Wedding invitation cards are the first formal announcement of your wedding and the practical tool that tells guests when, where, and how to RSVP. The best ones balance style, clarity, and timing: they look like you, state the facts in plain words, and go out 6 to 8 weeks before the date. Pick a card that is easy to read, fits your budget, and includes every detail guests actually need.
Most couples spend more time on the invitation than on any other wedding paper item. That makes sense. The card sets the tone for the entire day.
Do Wedding Invitation Cards Come in Standard Sizes?
Yes, and the size you choose affects both postage and the weight of the envelope. The most common size is A7, which measures 5 by 7 inches. That fits most standard and decorative envelopes.
Popular sizes include:
- A7 (5 x 7 inches): the standard fit for most invitation cards and one folded card or two flat cards.
- A6 (4.5 x 6.25 inches): a smaller single-card option, often used for less formal weddings.
- Square cards (5 x 5 or 6 x 6 inches): modern but cost more to mail, and they need nonstandard envelopes.
- 4-bar (4.875 x 3.5 inches): a small card that works for a reception invitation or a simple celebration.
Bigger is not always better. A larger card looks grand, but it can push the envelope into a higher postage rate. Weigh a fully assembled invitation before you commit to a size.
What Paper and Finish Should You Choose?
Paper weight is measured in pounds or grams per square meter, and the standard for wedding invitations is 110 pound or 300 gsm. That feels sturdy in the hand without being too stiff. A lighter 80 pound card is fine for enclosures like a directions card.
Finish affects how the ink sits and how the card feels. Matte is the easiest to read and write on. Glossy looks shiny but can smudge with an inkjet printer or a pen.
Other finishes to consider:
- Foil stamping: a metallic foil on text or borders, elegant but adds to the cost.
- Letterpress: pressed text creates a subtle dent, a classic and tactile choice.
- Embossed or debossed: raised or recessed designs without ink, nice for monograms.
- Rough cotton or linen: gives a handmade feel but can catch on a pen.
Ask for a sample before you order the full set. What looks good on a screen can feel flimsy in your hands.
What Do You Write on the Card?
The main invitation card should answer five questions: who is getting married, when, where, what time, and how to respond. Put the full names of both partners, not nicknames, unless you are sure the card is casual.
A simple formal wording looks like this:
“Together with their families, Anna Marie Lopez and James Robert Chen request the honor of your presence at their wedding on Saturday, October 14, 2024 at five thirty in the evening at The Lakeside Pavilion, 111 Bridge Road, Portland, Oregon.”
For a less formal wedding, you can write “please join us” instead of “request the honor of your presence.” Add the reception line only if you are serving a full meal and expect guests to stay. If the ceremony and reception are in different places, include a separate reception card with the address.
Every card should also include a separate RSVP card or a line telling guests to respond.
How Many Cards Should You Order?
Order at least 10 percent more than your final guest count. If you invite 100 households, order 110 invitation suites. You will need extras for last minute additions, mailing mistakes, and a keepsake or two.
Count by household, not by guest. A couple living at the same address gets one invitation addressed to both names. A family with children gets one invitation with all family members listed on the envelope.
Also order a few extra envelopes. Printing errors and addressing mistakes happen more often than people expect.
What Goes in the Envelope With the Card?
Assemble the main card, an RSVP card, and any enclosure cards in order of size. The main invitation sits on top, face up. Slip the RSVP card under it so the printed side is visible when the envelope opens.
Common enclosure cards include reception card, directions card, accommodation card, and a details card for your wedding website. Keep the number of enclosures low. Each piece adds weight and postage.
Put the response envelope inside with the printed address facing the back flap. If you skip the inner envelope, the right side of each piece should face up when you lift the flap.
When Do You Send Them?
Send wedding invitation cards 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to book travel and take time off work. Gather address and RSVP replies from those who commit early.
If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or requires travel, send them 10 to 12 weeks out. If you have one, send save the date cards 6 to 8 months before the wedding.
Request that guests reply by a date that gives you a final head count for the caterer. A good RSVP deadline is 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. That gives you time to chase down missing replies.
Mail first class and consider having the post office hand cancel the envelopes. Hand cancellation may protect an elegant wax seal or decorative stamp, but it can delay delivery by a day or two.
How Do You Address the Outer Envelope?
Use full names and spell out the word street, road, and other suffixes. Abbreviate only if the return address you ordered is short. Write the mailing address on the front and the return address on the back flap.
Guests' names go on the outer envelope exactly as you want them to appear on a place card. A married couple can be Mr. and Mrs. with the husband's first name, or you can write both first names on separate lines. Modern couples often use the full each partner's full name.
Keep the outer envelope formal but clear. Illegible handwriting is the most common reason an invitation is delayed.
How Do You Save Money Without Sacrificing Style?
Skip the foil and letterpress if you are on a budget. A clean design with a thick paper stock looks sharp without any special finish. Stick to one accent color and one ink color to keep printing costs down.
Practical ways to cut costs:
- Choose a flat one piece card instead of a folded card.
- Print everything at once. A cheap print shop for invitation cards is fine, but enclosure cards with mismatched paper look sloppy.
- Skip the inner envelope. It was once a sign of formality, but most modern couples leave it out.
- Print the wedding website on the main card and skip the separate enclosures.
- Use a digital RSVP instead of a printed RSVP card when you can collect email addresses.
Spending on the card is not necessary to match the amount you spent on the venue. A thoughtful mix of quality paper and clear wording does the work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Invitation Cards
Do I need a separate RSVP card?
You need some way to collect responses. A printed RSVP card works for older guests who are not online, but a digital response on your wedding website is fine for everyone else. If you use a printed card, put a stamp on the return envelope.
Should I add a wedding website?
Only if you host accommodation, gifts, or registry details there. Put the website in small print on the invitation or on a details card. Keep the web address short and easy to type.
What if I have a small destination wedding?
Send invitations earlier, around 12 weeks, because guests need time to book flights and hotels. A smaller guest list often makes a thicker card more affordable. Keep the wording the same as a traditional invitation but add the destination details clearly.
Should I mention gifts on the card?
Never write registry information on the main invitation card. Wedding etiquette says registries belong on the wedding website or at a shower. Hosts can mention the registry to guests in person or in a private note.
A Simple Checklist Before You Order
- Count households, not guests, and add 10 percent extra.
- Confirm the date, time, and address with your venue.
- Pick your paper weight and order a sample.
- Write the main card, RSVP card, and any enclosure cards.
- Weigh one fully assembled invitation to check postage.
- Set a mailing date 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.
- Address envelopes and send the whole batch at once.
Your wedding invitation cards are not a test of your design taste. They are a piece of communication with a job to do. Get the details right and the paper will take care of itself.