What your wedding invitation must include: the complete checklist

It's easy to get so caught up in the design that you overlook a key detail. Go through this list before you share your invitation with anyone.

Essentials

• Exact date and time of the ceremony.
• Ceremony venue, with full address (and a map link if possible).
• Time and location of the reception, if different from the ceremony.
• How to RSVP, and the deadline for doing so.
• Contact details in case guests have any questions.

Highly recommended

• Dress code, if there is one.
• Nearby accommodation options, especially for guests travelling from afar.
• Shuttle timetable and pick-up points, if transport is being arranged.
• Option to flag any allergies or dietary requirements when confirming attendance.
• Information about children (whether they're invited, and whether there's a plan for them).

Optional but make all the difference

• A short story of how you met.
• A photo gallery for sharing after the wedding.
• A song request list or collaborative playlist for the reception.
• A gift list or wedding registry section, if applicable.

The most common mistake

The slip that comes up most often is assuming 'everyone already knows' and leaving out basic details like the exact address or start time. Read through your invitation as if you were a guest who knows nothing about the wedding — if anything would be missing for them, you need to add it.