Your wedding invitation does not just give invitees the official details for your wedding, but it also sets the tone for your big day. Therefore, it's vital that you carefully think of the design and choose top-quality material if you want an elegant invite. Remember that a wedding invitation is typically composed of four components: the main card for the invitation, a card for the reply of the invitees, and two envelopes — one for the response and the other one to hold the other three parts.
You may also include wedding invitation inserts. These inserts provide information about the wedding. They are made separately to prevent the main wedding invite from being too crowded or holding too much information that can confuse the recipients. Although it's not compulsory to have these inserts, you can include them if you prefer to. Below are some of the most common inserts used by couples, which you may also incorporate in your wedding invites.
Accommodations card
It's mainly used for destination weddings or for invitees coming from distant places that would need accommodation. You may talk to hotels near the wedding venue to secure discounts for your guests. Include the details in the accommodations card, such as the hotel options and the reservation or discount code. If there is a deadline for the code, indicate that in the card too so they will be aware, especially if the hotels tend to book their rooms quickly! If you are paying for the accommodation, indicate that too, so they will know, and they could book within the set period. It’s also good for you as you will know which rooms to pay for.
Pre- and post-wedding event information
Besides the actual wedding day, some couples have events planned before or after the wedding. Add an insert with the details to let your guests know. For example, you may have a relaxing party the following day after the wedding, which is less formal than the wedding reception. Consider the paper that you will use as it should work with the overall look that you want. If you have luxurious wedding invitations, the insert should also have that theme. There are stationary or personalized writing papers that you can use made of high-quality materials, which will work well with your elegant theme, like those you will find at https://www.pemberlyfox.com/collections/personalised-writing-paper.
More and more couples nowadays host an event before or after the wedding. If the budget allows, you can also consider doing it. You may be tense and occupied on the big day itself, or there could be so much going on that it would be challenging to take the time to bond with every guest. The pre and post-wedding events will let you spend more time with your friends and loved ones to celebrate the special occasion.
Reception card
If the reception is different from where you will tie the knot, have an insert letting the guests know about the address. Add the time, and you may also add some information on what to expect, like dinner and cocktails. Some couples have their wedding venue and reception in one place. However, it’s still up to you what you prefer. If you wish to have the ceremony in one place, and the reception in another, that’s also not a problem. Again, a reception card is one of the inserts you may want to add to your wedding invitation if you prefer the latter.
Wedding website
Many modern couples now have a wedding website, where guests can check updates about the wedding. If you have one, you may also have an insert that will tell the invitees about your site, so they could visit it and be informed of changes or important details about your wedding.
The website may also contain your wedding registry or the list of things you wish to receive for your wedding. Some consider sharing the registry inappropriate, while others are fine with it. So, depending on your family's culture, you may or may not include it. If you do, make sure to update the list if people already volunteered to get you the items, so others would know which ones are still available. Some also add the registry on the inserts, but again, it's a personal decision you need to make, considering if guests will find it appropriate or not.
Attire card
If you want your guests to wear a specific attire on your big day, let them know through an attire card. For instance, you may want them to wear formal or something with a particular colour theme of your choice. If you are having a beach wedding, you may also include details like wearing comfortable footwear suitable for the venue. It will make it easier for the attendees to find the proper attire since they have a guide.
Direction card
To make sure that your guests can easily find your wedding venue, insert a direction card. You may also add information on the popular spots to check out around the area, especially if you have a destination wedding. You can customise the direction card, so it also has a touch of your personality, as you can choose the colours and images to use. Another option is to insert a map. Although online maps are now available and guests could easily search for the location, there’s also a chance that their phone may run out of battery, there could be no signal, or they may run out of data. So, to be on the safe side, include a map or customised direction card to serve as their reference for your venue.
Pew card
It’s something that you give to specific guests who have reserved seats waiting for them. For example, you may have a special table for closest relatives or friends. Include the pew card in the invitation as in insert to let them know where they will be seated. They need to present this to the usher at your wedding reception so they can escort them to their proper seat.
You don't need to have all these wedding invitation inserts. Instead, include only those you need and ensure they fit the invites' overall theme for a cohesive look.