What are wedding invitation cards?
Wedding invitation cards are printed or digital notices that invite guests to a marriage ceremony and reception. A full invitation set pairs the main card with reply and detail inserts. Most couples mail them six to eight weeks before the wedding.
The main card carries the who, what, when, and where. Inserts handle the details that do not fit on the main card: RSVP, directions, hotel blocks, and dress code. Together they form one suite, often with matching envelopes and liners.
What should a wedding invitation card include?
The main card needs six facts: hosts, the request line, the names of the couple, date and time, venue name and city, and the reception note. Leave out anything guests can find on your wedding website.
Who hosts the wedding
Whoever pays or leads the planning goes first. That reads “Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ortega request the pleasure of your company” or “Together with their families, Maya and Jonah invite you.” Blended and same-sex families use the same structure.
Ceremony and reception details
Write the date in full and spell out the time: “Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand twenty-six, at four in the afternoon.” Give the venue name and city, then a separate line for the reception if it sits at another address.
What not to put on the main card
- Registry links. Save those for a shower invite, a website, or an insert.
- Dress code, unless the venue demands it. Use a details card instead.
- Adults-only notes. Share those by word of mouth or on the reply card.
What sizes and papers do wedding invitation cards come in?
Size drives postage and envelope choice, so pick it before you design anything.
- A7 (5 x 7 inches). The standard. Fits a 7.25 x 5.25 inch envelope at a first-class rate.
- A2 (4.25 x 5.5 inches). Common for reply cards and inserts.
- Square (6 x 6 or 5.5 x 5.5 inches). Good looking, but often costs extra postage.
- #10 long (4 x 9 inches). Rare for invitations, useful for programs.
Paper weight runs from 80 lb to 130 lb cardstock. Cotton and letterpress stock take ink well and feel heavy in the hand. Matte finishes photograph better than glossy ones in flat-lay shots.
When should you send wedding invitation cards?
Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. Give guests until three to four weeks out to reply.
- 12 to 10 months: reserve the venue and set the date.
- 8 to 6 months: order save-the-dates and mail them.
- 4 to 3 months: finalize the guest list and order invitations.
- 8 to 6 weeks: assemble, address, and mail.
- 4 weeks: call anyone who has not replied.
Destination weddings need more room. Send those 12 weeks ahead so guests can book flights and hotel rooms.
Printed or digital wedding invitation cards?
Print wins for formal weddings and older guests. Digital wins for speed and cost.
- Printed. Runs $2 to $8 per suite, plus postage. Sets the tone and works as a keepsake.
- Digital. Free to $1 per guest through a website or e-card service. Delivers at once with built-in reply tracking.
- Both. Many couples send printed invitations and collect replies online.
Paper reply cards still matter for guests who do not use email well. A phone number on the RSVP line covers everyone else.
What do wedding invitation cards cost?
Budget $2 to $8 per invitation suite, and up to $15 with letterpress, foil, or hand calligraphy. Postage adds roughly $0.73 to $1.50 per envelope in the United States, based on weight and shape.
Order 10 to 15 extra suites with the first run. Reprints cost more than the extras, and you will want spares for late guest additions and scrapbooks.
How do you order wedding invitation cards?
- Set the guest count and budget first.
- Request samples from two or three printers.
- Write your wording and get a second pair of eyes on it.
- Approve a digital proof, then a printed proof for custom work.
- Add the extras to the same order.
Proofreading catches the mistakes that hurt most: misspelled names, wrong dates, and outdated venue addresses. Read the proof out loud.
Wedding invitation card questions
Do you need RSVP cards?
Yes, if you want a headcount without chasing people. A pre-stamped, pre-addressed reply card raises response rates. Online RSVP works too, as long as older guests can use it.
Can you include registry details?
Not on the main invitation. Etiquette guides place registries on shower invitations, a wedding website, or a details insert. Word of mouth handles the rest.
How do you address the envelopes?
Use full titles and names: “Mr. and Mrs. Alan Reyes,” “Dr. Priya Raman and Mr. Sam Raman,” or “Ms. Elena Cruz and Guest.” Spell out street names and include the ZIP code. Hand calligraphy runs about $2 to $5 per envelope.