What Pieces Go in a Wedding Invitation Suite

Truth be told, there’s no hard rules governing what pieces go in an invitation suite.  

While your invitation gives guests the vital where + when information, it’s the enclosure cards that really make your invitation suite come alive.

Enclosure cards are a great way to flex your creativity, differentiate your invites and make your guests feel special. They are your guests’ first experience with your wedding, after all. And choosing your wedding invitation pieces carefully goes a long way toward wooing your guests and making the entire experience feel special.  

That’s why we’re not huge fans of the one-size-fits-all wedding etiquette.

But we do believe in having enough information to make choices that feel right to you and your spouse.

So, here’s a list of the pieces that traditionally go in a wedding invitation suite. At the end we included some great optional pieces that will set your suite apart.

What Pieces Go in a Wedding Invitation Suite

Your wedding invitations actually serve three purposes: 

•  Be the first item that actually welcomes your guests to your wedding
•  Provide all the info your guests need to attend and enjoy your wedding weekend
•  Be a keepsake that you and your spouse cherish

Just like every couple, every event is different – but ideally, your suite checks all of these boxes.

In the end, though, you should take these recommendations with a grain of salt and do what feels good for you!

Wedding Invitation Suite Must Haves

These are the standard pieces that comes with a traditional wedding invitation suite.

Invitation

Naturally, the invitation is centerpiece of your suite. It should include the most important information, such as your names, hosts’ names, the wedding date and time, ceremony location, and whether or not there will be a reception afterward.

The invite can start to look crowded quickly, so try not to include details that would be a better fir on your details card or wedding website.

Details

Some might consider a details card optional, but you can only fit so much information on an invitation. And directing guests to a wedding website often means that a lot vital details end up getting missed.

I say, why answer last minute questions from your entire guest list when you could just put it on a card and be done with it?

A details card is also a great way to direct guests to your wedding website for even more helpful, but not vital, info.

Response Card

By giving your guests an easy, convenient way to reply, an RSVP card makes it so that you don’t have to track down guests and ask for a response at the last minute.

Nowadays, couples are using online RSVP methods to collect responses. If you’re having an informal wedding, this is a great option. But if you’re having a traditional wedding, stick with paper response cards.

Envelope + Postage

This includes a full-size envelope and postage for the invitation suite as well as a return envelope and postage for the RSVP card.

Optional Pieces

These enclosure cards can help convey additional information to your guests, but they’re not required.

Reception Card

If the wedding reception is at a different location than the ceremony, a reception can help clear up a lot of confusion. Make sure to include the name of the reception venue, the address, the time, and any information about parking, shuttles or travel arrangements.

Directions or Map 

If you want your guests to arrive on time, including a separate directions card will help. In recent years, I’ve seen a lot of couples including a custom map (either drawn or painted) that shows guests where to go, which makes a cute, personal touch (not to mention a great keepsake).

Even if you include a directions card, you’ll still want to include addresses and directions on your wedding website, should anyone lose theirs or get lost at the last minute.

Accommodations

An accommodations card is helpful if you’re having a destination wedding or a lot of guests from out of town.

Make sure to include the name and address of the hotel, the phone number, and the name under which to book rooms at the block rate, and details about transportation to and from the hotel.

If you expect rooms to sell out fast, make a note of that as well! You don’t want your VIPs to wait until the last minute and miss out on a hotel room.

Weekend Itinerary

Should you have a bunch of events planned, make sure everyone is up to speed on the weekends’ activities with an itinerary. Include things such as check-in time, welcome drinks, rehearsal dinner, transportation times, wedding ceremony, day-after brunch, checkout time, etc.

If you don’t want to include an itinerary in your wedding invitation suite, I still recommend having one in your welcome bags so guests know where to be throughout the weekend.

What to Put on Your Wedding Website

I’d recommend saving the following information for the wedding website only.

Dress Recommendation

If you have a strict dress code, such as black tie only, then go ahead and put that on the details card. But if you have a looser dress code, then make note of it on your wedding website.

Kids or No Kids

If you’re having a kid-free ceremony or reception, then choose a prominent place on your wedding website to display that information. If you’re worried someone might miss the memo, then use the RSVP card to specify the number of guests invited (you can say something along of the lines of “we have reserved 2 seats in your honor”.)

Registry Information

For weddings, including a registry card is sometimes seen as tacky. While we’re all about doing what you want and feels good to you, if you want to go the traditional route, limit this information to just your website.

Did I miss anything?

I you still have questions about what cards to include or where to put certain information, just let me know in the comments!

The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this website are for educational and informational purposes only. I am only sharing what worked for me, and as such, I cannot guarantee that any products or processes will give you the same results.