A Quick Guide to Wedding Invitation Enclosures
There are many enclosures that can go into your wedding invitations. Not all enclosures will be necessary to an invitation, but some are extremely important.
When choosing enclosures consider these factors:
Accommodation Card:
If you are having a number of guests coming from out of town, you should include an accommodation card. This card provides a list of names of hotels in the area in which your guests may wish to stay. Many hotels offer special discounted rates to wedding guests, so you can also include details on the discounted rate if applicable. Include the hotel location, name, phone number, and discount on the accommodation card.
Direction/Map Card:
For guests who are unfamiliar with the area, Direction/Map Cards contain clear details on directions to the church, reception area, or building in which the wedding and/or reception is to take place. This ensures guests can find their way on the big day.
Rain Out Card:
If you are having an outdoor wedding, you will need a Rain Out Card. This gives guests details on where to go if it rains that day and the wedding cannot possibly be held at the planned outdoor location.
Reception Card:
Reception Cards are enclosed when the reception is being held in a different location to the wedding. If the wedding is at an area church and the reception is being held in a hotel ballroom, you will need a separate reception card. The reception card should contain details regarding the place the reception is being held, what time the reception begins, and if dancing will occur. If you only want a certain number of friends coming to the reception, reception cards can be enclosed in just those who are invited to both the wedding and the reception.
Response (RSVP) Card:
An RSVP Card is perhaps the most important of all cards. This card is filled out by the invited guest/guests and mailed back to you. The RSVP Cards allow you to keep a count of how many guests will be attending your special day. This is an important consideration when deciding how much food is going to be necessary.
It is handy to lightly number the back of the RSVP Cards and then keep a list of everyone invited. As a card comes in, you can quickly check of the matching number on your list as coming or not coming. Etiquette dictates that the RSVP cards are mailed with a self-addressed stamped envelope to urge guests to return them. Two weeks before the wedding, the bride’s mother should call any invited guest who has not sent back their card to determine whether or not they will be intending. This final tally should then be provided to the caterer to ensure the proper amount of food is prepared.
Other wedding cards available:
When choosing enclosures consider these factors:
- Do your guests know the location to your wedding site?
- Do the guests know exactly where your reception is taking place?
- Is your wedding formal or informal?
- Are you getting married inside or outside?
- Are you holding the reception at a different location than where the wedding will be taking place?
- Do you have out of town guests needing accommodations?
Accommodation Card:
If you are having a number of guests coming from out of town, you should include an accommodation card. This card provides a list of names of hotels in the area in which your guests may wish to stay. Many hotels offer special discounted rates to wedding guests, so you can also include details on the discounted rate if applicable. Include the hotel location, name, phone number, and discount on the accommodation card.
Direction/Map Card:
For guests who are unfamiliar with the area, Direction/Map Cards contain clear details on directions to the church, reception area, or building in which the wedding and/or reception is to take place. This ensures guests can find their way on the big day.
Rain Out Card:
If you are having an outdoor wedding, you will need a Rain Out Card. This gives guests details on where to go if it rains that day and the wedding cannot possibly be held at the planned outdoor location.
Reception Card:
Reception Cards are enclosed when the reception is being held in a different location to the wedding. If the wedding is at an area church and the reception is being held in a hotel ballroom, you will need a separate reception card. The reception card should contain details regarding the place the reception is being held, what time the reception begins, and if dancing will occur. If you only want a certain number of friends coming to the reception, reception cards can be enclosed in just those who are invited to both the wedding and the reception.
Response (RSVP) Card:
An RSVP Card is perhaps the most important of all cards. This card is filled out by the invited guest/guests and mailed back to you. The RSVP Cards allow you to keep a count of how many guests will be attending your special day. This is an important consideration when deciding how much food is going to be necessary.
It is handy to lightly number the back of the RSVP Cards and then keep a list of everyone invited. As a card comes in, you can quickly check of the matching number on your list as coming or not coming. Etiquette dictates that the RSVP cards are mailed with a self-addressed stamped envelope to urge guests to return them. Two weeks before the wedding, the bride’s mother should call any invited guest who has not sent back their card to determine whether or not they will be intending. This final tally should then be provided to the caterer to ensure the proper amount of food is prepared.
Other wedding cards available:
