Wedding Reception Cards

Most wedding ceremonies are followed by a wedding reception and that information needs to be included with your wedding invitations so your guests know all the details. To accomplish this, you have several choices.

The most obvious option is to include a wedding reception card as an insert with your invitation as pictured here. A typical reception card verse could read as follows:

Please join us
for Dinner and Reception
at TIME o'clock
LOCATION

Depending on how many inserts you may be including and the weight of the invitation itself, the weight of an additional card may require extra mailing postage.

There are also options for having your reception information printed directly on your invitations.


As shown on this wedding invitation style, the last two lines, aligned with the verse but slightly separated from it, reveal the reception details. This is perfectly acceptable if your chosen invitation style has enough room for the extra lines.




Another option is to have your reception information printed on your wedding invitation as a corner copy. There is usually a small fee for a corner copy which can appear in the bottom left or right corner. In the style pictured here, it happens to be a left corner copy. Again, your chosen style needs to have room to accommodate a corner copy.

Bridal Shower Invitations

Today you don't have to look too far to find many unique bridal shower invitations to choose from. There are designs to match almost any theme whether it be a kitchen shower, a bridal tea, a garden luncheon, etc.

Bridal shower invitations typically include the bride’s name, the names of those giving the shower, the date and time along with the name and address of the location. To find out how many guests will be attending, you may want to list an RSVP phone number. If the shower is a surprise for the bride, be sure to also have that printed on the shower invitation to alert guests to the secrecy of the event.


In addition to providing guests with all the party details, some styles even give guests the chance to share something with the bride. For a more personal touch, you can choose a style that includes an attached recipe card, wedding wishes card or a marriage advice card. If your chosen style doesn't include such a card but you like the idea, you could simply insert one of these special cards with the invitation so the guest can fill it out and bring it with them to the shower.

Wedding shower invitations announce the personal party that will be held for showering the bride with gifts before her wedding day so make sure they are uniquely special to fit the occasion.

Rehearsal Invitations

Chances are you are planning to hold a dinner following your rehearsal the evening before your wedding. To make sure that everyone involved in your rehearsal knows they are invited to this dinner, it's a good idea to send out special rehearsal invitations. Invitations will also provide them with all the details as to time, location, etc.


The wording of your invitation will depend on who is hosting the dinner. If the bride and groom are hosting, they will be listed as doing the inviting. If parents are arranging the dinner, the invitation will state the dinner is being held in honor of the bride and groom and may also list the names of the hosts.



You may want to also include response cards for guests to return if you are inviting quite a number of people so you can properly plan for seating and food arrangements. As a courtesy, remember to include the return postage stamp on the response envelope for quick and easy return mailing.



Even though your rehearsal dinner guest list won't be as large as your wedding invitation list, these select guests will appreciate a formal invitation with all the details.

Wedding Invitation Cards

If you are looking for a simple but elegant design, you may want to consider a wedding invitation card on white or ecru (warm creamy beige) paper. Being a card, there are no folds and your printing appears on the front.


One type of card style is the panel design which is characterized by having the center section of the invitation “framed” by a raised area of paper around the outer edges. If you prefer, you can select an ink that reflects the color(s) of your wedding.




There are also panel style wedding invitations as shown here that include colorful borders.







For a more contemporary look, your wedding invitation cards could feature a pearlized border design.

Wording of Save the Dates

As discussed in our last post about Save the Dates, sending them is not required but they are a great way to announce your wedding date months ahead of time so guests can clear their schedule for your special day. Just a reminder that everyone who receives your Save the Date Cards must also receive your wedding invitation later.

Aside from asking your guests to 'save the date', it's standard for them to include your names, wedding date and a phrase such as 'wedding invitation to follow'.

If you have already decided on the location for your wedding, you may also include that information...not necessarily the specific address but maybe just the city.



Another nice touch as shown on this sample is to list your personal wedding website at the bottom so guests can go there for more information.





If your chosen design is related to a specific theme, you may be able to add a catchy phrase to fit the theme.





