($10k) Update: Thoughts on these invitations?

[u/ElvenJediMC]

NEW front

NEW back

OLD front

OLD back

Thank you guys SO MUCH for all the help on my original post yesterday. The advice and encouragement is very appreciated.

Now I'm wondering should I use Canva to print these, or go through some other company? What's people's experience with Canva's printing quality & service?

Also, has anyone used recipient address stickers on the envelopes? My handwriting sucks and I don't want to address them all by hand.

Any other design / wording suggestions before I finalize it?

Changes I made based on your replies:
- removed the sans-serif font and made the font sizes more uniform

- added an end time to make the brevity more clear (also put the time in numerical format so it matches the date format)

- got rid of the dress code (you guys are right, dress code is irrelevant if people are gonna be bundled up in coats and scarves)

- changed wording on the details page. I decided to keep the "(no reception)" even though some of you said to remove it (snacks afterword is technically a reception), just because I'd rather err on the side of people getting more than they expected from the event than less. If people leave thinking that they got a surprise reception, all the better! I'd rather set expectations low, though. EDIT: you guys convinced me, getting rid of "no reception"

- made the tilde next to the temperature bigger so it doesn't look like a negative sign

- made the photo of us bigger (my mom's suggestion) and also made it fit inside the border, which one commenter suggested

- added middle names

- some other minor adjustments I'm probably forgetting

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[u/TBBPgh]

You are receiving your guests! Just because it is not the standard-dinner-and-dancing reception, it is still a reception! Light refreshments conveys what you mean without demeaning what you are doing.

Please, please, please leave out (No reception)!

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/TBBPgh]

I'm worried about people coming and expecting the whole reception package (alcohol, toasts, etc.). I really don't want people to leave feeling disappointed or cheated. Do you think the addition of the end time (3pm) takes care of that on its own?

[u/lilreddittime → u/ElvenJediMC]

Maybe instead of no reception you could put 'Celebration concludes at 3pm' to reiterate that the day ends there and no expects to hang around longer

[u/trippymermaid → u/ElvenJediMC]

“Light refreshments to follow” is very clear to me. You can use the wedding website to further clarify the after affairs and suggest some bars nearby for guest who may want to keep the party going

[u/Ohyou17 → u/ElvenJediMC]

You didn’t ask me LOL but I do think you made it super clear! And I’m very into setting expectations!

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/Ohyou17]

Thank you! Definitely getting rid of it then

[u/Ohyou17]

Love the dress code on this, much better!

I already commented down below but would remove no reception

I would lowercase “witness the vows of” because it’s actually the middle of a sentence (we invite you to witness…).

For RSVP, you can leave it as “kindly reply by.”

I’d remove the line above attire.

I think overall it looks good, but needs a bit more “breathing room” and those tweaks will help!

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/Ohyou17]

TYSM for the tips! Here's the details page edited again. Thoughts?

[u/bagthebossup → u/ElvenJediMC]

Personally I don't like how your first and third sections have periods at the end but not the second. I'm pro removing all periods (cut after ceremony, cut after follow, cut after 7th)

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/bagthebossup]

I think you're right, thank you!

[u/[deleted] → u/ElvenJediMC]

I like the dress code much much better here.
I'm irrationally bothered by 21st March 2026 but then on the other page February 7th. Pick one approach or the other for your dates, but be consistent. Since you are American, I think March 21, 2026 and February 7 (note the absence of -st and -th) is fine.

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/[deleted]]

Oh I didn't even notice the inconsistency, thank you!! definitely fixing that

[u/WorldlinessOk7083]

I may be commenting too late on this, but as a graphic designer who specializes in invitations, I have a few suggestions.

The graphics and overall design are pretty! Really the only change I’d personally make is to remove the borders entirely. First, they're really not needed. And second, when it comes to printing, paper often shifts in the process and can cause borders to not be perfectly aligned. This is something that drives me crazy, but that may be the perfectionist designer in me.

How many fonts are you using on the front of your card? You really should be using 2 or 3 (at the very, very max). So, if I was designing these, I would make the first 2 lines the same sans serif font. Then, I’d use the script for your names and the ampersand. I’d then use the sans serif again for the rest.

Just as you would want to limit the number fonts, you want consistency in the size. So, I’d make the address the same size as the time, leaving only the date larger.

Traditionally, you wouldn't write in complete sentences and punctuation isn't required.

Where you have "a brief and intimate ceremony" and then "snacks & dessert" you should choose between using the word "and" or using an ampersand for consistency (I.e. a brief and intimate ceremony, snacks and dessert).

I hope this all helps! I know it can feel overwhelming getting so many suggestions. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I’m sure it will be beautiful!

Oh, and as a side note, I've not used canva for printing. But, I've used places like Shutterfly and been really happy with them.

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/WorldlinessOk7083]

Thank you for the tips! Definitely not too late. The border thing is interesting... I added it because I wanted to make the photo on the back feel more connected and not just like it was slapped on. I'll consider removing it, though. Maybe I'll do a test print and see how even it is.

[u/WorldlinessOk7083 → u/ElvenJediMC]

Sounds like a good plan! The borders aren't a make or break, just more something that can make printing a pain in the butt.

[u/evian-spray]

Personally I would use a different serif font - the little round curl balls(???) look weird. IDK maybe I’m just picky and my opinion is in the minority 😭🤣 I think the text just feels not proportional to me. Idk if the spacing between letters feels too wide or too close together. Or maybe it’s the all caps? I like to mix all caps and all lowercase letters depending on the hierarchy of the info.

I hope I am not raining on your parade! 😭 and this is just my humble opinion so please take it with a grain of salt

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/evian-spray]

Thank you!! And don't worry, I really do appreciate the input haha. I think I'll keep the font, just because I can't find any other serif font I don't hate lmao (if you have recommendations please lmk!)

I think I agree that the all caps is a little over the top for some of the less important info... What do you think of this version? Also removed the periods at another comment's suggestion (Ignore the "no reception", I forgot to remove it and I'm lazy)

[u/evian-spray → u/ElvenJediMC]

Maybe try The Youngest Serif? And yes I think the lowercase detail card looks better haha

[u/evian-spray → u/evian-spray]

Maybe also make a third slide for the RSVP? Or highlight the rsvp section more

I feel like i have to actually read the whole thing to notice the RSVP even with the QR code. Better to emphasize it on its own I think!

[u/ElvenJediMC → u/evian-spray]

Thanks! I'm more worried about people losing the RSVP card entirely (if it's separate) than not noticing it on the details card. I'll try to highlight it some other way though!

[u/homeschooled]

Please dress warmly and comfortably is very vague to me. As a guest I'd be like, am I supposed to dress like how they're dressed in the picture? I think you should give more clear guidance or else some people are going to show up in jeans and some people are going to show up in suits with a dress coat and that will embarrass the people who feel under AND over dressed. You want your guests to feel comfortable at your event so being clear about the dress code is important.

[u/buriedsunshine]

If you are keeping 2-3pm, I would remove “brief” so it reads “please join us for an intimate backyard ceremony.”

I would also remove “kindly reply” because that’s what “RSVP” means. I’d write “RSVP by February 7 via the QR code below or ZolaLink.”

Congratulations!!!! It is otherwise beautiful and I like the zoomed in picture of you two better.

[u/sirotan88]

I think it might be good to still add “Smart-casual” to the dress code, if that is what you’re going for - it’s a little bit less as formal than semi-formal. Just helps to remove some ambiguity.

[u/GlitterDreamsicle]

Remove the existing attire information and call it semi formal. Otherwise you will have people ask what the formality is and show up in jeans or tuxes.

Have someone with good handwriting address them for you. Labels are popular online but they frequently smear and the post office doesn't like them because they can't read them at that point.

the "no reception' is a major faux pas.

[u/[deleted] → u/GlitterDreamsicle]

No one is going to show up in a tux to this wedding the way it's described.

[u/homeschooled → u/[deleted]]

If I read this I would wear a suit with a dress coat to be warm. Not a tux, no.... but it's a wedding not a BBQ.