 3. Utilize Negative Space
More often than not, the photos and designs that look the best feature a decent amount of negative space. Simply put, this is the empty space around a photo’s subjects (in this case, you two). Not only does negative space lend to a crisp and clean look, but actually further draws the viewer’s eyes to the subject. In your own engagement photos, this may be an open sky, building wall backdrop, or the vast ocean.

Negative space also provides room for the most important element of your save the dates—the information. Placed over a simple backdrop, the text will be appealing to the eye and easy to read without conflicting with either of your faces or bodies.

![981e9dfb-4d63-4b47-819b-f7e2b062b404](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2ySpXTEm5Z5Et8FO8IyPcn/7fa55bd07643691e669accff3fccf76f/981e9dfb-4d63-4b47-819b-f7e2b062b404.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Franklin Landscape](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 4. Curate a Consistent Theme
The photograph you decide to feature should match the overall design theme of your save the dates. For example, it would seem rather incongruous to showcase an engagement photo of you and your partner frolicking in the surf on a sleek, modern paper suite card. That said, the general mood, color scheme, styling, and subject matter of the photo should coordinate with the style (e.g. colors and fonts) of the card.

As you look through your options, consider either’s formality, color scheme, and overall theme.

![95da8801-a3dc-42f5-a11f-3cc897f7b810](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4FS9vDGTyBNXAGlZO13Tey/38d64cef27c466a6b803f49ba95f9e71/95da8801-a3dc-42f5-a11f-3cc897f7b810.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Blake Landscape](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 5. Create Balance
Whichever engagement photo you pick, it should seem like an effortless part of the bigger picture (no pun intended). Keep busy patterns and overly saturated colors to a minimum within your photo if your save the date already has a lot going on in terms of color, shape, and/or design motif. On the other hand, if you want your engagement photo to be the star, choose a more minimal card design and let your engagement pic catch the eye with bright colors and movement.

Pro tip: Pay attention to the perimeter of the photograph—where it will sit side-by-side with the STD design—to make sure it compliments the design and blends seamlessly.

![7ead24a7-77aa-4b3f-bcb7-257bf0e42674](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4KQIFUC4eQxhy8G4k8Ayky/c4d83b0b18b6d82b7bd4bb0a220cd086/7ead24a7-77aa-4b3f-bcb7-257bf0e42674.jpeg)

*Photo Credit || [Sparrow Portrait](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)*

### 6. Bring on B&W
If your save the date is designed in neutral or monochromatic colors, consider going with a black and white photograph from your engagement session. Not only will it visually blend with the card better, but black and white photography has a certain elegance and grace that elevates its subject matter. Particularly, when it comes to more formal wedding celebrations, a black and white photograph will set the tone for a timeless, classic affair.

Not to mention, black and white photographs can also hide a multitude of little photo details you’d rather keep hidden. Dark eye circles? Uneven skin tone? Not in this beautiful B&W close-up!

### 7. Come in Close
Speaking of close-ups, make sure that you and your partner’s faces are framed nicely within your chosen save the date photo.  Unless there’s an artistic reason why you’re both far off-center (to capture the full expanse of a mountain landscape, for example), it should be clear that you’re the central characters in this visual narrative. Your guests know and love you—I mean, we hope—they’ll want to see your gorgeous faces and witness just how in love you appear. Don’t make them squint to see your shapes far off in a hayfield, or play “Where’s Waldo” with your STDs as they search for you in a bustling city streetscape.

### 8. Have Fun With It
We know, this one is pretty basic. But if your photographer has captured some truly amazing photos of you and your beau goofing off, having fun, and generally looking like the joyous soon-to-be wed couple that you are, don’t hesitate to put that joy front and center. This should especially be the case if your save the dates and general wedding theme lean more whimsical, alternative, or lighthearted than serious. Let loose and don’t be afraid to share an unconventional—but still totally beautiful—photo. Especially if they really showcase your personalities and relationship.

### 9. Consider Creative Alternatives
Your selected photo doesn’t necessarily have to be printed onto your save the date card. We know, we just spent a considerable amount of time focusing photo save the dates, but hear us out. Many modern couples are opting for a more minimalistic approach when it comes to their save the date designs, allowing cool color palettes and interesting fonts to be the sole focus.

That said, if this seems to be your style, you don’t need to disregard your engagement photos entirely. Rather than print them directly onto your stationary, consider including them separately on photo cards, save the date magnets, or cute postcards (talk about an RSVP card idea). These mementos are sure to be saved and cherished by loved ones, all the way up until your wedding day.

### 10. Don’t Stress Too Hard
Everyone knows that even the smaller details and aspects of wedding planning can be stress-inducing. This, of course, might even occur as you sift through stunning engagement photography and create your save the dates. Our last piece of advice? Try not to stress too hard over it. Chances are, every last one of your special photos are absolutely gorgeous and eye-catching. While each of the previous tips can help you to create an appealing overall look and consistent feeling, you can’t go wrong simply deciding on a photo you both love.

If you feel some decision-based stress coming on, take a step away from your photos. Allow yourself a much-needed wedding planning break and come back to it later with fresh eyes.

There you have it: Ten tips to ensure the best photo from your engagement photoshoot ends up front and center on your guests’ refrigerators (or countertops, or coffee tables), in the form of an eye-catching, well-designed save the date. From destination weddings to backyard fêtes, photos that follow this advice are sure to spark excitement.

Once you’ve designed, printed, and [sent out](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/when-to-send-save-the-dates) your lovely save the dates, we’ll be here to help you out with [what to do after the fact](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-to-expect-after-sending-save-the-dates). (Hint: It involves navigating questions, uncomfortable conversations, and even handling logistics.)

Choose a photo-ready save the date design on Zola

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Yeti cooler filled with bottles of sparkling rose wine and glasses filled with wine in the background

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table with decoration pieces and Engagement Photo frame

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Gather your gal pals, bribe your bride tribe, grab the groomsmen, and get to work—it’s time to start stuffing [wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop). And the more help you get, the easier the whole process will be. Save the dates may have been a piece of (wedding) cake, but assembling invitation suites require a bit more knowledge. Read on for your need-to-knows when it comes to stuffing your wedding invitations.

## Make It a Party!
To entice friends to help, make stuffing wedding invitations a fun-fill day, complete with drinks and snacks. There’s never a bad time to hang out and have fun with friends, so turn this wedding project into a chance to bond. 

