The Invitations

Your wedding invitations will be the first glimpse most people will have of your wedding. You’ll want them to create the impression that your wedding is an event that should not be missed. Not only do your invitations tell your guests where to go and when to be there, your invitations subtly tell them how formal the event will be, how they should dress and may even influence the types of gifts they send. When you select your invitations, keep in mind what kind of wedding you’re having. While formal invitations are appropriate for, among other things, a traditional church wedding, something less formal and more colorful may be more suitable for a wedding held at sunset on a beach.

Reception Cards

If you do not include reception information on your invitation, it’s important to include a reception card. It invites your guests to the reception and gives them a time and location, which is especially important if the ceremony and reception are at different locations.

Response Cards

Response cards are a convenient way for your guests to indicate whether or not they will be attending. They are especially important to determine that critical head count for a sit-down dinner.

Map Cards

Out-of-town guests will appreciate receiving direction or map cards, which give simple yet explicit directions to your wedding and reception. These cards can be included with the invitation or mailed later to those who accept your invitation.

Accommodation Cards

Accommodation cards are sent with invitations to out-of-town guests who will need to make hotel reservations.

Transportation Cards

When a large number of out-of-town guests are attending a wedding, especially in a large city, you may want to provide transportation from the wedding to the reception. Sent with the invitations, transportation cards let your guests know that you are taking care of their local travel needs.

Within-the-Ribbon Cards

Pews may be cordoned off with ribbons to indicate a special seating section. Guests bring the card with them to the ceremony to enable ushers to seat them properly.

Pew Cards

Pew cards are used when specific rows have been assigned for some or all of your guests.

Wedding Programs

Wedding programs are becoming more and more popular, not just as your guests’ guide to the wedding ceremony, but as a keepsake. They are generally in the form of a small booklet with an engraved or embossed design on the cover. Many times, couples choose to decorate programs with a ribbon.