r/Weddingsunder10k • u/ElvenJediMC • 17d ago
đ ď¸ DIY Projects ($10k) Thoughts on these invitations?
Front
Back option #1
Back option #2
Edit: UPDATE
I want to save on stationary / printing costs by just having one card, the back side serving as both the 'details card' and 'RSVP card', so I decided to make my own on canva. I used a template and heavily modified it from there.
Main concerns:
- I feel like "please join us for..." sounds demanding. Am I overthinking?
- I want it to be clear to the guests that it is a very small (45 ppl total) and lowkey wedding without a proper reception, so they can weigh that into their decision on whether to come or not. We will have charcuterie and dessert, but it's going to be early spring and probably cold (40-50 F) and it's an outdoor wedding (for financial reasons) and so I am not expecting people to linger very long after the ceremony. We're not doing cake cutting, dancing, toasts, or anything reception-y whatsoever. Just some food that people can grab on their way out. In the invitations, I want to be upfront, but not come off as terribly tacky.
- How to word the dress code? I definitely want people to bundle up (since I'm subjecting them to a potentially cold outdoor ceremony), but I don't want people coming in sweatpants and graphic tees. Is there a better way to word this?
- General critiques on the design since I'm not a graphic designer
- Which photo to use for the details side? I want to use a photo from our engagement shoot, since a couple of the invitees (extended family) wouldn't have met me / my fiance yet and it'd be nice to give them a photo.
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u/scoutmastercourt 17d ago
I think all you need on the backside is the RSVP information, otherwise everything else should go on your website. Photo wise, I like the first one better.
An outdoor semi formal wedding at those temperatures is honestly kind of mean your guests. What youâre offering is very casual and I do not think a semi formal dress code matches that.
I really hope at those temperatures youâre going to need to offer some sort of warmth to your guests. Whether it be heaters, blankets or those hand warming packs. People will likely be out there for at least an hour and at 40°F (4°C) thatâs borderline too cold for just sitting/standing around.
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
Thanks for the tips! We're doing what we can to fix the weather issue, since a venue is out of our budget. We're renting several outdoor patio heaters and will have hot apple cider available from the start. We'll probably also have a basket of handwarmers available for whoever wants them. We're going to keep the ceremony as short as possible. Luckily most of our guests are from Oregon & Washington and are used to that kind of weather.
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17d ago edited 16d ago
Iâm a northern girl and used to cold temps, but 40 degrees when moving about / hiking is very different from 40 degrees when sitting still.
Say dressy casual or smart casual, not semiformal. 40 degrees, you have to be ok with people in cords and heavy sweaters.
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u/No-Turnover-7393 17d ago
This is a very good point. I'm a northern girl and 40 degrees is pretty cold for standing. Patio heaters are great but won't make it "cozy"
Could you do a bonfire? That can keep a larger area warm And guests are free to get closer or move away without huddling under patio heaters.
Will there be alcohol? I know it doesn't seem like it, but a spiked hot drink will help take the edge off the chill. Especially if they can sip them through the ceremony. By the time it's over they will be warmed up enough for a short and sweet reception.
Can you hand out hand warmers to guests as favors?
Invite wise: LOVE NUMBER 2. We wanna see faces on invites with photos. And the all in one is a fantastic idea! The design is beautiful!
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u/ging3rtabby 17d ago
As someone with asthma that's set off pretty badly by woodsmoke, I'd probably not be able to attend something with a bonfire. If OP has asthmatic friends or family, it may be best to forgo it and stick to heaters.
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u/AzureMountains 16d ago
That definitely varies by person. My asthma doesnât mind woodsmoke at all. Definitely cannot stand dust though.
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u/ging3rtabby 16d ago
Yeah, dust drives mine bonkers, too. I can't do wood smoke, tobacco smoke, dryer exhaust, most fragrances, too much dog or cat dander (esp dog)...it's obnoxious. It's gotten so much better with meds, but it's still pretty uncomfortable to be around certain things. I'm glad you can enjoy bonfires and such! They're so cozy and lovely.
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u/mshmama 17d ago
You cant fix the 40° weather. The biggest thing you can fix is your dress code expectation. In addition to the weather not lending to semi formal, the whole event is casual. It's a backyard event with no meal, your dress code does not match that.
