Now the holidays are over, wedding planning is full steam ahead for a lot of you getting married this year. It's such an exciting time but I know that it can get a bit overwhelming with all of the things you have to book, plan and remember.

I know couples are often surprised by how much planning goes into their invitations, especially when it comes to the information they need their guests to know before the wedding. So I've put together a handy guide to help you along the way, whether you're opting for a printed stationery suite or keeping things simple and adding the finer details to your wedding website.

The Essential Info

The most important details are definitely the most obvious and include the following:

• Your names (whether you want to have full names or first names only is entirely up to you)

• The wedding date and start time

• The venue name and address

• Details on how to RSVP along with a deadline

Additional Details

Now we've got the essentials out of the way, here are some of the things that you may not have thought of already but can be really important for your guests to know before the day. Some of them may not apply to your wedding or venue but hopefully you'll find the list helpful all the same.

Parking A lot of wedding venues are in fairly remote areas, so it's important that they know there's somewhere for them to park their car. It's also a good idea to ask the venue if guests are able to leave cars overnight and if so, what time they need to be collected the next day.

Public Transport If you're having a city wedding, some of your guests might prefer not to drive so it's handy to include some public transport options for your them, just in case. If you're having a destination wedding, it can also be helpful to include a list of the nearest airports, just so your guests can figure out the best flight options.

Carriages Time It's always a good idea to let your guests know what time the party ends, just so they can arrange transportation once the festivities are over.

Transport If you're providing any transport for your guests throughout the day, it's definitely worth mentioning this when you invite them, including any specific pick up/drop off locations and times.

A list of local taxi numbers is also useful for guests to have, especially if they're needing to book in advance.

Accommodation If you have guests that need to stay overnight, it's always helpful to include some accommodation options, especially if they're not familiar with the local area. And if you have a particular booking code or offer with the hotel, make sure to include that too.

Ceremony information To avoid people turning up late, I always recommend including a suggested arrival time just in case!

A lot of couples provide their own confetti but some venues have quite strict rules about the types of confetti that are allowed, so it's worth letting your guests know in advance if they're planning to bring their own.

This is also a good time to let your guests know if you'd rather they didn't take photos during the ceremony. You're spending so much money on a professional photographer, you definitely don't want your photos to be ruined by phones popping up in every one.

Gifts Whether you have a registered gift list, would like a contribution to your honeymoon or want nothing at all, it's really useful to let your guests know.

Who's Invited? A lot of couples opt for a child-free wedding, so if this is you it's important to let your guests know in advance so that they can organise childcare.

Sometimes a guest list is straightforward (i.e. you're able to invite whole families and friends with plus ones) but I know that's not always the case. To avoid any confusion over who's invited, I usually advise just making it clear on the envelope but if you're really worried, you can always personalise your invitations with the specific guest names.

Menu If you need your guests to choose what they're having to eat when they RSVP, you'll need to include the various menu options. It's important to highlight any major allergens at this stage and include a space for 'dietary requirements' when your guests RSVP.

Some Nice Little Extras

A map of the area can be a really nice touch, and makes a lovely keepsake as well as being informative.

Including an 'order of events' can also be really useful (especially if you're having events over multiple days). It's definitely not necessary but does help to build the excitement for your wedding!

I think that covers almost everything! I hope you've found it useful and don't feel quite as overwhelmed when it comes to getting started with your invitations.

If you need any tips on writing your invitation wording, check out one of my previous blog posts here.

And if you're still yet to book your wedding stationer, feel free to get in touch for a quote!

All photos are by Natalie Stevenson Photography