You don’t have to limit the event to just the wedding party or close friends, either. Stuffing wedding invitations is something your family members or parents’ friends might want to help with, too. Stuffing wedding invites is also a great time to call in a favor to anyone who has ever said: “let me know if you ever need help with wedding stuff!” 

## Create an Assembly Line
Many hands make for less work, and a wedding invitation assembly line is a tried-and-true method of churning out a flawless finished DIY product. Once you’ve gathered a good-sized crew, divide them up and give them individual tasks.

If you have more people than you need, try breaking people up into teams to work in shifts. You can even turn the process into a party game where the fastest team gets a prize at the end. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative with how you encourage people to get the job done.

Just don’t be bossy—these people are giving their time to help you send mail. Try to give direction rather than orders; nobody wants to help someone who seems ungrateful. Direction comes in the form of encouragement and gratitude, with plenty of compliments sprinkled on top. This subtle difference will determine whether your friends and family walk away from the day thinking “that was fun” versus “that was a nightmare.” Even if something goes wrong, try and remain calm—there’s almost always a solution. 

![How to Stuff Wedding Invitations](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/49UwV1NoXYrcKjT0SlN3x1/baaa616f75c8b1bf8425d4e0521a2282/Inline_How-to-stuff-wedding-invites_Inessa-nichols-designs.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Inessa Nichols

## Know the Perfect Wedding Invitation Order
A custom wedding invitation is never just one piece of paper. Usually, a wedding invitation will have anywhere between three and five cards or other documents included with the invitation card itself—and the order in which they’re packaged matters. 

Here’s what goes inside the inner envelope, according to order:

1. __Invitation:__ [The invitation](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-word-wedding-invitations) is the star of the show, with crucial information like the wedding date and location. It is also the largest card in this packet of information. As a result, the wedding invitation should be the bottom layer of the invitation packet as a whole. Place your custom wedding invitation face up on the table so you can read the wording on the front.
2. __Reception card:__ Place the reception card on top of the invitation, again with the wording facing you. Do your best to center the reception card on top of your wedding invitation. 
3. __RSVP envelope:__ Place the RSVP envelope, so it lays vertically on top of the reception card with the flap of the envelope opening out to the right.
4. __RSVP response card:__ Place the RSVP reply card card onto the response envelope with the wording upright and visible. Fold the flap of the reply envelope over the RSVP card so that it’s tucked into place without being inside the envelope.
5. __Map:__ Place the map card centered on top of the RSVP card, wording facing up. 
6. __Accommodation and/or enclosure card:__ Finally, place the your details card, accommodation card, and/or remaining enclosure cards on the very top to complete your stack. 

Before placing the final package inside your inner and then outer envelope, make sure all of the stationery is facing the same direction, with the wording up. If some of your stationery is landscape and some is portrait, turn the landscape cards 90 degrees clockwise, so that they are vertical and centered on top of the other cards. 

## Assembling Your Invitations
Once you place all of your wedding stationery in the correct order, it’s time to insert the whole collection of materials into the envelope. Here’s the proper way:

1. Start with the envelope laying flat in front of you with the flap open, so the interior is showing. The area where you would write the address should be face down on the table.

2. Turn the envelope 90 degrees clockwise, so that the opening of the envelope is on the right, allowing you to slide the invitation packet or inner enveloped into the outer envelope from right to left. From this position, the top edge of the invitation, and subsequent inserts, should align with the left edge of the envelope.

3. With the invitation package facing printed side up, slide the entire packet into the opening of the envelope (from right to left) with the front/wording of the invitation being the only visible piece of the invitation packet. This method ensures that when your guests open the wedding envelope, all they have to do is open the envelope flap, pull out the invitation, and twist 90 degrees clockwise (if your invitation has a vertical design) to easily read the most important details. The reason for this is that most people are right-handed (sorry lefties), and this method is the most natural way to open and read something that is in an envelope.

4. To ensure you have inserted the packet correctly, check and make sure you can still see some of [the wording of the invitation](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording) documents before closing the flap. Even with everything stuffed into the invitation envelope, you should still be able to see a visible portion of the front of the documents.

5. Lick the envelope and press the flap down over the open interior, using your index and middle fingers to make a firm seal.

Now, only a few (hundred) more and a trip to the post office, and you’re all done.

## Tips to Use While Assembling
While assembling may seem as simple as ordering, stacking, and stuffing, a few key tips can take the task from difficult to worry-free.

1. __Try to do it in a single day__. It might initially seem like an insurmountable task, but trust us: Getting the invites stuffed, sealed, and stamped in one day is the way to go. Doing so ensures that you don’t lose your place, misplace certain items, or get off track with wedding planning.

2. __Don’t have food or drinks near the invites__. The last thing you want is for something to spill on a pile of invitations. Work in a space that is clean and clear of anything that could tip over and stain.

3. __Put each piece in its own separate stack__. Have one stack for the invitations, another stack for the rsvp card, etc. That way, you can move seamlessly across the table you are working at, building each invitation one piece at a time. This strategy will make it much easier for you to stuff the entire invitation packet into an envelope as a group. If you try to put each individual piece of the invitation packet into the envelope instead of the aforementioned stacking method, it could lead to a much longer process, with more room for error.

4. __Do the stamps last__. This only applies if you aren’t using an assembly line method with friends. If you have an assembly line, you can put someone on stamp duty, but if you and your SO are stuffing envelopes by yourself, doing the stamps last is a big time-saver. Also, do yourself a favor and use self-adhesive stamps—no one wants to lick that much postage. If you want to learn [how to send wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-invitation-postage), Zola can help you.

![How to Stuff Wedding Invitations](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/aoAGKFgx5nIWD2MMkoWip/82cd079fe67eb742d3ba4501db9a1a3e/Inline_How-to-stuff-wedding-invites_Sippakorn-Yamkasikorn-unsplash.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Sippakorn Yamkasikron Unsplash

## Wedding Invitations FAQ
Despite covering all of the how-tos, we anticipate you still have a few questions regarding the invitation assembly process. No worries—we’ve compiled a few helpful questions and answers below.

- __If I order through Zola, will by wedding invitation suites arrive assembled__? In short, no. Each element of your paper suite (invitations, detail cards, RSVP cards, etc.) will be sent to you in stacks so that you can assemble them however you desire.