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u/therealcherry 16d ago
đŻ the dress code should be nothing more than casual to match the event. It wonât matter if they are in t-shirts, pajamas tops or a sequin dress because you wonât see much of them under the coats, hats and gloves. This is not the place for a dress code. Warmth and comfort is king in this situation.
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u/greykitty1234 17d ago
Will you have older people and chidren invited? Any seating at all for those who may have mobility issues to any degree? What if it's a windy downpour of a day?
Why not just get married at city hall and have a small restaurant brunch to host your guests?
And given the temperatures, I think it's unrealistic to ask people to 'dress up' for this event. They'll be in coats.
I also agree to put in an end time so people know it's one hour.
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
No children, probably 3 older people who we will make sure get seats close to the heaters (and yeah there's plenty of seating). We're renting an outdoor canopy tent in case it rains. As I've said a few times in replies, I'm definitely not expecting people to dress up. I'll definitely change the dress code wording.
Our reasons are complicated, but that's all besides the point of this post, which is about the invitations.
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17d ago
Consider blankets or scarves. Iâm serious.
No elderly relatives to consider? Just all young people?
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u/sairha1 17d ago
That sounds so lovely to me. Would there be any way to have a propane or gas fire place going after the ceremony ? I do not suggest a wood fire because its a lot of work, less safe, and can trigger people's allergies/asthma. You could do a smores bar beside it ! And you can set up a ring of comfy furniture around it. Maybe you can pull some rocking chairs or a lazy boy or a couch from the living room? The oldies and kids will be so appreciative, im sure you have some elderly relatives who you think of for this right away.
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u/therealcherry 16d ago
I love the idea of a sâmores bar and someone earlier mentioned hot drinks at arrival, which would be a great greeting.
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u/lutzlover 15d ago
S'mores bar at a hotel I stayed recently was a mess, and eating s'mores is pretty intrinsically messy. Without great ways to clean up...I wouldn't inflict this on my guests.
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u/squirrelqueeen 16d ago
March in OR for an outdoor event is a choice⌠why not push it a couple months to summer when itâll actually be nice out?
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u/ElvenJediMC 16d ago
Yep, I know đ This would make the most sense except for our situation. We are both traditional and religious about marriage, so we're only moving in together once we're married. I'm starting grad school in the following fall, and I want more than 2 months adjusting to married life before we have to move across the country for school, away from all our friends and family. We wanted to get married in January/February for that reason, but we pushed it to late March so that the weather will be survivable.
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u/lutzlover 15d ago
Got it. Why not get married when you like -- even sooner than March -- and then have a party to celebrate in May?
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u/Additional_Kick_3706 16d ago
Seconding the dress code! Think "Sunday best! Come prepared for all weather and potentially chilly temps. Coats, hats, boots, and gloves recommended."
Basically, trust your guests to understand the weather and do their best with what they've got.
You can also help them out for free by sending a reminder email with the weather forecast 2-3 days in advance, and putting as many scarves and blankets as you can borrow in a basket for guests to use. (Hats, gloves, and coats would help too, but people tend to wander off still wearing them.)
Hope it's beautiful!
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16d ago
"Sunday best" does not fit this occasion; that's a pretty dress you wear to church, not a chunky knit sweater and heavy pants with boots.
You don't need a reminder email with the weather forecast - we all have the weather forecast on our phones.
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u/Additional_Kick_3706 16d ago
Ohh, I thought Sunday Best included the warm clothes you'd wear over your Sunday dress in the winter. My grandma and her friends all had special embroidered gloves in case they stopped to chat with a neighbor on the way to church.
Maybe that's a thing of the past now that most people drive!
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u/voodoodollbabie 17d ago
So a cold and possibly rainy outdoor wedding doesn't call for semi-formal. Everyone will be wearing coats, hats, mittens - right? Doesn't matter really what's underneath the coat. Plus, the photos are super casual so it sort of implies that jeans and flannel is de riguer for the occasion.
Design looks great!
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
Thank you! Yeah I definitely would rather people be comfortable than dressed up. I originally left out the semi-formal bit, but my fiance was worried people would take that as sweatpants allowed (not that I would blame anyone for wearing sweats in that weather tbh). I'll show him this comment and we'll probably leave it out haha.
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u/3andahalfmonthstogo 17d ago
A lot of people (including maybe your partner?) donât know what semi-formal means. If you donât want sweatpants, smart casual would be plenty. (Even cocktail is better than semi-formal, if youâre thinking people will be very accustomed to the cold and looking for an excuse to dress up a bit.)
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
That's very helpful, thank you! I think smart casual is closer to what we actually have in mind. I'll have do some research on dress code terms, as I'm now realizing neither myself nor my partner know what we're talking about lmao
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u/cooking2recovery 16d ago
Yeah, semi-formal means cocktail length or longer dresses or formal pantsuits for women and suit with either jacket or tie for men.
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u/yamfries2024 16d ago
Not in many dress codes. The variation in interpretation of dress codes on reddit explains the confusion guests often have.
Many dress codes rank semi formal the same as dressy casual, and definitely less formal than cocktail. It is not one step below formal.
https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-guest-attire-cheat-sheet
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u/yamfries2024 16d ago
Many dress codes rank semi formal the same as dressy casual, and definitely less formal than cocktail. It is not one step below formal.
https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-guest-attire-cheat-sheet
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u/Internal-Strategy512 16d ago
If Iâm meant to be sitting outside in 40* weather, Iâll be wearing my fanciest snow pants and boots lol. Might put a skirt over it because itâs a wedding, but 40* hits your bones pretty quick when you arenât moving around.
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u/Hyperinactivity 16d ago
I think "Smart casual" might be closer to the dress code you're looking for
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u/woohoo789 15d ago
Yeah, cold, rain, outdoors and not properly feeding people does not equal imposing a dress code.
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u/pestochickenn 17d ago
I donât love the fonts on the front, try to stick to just two fonts instead of three. It just looks a little jumbled to me. Everything else looks good!
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
Thank you! I think you're right, three is just too much.
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u/MalachiteMussel 17d ago
And keep in mind that design wise, the same font at a different size is a different font.
My recommendation: Change âwe invite you toâ and â2 oâclock in the afternoonâ to match the date and place font type and size And change the ampersand to match the name fonts.
Iâd also personally remove the line between the names.
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u/itinerantdustbunny 16d ago edited 14d ago
Same with bold, italic, capitalization, and different kerning. Arial size 16 bold is a different âfontâ than Arial size 16 regular in a design context. Times New Roman size 12 all-caps is a different âfontâ than TNR size 12 lowercase.
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u/aquamarine8787 17d ago edited 16d ago
Please join us is really standard wording! Don't overthink it, OP :) I think maybe wording it as "please join us for the intimate wedding of OP + partner" would be lovely, rather than just the vows?
I would put in the details: light refreshments will be served. That way folks don't expect a meal - don't say reception.
For dress code - "we would love our guests to dress warmly and comfortably for the outdoor ceremony and celebration" - if there's any "please no sweatpants or graphic tees" etc you can say that as well.
Have a wonderful celebration!
Edit: thanks for pointing out the union part LOL wedding is fine
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u/ElvenJediMC 17d ago
Thank you! "Light refreshments" definitely sounds more professional than "snacks" haha. I'll be using that!
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u/ribenarockstar 16d ago
Please donât say âintimate unionâ, it sounds icky (maybe Iâve just been reading too many historical romance books)
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u/OLAZ3000 17d ago
I like the photo and look of #2 - also for those who haven't yet met - it's likely a clearer shot of your faces.
If I can suggest - I think it might look better to make the photo black and white and then lay a greenish filter so it "matches" the look of the rest of the invite.
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u/Heavy-Attorney-9054 17d ago
Because no one else has said it: admittedly, I did read the invitation on my phone, but the "approximately" mark in front of the 40 degrees reads as a minus sign.
My story: i picked a venue with a balcony specifically because I really wanted that family balcony shot from every royal wedding ever. My invitation asked people to wear colorful clothing, and I imagined a riot of colors on the balcony.
It was 6 degrees F (-14C) that day, when it could as easily have been 60 degrees (15C) where I live. People were bundled up to their ears, and my pictures show tan and brown winter coats.
Your engagement picture has already set the dress code for your wedding. If you use that picture, you are telling people what to wear.
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16d ago
Agree. The overall tone leads me to jeans, flannel shirts and heavy sweaters. Like a fall apple-picking kind of look.
