What to Include in a Full Wedding Invitation Suite for a Luxury Wedding
As a luxury wedding photographer, I have photographed my fair share of beautifully crafted, artful wedding invitations and bridal details. However, as the wedding industry continues to embrace digital alternatives, I continue to be surprised by how overlooked a luxurious wedding invitation suite can be. It’s not a priority detail for every bride. But I still love the look, feel, and sentiment behind a printed product (that goes for printed photos, too!)
So if you’re like me, and don’t want to forego the beautiful printed invitation for your wedding day, here is a quick buyer’s/designer’s guide to choosing the most photo-worthy wedding invitation suite, fit for any classic wedding theme.
The Difference Between Invitations and Invitation Suites
A wedding invitation is a simple term that can cover a number of formats. They can range from an emailed invitation, e-vite, verbal invitation, handwritten, printed/designed, etc. Because a wedding invitation does not necessarily mean a piece of paper. It’s any way that an invitation for someone to attend your wedding is delivered.
An invitation suite, however, is a formal, most-often printed format for delivering wedding details and invitation to your guests. Invitation suites come in many shapes and sizes these days. But the elements that I find the most common and most photogenic can be found below.
Basics of What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Suite
- Main envelope (w/ to & from addresses and postage, envelope liner optional but highly encouraged)
- Main invitation card (typically 5×7 card where the formal invitation is written)
- Details card (where further details are shared, such as dress code, wedding website address, welcome party details and/or farewell brunch details, etc.)
- RSVP card (where guests can report who/how many are attending, often also choose their meal options by checking a box, or indicating dietary restrictions if you’re accommodating those)
- RSVP envelope (with postage & return address already attached)
All About Save the Dates
Save the Dates are a separate, pre-invitation notification sent to your intended wedding guests, particularly those who may need to make travel arrangements to attend. These should be simple, with a single card (often including a photo from your engagement session) and no other details than your wedding date and location (city, state at least; sometimes venue).
Many times couples will send Save the Dates only to close family, or only to long-distance guests. This is an option if you want to save on design, postage & printing costs.
Extra Details to Enhance Your Wedding Invitation
Wedding invitations can be as plain as a piece of single cardstock to an elaborate art piece. If you have a love for the luxurious details (like I do) there are lots of ways you can enhance the look and feel of your wedding invitation. These elements can also help communicate to your guests the level of formality to expect from your event (which can often help to encourage the proper dress code). Consider adding these delicate touches to your wedding invitation:
- A personalized wax seal
- Silk or chiffon ribbon
- A vellum or laser-cut sleeve
- Dried flowers
- Custom postage (check with USPS to make sure you’re still covering the proper postage on your envelope)
- Belly band
- Custom painting/drawing of your venue (Etsy is a great resource for this!)
- Accommodations card (detailing where guests can find lodging/activities pre-planned by the couple)
Where Can I Order A Custom Wedding Invitation Suite
With many sites like Minted, Zazzle, Shutterfly, and Zola offering quick and easy options for customizing your wedding invitations, it can be tempting to find a template that you like and order in bulk. I’m not knocking that option! Especially if you have a lot of guests and need to cut costs where per-head quantities are needed.
However, I have a strong affinity for the small business artists in this industry who pour so much love and personal touches into your invitation suite design. I recommend checking out your local designer, calligrapher, and/or stationer for a quote on your dream wedding invitation suite. To get you started, the artist who designed the stationery featured in this post is Designs by Allison Rene!
Bonus tip: For photos like these in your wedding gallery, be sure to order extra wedding invitation suites for your photographer to capture, preferably 2 copies so you can get a variety of flat-lays like above and below. Don’t forget to give me a copy of your Save the Date, too — so you can remember these details forever!
Did you find this journal entry helpful? There’s lots more to check out below:
- Tips for Buying Your Dream Wedding Dress (Without Regrets!)
- How to Safely Store Your Digital Wedding Photos
- Hack the Wedding Guest Dress Code With This Simple Guide
Also, if you are looking for a wedding photographer, I would love to share some of my work! Inquire with me about your date today.
- Breathtaking Mountain Sunset Photos at a Delfosse Vineyard Wedding | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer
- Andrew’s Surprise Proposal to Rachel at the Washington National Cathedral | D.C. Wedding Photographer
- A Classic, Intimate Fall Wedding at Heigh Torr Estate | Northern VA Wedding Photographer
- Dreamy Spring Pastels at a StyleMePretty Featured Wedding at Estate at River Run | Richmond Wedding Photographer