- __What’s the difference between an inner and outer envelope__? Invitations to formal events—or those that are embellished or include delicate materials, like vellum or tissue paper—are typically packaged in both an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope is your standard mailing envelope which contains your guests’ mailing address. The inner envelope, which is usually more decorative (e.g. delicate materials or calligraphy), states who is being addressed and invited to your wedding.

- __How else can I package my invitations__? Aside from an inner envelope, you can secure your stack of stationary with a tied ribbon or belly band (a narrow strip of paper made to wrap around your invitation suite and keep it together). Most often, couples will choose either in one of their wedding colors or in a color that compliments their invitation suite.

## Signed, Sealed, Delivered!
When it comes to checking off tasks for your big day, you never want to let tasks build up. Stuffing wedding envelopes is a relatively easy task that simply requires a little stamina. Stream a movie, listen to music—whatever you need to do to help pass the time.

And although you may have to do the work of stuffing wedding envelopes yourself, you’ll be glad to know that Zola addresses your envelopes for free. With this service, there’s no need to hire a calligrapher to write out each of your guests’ names, no double-checking mailing addresses, and, most importantly, no hand cramps. We pull guest information straight from your Zola registry, so you don’t even have to worry about plugging in any additional addresses.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, so that you can enjoy all the fun that comes with wedding planning. We’ll ship the invites, inserts, envelopes, and whatever else you include straight to your door free of charge, and we’re always here to answer any questions, so you can get the job done and [send our your invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/when-should-you-send-out-your-wedding-invitations) lickity-split.

How to Stuff Wedding Invitations: A Complete Guide

There are plenty of details that go into [wedding planning](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning "Your One-Stop Wedding Planning Website | Zola"), many of which need to be relayed to the masses rather than on an individual basis. With that comes the creation of your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website "Free Wedding Website Templates & Builder (Ideas & Themes) | Zola"). 

Your wedding website helps to provide all your wedding details. It highlights where the wedding ceremony will be, what the dress code is, who’s in the bridal party, and even provides some background on the couple's personal love story. Most importantly, this is the place your guests will also go to get the location, details, gift registry, and other fun and pertinent information about your wedding event. But before you get to any of that, you have to construct your wedding website welcome message to guide guests through your website and build joyful anticipation around your big day. 

[![Zola QR Code Promo](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hYJyrZbdCbVYf8gL8ZRtq/1abe728cdf14a9b3e0e0ade433128c67/EA_Article__1_.jpg)](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)

## Where to Start

To start your welcome message for your special day, give it a headline. This should be an announcement and invitation for guests to share your excitement for your upcoming celebration. Examples of a welcome message headline include:

- We’re Getting Married
- We’re Making It Official
- Can’t Wait for You to Join Us on Our Big Day
- Celebrating Our Commitment of Love

After the headline, start with a greeting and a brief introduction that includes what to expect from visiting your wedding website. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, because as guests navigate from section to section, they’ll get the in-depth information they’re looking for with regards to location, accommodations, and events surrounding the day. A sentence or two will sum it up nicely.

__Below are some examples of wedding website welcome wishes:__

- *Welcome, family and friends! We’re excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you.* 

- *Hello to our family and friends! We can’t wait to celebrate our wedding day with you. You’ll find all the exciting details throughout our site.* 

- *Welcome to our wedding site! We’re happy to share this exciting time with you and have created a space that shares everything you need to know about our big day*.

## Share the Details

Put your own personality into the greeting and intro. Then, highlight a few key features of your website that provide information for your special day. For example, let guests know they can easily RSVP online (which also makes it easy for you!), point out travel accommodations, and share a few of your favorite things to do and places to eat for those who are visiting from out of town. These kinds of details are especially important for those who are planning a destination wedding. 

Since your wedding guest list likely isn’t that familiar with the place you’ve chosen, give them a mini-tour of areas you like, where to stay, and why the destination means so much to you. Again, you can be thorough in the separate sections of the website, but tease out a few highlights for your guests in the welcome message with information that’s personal to you as a couple. 

Lastly, sign off with a reminder about the date and a thank you for having your guests join you for your celebration. Use each of your first names or initials in closing. A sample wedding website welcome message may read as follows: 

*Welcome, family and friends! We’re excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. You’ll find all the exciting details throughout our site, including a link to the hotel where we’ve blocked off rooms, a place you can RSVP online, and a list of a few of our favorite restaurants around town. We’re regulars at &lt;favorite place&gt; and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.* 

*We can’t wait to see you in &lt;wedding destination&gt;, and thank you for all your love and support! The countdown is officially on to &lt;wedding date&gt;. See you then!*

*Love,* 
*&lt;couple’s first names&gt;*

You want to create a message that is warm and inviting, so it conveys your excitement, but don’t overthink it. Ultimately, short, sweet, and to the point is best. Once guests click the link that takes them to your website, they’ll be able to navigate through it at their own place. Plus, it serves as a resource for them to check again and again as the wedding day draws near. 

![Writing a Wedding Website Welcome Message](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6rQOJVDiFZQbPIX3C6ozz/cd569d953aa925420a3d2c7c60f24086/Inline2.jpg)*Photo Credits *// Zola Inc

## Taking Guests Through Your Wedding Website
Once you’ve sent out your welcome message and guests arrive at your website, the information should be laid out in a way that’ll be easy and fun for them to read. By choosing from over 300 wedding website design templates, you can customize the look and feel of your website to match your personalities and your overall wedding theme. 

Each website design has a main page, which includes a tagline, wedding date, plus stories of how you met and the proposal. This draws in your guests and puts them in a happy mood as they continue to navigate the site. From there, the following tabs house separate pages of information. This keeps the site from looking too cluttered with text and provides everything needed for guests to plan. These sections include: 

- Wedding Party
- Events
- Travel
- Things to Do
- Photos
- Registry
- FAQs
- RSVP

This allows all of your guests to get to know more about who’s involved in your wedding, where it’s taking place, and other important details. Since not every guest may be familiar with each other, it’s a way to start connecting people from both sides and generate excitement around your big day. 

#### Wedding Party
Share the members of your wedding party with an anecdote or description of who they are to you as a couple. Aside from the two of you, they will be one of the main parts of your wedding day. Let others know why you’ve chosen them to stand up with you at the ceremony. 