A Save the Date Magnet showing a calendar may include a phrase something like 'mark your calendar'.




There are many unique verses you can choose from for your Save the Dates depending on how much printing space is available. Here are many sample verses for Save the Dates and wedding invitations.

Newest Wedding Invitation Designs

The newest unique wedding invitations we now have available are designs from the Red Leaf Papers® collection.

This line includes some really distinctive designs, especially for couples plannning a destination wedding.



Whether you are looking for Beach wedding invitations...








Romantic wedding invitations...








Destination wedding invitations...








or Flower wedding invitations...





You'll want to be sure to check out these Red Leaf Papers® wedding invitation designs that we have recently added to our already extensive online selection.

Save the Date Wedding Invitations

Save the date cards are not required but are the perfect way to announce your wedding date to your guests months ahead of time so they can keep their busy schedules clear for that day. Keep in mind that these are not your official wedding invitations but everyone who receives your save the date cards must also receive your wedding invitation later.

Your save the dates will include your names, wedding date, a phrase like 'wedding invitation to follow' and possibly your wedding location.

Since you are announcing one of the most joyous days of your life, why not have some fun with your Save the Dates. There are many, many designs to choose from including whimsical styles.



You can create a keepsake for your guests by including your favorite photo or photos on a save the date magnet so they can keep it handy right on their refrigerator.





Another design option is a save the date card that includes a sticker that guests can place on their calendar as a reminder of your wedding date.





Other save the date cards can come in specific themes or even creative shapes to set the tone for your wedding.





How about including a magnet that is printed with the month of your wedding and has your date circled. Again, the magnet can easily be displayed on their refrigerator.





How about surprising your guests by sending them tickets to announce your 'special' event such as the ones pictured here.




Etiquette doesn’t require you send out save the dates to all or even some of your wedding guests, but it may be a nice touch since people's schedules tend to be quite busy in today's world. They would especially be appreciated by guests who may have to travel to your wedding destination or if your wedding date is close to a holiday.

Ideas for Being 'Green' with Your Wedding Invitations

Many of today's couples are trying to be more environmentally conscience when planning their wedding. When it comes to your wedding invitations, being more earth friendly can actually be accomplished with some simple choices. In some instances, you may even save some money.

Probably one of the most thought about choices is having them printed on a recycled paper. There are many beautiful invitation designs now available on quality recycled papers. The style pictured here is on a paper containing at least 30% post-consumer fibers.


Another simple choice is to use less paper in your wedding invitation ensemble by considering these ideas:

• Select a more traditional single-panel card style.
  
  
• Eliminate the need for including a reception card by having your reception information printed directly on your invitation (having less weight in the envelope might even save you from adding extra postage for mailing). If space allows, your dinner and reception details can be added on as extra lines aligned with the rest of your verse printing. In some cases, the style may allow the option of a corner copy for listing these details (3-4 lines that are printed in the bottom left or right corner in a smaller sized font usually for a small fee). Corner copy is not recommended for designs that are narrow or tea length.
  
  
• Choose an invitation style that gets mailed with only a single envelope instead of the typical double (inner and outer) envelopes. A self-mailer is a great example since it includes an envelopment that wraps around all of your pieces and seals up to become the actual mailing envelope. One envelope will also save you time when it comes to addressing. Please note that this style may require extra postage depending on the size of the invitation.
  
  
  
• If you will be including a response card, consider enclosing a postcard which not only eliminates the return mailing envelope but will also require less postage. A great style that actually has a response postcard attached for easy removal and mailing back by your guests is a seal and send wedding invitation. This economical all-in-one design folds up and seals into a self-mailing piece so it also eliminates the mailing envelope altogether.
  
  
• Setting up a personal wedding website can provide your guests with online maps, directions, names of hotels, registry information, etc. This will eliminate the need for extra invitation insert pieces also saving on paper.

Today it's easier than ever to make earth-friendly choices when selecting your wedding invitation style without sacrificing quality and beauty. Every little bit helps when it comes to saving our planet and some of your choices might even save you money in the process.