Elements of an Wedding Invitation Suite
Your wedding invitation suite is more than just paper and ink – it's the first taste of the celebration to come, setting the tone for your entire event. From the main invitation that makes the grand announcement to those thoughtfully designed supporting pieces that guide your guests through the details, each element plays its own special role. Below, I'll walk you through the various components that can be included in your suite, helping you decide which pieces will best serve your celebration.
Invitation
Let's start with the star of the show – the invitation itself. This essential piece is where the magic (and yes, the actual inviting) happens. Your invitation carries the heart of your celebration, featuring the host line, your names, and those all-important ceremony details like location, date, and time. The standard size I work with is 5 x 7" (also known as A7), a classic choice that provides the perfect canvas for your wedding details. And while you might be flexible about other pieces in your suite, this one's non-negotiable – after all, your guests need to know when and where to celebrate!
Enclosure Cards
The enclosure card is your invitation suite's versatile companion piece. While not strictly necessary, it becomes invaluable when you need to share additional details with your guests. You might want to consider including an enclosure card if:
- Your ceremony and reception are celebrating at different venues
- You're arranging hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Your venue requires specific driving directions
- You're hosting additional wedding weekend events
- You'd like to feature a custom venue illustration or map
When it comes to design possibilities, digital printing allows for double-sided enclosure cards, while for letterpress or foil-printed suites, we'll work with single-sided designs. And here's a helpful tip: you can include multiple enclosure cards of different sizes to organize various types of information. I typically design these pieces at 4.25 x 5.5" (A2) or 4.5 x 6.25" (A6) – sizes that layer beautifully with your invitation and response cards to create a cohesive suite.
RSVP Card
The RSVP card plays an essential role in your invitation suite, helping you plan your celebration with confidence. Whether you're going traditional with mail-in responses or modern with online RSVPs, this piece ensures your guests know exactly how and when to respond to your invitation. I typically design these cards at 3.5 x 4.875" (known as 4bar), providing just the right amount of space for all the important details.
Traditional mail-back RSVP cards comes with their own envelopes. To create the most polished experience for your guests, I highly recommend adding return address printing for these envelopes. And here's a thoughtful detail your guests will appreciate: add a forever stamp to each envelope makes responding as convenient as possible.
Envelope Liners
There's something truly magical about envelope liners. They transform a classic invitation suite into something extraordinary, adding an unexpected moment of delight when your guests open their invitations. While completely optional, liners offer a perfect opportunity to showcase your personality – whether through custom artwork, an elegant monogram, a bold pop of color, or a distinctive pattern. Best of all, they add significant impact for a relatively modest investment.
Envelope Printing
Every invitation suite requires at least two addresses – your guests' addresses on the mailing envelopes and your return address on both the mailing envelope and the RSVP envelopes. To make this process seamless (and save you from addressing 100+ envelopes by hand!), I offer professional digital envelope addressing.
Beyond just printing your envelopes, this service includes expert guidance on proper addressing etiquette – ensuring every guest's name and address is formatted correctly and formally. I design the addressing to coordinate beautifully with your invitation suite, printing directly onto your envelopes for a polished, cohesive look.
Let's Get Started
Ready to begin your stationery journey? I'd love to share my exclusive wedding stationery guide with helpful tips and inspiration. Simply complete the inquiry form and let's connect—whether over coffee in Pittsburgh, through a video chat, or via email—to discuss bringing your wedding vision to life.