The wedding invitation is a critical part of the whole wedding process; it has a significant impact on the budget and venue of the wedding. Well-made wedding invitations provide guests the first glimpse of the upcoming celebration. It also allows them to prepare ahead of time and give them the necessary information about the ceremony – including the place, date, and time.

Nevertheless, wedding invitations go way beyond the card itself; it covers the preparations, expectations, creativity, tones, and the number of guests for a wedding.

Here are some simple and practical tips on the best practices for successful wedding invitations.

Calculate the Number of Invites as Accurately as Possible

Who to invite and the number of guests is often one of the issues that arise before the wedding. It could become a point of contention, no matter how in love the couple is to each other. Hence, they need to spend time with their family to discuss this issue and derive the best plan of action possible.

Be sure to count as correctly as possible, including every member of the family that might attend the wedding. A good rule of thumb is to add about 10 to 15 extras into the final quantity for allowance when unexpected guests arrive.

Brainstorm on the Style, Design, and Theme Ahead of Time

The style and tone of the wedding invitation can somewhat give guests a “sneak peek” of the actual event. It is best to use a design that corresponds to the theme of the wedding. Will the wedding adopt a particular subject such as rustic or floral? How about the color? What color combination will the wedding use?

Using a similar theme and color on the wedding card can give guests a glimpse of what the wedding would be like and generate a more harmonious feel.

Since the process of planning the wedding theme and tone can sometimes take a long time, preparing for the design of the card is best done a few months before the wedding.

Include Necessary Information or Guidelines

Aside from the date, time, venue, and names of hosts and the bride and groom, couples can include other information on the card such as the wedding program, dress code, guidelines for children, menu, and additional necessary details.

However, couples should aim for a simple yet clear invitation. Of course, it can have all the extra information if there is still enough space, and the design should not be too “busy.”

The couple can also leave out some space for the handwritten names of the guest to make the card more personal and genuine.

Make Sure Everything Is Set Before Creating an Invitation

Before creating an invitation card and place the order for printing, the couple needs to make sure that every detail included in the invitation that requires action has been done and confirmed.

These actions typically involve the following: calling the venue provider and booking the venue on the desired date, ordering and deciding on the food menu and caterer, and any other necessary measures that need to be taken and finalized. 

Hand Out Invitation a Few Weeks Before the “Big” Day

Hand out the wedding invitations at least 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. It will allow guests to prepare for gifts, leave the date open, make travel arrangements, book for accommodations, or do other necessary preparations prior to attending the wedding.

With technology, it is now easier for couples to send out a “Save the Date” electronic card quickly and for free. But, sending out the classic wedding invitation cards implies a more genuine and sincere intent – a custom that never dies regardless of how much time has passed.