What should you include on a custom wedding invitation map?
The ultimate guide to wedding invitation maps, what to include, and how to add your own unique personal touches - with plenty of examples of my favourites, from destination weddings to illustrated local landmarks.
Maps are one of my absolute favourite finishing touches that you can add to your wedding invitation suite. Not only are they helpful to your guests on the day, but they are also completely custom made to you as a couple, so are a great way to bring your personality to your invitations. But I often find that couples are stumped with where to start, asking me what you should include on their wedding map, and how you can customise it to your own wedding.
Essential information for your map
Map cards are pretty, but make sure they are functional too! Typically map cards will include:
Your venue(s)
Road names and routes
Any important directions or points of interest, like entrances, car parks or train stations
Make it obvious – if your venue is tricky to find and you need to say ‘turn left at the big red post box’ – then say exactly that!
Triple check it – walk through the different ways people are getting to your venue, or between venues, and make it easy for them.
Extras and personal touches
Consider adding some personal touches to your wedding map– if you’re getting married in your local area, you could mark on your favourite landmarks, or places that are important to you - for example your favourite café, pub, or hike, or where you had your first date
Local accommodation – if you have recommended accommodation for your guests then you could mark these on your map too
Map illustrations
I love any opportunity to illustrate your wedding stationery, and a custom map card is no exception. You can illustrate your wedding reception/ceremony venue, or you can go all out like this example, which shows the landmarks of Edinburgh in matching green and blue line drawings. Illustrations on map inserts create a whimsical and romantic feel, tying in with the rest of your invitations, while encouraging guests to explore your favourite places.
Venue Estate Map
If your wedding includes multiple locations within the same venue, then a custom map is a lovely way to show guests around and help them familiarise themselves with the venue. This example shows a map of Hudson in New York where the welcome party will be, and then gives road directions to Burkestone Estate. Here there is another smaller map of the Estate, showing the area for the ceremony, reception, and breakfast the day after.
Maps for Destination Weddings
Map cards are perfect for abroad weddings as lots of your guests will be unfamiliar with the area. As well as local airports, transport routes, be sure to mark a few local activities on your map for guests who are staying an extra few days before or after the wedding.
This simple and elegant map of Santorini Island includes the main road routes around the island, the airport, and a few local attractions for guests to enjoy. The black and white colour palette and modern script lettering creates a minimal and elegant design which compliments the rest of the invitation suite.
Making the most out of your map
Ask me for a digital version of your map as well so you can add it to your wedding website
You can re-use your venue illustrations in your on the day stationery - for example on your Order of Service or on your Welcome Sign
Ready to get started?
You can view my pricing for standalone custom wedding map cards here, for both printed or digital versions.
Alternatively, if you would like a custom map to be designed as part of a bespoke wedding invitation suite you can fill out this form to build your quote.
Prefer to chat it through on the phone? Book a call here - we’ll have a cuppa and chat through your ideas, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit.