Your wedding invitation is the first official impression your guests will have of your big day. It's more than paper—it's your event’s ambassador, your theme’s introduction, and your first opportunity to build excitement. But with so many options, etiquette rules, and timing issues, even the most organized couple can make critical errors.
Below, we explore 7 of the most common wedding invitation mistakes and, more importantly, how to avoid them. Consider this your crash course in flawless wedding invitation planning.
1. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time
Why It’s a Mistake: Couples often underestimate how long custom invitations take. Between design, proofing, printing, and mailing, the timeline adds up fast—especially if delays happen.
The Fix: Start your invitation planning process at least 6–8 months before the big day. This gives you plenty of time for design edits, mailing, and RSVP tracking.
Extra Tip: If you're going custom or working with a boutique printer, build in even more time. Save-the-dates should go out 6–9 months in advance, and invitations should mail 8–12 weeks prior to your event. Add another few weeks for address collection and proof approvals.
Bonus Tip: For destination weddings or holiday-weekend nuptials, give even more lead time. Guests will need to plan ahead.
2. Skipping the Proofread
Why It’s a Mistake: A misspelled name, wrong date, or awkward wording can diminish the elegance of your invite—and correcting mistakes later costs time and money.
The Fix: Always have multiple people review your draft. Read it aloud. Print a test copy. Pay extra attention to:
- Names (of you, parents, venues)
- Dates and times
- Addresses
- RSVP deadline
- Website URLs
Pro Tip: Work with a trusted print partner (like Go Print Plus) who provides digital or physical proofs.
Bonus Insight: Don’t rely solely on autocorrect—it won’t catch a miswritten “Public Library” that should have been “Public Winery.” A proofreader with a fresh set of eyes can.
3. Overcomplicating the Design
Why It’s a Mistake: Too many fonts, patterns, or graphic elements can make your invite feel chaotic or hard to read. Design overload doesn’t impress—it distracts.
The Fix: Stick to a clean layout with 2 fonts max, a consistent color palette, and clear hierarchy. Let negative space work in your favor.
Design Ideas That Work:
- White ink on black paper for drama and clarity
- Foil stamping for luxe appeal
- Vellum overlays or laser-cut pockets for layering without clutter
Extra Design Tip: If you're feeling stuck, work with a designer who can create harmony between modern aesthetics and classic etiquette.
4. Leaving Out Important Information
Why It’s a Mistake: Couples sometimes forget to include details like start times, dress code, or parking—forcing guests to follow up with questions (or worse, show up confused).
The Fix: Use a details card or QR code to direct guests to your website. Include:
- Ceremony/reception time and location
- Dress code
- RSVP instructions (and deadline)
- Hotel and transportation info
- Your wedding hashtag (optional!)
Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the main invite—save it for the essential info.
New Trend: Add a QR code for RSVPs, interactive maps, or photo galleries to save space and look sleek.
5. Not Ordering Extras
Why It’s a Mistake: Couples often order just enough invites, only to realize they forgot someone, made a mistake, or want keepsakes.
The Fix: Order at least 10–20 extra invitations. They're useful for:
- Last-minute guests
- Keepsake boxes and flat lays
- Wedding planners or photographers
- Framed display
Money-Saving Tip: Ordering extras during your initial print run is cheaper than reordering later.
Pro Insight: Extras are also great for creating an invitation flat lay for your photographer on the day of the wedding.
6. Sending Mismatched Messaging
Why It’s a Mistake: A casual invite for a black-tie wedding—or vice versa—confuses guests. Your wording and design should reflect the tone of your event.
The Fix: Choose wording and design elements that align with your wedding’s vibe:
- Formal: “The honor of your presence is requested…”
- Casual: “Join us for a celebration of love…”
- Modern: Use minimal design and sleek fonts
- Boho/Rustic: Use earth tones, handmade textures, or watercolor art
Design Tip: Paper stock, envelope choice, and print method all send subtle signals about formality.
Bonus: Include dress code language directly in the details card or even the bottom corner of the invite if space allows.
7. Neglecting the Envelope
Why It’s a Mistake: The envelope is the first thing your guests see, yet it’s often rushed or treated as an afterthought.
The Fix: Choose quality envelopes and personalize them. Ideas include:
- White ink printing on black envelopes
- Metallic or foil-lined envelopes
- Return address printing
- Custom guest addressing in a script font
Bonus Touch: Add a wax seal, monogram sticker, or vellum wrap to make your envelope unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Print matching return addresses and guest names to save time—and elevate the experience.
Bonus Section: Wedding Invitation Etiquette FAQs
Q: When should we send out our invitations?
A: Ideally 8–12 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, aim for 12–16 weeks.
Q: Do we have to include RSVP cards?
A: No, but it helps! You can also include a QR code linking to an online RSVP page.
Q: Should we put registry info on the invitation?
A: Not directly. It’s better suited for your wedding website or a separate insert.
Q: How should we address guests with titles?
A: Use full titles and names for formal invitations: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.”
Q: How many invitation sets should we order?
A: One per household—not per person—plus 10–20 extras.
Q: What’s the best paper type for wedding invitations?
A: Eggshell, cotton, and black cardstock with white ink are popular for their tactile luxury and contrast.
Q: Can I DIY my wedding invites and still have them look professional?
A: Yes—especially if you use professionally designed templates and print through a quality vendor like Go Print Plus.
Ready to Create an Invitation Suite That Wows?
At Go Print Plus, we help couples design unforgettable wedding invitations that are stylish, on-brand, and error-free. We offer:
- Custom-designed suites with coordinating envelopes
- White ink printing on dark paper
- Foil stamping and soft-touch finishes
- Matching signage, programs, and menus
- Sustainable printing options with soy ink and recycled stocks
Whether you're planning a luxury black-tie wedding or a casual garden celebration, we’re here to ensure your invites set the perfect tone.
Let’s get started—explore our wedding invitation collections at GoPrintPlus.com or reach out for a custom quote today!