Wedding, christening and corporate event invitations: 10 ideas
A good invitation is printed in A6 (105×148 mm), DL (99×210 mm) or a 150 mm square on 300–350 g/m² board. It should be prepared at 300 DPI with 3 mm bleed and no text smaller than 8 pt. Wedding invitations usually go out 2–3 months ahead, christening invitations 3–4 weeks ahead and corporate event invitations 4–6 weeks before the date. Set the RSVP deadline 1–4 weeks before the event and add a QR code of at least 20 mm that links to an online form.
An invitation is a guest's first contact with your event. From it, they can tell whether to expect an elegant ball, an intimate lunch after a christening or a relaxed company party. This guide covers 10 tried-and-tested style ideas, the details you must include, when to send invitations, formats and papers, and an easy way to collect RSVPs with a QR code. It is all written from a print house's point of view, so your design looks good on paper as well as on screen.
Invitation ideas: 10 style inspirations
The style of an invitation should suit the character of the event and the venue. A barn wedding invitation looks different from a christening invitation, and both look different from an invitation to a corporate gala. Below are 10 ideas, with practical tips on how to bring each one to life.
- Typographic minimalism: a white or cream background, one elegant serif typeface and plenty of white space. Use no more than two typefaces, centre the text and let the typography do all the decorating.
- Botanical watercolour: eucalyptus leaves, wild flowers or olive branches painted in watercolour. Place the illustration along an edge or in a corner, and set the text on a light, calm area.
- Rustic kraft: brown eco paper, jute twine and simple graphics. Print in a dark colour, because light inks lose contrast on a brown stock.
- Gold-foil glamour: gold lettering and ornaments on a navy, bottle green or black background. For hot foil stamping, supply the foil as a separate layer in the file, set to 100% of a single colour.
- Ticket-style invitation: designed to look like a boarding pass, cinema ticket or concert ticket. It is ideal for a corporate event or a travel-themed wedding. Choose the DL format and plan a perforated stub with the guest's name.
- Pastels for a christening: soft blues, pinks and beiges with gentle motifs such as clouds, a dove or a sprig. Print pastel backgrounds at a coverage of at least 10–15%, because very light tints can all but vanish in print.
- Photo invitation: a picture from your engagement shoot, of your baby or of your company team. The photo must be 300 DPI at its final size, which for a full A6 card means about 1240×1750 px plus bleed.
- Brand colours for a corporate event: the colours from your brand guidelines, your logo and your corporate typeface. Keep the invitation consistent with the roll-up banner, backdrop and name badges guests will see on the day.
- Folded invitation with inserts: a main card plus separate small cards for directions, the timetable and an RSVP card. Keep the main card simple and move the details onto the inserts.
- Vellum overlay or laser cutting: translucent paper printed with the names over the main card, or a lace-like ornament cut by laser. Supply the cutting die in the file as a separate vector line in a spot colour.
What must an invitation include?
Whatever the style, an invitation must answer five questions: who is inviting, who is invited, to what, when and where. If any of these is missing, expect phone calls from guests and a reprint. How much extra information you add depends on the occasion.
Give the time in a format that leaves no room for doubt (e.g. 4pm or 16:00), and give the address with the venue name and town. If the venue is hard to find, add a map or a QR code that opens navigation.
| Element | Wedding | Christening | Corporate event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is inviting | The couple or their parents | The child's parents | The company, board, logo |
| Guest of honour or purpose | The couple's names | The child's name | Name and nature of the event |
| Date and time | Ceremony and reception | Ceremony and reception | Start and expected finish |
| Venue | Church or register office, reception venue | Church, restaurant | Address, room, floor, parking |
| Extras | Dress code, accommodation, transport | Request to confirm, possibly a 'no gifts' note | Agenda, dress code, named entry pass |
| RSVP | RSVP with a date and contact | RSVP by phone or QR code | Online form via QR code |
When should you send invitations?
Timings come from custom and logistics rather than strict rules. The more guests travelling from afar, the busier the season or the more elaborate the event, the earlier it pays to send your invitations. For a peak-season or overseas wedding, an earlier save-the-date card works well.
Remember to allow time for design, proofreading, printing and delivery. Digital printing of a short run usually takes a few working days, while finishes such as foiling or die-cutting extend the turnaround.
| Occasion | Send invitations | RSVP deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding | 2–3 months before | 3–4 weeks before | Save the date as early as 6–12 months ahead |
| Christening | 3–4 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before | Often handed out in person |
| Corporate event | 4–6 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before | Earlier if guests are coming from out of town |
Which invitation format should you choose?
The three most popular formats are A6, DL and square. A6 is versatile and cheap to put in envelopes, DL looks slim and elegant, and a square feels modern. Choose the format together with the envelope, because the envelope determines the final size of the item you post.
