Insert/Details Card Info to Include with Your Wedding Invitations
With the rise of wedding websites these days, I get a lot of questions about insert cards in invitation suites. Are they even necessary anymore? If they are, what information should I include?
Here’s the scoop. I know you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into your wedding websites. You’ve probably made an FAQ page or a local attractions page. You’ve put hotel block information and details on the closest airports. But, and I hate to say this, not everyone goes through your entire website. They might peruse a page or two, and if you’re doing online RSVPs, they’ll definitely hit that page, but some may never go beyond that.
With that being said, I always tell my couples that if there is any information your guests absolutely need to know about your wedding, put it on an insert card. Anything from weird parking requirements to dress codes to special directions – if your guests won’t be able to easily navigate your wedding (or wedding weekend) without this information, it needs to be put on paper.
Traditionally, insert cards were used to give reception information when the ceremony and reception took place at different locations. These days, there’s lots of different information you could include. In this post I’m going to go over some of the things I think you need to include and some things that are nice to include on your insert cards. This information comes from years of working with many different clients with various types of weddings and the information they provided their guests on their insert cards.
What needs to be included on an insert or details card
Reception Information
If you go back to my breakdown of wedding invitations, you might remember that I mentioned that reception information should be left off of the invitation because it just gets a little too cluttered when it’s included. An insert card is the perfect place to include any additional reception information. For example, if your reception is at a different location than your ceremony, like Dominique and Tomasz, your insert card should have the address and start time of your reception. If it’s at the same location, but maybe in a different area, special instructions can help your guests navigate the venue.
Additional Information
Other things to include that fall in this category of “necessary” are special parking instructions, dress code, shuttle service information, etc. Some of my couples also opt to include rehearsal dinner information on an insert card for the guests that are invited to that event. And even though I said not everyone reads the full website, you should always include a URL if you have one. People appreciate being able to digest information in different ways.
RSVP Information
If you are opting for non-mail-in RSVPs this is also where you will need to include information about how and when to RSVP. Include the link to your website or a phone number where guests can reach you and make sure to include the deadline by which they should respond. You’ll be surprised as to how many couples forget to include this date when they go the DIY route (but if you’re one of my couples, I include this question on my questionnaire so you don’t forget to include it!).
What is nice to include on an insert or details card
Wedding Map and Other Fun Extras
One of the most common nice-to-have things my couples request for their insert card is a wedding weekend map. This can be as simple as a line drawing map, like Laurel and Michael’s custom insert card, or as complex as a watercolor piece of art. Important wedding weekend landmarks are usually included, ranging from the welcome dinner location to the hotel blocks to the ceremony and reception venues, and maybe even the after party location. Some couples will also include any special landmarks on their map. Laurel and Michael got married in Montauk, NY which has a famous lighthouse, so we included that on their map!
Optional Information
Other information that’s nice but not necessary to include is generic travel information (e.g. closest airports), hotel block information, and information about other optional events happening over the course of the wedding, such as welcome parties, after parties, and next day breakfasts/brunches/lunches. This is all information that can help your guests as they plan their travel, but isn’t critical that they know in order to have a great time at your wedding.
Does this need to be a separate card or can I just put it on the back of my invitation?
The Problem
I always hesitate to recommend putting any important information on the back of your invitation. Traditionally, invitations don’t have anything on the back, so a lot of people don’t think to look there. My cousin did this a few years ago and she said that she wishes she’d included a separate card after a number of guests called her up asking about the same information she’d provided on the back.
The Solution
This is one reason why my smallest suite option is a three-piece suite, which includes the invitation, an insert card, and of course, the envelope. Couples that choose this option generally are opting for online-only RSVPs so they use their insert cards to provide RSVP information, along with any other important information their guests need to know. I think having that extra physical card ensures that your guests see all the information they’ll need to have a great guest experience at your wedding!
I hope that answered all your questions about wedding invitation insert/details cards! If you ever have any questions about what to include in your invitation suite, or want to chat about how working with a wedding stationer can streamline your wedding planning, slide into my inbox using the link below!