A Complete Guide to Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitations are more than pieces of paper or digital cards. They are the first glimpse your guests get of your big day. They set the tone, share essential details, and create excitement for what’s approaching. 

Many couples quickly discover that choosing invitations isn’t as simple as it sounds. With endless styles, formats, and wording rules, the process can feel overwhelming. When you’re already juggling a thousand wedding-planning decisions, this is the last thing you need. 

Whether you prefer elegant, printed wedding invitations, digital wedding invitations, or DIY wedding invitations, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Why Do Wedding Invitations Matter? 

Wedding invitation cards act as the official announcement of your big day. They include the most important information, such as who’s getting married, when, where, and RSVP’s. 

From traditional scripts to unique wedding invitations that break all the rules, the design you choose reflects your personality as a couple. If you are unsure where to start, using a wedding invitation template can be the perfect foundation, as it offers structure while still allowing personalisation. 

Who to Invite to Your Wedding

Deciding who to invite is often one of the most challenging tasks. Here’s our simple guide to help you navigate it:

1. Immediate Family

Parents, siblings, and grandparents are typically the core of the guest list.

2. Close Friends 

Include the people who are actively present in your life, and those who will likely celebrate future milestones with you and your partner.

3. Extended Family

Extended family guests can include aunts, uncles and cousins. Depending on the size of your wedding and your preferences.

4. Plus-ones 

Plus-ones are typically offered to guests who are in a long-term relationship, engaged or married. These guests are often considered for guests who won’t know anyone else at the event besides the happy couple.

5. Children

Some couples choose an adults-only event for their wedding, while others happily welcome little ones. Whatever you decide, it is important to mention this on the wedding invitation. 

These categories are simply recommendations. Your final guest list will naturally depend on your budget, your venue’s capacity, and the overall vision you have for your day.

When to Send Wedding Invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, timing matters. A clear timeline ensures your guests receive their invitations early enough to plan. 

Save the Dates 

Send save-the-date wedding invitations around 6-12 months before your wedding, especially for destination weddings or peak-season dates. Guests need plenty of time to book travel, arrange time off work, secure accommodation, and plan their schedules so they can attend without stress.

Formal Wedding Invitations

Your main wedding invitations can be sent 8-12 weeks before the big day. If you’re using electronic wedding invitations, you can send them closer to 6-8 weeks as guests receive them instantly.

RSVP Deadline 

Set your RSVP date to 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This timeline gives you time to finalise seating, catering and venue requirements. 

What to Include In a Wedding Invitation

Crafting the perfect wording can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.  Here's a breakdown of what to write in your wedding invitations:

• Names of the couple

• Date and time

• Venue address

• Reception details

• Dress code (optional but useful)

• RSVP instructions

• A wedding website link (if using)

Wedding Invitation Template

Use the below wedding invitation sample as a guide for your own invitation: 

How to Write a Wedding Invitation

The wording for your wedding invitations doesn’t need to be complicated or include specific wedding invitation phrases. The primary goal is to communicate your details clearly while matching the tone of your day. 

When it comes to wedding invitation greetings messages, keep them heartfelt but simple. A short greeting at the top or bottom of your invitation can set a warm, welcoming tone for your celebration. 

Couples often choose phrases that reflect their personalities and/or the tone of their big day. From a classic “We joyfully invite you to celebrate with us” to something more relaxed such as “Join us as we say ‘I do.” These small touches help personalise your wedding invitations and make them feel more meaningful, without overwhelming the main details. 

Whether your style is traditional, modern, playful, or minimalist, keep your overall message warm, concise, and easy to read. Focus on the essentials as mentioned above. From there, you can add personal touches, such as a brief greeting, a meaningful quote, or a simple line inviting guests to celebrate with you. 

Clear and thoughtful wording ensures your guests feel welcomed, informed, and excited for your big day.

How Do You Address a Wedding Invitation? 

Address wedding invitations using full names and appropriate titles, such as Mr., Mrs., or Dr. For couples, list both names. For families, address the parents and add “and family” if you're including children.

If a guest is allowed to bring someone, write their name followed by “and guest.” Always double-check spellings and use a style that matches the formality of your wedding.

Designing Your Wedding Invitations

The design of your wedding invitations sets the visual tone of the day, and should give your guests an insight into the atmosphere of your upcoming wedding. 

Popular wedding invitation designs that may spark some inspiration:

• Floral and botanical - timeless and romantic 

• Minimalist and modern - clean lines, soft colours

• Vintage or Art Deco - perfect for themed weddings

• Photo-based - great use for engagement photos

For DIY invitations, opt for textured cardstock, calligraphy, wax seals, and ribbon or twine to create beautiful, handmade wedding invitations. 

If you prefer convenience, numerous wedding invitation templates and wedding invitation samples can be found online, many of which are available for instant editing. Platforms like Canva offer easy-to-customise designs you can personalise in minutes.

Digital vs Print Wedding Invitations

Digital Wedding Invitations

Digital wedding invitations can be a perfect choice for minimalist weddings or for couples on a tight timeline. They are an eco-friendly alternative to printed invitations, with instant delivery, cutting down on postage costs. Digital invitations can also make tracking RSVPs easier. 

To sum it up: If time and convenience are strong factors for you, digital invites may be the most effective and stress-free method. 

Print Wedding Invitations 

Printed wedding invitations are tangible keepsakes, with a luxurious feel and many choices of textures and finishes, making them the ideal option for traditional weddings. Paper options are vast, including options such as matte, linen, or even deckle-edge design. Foil lettering, embossing, or even raised ink can give your invitations that special feel.

Many couples now combine both methods in their wedding invitations, most commonly including digital RSVPs, paired with printed invitations. This way, you have the convenience of receiving responses quickly and more easily while also having the beauty of print.

To sum it up: If you value tradition, elegance, and the keepsake quality of stationery, printed invitations offer a timeless and beautifully crafted option for your wedding.

Final Tips for Stress-Free Wedding Invitations

Keep these key tips in mind to ensure your wedding invitations are polished, accurate, and memorable:

• Make your invitation design consistent with your wedding theme. This consistency helps set the tone for your big day and gives guests a preview of your style.

• Double-check spelling, dates, times, and venue details before ordering or printing. Mistakes can be costly and stressful, so a careful review ensures accuracy and avoids confusion.

• Over-order invitations. Depending on the size of your wedding, ordering 10-20 extra invitations is always a good idea, just in case. If you don’t need them, the extras can be framed and kept as keepsakes, or even as an extra to add with your thank-you cards after your wedding day.  

Bring Your Wedding Vision to Life at The Lawrence

Your wedding invitations mark the beginning of your celebration. Whether you choose to DIY, use a wedding invitation template, or order unique wedding invitations from a company or designer, the goal is simple: to share your love story beautifully and clearly with your loved ones. With thoughtful wording, a design that reflects your upcoming big day, and a well-planned timeline, your invitations will be both meaningful and memorable. 

At The Lawrence, every detail of your wedding, from invitations to the ceremony, is handled with care. Elegant spaces and attentive service enhance your theme and leave guests impressed from the moment they arrive.

Get in touch to explore how we can bring your wedding vision to life, find out more about hosting your special day with us! 

Find out more about weddings at The Lawrence