A wedding suite consists of all paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. If you can’t tell a reception card from a response card, hopefully the following will clarify all the elements that can be part of an invitation suite.
Save The Date. This is the first communication you have with your guests about your big day and sets the tone for your wedding. Most couples choose to make an engagement photo part of (or the actual) save the date card. A Save the Date includes your names and the wedding date. You may also include your website here.
Invitation. Includes information about your wedding ceremony and should include key details such as the date, time and location. Wording is specific to your day and the level of formality. You can use corner copy (small print, bottom right or left corner) on the invitation for quick bits of information such as “reception following ceremony” (if they are in the same location), “ no gifts please” or “black tie”.
Response Card. This is a card sent along with the invitation and includes a self addressed stamped envelope for your guests to send back their reply. The card should include a space for names and a place to reply yes or no. This is also the place to offer meal choices where guests can note their selection. I recommend that my couples number the names on their guest list, and write that number on the back of the corresponding response card. This is helpful in the event the guest handwriting is illegible (gasp!), if someone forgot to write their name, or as an alternative to having a name line. Lastly, the card needs a reply by date. If you decide to forego a response card because the guests will respond directly to your website, please be mindful of older generations and consider including a reply card with their invitation even if you are leaving it out of the others.
Details Card. Communicates relevant wedding information such as accommodations and travel, your wedding website, reception information, attire, pre and post wedding events, and other details not part of the invitation. Think of what you would want to know if you were attending a wedding and notify guests of those things. If your wedding will span a weekend and includes multiple events such as welcome drinks, an after-party, a day-after brunch, etc., it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for guests so they know what to expect and pack for. An insert card that lists weekend events officially invites guests to these activities and puts the details physically in their hands. Accommodations can be a part of the details card or a separate insert.
Directional card or map. Although navigation is alive and well, a guest's phone could die or lose reception. Plus, your elderly guests might not have a smartphone that can give them directions instantaneously. If you don’t include a direction card in your wedding invitation suite, list the directions to your venue and its address on your wedding website. For some added personality and another intimate touch, consider including a custom weekend map.
Reception Card. If your wedding reception is not going to be held in the same location as the wedding ceremony, you may want to include a separate card with the reception information with wording that indicates the formality and nature of the event. If you are hosting a reception before 1 p.m., the first line should say 'Breakfast Reception.' Anything after 1 p.m. is just 'Reception’. If you include a meal, it should read 'Dinner Reception’. If you'd like to throw an adults-only affair, you should notify guests through word-of-mouth and by the names addressed in the invitation. If you must include an "Adults-Only Reception" line, do so on the reception card and as the last line.
Registry Card. This can be in place of the mailable response card if your guests will be replying online.
Inner Envelope. The inner envelope that is slightly smaller than the outer mailing envelope holds the invitation and indicates who is invited to the wedding. If your guest will have a specific plus-one, write both their names. If they can bring anyone, the envelope should include their name and a generic guest: "John Smith and Guest." If there's not a plus-one, just include the guest's name. This is also the way to indicate whether or not children are invited. For example, if you are inviting a family, the envelope should be addressed to "The Smiths." If it is just the adults should read "John and Victoria Smith."
Mailing Envelope. Obviously you will need an envelope to send off all the paper goods. Luckily, you don't have to handwrite the addresses yourself as a calligrapher can do it for you! However, if you want to do it yourself, read my post “Envelope Addressing Etiquette”.
Thank you Notes. Hand written thank you notes are both traditional and expected. Aim to send thank you notes within 3 months of your wedding.
Embellishments. All the extra fun items that make your invitation special. Something to hold the suite together such as a vellum wrap, belly band or silk ribbon is a nice option. Wax seals for the envelope is another beautiful touch.
Postage. With all this stationary, your envelope may weigh more than standard postage covers. Head down to the post office with your invitation suite and get it weighed to see what postage you'll actually need. When you actually mail the invitations, request that the stamps be hand-canceled rather than machine-canceled. USPS website has a surprising number of stamps that you can order to coordinate with your paper goods. Alternatively, vintage postage is a popular trend. With a variety of themes and color schemes, it is more pricey than standard postage, but is something that makes the envelope unique.
Of course, these elements are not all necessary! I recommend having an invitation, response card with envelope and the outer envelope. From there, adding extra inserts as needed for your wedding scale and type is up to you. Designing, packaging, and sending wedding invitations is a major undertaking. Start with creating a guest list, map out your wedding and all events and create a stationary budget. The invitation is a guests’ first impression and creating a suite that fits the style of your dream wedding offers a cohesive look and feel.
