Home
>
Marriage & Wedding
>
Invitation Anatomy 101 - Optional Components - Part 2 of 3

Invitation Anatomy 101 - Optional Components - Part 2 of 3

Hopefully, you've read my prerequisite lesson "Invitation Anatomy 101 ? Typical Components". If not, I would highly recommend reviewing that article first. Now that you've been introduced to the main components of the most common invitation style/format, have a read of some of the Additional or Optional items you may want to add to your invitation.

Here's the breakdown of my Invitation Anatomy 101 into two lessons: Typical Components and Optional (or Additional Components). The latter I'll describe here (in no particular order):

Optional (or Additional Components):

1) Reception Card

Often for weddings or events where the ceremony/formal event and reception are not at the same place, an additional card may be required to inform guests of the name and address of the reception hall.

This card may include information on parking, written directions, smoking rules, and the time of the event(s) (ie. Cocktails, greeting lines, abridged agenda, seating times etc.)

Usually this card is the size of the RSVP card.

2) Directions Card

If your ceremony/formal event and reception are not well know to any or all of your guests, it is proper etiquette to provide detailed directions to and from the sites.

Directions cards may be as simple or as detailed as appropriate to the scale of the event celebration.

If you have out-of-town guests, you may wish to include hotel information/directions, suggestions on where to rent a car or call a taxi, maps or drawings in additional to written directions etc. This extra information often requires an addition card to the Directions card.

The information on this card is a service to your guests. Use your own common sense to determine what information should be included.

On a side note: I would say that about 98% of my invitation clients (regardless of the nature of the event) request a directions card. The current trend is to keep the format of the Directions card consistent with respect to typeface, style, etc. as the original invitation card.

TIP: For a more professional looking Directions card, ask you Invitation Designer for a quote on using the services of a professional cartographer. While much more expensive that an "in-house" map, cartographers can add features like a magnified sections of a map, landmark details, and customized routes.

3) Program

Programs are one of the fastest growing components to general event planning.

A program reflects the chronology of happenings which will occur during the day of your event. Regardless of what formal and informal elements may or may not be included in your particular event day plans, a program adds a nice touch and air of sophistication to your event and/or celebration.

Programs offer a high degree of creativity that can really stun and impress your guests. You may wish to match or coordinate your programs with your event invitation colours/styles. You can present them as a scroll or booklet on the day of your event.

Program information can include a chronology of happenings/events, speakers, locations, awards, recipient lists, donor lists, sponsors, greetings from company executives (if corporate) or family and/or bride and groom (if wedding). If there is special information, credits, or questionnaires, they can be easily incorporated into the program.

Announcement Card (& Engagement Cards)

Usually wedding-related, the purpose of these cards is to 'announce' the joyous event of your marriage to absentee guests. Usually, guests who live far away or could not attend due to other reasons are sent announcement cards immediately after the wedding.

Announcement cards sent BEFORE a wedding are referred to as "Engagement Cards" (usually sent to announce a couple's engagement). Engagements cards are a lot less common today.

Announcement cards are simple and elegant. They may consist of your names, the wedding date, the location, and a small quotation or greeting from you and your spouse.

Companies can also use Announcement cards to drum up excitement over the launch of a new product or significant milestone achievement. The rule of simplicity still applies in that very little except the basic information is placed on Announcement cards.

Save-The-Date-Card

These ? almost exclusively wedding-related ? cards serve two purposes. The first is to announce your joint intent to marry and the second is to inform the guests to 'save the [wedding] date' on their calendars. In this way, Save-The-Date cards are similar to "Engagements Cards".

These cards are a more recent addition to invitation components as engagement times are lasting longer and longer with many modern couples. It is important that these cards usually contain the wedding date, location, and hotel/transportation information for guests.

We get the most requests for Save-The-Date cards when a couple or a company is planning a destination wedding or event. In the reverse of a destination wedding or event, if your wedding is close to home (and most of your guests), but some of your guests are coming from out of province, state, or overseas, it is a wise idea to send Save-The-Dates to these guests to give them more time to plan.

TIP: Remember you can save some money by NOT ordering Save-The-Date cards for ALL of your guests. If most guests live within reasonable driving distance to your wedding venue then order Save The Date's for the out-of-town guests only.

These cards are sent out well in advance to the invitations.

I've seen Save-The-Date cards used with companies wanting to inform key staff and strategic partners to keep a certain time-period free while securing reservations for a retreat-style focus group. In one case, specific details wouldn't be available for some time, but the booking was made at a popular resort at considerable expense. Save-The-Date cards allowed guests to keep the dates free from other scheduling conflicts (ensuring desired attendance targets would be reached) while the formal details and eventual invitations were being hammered out.

Way to go! Just one more lesson in "Invitation Anatomy 101-Optional Components"! Finish up with Optional Components - Part II.

Laura Paladino's work has been featured locally and nationally across print and television. Her public and commercial clients range from brides to wedding and event planners to celebrities in Canada and the United States. For additional articles and resources, information on Laura Paladino, her invitation design collections, or her select bridal boutique products and studio services, visit http://www.laurapaladino.com

cleaning team near Mundelein ..

In The News:

Scammers target seniors who avoid social media by exploiting public records like obituaries and real estate filings to steal personal information and money

Recovery team in Italy use AI-enabled drones to detect missing hiker's red helmet, leading to successful recovery after months of ground searches

Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.

Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.

C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.

Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.

Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.

First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.

Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts

Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.

Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.

ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.

Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.

Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.

Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.

Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.

A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.

The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Researchers turn 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts annually into sustainable road construction material, reducing litter and improving asphalt performance.

A security flaw in Google Workspace's Gemini AI enables cybercriminals to manipulate email summaries with invisible commands that bypass current protections.

Dubai's Woohoo restaurant features Chef Aiman, an AI system that reduces kitchen waste by creating new dishes from discarded ingredients and trimmings.

A Texas autonomous trucking pilot uses Bot Auto's Level 4 driverless trucks to transport freight between San Antonio, Dallas and Houston for a door manufacturer.

Invitation Anatomy 101 - Optional Components - Part 2 of 3

Marriage & Wedding