Your save the dates have been mailed and guests penciled in your wedding day on their calendar, now it’s time to get started on your wedding invitation suite! Your wedding invitations are one of the most important wedding details. After all, they establish your aesthetic, formality, and the overall mood you would like to convey for your big day. The wedding invitation suite is the first impression you’ll make and you only have one chance to get it right. If you’re not sure what essentials you need to include, Lace and Belle is here to help with wedding stationery 101. Here’s the breakdown of all the components that cohesively create your wedding invitation suite.

INVITATION CARD

Undoubtedly, the main invitation is the most crucial piece in your wedding invitation suite. This card joyfully invites and informs guests of the specific details. Your invitation should include who is hosting, your names, date, time, ceremony location, reception line, and wedding attire.

Standard Invitation Size: A7 (5″ x 7″)

RESPONSE CARD

The response card is how guests will communicate if they will or will not be attending your wedding day. Additionally, if your venue needs meal counts prior to the wedding day, you’ll also need to include meal choices. If you’re opting for an online RSVP, this card is perfect to relay the information on how guests can do so.

PRE-STAMPED RESPONSE ENVELOPE

If you choose traditional mail back response cards, you’ll also need pre-stamped response envelopes. I also include your guest’s return address printed on the back flap. This elevated (and elegant) upgrade helps make tracking responses even easier. Avoid confusion or extra work by ensuring the invited name is written on the line, preventing uncertainty about the card’s sender. Kiss the days of numbering the backs of your response cards goodbye!

Standard Card Size: 4Bar (3.5″ x 5″)

INSERT/DETAILS CARDS

Enclosure cards are additional information inserts to share any additional details. For example, you can include reception information, hotel room block details, transportation, after party, post-wedding brunch, and wedding website.

Standard Card Size: A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″)

MAILING ENVELOPE

The addressed mailing envelope will neatly hold your invitation and enclosure cards.

THE BELLES & WHISTLES

WAX SEALS

Wax Seals are my personal favorite stationery embellishment! They not only add dimension, but also add personalization. These timeless vignettes can include your initials, a monogram crest, motif, and can embellish your invitation suite or to seal your mailing envelope.

BELLY BANDS

Belly Bands are typically made of paper, vellum, lace, or ribbon and wrap around your invitation suite to help hold the pieces together.

VELLUM JACKETS

Made of smooth, translucent paper, Vellum Jackets wrap around the full length of your invitation suite to hold the invitations, insert card(s), response card, and envelope together.

ENVELOPE LINERS

Liners are an easy way to dress up a plain solid colored envelope to add a little more personalization to your suite. Choose a simple pop of color, a pattern or go custom with a venue illustration, monogram, or even include your dog or cat here!

POCKET STYLES

Pocket Folds are booklet-style folios with a single interior panel for an invitation and a pocket to neatly hold and keep your insert cards organized, while back pockets offer a modern twist. Your main invitation is mounted on the front of the back pocket, while the insert cards neatly tuck into the pocket when flipped over. I like to refer to this style as business on the front, but a party on the back!

Four and five-piece invitation suites are the most popular, but keep in mind the amount of insert cards and embellishments will greatly vary based on your overall style and formality. Are you ready to get the pretty paper party process started? Let’s chat! I can’t wait to hear from you! Xo

featured images | Styling & Photography by Peterson Design and Photography