#### Events
This is the place where you’ll list the date, time, and location of the wedding venue. This includes the ceremony itself, a cocktail hour, and reception. Many couples also have additional events that all guests are invited to, such as a welcome party or a brunch scheduled for the day after the wedding. 

#### Travel
Map out the logistics to make it easy for guests who are traveling from out of town. Let them know the closest airport, as well as any accommodations where you have reserved a block of rooms. Additionally, if you’ve prepared any special travel between the ceremony and the reception, include that information here as well. 

#### Things to Do
Create a list of fun things to do and places to eat that you like as a wedding couple. Invite guests into your world with your unique insights and recommendations. It’ll be helpful for guests who aren’t as familiar with the location and can serve as a reminder for locals, too. 

#### Registry
This section populates the items you’ve registered for through the Zola website and makes it easy for guests to see what’s available to purchase online. They can browse by categories, such as furniture and kitchen, as well as browse through your chosen experiences and gift cards. Rather than worrying about traveling with a gift or bringing it to the reception, guests can have one shipped directly to your home through your [wedding registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry).

#### FAQs
This is where you’ll answer all of the burning questions friends and family have been asking since you got engaged. Many common ones are if plus-ones and children are allowed, if there is a dress code, and if there are any travel accommodations the day of the wedding. It’s nice to have a go-to resource for everyone to reference as they please. 

#### RSVP
Giving guests the opportunity to RSVP online may take off the pressure of sending in their responses by mail. Add a deadline request to this page to let people know when you’d like to hear from them. The feature also allows people to respond for themselves and a guest or for their entire group. 

## When in Doubt, Spell It Out
Add as much information as you’d like to each of these sections to make sure guests have all the details they need to feel prepared and excited to celebrate your big day. Having a central place for them to get this information will help to alleviate the stress of responding to multiple people individually about similar questions. It’ll be readily available to them whenever they want. 

## But Don’t Stress
The website can be updated as you go, or you can wait until you have all the details in place before you decide to launch it. The good news is that by using a website builder design template, it gives you an outline of where you need to fill in the information. Once you’ve crafted your wedding website welcome message, take the rest section by section, or tackle it all at once. Soon, you’ll have everything you need to share the exciting details of your big day.

![Writing a Wedding Website Welcome Message](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2Gl1pjjtsxoamRAoFiIRDB/c5cb49959cb27941c10f55a7d2c08792/Inline.jpg)*Photo Credits *// Zola Inc

Guide to Writing a Wedding Website Welcome Message

You dedicate a lot of time and energy to designing and customizing and [perfecting](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/typo-on-wedding-invitations) your wedding invitations and/or paper suite. So, you’re probably eager to get them sent out. One mailing mishap, though, and the process can get really tricky (read: frustrating). To avoid any mistakes, we’re laying out all you need to know about how to mail wedding invitations, including information on wedding invite postage. Read on to ensure your save the dates and invitations don’t end up back at your door.

#### How Much Postage You Will Need to Send Out Wedding Invitations
Because [wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) require a few different mail correspondences, we estimate that couples will need 3-4 stamps per household they are mailing invitations to.
- __Save the Dates__ usually require only one postage stamp as they will usually weigh under the standard amount of postage limits
- __Wedding Invitations__ often include more materials, which can impact the cost of postage. Because of the added weight of additional materials, wedding invitation suites typically require 1-2 stamps each. There are also a handful of stamps available that allow for parcels of up to 2 oz. each, which can be perfect for mailing wedding invitations
- __RSVP cards__ should include postage when they get to your guests to prevent any roadblocks in their responses. These typically weigh under the standard amount of postage and will only require 1 stamp

## Save the Dates
Before you even assemble your wedding invitations, you need to create and mail out your save the dates. Breath easy, because this is the simplest part of wedding postage. In most cases, your [save the date postcards](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) will only include one piece, meaning it’ll weigh at or under the standard amount (1 ounce) and only require one stamp. To avoid any being sent back, send them from your local post office, especially if they’re a custom shape.

## Invitation Suite
Your invitation suite (or paper suite) is where things get more complicated. To start, the number of stamps you’ll need—and the cost of mailing each invitation—largely depends on the number of materials you include. As you add additional [enclosure cards](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-invitation-enclosure-cards), the weight of each invitation envelope will increase, therefore you’ll need extra postage. A standard weight stamp, or “Forever Stamp,” costs 55 cents and each additional ounce costs 15 cents. With maps, directions cards, itinerary cards, and much more, the overall cost of stamps for your wedding invitations can add up. We advise including the essentials in your invitation suite and making all other information available on a [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website).

Once you’ve assembled your wedding invitation suite, we recommend taking one to your local post office and weighing it. Then, you can figure out exactly how much postage each invitation will need. 

![INLINE Zola 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1l4pqMIHEfLoZXlHvVQimC/9eb67f69b012b7b0a30dc66f34391f38/INLINE_Zola_1080x720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

## RSVP Response Cards
Technically, these are included in your wedding invitation suite, but they bear specific mentioning. Having your [response cards](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-invitation-rsvps) prepped and ready to use is vital, since giving your guests extra work might delay their replies. To avoid any mishaps, tuck the card under a RSVP envelope addressed to the host’s residence and include a postage stamp (or pre-stamp the envelope). Not only does this make the process easy on your guests, but it prevents anyone from dropping their RSVP cards in the mail without postage. Not to mention, it’s not great etiquette to make someone pay postage to RSVP to your event. Make the mailing process on both ends painless by having your response cards ready to go.

## Things to Consider

Aside from total weight, there are additional factors that might affect the process and cost of mailing wedding sending out your invitations. Some things to consider when creating your suites are:

- __Card stock:__ In case you’re unfamiliar, card stock is a paper stock that’s thicker and more durable than typical printer or writing paper. This is likely what you’re using for all of your wedding send-outs. Card stocks come in different weights (or thickness); the higher the weight, the thicker the paper. While this makes your invites look and feel professional, it also adds weight to your suite, which means you’ll need to pay for extra postage.
- __Decorative pieces:__ Gold foil, ribbon, twine, flowers—each of these add a beautiful, unique touch to your [envelopes](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-invitations-guide-to-envelopes). But considering how delicate these pieces are, you’ll want them to be hand-processed (more on that below). This costs an additional 21 cents per invitation.
- __Calligraphy:__ Invitations that are [addressed](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-address-wedding-invitations) in calligraphy have a higher chance of being returned or undeliverable, compared to clearly printed addresses. In fact, many calligraphers state in their contracts that up to 20% may be sent back to you. It’s possible that the postal worker won’t consider it legible or that the ink will become smudged and unreadable. This doesn’t mean you should ditch calligraphy altogether, just be aware that you might have to re-send some invitations.

![INLINE Zola 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2Z8np22f99kVLVj9xbTmJ5/4fa9e5ef19c686c94dd5e874b245974c/INLINE__Zola_1080x720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

### Hand-Processing and Hand-Canceling
After all of the time (and money) you’ve spent creating your invitation suites, make sure they’re sent out in good hands. Literally. Hand-processing and hand-canceling are two ways in which you can prevent them from being bent or soiled via machine.

Simply put, hand-processing means that your postmaster sorts your invitations by hand, rather than by a machine. As we said, this costs an additional 21 cents but also reassures you that your wedding invite envelopes won’t be damaged in delivery.

Likewise, you can have your invitations [hand-canceled](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wise-tips-hand-canceling-wedding-invitations). Have you ever seen those squiggly lines that are stamped over a mail stamp when you receive a letter? That means the stamp has been “canceled” (or spent) and can’t be used anymore. This is typically done by machine, but you can request to have your wedding invitations canceled by hand. In this case, either the postmaster will cancel each individual stamp or will hand it to you to do yourself (usually for free!). You may have to spend a chunk of time in the post office, but it’s worth the knowledge that your invites were handled well.

### Non-machinable Elements
There are some decorative inner envelope elements that are considered “non-machinable.” This means that they’re unable to be processed or canceled through a machine. You’ll need to pay the additional 21 cents to have them hand-processed and canceled no matter what. The following are popular customizations that are considered non-machinable:

- Envelopes with wax seals
- Envelopes that are more than ¾ of an inch thick
- Envelopes that are square or custom sizes

Now that you’ve prepared your invitations, stamps and all, learn the right time to  [send them out](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/when-should-you-send-out-your-wedding-invitations).

How to Word Bridal Shower Invitations

A pair of newlyweds are captured holding the words “thank you” while sharing a kiss, perhaps before practicing their wedding thank you card wording skills.

Wedding Thank You Card Wording: Dos, Don’ts, and 15 Examples 

Wedding Invitation Postage: How to Mail Your Invites

Incorrectly wording a wedding invitation isn’t the worst thing you can do, but commit a simple spell check error and you might as well wave your wedding dress or tuxedo shirt like a surrender flag and head for the hills. Sorry, did we make you nervous? Don’t be. Here are a few wedding invitation dos and don’ts to keep in mind, organized by the different wording components such as names, dates, and times, along with examples to steer you in the right direction. Use the below links to skip to the exact wording guidance that you need: 

[The Dos and Don’ts of General Language on Wedding Invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording)

[The Dos and Don’ts of Names & Titles on Wedding Invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording)

[The Dos and Don’ts of Dates on Wedding Invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording)

[The Dos and Don’ts of Times on Wedding Invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording)

[The Dos and Don’ts of Locations on Wedding Invitations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-invitation-wording)

![invitations editorial blog 3](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1Rd3gx4jylbcBgTuJsjTf6/699a103dbb11b7765de57ea887631eb2/invitations_editorial_blog_3.jpg)

*Few of Zola’s printed invitation designs, clockwise from top left: [Tillage Corner](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), [Riverside Brush](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), [Clemson Frame](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), and [Morrison Rise](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop).*

__*NOTE*__: While the terms “do” and “don’t” sound like universal mandates, we realize that every wedding is unique. You will have to decide as a couple what type of language feels right for your invitations. These “rules” are really more suggestions for the most __*traditional and formal*__  way to format your invitation wording. If you want to impart a sense of, well, formality to your wedding invitation wording, then these guidelines are for you. If you are having a more casual wedding, and/or prefer a more graphic or modern approach to your invitation design, then take the below with a grain of salt.

![Zola chazcruz 10132-copy](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5roZj5IQ1wicaoJ1SeQ28d/b3a7e0e75256add2f6a70b9133a8ac74/Zola_chazcruz_10132-copy.jpg)

*Customize [Zola’s paper invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) with rounded corners and your own choice of wording.*

## The Dos and Don’ts of General Invitation Language

- DO use upper-case letters for the proper names of days and months, but lower-case letters for numbers.
- DO write formal invitations in the third person:
    - Mrs. and Mr. Parents of the Bride/Groom invite you…
- DO proofread like your life depends on it. Don’t only run this by your partner and your parents, but your best friend, your English major college roommate, your co-worker…

---

- DON’T use capital letters at the beginning of each line. Instead, use them as you would at the beginning of a sentence.
- DON’T use symbols, unless it’s for a specific design reason—though an ampersand between the names of the couple is fine, if the font allows.
- DON’T crowd the card. We know you have lots of exciting things to say, but refrain from adding extraneous information or designs that would make your invitation look busy and therefore hard to read.

![Zola chazcruz 5806-copy](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6GaJq0uOKKoo20UyeCEXLC/006fa43b1a1c07eaef0aadf76d59c3f1/Zola_chazcruz_5806-copy.jpg)

*A brushstroke-meets-calligraphy invitation design with matching RSVP card from [Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop)*

## The Dos and Don’ts of Names and Titles

- DO capitalize proper names and titles.
- DO spell out the title Doctor (but don’t spell out Mr.).
- DO use both partner’s full legal names on the invitations. If you prefer to go by a nickname, use it on a [save the date postcard](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) or other, less formal piece of the invitation suite.
- DO include a nickname in addition to a legal first name if it is the only name that guests will recognize you by.
- DO drop the bride’s and/or groom’s middle name(s) if it becomes too long to fit on one line.
- DO include a host line at the top of the invitation that indicates who is doing the inviting. This generally correlates with who is funding the wedding, but can vary based on preference. Some examples:
  - *Mr. and Mrs. Parents invite you to the marriage celebration of their son/daughter Partner     1 to Partner 2…*
  - *Mr. and Mrs. Parents and Mr. and Mrs. Other Parents invite you to the marriage celebration     of their children Partner 1 and Partner 2…*
  - *Together with their families, Partner 1 & Partner 2 invite you to…*
  - *Partner 1 & Partner 2 invite you to…*
- DO include the names of the non-hosting parents as a courtesy below their child’s name:
  -  *Mr. and Mrs. Parents Invite you to the marriage celebration of their son/daughter Partner 1 to Partner 2, the son/daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Other Parents*

---

- DON’T use abbreviations. In general, spell everything out except courtesy titles.
- DON’T use punctuation, except after courtesy titles:
  - *Mrs.*  
  - *Mr.*
- DON’T spell out courtesy titles, except for Doctor.

