|
inviting
designs
In an age of impulsively
written emails and online communication, a beautifully worded invitation is a
reminder of the delight that can come from receiving a well-crafted message. A
save-the-date card or invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of
the wedding, so you’ll want it to be special... and well-written!
We've all
heard the old saying, " You never have a second chance to make a first
impression."
When it comes to weddings, the all-important first impression
happens long before the big day arrives it begins with the invitation.
At its
most formal, the invitation is a stiff letter sheet, folded once, with a piece
of tissue protecting the type. It is placed within an unsealed envelope bearing
just the name of the guest, and is then placed in an outer envelope.
Fortunately, couples have more choices than ever when it comes to their wedding
stationery. Today’s invitations can be created to suit any style - from
traditional cream-colored papers with engraved, centered type to contemporary invitations
with unique formats, modern color combinations, die-cut pockets, jeweled
adornments, and even images!
The right
invitation is brimming with excitement and anticipation, and gets your guests
anxious for the day. Most importantly, the wedding invitation announces the
couple's new life. Its character -- formal, informal, elegant, or amusing --
announces the newlyweds' style. Take the time to choose papers, typefaces,
colors, and emblems that are reflective of you as a couple. Your guests should
be able to look at them and know who's getting married before they even read
your name.
Remember,
wedding stationery can be customized to any degree and to fit any budget. It
may be as simple as matching the paper or ink color to the bridesmaids'
dresses, or as elaborate as having a calligrapher create a personalized logo
for you as a couple, which can easily be incorporated into all of your wedding
stationery.
When
looking for a stationery professional to fulfill your invite needs, be sure to
visit with several experts before making your decision. Tell the stationer
about the wedding you're planning -- the theme, colors, locations, time of
year, time of day, number of guests and the level of formality of your affair.
When visiting, it's wise to take sample invitations with you to give
professionals an idea of what you're looking for. Here are some helpful tips to
ensure a lasting first impression:
~ Have
your guest list determined before placing your order. Having an estimate of the number of
invitations you'll need will help keep your order within a budget. Regardless
of how many guests you expect to invite, be sure to order an additional 10%
extra invitations. Mistakes will be made. It happens. Make sure to order at
least 25 extra envelopes to allow for addressing errors, misspellings and
smudges. Small orders can be horrendously expensive, so it's better to have too
many invitations initially than to have to place a new order.
~ Find
out if you will see a proof of your invitation before it is printed, and ask how long it will take you
to receive them once you've decided on the style and wording. In addition, ask
what form you will receive them in, for example, will they be assembled?
~
Response cards are a must if you want to give your caterer an accurate count of how many people
will be attending the reception. The response card and self-addressed stamped
envelope are enclosed for the guests. It will request that the guest respond by
a certain date, usually about three weeks before the wedding. One available
option that is now available is the response postcard, which eliminates the
need for a self-addressed stamped envelope. Be aware that even though postage
will be a bit lower than it is with a traditional response card, the cards
themselves can be just as expensive. Weigh your options carefully.
~
Contrary to popular belief, wedding invitations can be worded any way the
couple wishes. Once
you have committed to a theme and pattern for your wedding stationery, one of
the more challenging aspects is deciding what to say in your invitation. Some
couples may opt for an informal, conversational tone while others still choose
a traditional wording. There are, of course, some basics that must be included:
who, what, where, and when. Be sure to list the full name and correct address
of the ceremony site for anyone who may not be aware of it.
~
Regardless of the tone you select, etiquette rules do provide time-tested
guidelines. For
example, it is customary in a formal wedding invitation to spell out
everything, including the date and time of the wedding. For example, the invite
should read six o'clock in the evening not 6:00 p.m. Also, each bit of
information occupies its own line and no commas are used, except between the
location of the wedding and the city and state in which it will take place.
Usually a good stationer will guide you through the wording process, but it
helps if you have a sense of what you want to say.
Above
all else, remember this: wedding invitations are much more than just factual
information
they create the first impression of your new life. It tells
friends, family and colleagues that you want to share with them one of the most
significant moments of your life. And invitations set the tone and mood which
your guests bring with them to your wedding. After all, the first impression is
always the deepest, so make it a reflection of your personality by choosing the
right style of invitation.
|
galleries
Anne's Grapevine
MagnetStreet Weddings
|
