Breaking Down Invitation Suites: How Many Pieces Do You Need?
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and invitation suites set the tone for your big day. But with so many options, it can be often feel overwhelming to figure out how many pieces you actually need to create the perfect wedding invite (trust me – as an invitation designer, I help my couples through this all the time). After all, the last thing you want is to confuse guests or leave out important information. And while you may love the look of a larger suite, do you really need it? Maybe! Let’s find out!
In this blog post, I’ll break down the different options for invitation suites, including the components you need for a 3-piece suite, how to design a 4-piece suite, what to include in a 6-piece suite, and tips for making your invitation suites look cohesive. Then, when you are ready, you can head to my contact form and we can start creating your invitation suite together!
What is an invitation suite?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s define what an invitation suite is. After all, I want to make sure we are on the same page. An invitation suite is a collection of cards and envelopes that are sent out to invited guests for the purpose of sharing wedding day information (at the same time – so your save the dates are not included). At minimum, invitation suites typically include the main wedding invitation card, a reply or RSVP card, and envelopes for both. These days, couples are including more pieces in their suites, which gives them more opportunity to share important wedding details. It also gives me more room to have fun with the design and delight your guests!
What are the components of a 3-piece invitation suite?
A 3-piece invitation suite is the traditional option that includes a wedding invitation, a reply or RSVP card, and an envelope for each. These 3 pieces are generally all that are needed for a minimal, yet informative invitation.
Wondering what to include? The wedding invitation is the most important piece. It shares the date, location, and time of the wedding. The reply or RSVP card is necessary for guests to indicate whether or not they will be attending. Finally, the envelopes protect and present the cards and provide a place to add stamps for return service. Plus – you know I love an envelope liner!
How to design a 4-piece suite
For a 4-piece wedding invitation suite, an extra enclosure card is added. This can hold additional information on things like details of the reception, directions/map, accommodations, or wedding website. Additional cards offer more chances to communicate vital wedding details like attire, shuttle service, or a timeline of events. The enclosure cards can be printed on the same paper as the invitation for consistency or a different color or pattern to add visual interest
What to include in a 6-piece suite
When you are just a little obsessed with stationery (like me!) or your wedding has a fair amount of “need to know” details, you may choose a 5, 6 or even 7-piece suite. A 6-piece suite typically includes a wedding invitation card, reply or RSVP card and envelope, reception card, direction card, and weekend events card (although you can customize yours based on what you need).
The reception or details card provides additional helpful information such as the time and place of the reception and any specifics on its theme (like if you are asking your guests to wear the same color!). The direction card features any details or directions necessary for guests to find the wedding and reception location. Finally, a weekend events shares details of your welcome dinner or Sunday brunch, if applicable. You can also consider adding in a “thank you” card for your guests too!
Tips for making your invitation suites look cohesive
When designing an wedding invitation suite, consistency and cohesiveness in style and messaging are key in creating the perfect invitation. From font choices to paper colors and textures, each element needs to have continuity to ensure that the invitation feels as though it is one together for one event. Consistent use of a color palette, choosing complementary patterns, and maintaining a consistent font style or graphic motif are all ways to achieve a cohesive look between different pieces in your suite. Don’t worry – I can help with that! Learn more about working together here. Or, if you are looking for a cost-effective but still stunning option, check out my semi-custom invitation collections.
How many pieces do you need in your invitation suite?
Creating a successful wedding invitation suite heavily relies on how much information you want to include and how many additional cards you need to share information with your guests. As an invitation designer, you want to consider your wedding style and the theme when designing your invitation suite. The last thing you want is for guests to miss important information, so remember to keep communication simple and straightforward. In the end, your invitation suite should reflect your personality and set the perfect tone for your wedding day. Let’s get started!