![b9ca83da-37ef-40a2-a887-05e8f94d5279](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/Y5ZW9aq5amtXQvDfcsAkc/bad1e695a8dced404e6a1f9deacf1fad/b9ca83da-37ef-40a2-a887-05e8f94d5279.jpeg)

*The [Eastwick Wreath](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) invitation design on Zola*

## The Dos and Don’ts of Dates

- DO spell out the date for formal invitations. Numbers are easy to transpose, so spelling out the date ensures guests have zero confusion. 
- DO spell out the date in this format: 
  - The day of the week, comma, the day of the month, commaBegin with the day of the week,     followed by a comma: 
    - *Friday, the twenty-ninth*

  - Then add the month, preceded by the word “of:”
    - *of April*

  - Your date line should look like this when finished:
    - *Friday, the twenty-ninth of April*

- DO spell out the year if you decide to include it:
  - *Two thousand and eighteen*

- DO remember that while not necessary for casual invitations, spelling out dates is acceptable regardless of formality.

![Zola chazcruz 2810-copy](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3iRY57c1CTxaubCBkmPLfy/5f39c715e83e0f1e8ed4cf2e14aeb7bb/Zola_chazcruz_2810-copy.jpg)

*The [Galata Vine](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) matching invitation and RSVP card on Zola*

## The Dos and Don’ts of Times

- DO spell out time for formal invitations, and write it as the placement of hands on a clock:
  - *half past four*
- DO refer to 12:00pm as “noon.” 
- DO spell out the time of day rather than using a.m. or p.m. 
  - *in the morning: all hours before 11:00 a.m.*

  - *in the afternoon: hours from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.*

  - *in the evening: all hours after 5:00 p.m.*

---

- DON’T use a.m. or p.m.—indicate the time of day using “in the morning” or “in the evening” (see above).
- DON’T write “twelve o’clock.”
- DON’T write “four thirty” when spelling out the time.

![Zola chazcruz 6531-copy](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2QDDlOkWg7AIAtsjgRNadW/04e61e7aca70d29bb55bb6ab4e52418b/Zola_chazcruz_6531-copy.jpg)

*Zola’s [Blake Frame](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) invitation design is as classic as it gets.*

## The Dos and Don’ts of Locations

- DO include the location of the ceremony. Include the full address for out of town guests:
  - *First Methodist Church*

    *260 East Market Street*

    *OurTown, State*
- DO include the name of the homeowners if the wedding location is a private residence:
  - *at the residence of*

    *Mr. and Mrs. Charles Darwin*

    *260 East Market Street*

    *OurTown, State*

- DO include the location of the reception, if different than the ceremony, on a separate card for formal invitations. If going less formal, include it on the invitation after the ceremony location:
  - *Reception immediately following the ceremony*

    *The Common House*

    *285 East Market Street*

    *OurTown, State*

---

- DON’T include the address of the wedding location if it is redundant or obvious, such as a well-known institution with only one location:
  - *Brooklyn Museum of Art*

    *Brooklyn, NY*

- DON’T make your guests guess. Include full addresses for locations, and all other pertinent information so they can show up at the right place at the right time.

Green themed wedding invitation on marble top

The Dos and Don'ts of Wedding Invitation Wording

Basking in the post-wedding glow with your significant other is much more enjoyable when all of the [wedding to-dos](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/checklist?_branch_match_id=1112793252738758355&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXr8rPSdRLLCjQy8nMy9bP8sjMCMvKKjE1AgBLvb9XIAAAAA%3D%3D) are officially checked off—like thanking your guests for celebrating this new chapter with you both.

Thanking every guest in an original and genuine way can take time and preparation. And it all comes down to how you approach your wedding thank you card wording, which is why we’ve pared down the dos and don’ts of writing a thank you card. 

For safe measure, we also compiled 15 wedding thank you card wording examples to help you navigate every type of guest and gift. Keep reading to learn about the dos and don’ts of writing a wedding thank you card.

## How to Write Wedding Thank You Cards: 10 Dos and Don’ts
![how-to-write-a-thank-you-card](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2AYbSbjBaeZZm67pCd8tNW/c17dbca3cd6962c25e75edea6e0afc18/how-to-write-a-thank-you-card.png)

Crafting sincere [wedding thank you card](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-write-wedding-thank-you-cards) messages is much easier when you understand the basics of what a wedding thank you card should or shouldn’t mention. 

### Do Prioritize the Structure

__1. Greeting__: Begin with a greeting that identifies to whom the card is written.

__2. Thank them for coming__: Immediately thank them for attending your wedding in the first place.

__3. Thank them for the gift__: Get right to the heart of your message by thanking them for their wedding gift.

__4. Say why the gift brings you joy__: Write a line or two about why their gift fits your needs, how it will be used, or why you’re so grateful to have it.

__5. Show gratitude for the big picture__: Don’t forget to acknowledge the love and support given by your loved ones as you made this major life decision.

__6. Closing__: Wrap it up with an expression of your warmth, love, or friendship for the recipient, and sign your name.

### Don’t Try to Write Them All at Once

Writing wedding thank you cards all at once might sound like a good idea in theory, but this method can quickly lead to fatigue.

Depending on the size of your [wedding guest list](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-a-wedding-guest-list), plan to set aside some time every weekend or so to write your wedding thank you cards in small batches.

The last thing you and your significant other want is to make your guests feel unappreciated by your rushed wedding thank you card wording. 

### Do Opt for Handwritten Cards (If Possible)

Handwritten notes signify that a lot of time and effort went into crafting your message. If possible, try to create handwritten wedding thank you cards.

Sourcing stationery that matches your [wedding theme](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-themes) is another way to add a considerate touch of style to your handwritten notes.

