What Information Should You Include in Your Wedding Invitation? (Beyond Just the Date!)

A little guide to make your wedding invites clear, personal, and joyfully detailed, by a playful origami wedding stationery designer who believes your invitations should feel like you*

Your wedding invitation isn’t just a pretty piece of paper (or, in my case, a playful piece of origami magic!)—it’s a gateway into your day, a little teaser of what’s to come, and a super helpful guide for your guests. While it should absolutely reflect you, it also needs to be clear and informative, so your guests feel confident, comfortable, and excited.

When you start planning your wedding stationery, one of the big questions is: what do we actually need to include in the invitations? Here’s a full list of what to include in your wedding invitation.You don’t need to squeeze in everything—just the bits that are relevant to your wedding, if it feels right for your story..

✨ The Essentials details of a wedding invitation (on the main invite)

These are the must-haves—every invitation needs to include:

• Your names – First names are enough, or even nick names (I'm not keen on full names as a bit too format but you do your way hey! )

• The date – Day, month, and year. (Yes, your guests will need the year!)

• The ceremony time – The official start time.

• Arrival time (optional) – If you'd like guests to arrive early, you can include this too.

• Ceremony venue name and address – Plus postcode, of course.

• Reception venue – If it’s different, include the name and address too.

This main invitation is generally revealed from my origami magic, uncover from the first fold of an origami format.

🪄 The Extras, details or wedding information

These are the details that make things smoother for everyone and avoid some endless questions! Some couples choose to keep things simple, others want to give their guests all the info in one go. You definitely don’t need to include everything on this list—but here’s what you can include, depending on what feels relevant to your day:

📎 Names of the guests
You might want to be specific about who’s invited! You can do this with beautifully handwritten envelopes, or have personalised invitation with listing names inside the invite. It gently avoids awkward “Can I bring my cousin’s best friend’s hamster?” situations.

🛏 Accommodation

If guests are travelling, it’s lovely to include 2-3 nearby hotels or B&Bs, with links and/or addresses. Think of it like you’re being a helpful host.

🚖 Taxis

Include a couple of local taxi companies with phone numbers, especially if your venue is remote or if you expect a few cocktails to be involved...and mentioned to encourage to book them in advance!

🗺 Directions or Map

Is your venue a little tricky to find? A few clear directions, a mini map, or even a cute “landmarks to look for” note can ease guest nerves (and save you lots of “we’re lost!” texts on the day).

🚍 Guest Transport

If you're organising a coach or shuttle, let people know where to meet, what time, and what to expect. Also helpful: train/bus info, or details about where guests can park and whether cars can stay overnight.

🅿️ Parking Info

Let your guests know if there are parking restrictions, especially if they’ll need to move their cars the next day.

🎁 Gifts

This can feel awkward, but trust me—it’s super helpful for guests. Whether you’ve got a gift list, prefer cash towards your honeymoon, or would love a donation to a charity, say it simply and kindly. Guests appreciate the guidance!

🧒 Kids & Plus Ones

Make it easy for guests by gently telling them what you’ve planned. Are kids welcome? Just close family? What about +1s? Better to be clear than cause confusion.

🍸 The Bar

If the bar is cash-only, it’s worth saying so people can bring change or a card.

🍽 Menu

Are you offering menu options? Let guests know and consider a way for them to RSVP with their choices (especially handy if you’re doing a fold-out origami with an RSVP tucked in!).

⏰ Order of the Day

It’s a lovely touch to include a timeline of the day—especially if your ceremony is early or you have some surprise entertainment planned. Include a rough timeline: ceremony, food, speeches, evening guests, dancing, & cake! Guests love to know when dinner is (who doesn’t?!) and when they can hit the dance floor (or for some other when they could leave!)

💕 Your Love Story

One of my favourite things to include! Whether it’s a timeline of meaningful dates, a note about how you met, or a shared love for dogs, disco or your favourite passion. It’s a lovely way to bring you into your stationery. It's these little bits of personality that turn an invitation into a keepsake.

👗 Dress Code

Black tie? Glittery festival vibes? Comfy shoes? Or maybe just a heads-up that it might get muddy or chilly. Give a heads-up!

🐶 Pets

If you're planning to have your dog as ring bearer (or your venue is strictly no-dogs), let people know in advance.

📝 Carriages (aka party end time)
Let guests know when things wrap up, generally the venue will inform you of the time based on their regulations. It helps them plan taxis.

Do you know French weddings have very different timing, the party commonly starts around midnight after an evening mixed with 3-4 courses dinner and games!

💌 RSVP Details for your wedding invitation

Usually on a separate card (or section), this part is really important.

There are two parts:

1. What you need to know from them

   • Their names

   • Whether they’re attending or not!

   • Menu choices (if needed)

   • Any dietary requirements

2. How and when to respond

   • Your RSVP deadline

   • Options like a postal address, email, phone number, QR code, or a link to your wedding website

     Pick what works best for you and makes it easy for your guests

✂️ Pick What Works for You, include only relevant wedding information

You don’t have to include all the details into your wedding invitation. Your invitation is your space, it should give a preview of your wedding and its vibe, it's not a full report! It can be playful, minimal, or full of surprises as you want. I always recommend choosing only what’s useful and meaningful to your day—and shaping the design around that.

And if you're working with me, I’ll help you weave all of this info into something beautiful, playful, and completely you. Whether it's in an origami envelope, a hidden fold, we’ll make sure your guests are wowed and well-informed.

It's very useful for the wedding stationery designer (aka me!), to have all these details before starting the design process as the amount of wording will determine the space left for the beautiful and meaningful designs details!

✨ And When It Comes to Wedding Wording...

I’ll be writing a separate post on that, but here’s a little spoiler: I love simple, relaxed, artistic wording that speaks to your guests, not just about the wedding. Think less “Mr and Mrs So-and-So request the honour of your presence” and more “We can’t wait to celebrate with you!”

If you're unsure what to include, I always help couples figure that out during our design process—and we can weave it all into one beautiful, quirky, folded design that feels like a joyful sneak peek into your wedding.

Want to see how that could look? You’re always welcome to order a sample pack or book a free discovery call to chat about your ideas.

Your love story deserves an invitation as unique as you are 💌

Download my Wedding Invitation Checklist to check the details you need and feel free to contact me for some ideas of wording!