The Tamesis
raised by mint
Wedding invitations are not only a notification tool for guests to mark their calendars, they are also the beginning of your journey to convey the aesthetic and vision of your celebration. “It’s often one of the first things guests encounter and can really set the tone for your wedding,” shares wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events. “Subconsciously, your invitations can communicate whether your guests should expect a more laid-back casual vibe, a more formal formal setting, and everything in between.”
Choosing wedding invitations can be an exciting design project, but it also requires some knowledge to understand the process of creating the suite and how to send it to your guests in a timely manner. Ahead, wedding invitation experts break down the process so you can create the invitations of your dreams.
Choose your wedding invitation aesthetic
When beginning your wedding invitation design process, it always helps to solidify your aesthetic goals for the suite. “Ultimately, your wedding is a reflection of your unique partnership,” says Anna Wibbelman, General Manager of Minted Weddings. “Drill down into something you both love and choose details that resonate with you, even the smallest details, like playful shapes, your favorite envelope color, or finding vintage stamps from your favorite places you’ve traveled.”
If design isn’t your strong suit, it’s understandable that you might need to do some extra research to find something you like. “If you don’t have a specific vision in mind yet, try looking for inspiration outside of the wedding world to discover your graphic preferences,” Hotchkiss advises. “Pay attention to the design and typographic details that appeal to you in restaurants, hotels, advertising, and more. Do you prefer a more modern and minimalist look? Or, do you prefer bright colors, bold illustrations, and a more maximalist vibe? Collect inspiration in one place so you can have a vivid collage that’s your style.”
Once you have a clearer idea of your design vision for your wedding, you can bring those ideas to your stationer and have them design your suite. You can start with individual save-the-dates, but it might be helpful to think about your paper goods as a whole. “Since save-the-dates are often sent before every wedding detail is finalized, many couples choose to be simple or photo-centric; this allows the design to remain flexible while still easily matching the final invitation suite later,” says Minted Concierge Micaela Ritschl. “Couples who build a wedding website and save-the-date can also easily change the design of the website with one click after selecting an invitation suite.”
“Whatever look and feel you ultimately choose, consider incorporating similar design elements into future communications with guests,” advises Wibelman. “You can incorporate the theme into your free wedding website, invitations and day of stationery such as programs, menus and place cards by using colour, illustrations, fonts and even your monogram. For a truly bespoke touch, consider adding design elements and working with an artist to create a custom venue illustration or logo badge that reflects your unique style.”
“That said, there are no rules that require everything to match exactly,” Ritschl added. “Some couples choose to incorporate the aesthetic of their invitations into everyday stationery for a seamless look, while others intentionally mix it up, choosing signage, programs and menus that feel more relaxed, fun or trend-setting.”
What to put in a wedding invitation suite
A typical invitation package has several key elements. “Invitations are often accompanied by a RSVP card (either a return card or a live guide for guests), a direction or details card, and if the venue is separate from the ceremony venue, a reception card,” explains Ritschl. “Many couples also come with belly bands to keep the suite tidy.” Other common additions include wax seals, jackets, kraft paper overlays and envelope liners to add an extra touch of design.