### Don’t Forget to Thank the Vendors

If time allows, consider writing thank you notes for the vendors, caterers, and any support staff that took part in making your big day special!

### Do Write Notes for Guests Who Didn’t Send Gifts

Show everyone who took the time to celebrate you and your partner’s ceremony just how special their presence was, even if they didn’t send a present.

Depending on the accessibility of your wedding venue, some guests may have had to spend more resources to attend than others. A wedding thank you card for their attendance lets them know that their efforts were appreciated.

### Don’t Write the Same Note for Every Guest

Receiving a beautifully written thank you card is like a present all its own, but realizing that your thank you card is completely unoriginal can leave a guest feeling unimportant.

Attempt to write a personalized thank you card for every guest who attended your wedding ceremony. Mentioning the specific gift you received from them is a great way to add a personal touch.

### Do Send Thank You Cards as Soon as Possible

Sending your thank you cards ASAP allows you to check off one of the final tasks on your post-wedding checklist—even if you run into shipping delays and other factors outside of your control.

Although it's common practice to send wedding thank you cards within three months of the wedding, sooner is always better, so that no guest feels forgotten.

### Don’t Send Multiple Thank You Cards to One Household

Stationary prices and stamps can add up, especially if you had a long guest list. There is no need to send multiple thank you cards to one household.

If multiple gifts were sent by different guests living under the same roof, make sure to address them individually in your wedding thank you card wording so that everyone feels appreciated.

### Do Mention the Specific Gift You Received

Mentioning the specific gift you received is the best way to tailor each wedding thank you card to the sender. 

If you’re able to do so, include a brief sentence on how that gift is now bettering your marriage with your significant other. These small details can help the sender understand the impact their gift is making on your new life together.

### Don’t Mention Exact Monetary Amounts

For security reasons, it’s typically a good idea to avoid mentioning the exact monetary amount of cash gifts. 

In case your thank you card is lost or given to a stranger, you want to protect the gift-giver by not mentioning the cash amounts they were able to give away.

## Wedding Thank You Card Wording Examples

Whether you’re writing a thank you note to a guest who didn’t come to your wedding (but still sent a gift) or someone who gave you an off-registry present that you immediately returned, these wedding thank you card examples will help you navigate wording for every kind of message.

### For When the Gift Was from Your Registry

*Dear Jacqueline,

We’re so grateful you could come to our wedding a few weeks ago. And thank you so much for the chef’s knife and honing steel you gave us! We’ve both been learning some basic cooking skills, and can’t wait to show them off when you visit us this summer.

Our wedding was a day we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. Words really can’t express how thankful we are that you could be part of it.

Love,
Janine and Kai*

### For When the Gift Was a Monetary Gift

*Dear Ellen and Sam,

It was wonderful to see you at our wedding! Thank you for making the trip—and for your incredibly generous gift. We’re planning to take a long camping trip this summer, and we were able to pick up some crucial gear thanks to you. We’ll send pictures!

Again, we’re so grateful for your friendship. Thank you for being part of our special day.

With love,
Millie and Beau*

### For When You Didn’t like or Exchanged the Gift

*Dear Uncle Jeff,

It was a true delight to see you at our wedding. Thank you for the fondue set you gave us! It was incredibly thoughtful of you, and we’re both touched by your generosity.

Our wedding was all we could have hoped for, and it wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thank you again for helping us get our marriage off to such a wonderful start.

Gratefully yours,
Cher and Kiera*

### For When the Gift-Giver Didn’t Attend the Wedding

*Dear Henrietta,

Thank you for the stunning serving bowl! It’s the perfect accent for the open shelves in our kitchen. Thanks to you, our newlywed home is looking beautiful so far.

While we missed you at the wedding, we know you were there in spirit. We hope to see you when we’re back from our honeymoon! Again, our deepest thanks for your generosity.

Sincerely,
Margaret and Kate*

### For When the Gift-Giver Is a Very Close Friend

*Dear Jake,

We loved having you at our wedding! Thank you so much for the beer brewing kit. We’re going to fire it up in the next few weeks, and hope to be sipping backyard IPAs with you in no time.

You can’t imagine how moving it was for us to see you in the crowd with everyone else we love. These memories will last a lifetime and then some. Thank you for being part of our lives.

Much love,
Zach and Tracy*

### For When the Gift-Giver Is a Formal Acquaintance

*Dear Dr. Milford,

Please accept our deepest gratitude for the crystal vase you gave us. It’s a stunning centerpiece for our coffee table, and we can’t wait to fill it with the first flowers of spring.

We were both touched that you could attend the wedding. Your kindness and support means everything as we set off on a new life together.

Gratefully yours,
Logan and Mackenzie*

### For When Guests Sent a Group Gift

*Dear Chia, Hector, Phoebe, and Tonya,

We are so grateful that you all pitched in to gift us our new grill! We already cooked our first meal on it and cannot wait to grill for everyone whenever you’re all back in town.

We have profound gratitude for your gift and it touched our heart that you worked together to make this happen. We miss you all so much already!

Our love to all of you,
Sebastian and Terry*

### For When Guests Traveled Far to Attend

*Dear Aunt June,

We are eternally grateful that you traveled all the way from the other side of the country to be part of our big day! The memories we all made are cherished more than you can imagine.

Your presence at our ceremony was such a gift and we both look forward to spending more time with you this summer!

Love,
Haru and Aki*

### For When the Sender Was in Your Wedding Party

*Dear Esmerelda,

We cannot thank you enough for being in our wedding party. Your help with the decor and rehearsals made this big day such a breeze for us both!

We love our new dishware as well! We’re so lucky to have your artistic touch in our home now, and we hope to celebrate our new life with you over dinner very soon.

Talk soon,
Diaz and Iris*

### For When the Gift Is from Your Parents

*Dear Dad and Papa,

We are beyond grateful to have shared our special day with you both by our sides. You both were a tremendous help in making this wedding come to life and the new bookcase you sent was an incredibly thoughtful gesture.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us throughout the process and being our shoulder to cry on during the stressful moments—it was all worth it to dance with you like we did.

We love you always,
Cassie and Clarke*

### For When the Gift Is from Wedding Vendors

*Dear Wedding Supplies & Co.,

Thank you for all the thoughtful touches you added to our big day. Your help made everything run smoothly and we deeply appreciate the wine and charcuterie board you gifted us.

