Wedding Invitations

Organising Wedding Invitations is an extremely important part of your wedding planning. Without invitations, you may not have any guests to celebrate this special occasion with you!

Wedding invitations help set the tone of the wedding, inform guests when, where and how formal the event will be.

You should send your invitations out about 6 weeks before the wedding. If you are expecting interstate/overseas guests or the wedding is being held some distance from home, at least a notification of the date should be sent about 6 months in advance, to allow guests time to make travel arrangements.

Most commonly, wedding invitations are ordered through a professional printer or wedding stationer. You should begin arrangements for this as soon as possible and orders should be finalised about 6 months in advance. Matching "Thank You" cards, and other wedding stationery, can also be ordered at the same time.

Wedding stationers will have a wide variety of invitation options for you to view and choose from. You usually can also create your own design and the stationer will try to accommodate your wishes.

You can, of course, make your own wedding invitations... more on this below!


Invitations (and appropriate envelopes) need to be provided for:

• Each member of the wedding party, plus his or her partner (if applicable)
  
  
• The officiant and his or her partner
  
  
• Each couple (married or living together) and their minor children (if they have any, and you are inviting children)
  
  
• Any "child" over the age of 18, who resides with their parents, regardless of whether their parents have also been invited to the wedding
  
  
• Each single guest and his or her partner (if applicable)
  
  
• A keepsake copy, or more, for yourselves and maybe for your children one day
  
  
• Invitations should also be sent to anyone who you are close to, but know will not be able to attend, as a memento

• Close relatives should still be sent invitations, even if you know they are coming

Extra invitations should be ordered "in case", as mistakes can easily happen, especially in the exhausting, rushed, hustle and bustle surrounding a wedding! You may also find that you think of, or meet, new people you wish to add to your guest list. It is much cheaper (and less stressful) to order these extras with the bulk lot, than try to get them done seperately closer to the wedding date.

Wedding Invitation Hints:

Invitation envelopes should usually be addressed by hand, unless done otherwise for a specific reason, to fit the wedding or invitation theme.

Set an RSVP deadline a couple of weeks before the wedding, then after this has expired call those who have not yet responded. It's important to get your guest list finalised in plenty of time, so that you can notify caterers etc.

It is often advisable to include a map showing the location of the wedding and reception.

Don't forget, if you are having an outdoor wedding, a plan for an alternative in bad weather, if there is no other option at the actual location, should be mentioned.

DIY Wedding Invitations:

Designing and making your own wedding invitations can make them an extra special memento. They do take more time and effort, but give you pride in what you have created for your own unique wedding.  You will probably find friends and family will be happy to give you a hand with this fun creative activity.

In a lot of cases, making your own invitations can save you money. However, some more inventive and extravagant designs could end up costing quite a bit more! Unless you have a very large budget, these higher cost kind of invitations are probably best saved for intimate weddings with a small guest list.

Invitations can be made out of all kinds of different papers and cards. They can be folded in various different ways too.

You may like to decorate your invitations with things such as adhesive designs, punched designs, pieces of ribbon, lace, feathers, dried flowers, silver charms, decorative beads, photographs

Feng Shui invitation design is another trend that may be worth checking out.

Depending on the formality of your wedding, your invitations can be as classy or as way out as you like!

Adding fragrance to your invitation can help set the mood and create a memory. You can either lightly spray inside the envelope with your favourite perfume, or dab with a little aromatherapy oil. It is safer not to put the fragrance directly on the invitation, as it may cause inks to run or smudge, or the paper to discolour. the fragrance in the envelope with transer to the invitation. Make sure the envelope is completely dry before adding the invitation, however, don't spray too much in advance or the fragrance will slowly dissipate. Just keep in mind that a little is enough. Don't overdo it. Also, if you are concerned that any of your guests have allergies or other respiratory difficulties, be careful using fragrance. You could also use fragrant dried flower petals, such as roses or lavender, to add the scent.

Your invitations can be enclosed in pockets, portfolios or pouchettes (wraps, which can open up into fancy shapes, such as flowers) which contain all your invitation components, such as the actual invitation, maps, response cards, personal notes etc.

You could include something special in the envelope, such as a scattering of confetti or rose petals.



Some ideas for home made wedding invitations:

If you are a "business or corporate couple" you could send out invitations in business card style.

If you are lucky, and there is a postcard or blank greeting card showing the location of your wedding (quite possible, if you are using a famous location, or an outdoor location such as a popular waterfall), you could buy a bulk lot of these and print your invitation either direct on the card, or on a fancy sheet you stick in. Or create your own postcard, by taking and printing your own photo of the location.

If the couple share a favourite hobby, especially if a lot of your guests are also involved through a related club, can you design invitations to represent this interest? Car enthusiasts? Invitations in the shape of your favopurite car- and use the same cars as wedding vehicles! Stamp collectors? Print your invitation in the style of a large postage stamp, and stick it on an envelope. Don't forget to put it in another envelope with a real stamp!

Make three dimensional invitations such as a locket with photographs of the couple, and a small folded invitation inside. If not too big, the guests can even wear the locket at the wedding.

You could make bent wire intertiwned hearts, with photos or other decoration.

Use a small cardboard or wooden box, with a lid or transparent front, and enclose the invitation with a scattering of rose petals, lavender, or confetti.

CD/DVD- You can make your own special CD, CD Rom, or DVD inviting your guests to your wedding. You can include visuals of the location, maps, photos of the couple and wedding party members, engagement and bridal shower photos... whatever you like. To add atmosphere, you can even add music or "your song".

Keep in mind that bulky invitations cost much more in postage. also, if the invitations are delicate, they need to be adequately packaged, or hand delivered.

How about a Wedding Website or Blog (free blogs can be set up at blogspot.com)? You can create a site all about your upcoming ceremony, and any other related issues. You can even set it up so that your guests can RSVP online. If you like, you can keep an online diary, giving your guests the inside story as your wedding plans develop, and help them feel more a part of this special time.

When you send out your invitations, include the URL to your website, so that they can visit any time they like. Don't forget though that not all guests are internet savvy, or even have access to a computer, so make sure they have all the details about your wedding that they will need, even if they can't access your website.

After the wedding, you can add updates, honeymoon reminicences, wedding photos, list and pictures of wedding gifts... whatever takes your fancy. You could then decide to keep up your site/blog with updates of your married lives, such as moving into your new home, having your babies, holidays, birthdays, graduations, new jobs and other memorable events in your lives.


Beautiful creative wedding invitations make a wonderful introduction to your special day.  It's worth searching for just the right wedding stationers, or DIY ideas, and the internet provides the ideal medium for this pursuit. You can see what's out there from the comfort of your own home.  Then you can either order online, or visit the actual vendor to see their work firsthand and discuss your requirements.

May Your Wedding Day Be All Thay You Dreamed!