What Are Those Other Cards? -- Your Invitation Enclosures

Your guest opens up her mailbox, and sees a lovely envelope addressed to her. Inside is her invitation to your wedding! What a lovely way to tell her how much you want her to share in the joy and celebrate you and your fiancé’s exchange of wedding vows.

But wait! There’s more! What are all the other things that’s in the envelope?

One of the two most common types of enclosures is the Response card, also known as an RSVP card, (French for Respondez, s’il vous plait, or please respond). This card (with its pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope), allows your guests to easily let you know if they will be coming.

The other most common enclosure is the Reception card. It gives them information on the time and location of the reception. If the ceremony and reception will be held at the same location, the Reception card can be omitted as long as reception information is also included on the invitation itself. Something along the lines of "Reception immediately following ceremony" will usually suffice – and save you money.

Maps and directions are also popular enclosures. The easier you can make it for your guest to attend your wedding the better. Even if your guests live locally, a map with good directions is thoughtful and much appreciated.

One other common enclosure is hotel information If you have several out-of-town guests, an easy and inexpensive (doesn’t cost you a dime!) courtesy is to book a block of rooms at a nearby hotel. Include the name of the event (ex. Smith-Jones Wedding), the hotel’s reservation phone number and room rates (hotels will often give a discount) on coordinating cardstock. Whether your guests choose to stay at this location is up to them, but you’ve conveniently and thoughtfully put the information right at their fingertips.

A less common enclosure is the Within the Ribbon card. This card, which is about the size of a business card, is not sent to every guest, but only to those particularly special friends and family members. This card is brought to the ceremony and shows the ushers that you and your fiancé want to ensure that these special guests are seated up front. These cards are not necessary for grandparents or siblings, as they are traditionally seated up front, or for parents as they traditionally have the honor of sitting in the first row. Within the Ribbon cards are usually used for very large and very formal weddings where many guests are expected and reserving enough room for seating special friends and family members is a must.

The purpose of the invitation and its various enclosures is to provide all necessary information a guest will need to easily and comfortably attend your wedding and share in your celebration.

By Jean Neuhart, the owner of Weddings From The Heart.