We will be able to host lots of dinners at our new home thanks to your generosity.

Sincerely, 
Lupita and Louise*

### For When the Gift Is a Charity Donation

*Dear Fletcher and Fiona,

We cannot begin to thank you enough for your generous contribution to our charity of choice, The Nippon Foundation Ocean Innovation Consortium.

Your thoughtful gift will help fund ocean cleanup events across East Asia! Our dream is to one day live in a world free of plastic ocean waste, and you have just helped us get one step closer to that goal.

We are forever grateful,
Jessie and Matt*

### For When a Guest Didn’t Send a Gift

*Dear Leonard and Nancy,

Thank you for taking the time to celebrate our special day with us. We were so excited to see you hitting the dance floor during the reception!

Your presence at our ceremony was such a gift, and we cannot wait to dance the night away with you again soon!

Love,
Taylor and Elizabeth*

### For When the Gift Is from Someone You Don’t Know

*Dear Ms. Ramirez,

We received the gorgeous vegan cookbook you sent us, and wanted to thank you for the thoughtful gift honoring our new life together.

We appreciate your generosity and kindness, and we hope to cook a delicious meal for you sometime soon. Please give our thanks to your wife and family as well!

Our sincerest gratitude, 
Yasmine and Maxwell *

### For When the Gift Is from a Shared Household

*Dear Shibuya family, 

Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate our big day! Little Vanessa’s paintings were the perfect gift, and they’re now hanging up in our study.

We know her artwork will help spark creativity while we both begin new careers during this new chapter of our lives. We can’t thank your family enough for taking time to dance the night away with us!

Take care,
Antonio and Alex*

## Helpful Synonyms for Wedding Thank You Notes

When you’re writing card after card (after card), it can get pretty tiresome to say the same thing over and over. Here is a list of synonyms for common expressions that will help you keep your thank you card language fresh.

__Ways to Say “Thank You for Your Gift”__
- We deeply appreciate your gift.
- We have profound gratitude for your gift.
- We’re offering the deepest thanks for your gift.
- We’re truly thankful for your gift.
- We’re so grateful for your gift.
- We can’t thank you enough for your gift.
- We love your gift; thank you so much!
- Your gift is very much appreciated.
- Thank you for your generosity.
- Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

__Ways to Say “Our Wedding”__
- Our ceremony
- Our special day
- The big day
- Our union
- The beginning of our life together
- Our celebration
- Our big event

__Ways to Say “We’re Happy You Could Come”__
- It was a joy to have you at our wedding.
- We were delighted you could come.
- We’re honored that you made the trip.
- It was wonderful to see you at our wedding.
- We were so grateful to have you as a guest. 
- We really appreciate your presence. 
- We loved having you there. 
- We’re so thankful you could join us. 
- You made our celebration complete. 

__Ways to Say “With Love”__
- Many thanks,
- Gratefully yours,
- With love and gratitude,
- Warmly yours,
- With deepest thanks,
- All our love,
- Best wishes, 
- Together with love,
- Fondly, 
- Cheers,
- Sincerely,

![how-to-say-thank-you](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/Mo3WiDrPLVN3sEcVhDbbB/08a338683d1d71cab499690697e735d9/how-to-say-thank-you.png)

Hopefully these phrases help you best express the warm fuzzies you got from your wedding gifts. Crafting a heartfelt thank you card is all about the little details, like which adjectives you use and how personal your thank you card wording comes across.

[Beautiful wedding card designs](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper) can also heighten the wow factor guests will feel upon opening their custom thank you card. Test out these tips while writing your next thank you card batch and you’ll be amazed by how tender your words can be.

## FAQs About Wedding Thank You Card Wording

Have more questions about wedding thank you card wording? We have answers.

### What Do You Say in a Wedding Thank You Card?

The core elements of wedding thank you card wording include a personalized greeting, thanking the guest for attending, showing gratitude for their specific gift, and a heartfelt closing.

### Who Receives a Wedding Thank You Card?

Anyone who sent you and your significant other a gift should be sent a wedding thank you card, and some couples also choose to send a thank you card to every guest who attended the wedding.

### Do I Send a Thank You Card to Someone Who Didn’t Attend the Wedding?

This is a personal decision between you and your spouse. Depending on the length of your guest list, this can also be a major time commitment. 

If you have the budget to invest in stationary and stamps, then consider taking the time to thank guests who made their presence your present.

### How Do You Say Thank You for Wedding Money?

Instead of mentioning the specific monetary amount the guest gifted you, tell the sender what you plan on doing with their investment in your future. 

For example, mention that their gift will help make your honeymoon adventures possible or will go to a diaper fund for the next chapter of your life.

### When Should Thank You Cards Be Sent Out After a Wedding?

In general, wedding thank you cards should be sent out between one to three months of the wedding. Any earlier is always appreciated by the guests, but later than this might leave guests wondering if you truly enjoyed their gifts or not.

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## We'll do the work.
<a id="zola"> </a>
Now that you know *what* to write in your wedding thank you cards, let us do the hard part. If you aren't into handwriting—or you tried and your hands can't handle it—we'll do that part for you. Now with Zola, you can type messages for any of your guests or customize our suggested notes. Yes, you can write individual messages to individual guests or families—it's still super personal. Then, we'll print whatever you write in a beautiful font.

Find this feature when you select any thank you card style on Zola. You have the option to write your custom message on the inside step of your customization process.

wedding registry gift essentials including a blue Le Creuseut dutch oven, measuring spoons, a yellow citrus juice, and a turquoise citrus juicer 

Essentials to Put on Your Wedding Registry 

Couple holding bouquets exiting outdoor wedding ceremony

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

wedding reception place setting with cream colored plates, sage green accents, and a wedding menu card

A Guide to Wedding Menu Cards

Bridal Shower Card Messages: What to Write

What to Write in a Wedding Card

How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift 

Thank You Notes

Make your wedding invites beautiful, simple, and hassle-free with our how-to guides. Learn when to send your invitations, how to request an RSVP & more.

Have questions about wedding Save The Date cards? We've got answers. Learn how to design a save the date, when to mail them, who to send them to, and more.

Trying to get the wording right on your wedding invitations? We've got you covered. Learn how to phrase your wedding invites, how to address them & more.

Find inspiration and guidance on every type of paper item you'll need on the day of your wedding, from ceremony programs to menus to escort cards and more. 