A Guide to Wedding Invitation Suites

Q: What's the difference between a gatefold, 2-piece and 3-piece invitation suite?

A gatefold opens from the centre to reveal three panels, usually your invitation, order of the day and finer details, all in one piece. A 2-piece suite has your main invitation plus a details card with a tear-off RSVP. A 3-piece suite gives you three separate cards: the main design, a details card and a standalone RSVP card.

What's Included in a Wedding Invitation Suite

If the Save the Date was the first glimpse, your Wedding Invitation Suite is the full reveal. This is the moment where your vision truly comes to life in your guests' hands. For me, the invitation isn't just a piece of paper with a date on it, it's the centrepiece of your wedding's identity. It is a tangible piece of artwork that tells your guests exactly who you are. Gothic, celestial, vintage romantic. Unmistakably, unapologetically you.

Whether you are looking for a classic 2-piece suite, a detailed 3-piece collection, or our signature Luxury Gatefold designs, every element is crafted to defy the norm. We balance that dark, gothic romanticism with modern necessity, seamlessly integrating RSVP cards and QR codes so the experience is as effortless as it is beautiful.

I believe our customers stand out because they aren't afraid to choose designs that speak to who they really are. When a guest pulls a heavy, tarot-inspired gatefold from an envelope, they aren't just getting an invite, they're getting an experience. It's exciting, it's different, and if I were the one opening that suite, I would be absolutely hyped for the big day. Explore our suites below and find the design that captures the unique magic of your wedding day.

The Lovers Tarot gatefold wedding invitation with gothic illustration on matte textured card, personalised wedding stationery

Til Death Do Us Part gothic skeleton wedding invitation suite with gold foil and cut-off RSVP on velvet soft-touch card

Star-Crossed Lovers 3-piece gothic wedding invitation suite on a wooden tray with crystals and antlers

Candle and Key gatefold wedding invitation in deep purple with white candle, key and ornate frame

Dusk and Dawn foiled 3-piece wedding invitation suite with celestial sun and moon design on velvet soft-touch card

Til Death Do Us Part foiled tarot card 3-piece wedding invitation suite with gothic skeleton couple on velvet soft-touch card

The Lovers Tarot full wedding invitation suite with gothic design and tear-off RSVP card on matte 280gsm paper

Gothic gatefold wedding invitation with skeleton lovers 'Til Death' crystal ball design on textured matte card

Unique Wedding Invitation Ideas from Birdhouse197

See a selection of standout examples above. Our designs are crafted on luxury card stock, with selected collections available in metallic foil finishes, and every piece personalised to your exact wording.

Celestial wedding stationery suite with foil, florals, stones and a vintage tray on dark fabric

Bespoke Artistry & Design | George & Joshua

When you order with us, you are working directly with a two person team. It is a completely tailored experience from that very first message right through to the final print. We love it when couples come to us with a starting point, whether that is a specific color you love or a TikTok video you have seen. We view this as a conversation. We are always open to discussing unique combinations of styles and designs to make sure the final result fits you perfectly. It is always exciting for us to work on something we have not seen before.

You are not just buying a product, you are working with people who are passionate about bringing your vision to life.

Til Death Do Us Part Lovers Tarot invitation with RSVP, skeleton couple illustration on 280gsm matte card

Curating Your Suite: From Tarot Art to Dark Romance

We offer a few different ways to lay out your invites, depending on how much information you need to get across and the kind of "wow moment" you want for your guests.

The Gatefold Invitation

This is one of our most popular options. It has a design on the front that opens in the center to a full reveal of your wedding details. You get three columns inside, usually for your main invite, order of the day, and finer details, so everything is in one place and looks amazing.

2-Piece Suite (with Cut-off RSVP)

Styled like classic tarot cards, this set comes with your main invitation and a second card for the details. It has a handy tear-off RSVP section at the bottom, which is a great practical touch for your guests to send back to you.

3-Piece Invitation Suite

If you want that extra layered feel, this is the one. You get three separate cards: the main design card, a details card for things like the order of the day, and a standalone RSVP card. It's a great choice if you have a lot to say and want it to feel a bit more traditional.

The 3-Card Tarot Spread

I love this one for something truly different. It's three separate cards designed like a tarot spread. You have the artwork on the front, and then we put all your details and info on the back. It's a real keepsake that feels a bit more like a piece of art than just an invite.