Square and non-standard envelopes can cost more to post, so for a large run check the terms with your postal service or courier. The size with bleed is the size you set up your print file at.
| Format | Trimmed size | File with 3 mm bleed | Envelope | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105×148 mm | 111×154 mm | C6 (114×162 mm) | Christenings, weddings, all-rounder |
| DL | 99×210 mm | 105×216 mm | DL (110×220 mm) | Elegant weddings, tickets, events |
| 150 square | 150×150 mm | 156×156 mm | Square, approx. 160×160 mm | Modern weddings |
| A5 folded to A6 | 148×210 mm flat | 154×216 mm | C6 (114×162 mm) | Invitations with an agenda or map |
Which paper and finish should you choose?
Invitations are printed on board of 250–350 g/m². Below 250 g/m² a card feels flimsy, and for folded versions heavier board should be creased so it does not crack along the fold. A decorative paper gives a premium feel even to a simple design.
If you plan to write guests' names by hand, avoid lamination and varnish where the names go, because ballpoint and fountain pens do not take well on them.
- Matt coated 300–350 g/m²: a versatile choice that reproduces photos and colours well.
- Pearlescent or metallic paper: a subtle sheen that suits a glamorous style.
- Textured or handmade-style paper: a crafted look; check whether your printer can print on it digitally, as an uneven surface limits the options.
- Kraft: for a rustic or eco style; it needs dark print colours.
- Soft-touch lamination: velvety to the touch and protects against marks.
- Spot UV varnish, foiling and embossing: they highlight names, an ornament or a logo.
- Rounded corners and die-cutting: a detail that sets an invitation apart from an ordinary card.
Confirming attendance: RSVP and QR codes
RSVP is a request to confirm attendance by a set date. Traditionally you give a phone number or enclose a reply card, but a QR code linking to an online form is increasingly common. That way all the replies land in one spreadsheet, and you can ask straight away about numbers, dietary needs or accommodation.
The QR code must be readable on every phone, including older models. Always offer an alternative, such as a phone number or a short text link, because not every guest will use a scanner.
- The minimum printed size of the code is 20×20 mm; 25 mm is safer.
- Leave a clear margin (quiet zone) around the code at least 4 modules (squares) wide.
- Print a dark code on a light background; a reversed code or one in a pastel colour can be unreadable.
- Shorten the link: a shorter address means fewer modules and bigger squares at the same size.
- Consider a dynamic code, which lets you change the destination address without reprinting.
- In the form, ask for full name, number of guests, children, dietary needs, accommodation and transport.
- Test the code on a printed proof with several phones before you order the full run.
How do you prepare an invitation file for print?
Set up the print file at the trimmed size plus 3 mm bleed on each side, at 300 DPI and in CMYK. Keep important text at least 3–5 mm inside the trim line, within the safety margin. Embed fonts in the PDF or convert them to outlines, and set black text to 100% K so it prints sharp.
The smallest text should not be below 7–8 pt, while decorative script and calligraphic typefaces need 10–12 pt, as their thin strokes quickly lose legibility. If you would rather not design from scratch, you can order an invitation design in A6, DL or square at plakaty.shop (wielkareklama.eu studio). A package with 1 design proposal costs €12, and you receive a print-ready PDF with 3 mm bleed and a safety margin. Whoever designs it, read every name, date, time and address yourself before sending it to print.
Checklist
- Names, date, time and address checked by two people
- RSVP deadline and contact details on the invitation
- File at trimmed size plus 3 mm bleed, 300 DPI, CMYK
- Text at least 3–5 mm inside the trim line
- Smallest text at least 7–8 pt, decorative typefaces at least 10 pt
- QR code at least 20×20 mm with a clear margin, tested on a print
- Fonts embedded or converted to outlines
- Format matched to the envelope and postage cost
- Printed proof ordered for decorative paper or foiling
FAQs
How far in advance should you send wedding invitations?
Usually 2–3 months before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline 3–4 weeks before. For a peak-season or overseas wedding, or one with guests travelling from afar, it is worth sending a save-the-date card earlier. That gives guests time to plan leave and accommodation.
What is the most popular invitation format?
The most popular choices are A6 (105×148 mm), DL (99×210 mm) and a 150×150 mm square. A6 is the most versatile and fits a standard C6 envelope. DL looks elegant and a square looks modern, although it needs a square envelope.
What paper weight should you use for invitations?
The standard is 300–350 g/m² board, with around 250 g/m² as the minimum. Thinner paper feels cheap and bends easily. For folded invitations, heavier board should be creased before folding.
How do you add a QR code to an invitation?
Generate a code that links to an RSVP form, a map or the event page, and place it as a vector graphic or a high-resolution image. In print it should be at least 20×20 mm, dark on a light background, with a clear margin around it. Test it with several phones before printing the full run.
What should a corporate event invitation say?
Give the organiser's name and logo, the event name and nature, the date, start and finish times, and the full address with parking information. Add a short agenda, any dress code and how to confirm attendance, ideally through a form with a QR code. A personalised invitation underlines the prestige of the event.
What information must a christening invitation include?
The child's name, the parents' names as hosts, the date and time of the ceremony, the name of the church or parish and the reception venue. It is worth adding an RSVP deadline and a phone number. Christening invitations are usually sent or handed out 3–4 weeks in advance.
