Wedding Invitation Vocabulary!
So you're gettin hitched. You might have started looking at wedding invitations, and you are wondering to yourself... what the heck does all this terminology mean?? Well, you've come to the right place!
We will start with the basics.
Wedding Suite (a): This is your wedding invitations in their entirety. It typically includes a main invitation, rsvp card, and envelopes at the minimum, but anything you add to your invitations creates your ‘‘suite’’.
Belly Band (b): This is what holds your wedding suite together. It’s like the bow on top of your wrapped gift (or the tissue paper if you’re a gift bag gal). It’s the finishing touch to your suite and makes it look complete. The belly band can be a traditional paper band or it can be a cute string or ribbon to tie everything together (and if you want to go the extra mile, add in a wax seal with the string!)
Main envelope (c): Pretty self explanatory, but this is what you send to your guests with your wedding suite inside. It will have your recipient addresses on the front, and your return address on the back flap.
Envelope Liner (d): This is a flat sheet of paper that lines the inside of your main envelope. It makes your invitations look a lot nicer and also adds a great pop of color to your design!
Main invitation (e): This includes all your big info: who's getting married, when, and where. It’s typically 5x7'' but that isn't something you have to adhere to (I love a good rule breaker).
RSVP Card (f): Typically 3.5x5'', this is how you get your numbers in and also determine food preferences if you are doing a plated meal.
RSVP envelope (g): This is for your guests to send the RSVP card back to you. You will want to add postage to the envelope and the address for where you want the RSVP cards returned.
Details card (h): This is where you can put details for your reception, hotel accommodations, a map, anything you want your guests to know. Size wise it can be anything you want, I typically like to make it a little bit larger than the RSVP envelope so that when they all stack together they frame each other perfectly and its real pretty (see the bundle next to letter b).
Wax Seals (shown right): This is melted wax that hardens quickly and can adhere things together. It was traditionally used to seal an envelope. I love to use them anywhere. You can add your monogram or initials to the design so when the seal is stamped it shows your design.
Vintage Postage: Vintage postage is used on the main outer envelope to send to your guests, and adds the most beautiful hand done touch and SO much character. I'm obsessed with it. Vintage postage is in fact vintage, the designs are not made today, so the stamps typically cost 2-3X face value. I love to mix modern postage with vintage if you love it but are on a budget.
Custom Stationery: I'm going to take a gander that you are going to have a lot of thank you notes to write! Don't forget some stationery. This can be customized with you and your partners names, monogram, or just a simple “thank you”.