Black celestial wedding stationery with foil, crystals and flowers

Luxury Finishes: Metallic Foiling, Velvet & Envelopes

Deciding what to include can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help. Many couples now use a wedding website for the bulk of their info, so we can include a QR code or URL to keep the physical card minimal. Otherwise, a guest-facing order of the day is a must-have. To finish your set, we provide textured white envelopes as standard, but we always have black and craft brown on hand if you want a different look.

For an extra touch of luxury, we can add foiling in some designs, we offer gold, silver, rose gold, copper, or iridescent.
We don't offer foiling on our gatefold designs, but it works beautifully on our card sets to really step up the design.

Close-up of a Candle and Key gatefold with ornate white frames, heart, candle and cake illustrations

From Sketch to Suite: Our Bespoke Invitation Process

The most exciting part is seeing your invitations in person. We always send over a digital draft first so you can check every detail and be 100 percent happy before we go to print. Once they are ready, they are carefully packaged and shipped via DPD or FedEx with full tracking.

There is nothing quite like that moment when you open the box. We truly believe these designs look even better in your hand than they do on a screen. These invitations are for the niche who want something dark, alternative, and unique.

Wedding guests in formal attire with light art projected on a wall at a Halloween wedding

Gothic Wedding Invitation Wording: Where to Start

Wording is often the part couples find hardest. Whether you want something dramatic and poetic or something that hints at your theme without spelling it out, we are here to help you find the right tone. Every order includes a full personalisation process, so you are never on your own with it.

FILL OUT THE FORM & LET US GUIDE YOU

The Bleeding Heart tarot themed 2-piece gothic wedding invitation suite with anatomical heart illustration and tear-off RSVP card on matte card

Crystal Ball 3-piece invitation suite partly out of a black envelope on rustic wood

Star-Crossed Lovers gothic gatefold wedding invitation with sword and wing illustration in black and white

Interlocking Rings gatefold wedding invitation with gold wedding bands framed by eucalyptus

In This Life and The Next gatefold gothic wedding invitation with ghost illustration and personalised photo interior on matte textured card

The Bleeding Heart foiled gatefold wedding invitation with anatomical heart design on velvet textured card

Classic vintage Tarot Card Spread 3-Piece Invitation Suite for weddings with The Lovers, The Sun, and The Ace of Cups cards on high-quality velvet paper

The Star Tarot gatefold invitation in deep blue and black with moon, star and zodiac illustration

Ready to explore more?

Hand holding two Bleeding Heart Lovers Feast menus with heart and sword design over a green plate

Carry the theme through to your reception with our

Ready to explore more?

Carry the theme through to your reception with our

Save the date sample pack showing four gothic and celestial designs on a wooden tray

Order a Sample Pack

Not ready to order? Feel the paper, foil and finish first. Every pack includes a £14 discount code, redeemable off your first full order.

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The Birdhouse197 founders on their wedding day

Got a Vision for Your Day?

Want it in a different colour, paired with another collection, or built into a full suite? Tell us your vision and we'll put together a package just for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a gatefold, 2-piece and 3-piece invitation suite?

A gatefold opens from the centre to reveal three panels, usually your invitation, order of the day and finer details, all in one piece. A 2-piece suite has your main invitation plus a details card with a tear-off RSVP. A 3-piece suite gives you three separate cards: the main design, a details card and a standalone RSVP card.

Can gatefold invitations be foiled?

Gatefolds can't be foiled, but our card sets can, in gold, silver, copper, rose gold or iridescent on selected designs. We think our matte gatefolds are just as striking in their own way.

What envelopes come with my invitations?

Every order comes with textured white envelopes as standard. Black envelopes are available as an add-on, and craft brown on request.

Can I add a QR code or wedding website to my invitations?

Yes. Many couples keep the physical card minimal and add a QR code or URL for their wedding website. Just include it in your personalisation details.

When should I order my wedding invitations?

Many of our designs can be foiled, and it's a genuinely stunning premium finish. Gatefolds are the exception, as we don't offer foiling on them, apart from our one Bleeding Heart foiled gatefold. That said, we think our matte, non-foiled pieces are just as impactful in their own way, and your sample pack includes both so you can compare and decide for yourself.

Can I see a sample first?

Yes. Our invitation suite sample pack includes a gatefold, a multi-piece set and a foiled card, and the cost is credited against your full order.

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George & Joshua

You'll be working with us directly to achieve the perfect stationery for your big day

Digital proofs

See a full digital mock-up of your order before it's printed

Unlimited Revisions

To ensure your design is perfect before arrival

Complimentary Shipping on All Bespoke Orders

Tracking details provided on dispatch

Sample Packs

£14 per pack, credited against your order. Click here to explore our sample packs