Wedding Invitation Guide

Ordering

We recommend ordering your wedding invitations three to four months prior to your wedding date to give yourself time to assemble and address them.

To determine the number of invitations you will need to order, separate your guest list into the number of households invited not each person. We highly recommend ordering 25 more invitations than you think you will need. There are almost always last minute guests additions or a few addressing errors. The cost of ordering 25 extra with your original order is minimal when compared to ordering 25 more later. Re-orders at a later date are much more costly.

Mailing

Wedding invitations are sent to guests about six to eight weeks before your wedding day. Allow your guests roughly five weeks to respond, with an RSVP date set to three to four weeks before your wedding or event. This will allow you plenty of time for follow up with those who did not respond and enough time to finalize your catering needs.

We advise you to present a completely assembled invitation to the Post Office for an exact determination of your postage requirements. Remember that all square or vertical envelopes will definitely require extra postage due to their size. Further postage may be necessary based on weight.

Save the Date Cards

Sent to your guests four to six months before your wedding, Save the Date Cards are sent to put your wedding date on your guests calendars. The advance notice of the upcoming special event gives your guests plenty of time to reserve the date and prepare for their trip, especially if your wedding is during a popular travel time of year or it is a destination wedding.

Wedding Invitations

Invitations set the tone of your wedding by offering your guests the first glimpse of the style of your wedding ceremony. The wedding invitation includes the names of the bride, groom and hosts, date, time and location of the wedding. Everyone, including members of your family and bridal party should be sent an invitation.

Invitation Envelopes

Wedding invitations traditionally have two envelopes, an inner and an outer. The outer envelope is also referred to as the mailing envelope. The recipient’s name and address should be handwritten on the front with no abbreviations. The sender’s return address should appear on the back flap. The inner envelope is slightly smaller and un-gummed. It holds the invitation and enclosure cards; it may be lined with a colored or decorative liner for an extra touch of elegance. The inner envelope should have only the recipient’s title and surname on the front.

Envelope Seals

Available in a variety of colors and designs, envelope seals add a finishing touch to your invitations announcements and thank you notes.

Wedding Announcements

Wedding announcements are perfect for a small wedding ceremony, destination weddings or elopement to announce your wedding to friends and family who were not present. Wedding announcements can be the same as the invitation in terms paper stock and design, with the wording adjusted to announce rather than to invite. Announcements are usually sent the day of your wedding. A reception card may be included if you wish to have a reception to celebrate with your family and friends.

Reception Cards

Reception card are enclosed with your invitations to announce the time and location of the wedding dinner, dance, brunch or other celebration.

Response Cards with Printed Return Address Envelopes

Response cards are needed for most weddings to you with provide an accurate guest count. Guests return the card in the accompanying printed envelope, indicating if they will attend. A stamp should be affixed to the envelope. The response card and envelope are enclosed with your invitations. For budget-conscious brides, respond postcards are an economical option,.

Direction and Map Cards

Printed direction and map cards are a nice touch and provide your guests with detailed directions to the ceremony and/or reception. Direction and map cards are enclosed with the invitation and do not need envelopes.

Place Cards

Place cards instruct your guests where to sit at the reception. They are distiubted at the ceremony and not enclosed in the actual invitation. Delightful Invites offer a variety of designs to match your reception theme.

Menu Cards

Menu cards are at each place setting and add a very elegant touch to a formal ceremony with a sit down meal. They list and describe each course of the meal which will be served.

Napkins

Personalized napkins add a perfect touch to your reception and bridal shower. Delightful Invites offers napkins which can be ordered in a variety of colors with designs and ink colors to coordinate perfectly theme. Napkins are available in beverage and luncheon size.

Wedding Programs

Wedding programs allow your guests to follow along the order of the ceremony. They are especially helpful if you are planning a religious or traditional, with many guests who are of another faith or culture. In addition, it allows you to introduce the bridal party and to thank family and friends who helped in your wedding. They also make wonderful keepsakes for your guests. Wedding programs are usually handed to the guests as they enter the ceremony.

Wedding Accessories and Favors

Wedding accessories are coordinating ceremony and reception items that may later become cherished keepsakes, such as toasting glasses, guest books, ring bearer pillow and cake toppers. Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. Wedding favors are diverse and can range from the classic sugared almonds to small metal items. Some gifts may be personalized with the couple's names and the wedding date.

Thank You and Informal Personal Notes

Elegant thank you cards with a handwritten message inside express your appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the gift givers. Coordinating thank you cards are available with many of our invitation ensembles.

Wedding Party Gifts

Gifts are traditionally given to thank your bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as your parents, your flower girl and your ring bearer. Delightful Invites offers a variety of personalized gifts. From bridesmaid monogrammed totes to golf-themed gifts for the groomsmen to adorable toys for the children in your wedding, we carry the wedding gifts you’re looking for.