Elements of an Invitation Suite

Invitation

First, the most obvious and important part of the wedding suite, the invitation.  The invitation is where the … wait for it … inviting happens.  The invitation includes things like the host line, your names, and the location, date, and time of the ceremony.  Typically, the invitations I create are 5 x 7″ in size (also called A7).  The invitation is non-negotiable, you gotta have it.  Easy peasy.

Response Card

In my book, the response card is also pretty standard.  I’m a paper person, so I’m allowed to dislike electronic RSVPs – especially for a wedding.  The RSVP card is typically 3.5 x 4.875″ in size (also called 4bar).  The response card contains instructions for RSVP-ing, such as a line for the guests’ names, whether they’re attending, and sometimes includes meal options as well.  It also comes with an envelope which gets sent pre-addressed and pre-stamped.

Enclosure Card

The enclosure card is where we start to get into the optional items.  An enclosure card can be extremely useful, but isn’t strictly necessary.  Typically, you need an enclosure card if the following applies to you:

  • your ceremony and reception are at different locations,
  • you need to list hotel accommodations,
  • you need to provide specific driving instructions,
  • you have wedding weekend events you’d like to invite specific guests to, or
  • you’d like to include a special design element such as a map or venue illustration.

If you’re using a digital printing process, enclosure cards can be double-sided.  If your suite will be letterpress printed, then it will be single-sided.  Multiple enclosures of different sizes can be used to communicate different information.  Typically, enclosure cards are 4.25 x 5.5″ (A2) or 4.5 x 6.25″ (A6), which allows them to layer nicely with the invitation and response cards.

Envelope Liners

Envelope liners are magical.  They take a standard suite and infuse personality and beauty for a relatively low cost.  Liners are completely optional, but they are a wonderful place to include some special artwork, a monogram, a pop of color, or a fun pattern.

Envelope Addresses

There are at least two envelopes that must be addressed in every invitation suite – the outer envelope that will have the guests’ addresses, and the response envelope that will be addressed with the return address. Addressing 100+ envelopes by hand is no easy task, nor is figuring out the proper way to address them. I highly recommend taking advantage of one of the services I offer for envelopes.

Digital envelope printing is part of my Gold Package or can be added as an a-la-carte option. I print directly on the envelopes and design the addressing to coordinate with your wedding suite.

To elevate your invitations even more, I offer an a-la-carte calligraphy service for your envelopes and would hand letter each address on your envelope. It would be the one special hand written touch on your printed invitation suite.

In Summary

I hope this has helped you understand the function of each element in a wedding suite.  If you’re unsure of which pieces you need for your invitations, please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can discuss your wedding and determine what will work best for you!