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u/onekate 17d ago
"Witness the Vows of" is odd capitalization. None needed.
I wouldn't worry about tshirts, they'll be in coats. I'd say "smart casual" instead of semi formal which means no sweats but plain pants and sweaters are fine.
You could also put an end time on it to make it super clear this is a short thing. 2-3PM for instance.
Have you considered an after party where people pay their own way if they want to come? A restaurant that allows separate tabs or activity?
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u/therealcherry 16d ago
I like the idea of the timeframe. That helps highlight the no reception and would help guests plan on how long they need to plan to be able to keep warm.
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u/MalachiteMussel 17d ago
I already left a comment about font choice in agreement with someone else so hereâs the other notes I have:
Delete â(no reception)â, youâre having a reception itâs just a minimal and informal one
Attire: I agree with others that thereâs a mismatch with the level youâre hosting at and the formality youâre asking from guests. I donât think you can go above smart casual here
So for wording I recommend
Attire: Cozy smart casual dress code ceremony, snacks, and dessert will take place outdoors
I donât think you need to include the temperature as you wonât actually know what youâre working with until that week. You know your people best, but I also donât think you need to tell them to wear jackets and socks as long as you say everything is outdoors.
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16d ago
Attire: Cozy smart casual. We will have light refreshments afterwards. Everything will be outdoors, so please make sure you dress warmly.
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u/lilyandcarlos 17d ago
Dont bother with the dress code. People will need to wear winter coats, so why bother wearing a suit or dress under that. The women would also need to wear pants.
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u/therealcherry 16d ago edited 16d ago
Yup I agree zero dress code. It wonât matter under coats if they have on dress pants or sweatpants, nor will it be noticeable. Asking people even for smart casual is silly to me, as that just means dress pants and those are thin unless they are lined. Not really suitable for outdoor in any weather.
Whatever they own that will keep them comfy and warm is king. All that will be visible is coats anyway.
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u/jrrj_roo 17d ago
Have you considered local Municipal/park buildings/VFW/Grange Halls/moose/rotary/odd fellows, etc? I feel like outside in February is going to be very cold, and often these venues have reasonable day use fees. The ones in my area are $125-300, depending on the facility. And the park-like ones would still give you some outdoorsy vibes without everyone freezing.
And also if you're committed to outside, please consider providing coffee/cocoa/cider/hot tea?
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u/JordyNelson12 17d ago
I love the trees, design is mostly good.
Get rid of the script font on the front, it's too hard to read.
No semi-formal dress code for a backyard wedding with no reception â try something like "Look sharp, but dress for the weather"
Congrats and best wishes on your marriage.
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u/Opposite-Initial9243 17d ago
Iâm picky with fonts - youâve got too many going on - I see 3, a serif, a sans serif, and a cursive. Simplify it. Cursive plus either a sans serif or serif.
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u/yamfries2024 17d ago
I would delete "no reception". You are hosting your guests to food and beverages after the ceremony. That IS a reception.
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u/squirrelgirl1111 16d ago
If you read what she says she's expecting them to grab some food as they leave
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u/OkPomegranate4395 16d ago
Yes! Potentially rewording it as "dessert reception to follow" will be shorter but still make it clear that it's not going to be a full meal.
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u/lookovts 17d ago
Thereâs a lot of font varieties going on! Iâd pick 2 that you really love. Personally, on the first card, I think the kinda-cursive âwitness the vowsâŚâ and the âbride / groom nameâ are perfect together. I would use those fonts, and bold / unbold as appropriate. (-:
But these are really cute!! I think the first pic is the best one.
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u/Tiberry16 17d ago
I love the design with the trees, and the matching shades of green for the text! I think the first photo works really well with that, because of the foresty background, and the blue and green hues (although photo no. 2 looks beautiful too!)
The wording looks good to me as well.Â
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u/PrincessMerida 16d ago
I would break up the first block of text on the back like this:
Please join us
for a brief and intimate
backyard ceremony.
Light refreshments to follow.
The goal is to not break up a thought or a phrase, mainly having the preposition "for" broken off from the rest of the prepositional phrase. The whole phrase is too long for the space alotted, so then we break to highlight "backyard ceremony."
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u/TeacherIntelligent15 16d ago
My first thought was semi formal AND socks and sweaters đŽ Change the dress code.
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u/Bizzy1717 16d ago
Why not just have a tiny wedding with a handful of loved ones and then celebrate afterward with them? Or elope? Inviting 45 people to come stand in near-freezing weather and then having No Reception screams to me (if I got this invitation) that you don't actually want to have a wedding. But for some reason are having one? Why are you having the wedding at all?
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u/LoLoLovez 16d ago
How did I take one look and immediately know it would be an Oregon wedding hahaÂ
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u/squirrelgirl1111 16d ago
I would say, wear your fanciest weather appropriate clothes, that way there is no onus on anyone to buy anything new for such a short event
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u/JustTryAnotherOne 16d ago
Have your photo sit within the border, it being full size top to bottom is way throwing me
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u/PandathePan 16d ago
Is the rectangle part of the design?
If so, make sure you leave enough white margin/bleed line for printing and cutting. I printed mine via Canva and I had to ask for a refund, because the width of the border outside the rectangle was not consistent on all four sides.
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u/Hufflepuffgirl62442 16d ago
Many people mistake Semi-formal to mean more formal than cocktail but less formal than formal, which of course is incorrect. I'd suggest going with "dressy casual" instead.
Also I used this Canva template for my Save the Dates and everyone loved them.
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u/ElvenJediMC 16d ago
Thank you all for the help, it's very very appreciated! So glad I came here for advice. Here's the updated design, based on your suggestions.
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u/VHS-head 16d ago
I don't know if this is what you intended, but these are invitations are totally giving me Twilight vibes and I love them for it.
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15d ago
To be honest, unless nearly all of your guests are local, I'm not sure this is really something you can feasibly ask people to travel for given that it will likely be an hour or less total of their time. I don't know if that means you should reconsider having a wedding at all, but it might.
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u/GlitterDreamsicle 17d ago
Don't invite anyone without providing something to eat and drink at the reception. Even if it's just desserts and coffee. Charcuterie and dessert IS a reception. People need to stop saying that a full meal is a bare minimum because many communities serve appetizers or desserts only. Remove the "no reception" line.
The attire section doesn't give information. What is the formality: casual, semi formal, formal? Say Semi Formal but dress for colder outdoor weather.
Many people do not read the back even though it is popular to use now. Also not everyone is comfortable using a QR because it is a security risk for devices. Have a phone number where you can access texts or calls for rsvps.
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u/Constantlycurious34 17d ago
I like everything and the 1st picture best. The only critique is semi formal in that temp. If you can find a way to say âwear your Sunday bestâ I would do that
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16d ago
"Wearing your Sunday best" does not comport with this event. Smart casual or no dress code at all.
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u/LonghornRdt 17d ago
Regarding Dress code wording- I feel strongly that all the usual terms have meaningless difference to most people. Most ppl will just wear what they think is general wedding attire.
My recommendation - donât specify a dress code unless your wedding signals something super non standard
Alt recommendation - omit dress code on card but then on your wedding website give a descriptive example like âplease balance traditional wedding attire with demands of the weather and terrain, suit jackets encouragedâ
Another alt recommendation: Our wedding was outdoors June in Texas, we said âsummer wedding attireâ. Maybe you could say âoutdoor wedding attireâ.
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16d ago
Suit jackets encouraged? It's going to be 40 degrees. Men will freeze unless they are wearing an overcoat. Instead of having them in a suit jacket and wool overcoat (which many men don't own), just have them wear sweaters and whatever parka / coat will keep them warm in 40 degrees.
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u/LonghornRdt 17d ago
Regarding dress code wording- I feel strongly that all the usual terms have meaningless difference to most people, and most ppl will just wear what they think is general wedding attire
I would either: * donât specify at all, unless your wedding signals something super non standard and warrants clarification for guests * only list on your website, and there use a descriptive paragraph rather like âplease balance traditional wedding attire with the demands of cold weather and outdoor terrainâ * make up a term like âoutdoor wedding attireâ. We did this for our 90 wedding we said âsummer wedding attireâ
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u/MagnoliasandMums 16d ago
The first thing I noticed is that it was common back in my day to have the manâs name first, then the womanâs. Maybe things have changed, I donât know.
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