Weddings are special events for the entire family, not only the bride and groom. There are few events that bring a family together like a wedding.
Mail order and Internet invitations?
It is easy to get catalogs, however it has been my experience that often brides are disappointed with the final product. The paper wasn’t what was expected or the color wasn’t right. Meeting with an experienced and qualified wedding consultant is always your best choice.
What details do I need before I order my invitations?
You do not need everything in place to select your invitations, however you will when you order them. Confirm the time and location of the event. Check the correct spelling and name of the site as well as the correct address. Double check on the correct spelling of everyone’s names and middle initials if you are including them; it would be very embarrassing to get names wrong. With a wedding, if the groom’s parents are not contributing money, you should still plan to include their name on the invitation. This gives them recognition as well as identifying whose wedding the quests are being invited to. If you are doing a foreign language wedding invitation, it is helpful to have something written out legibly as the consultant may not know the language.
What do I really need and what should they cost?
Invitations vary greatly in price. Many companies charge for everything such as colored ink, envelope liner and extra lines over a certain amount, as well as the reception card and response set. The price is also affected by the quality of paper plus additional layers of paper or trim. Most couples spend $1.50 to $7.50 per invitation. This includes everything needed except postage. To determine exactly what to budget for your invitation, you need to look at the albums to see what you truly like. Start early so you don’t feel rushed!!
How many invitations do I need to order?
Your count for wedding invitations has nothing to do with how many guests you will have. Many guests are couples or families and can receive only one invitation. Proper etiquette dictates to send invitations to anyone over age 16. However, with the cost of weddings, invitations and postage, it is not expected. Please order about 25 extra invitations as people “come out of the woodwork�. You will want to include them after the invitations are mailed. Don’t cut yourself short as it could be very expensive to order them after the initial order has been placed. Even if you don’t think that they will be attending, still send the invitation. Feelings get hurt when some people are not included.
When do I send out the invitations?
Most caterers expect payment in full before the event happens, in some cases up to three weeks before. Many bridal guides suggest sending the invitations 4 to 6 weeks before your special day. This does not soon enough, if you have a lot of guests coming from out of state. Everything needs to be started and decided upon 3 to 6 months before the wedding if at all possible. Invitations need to be sent out 6 to 10 weeks before the event, in order to give you time to make all your plans and catering needs. Should you have out of town guests coming in for your event, send a “SAVE THE DATE� announcement up to 9 months before the wedding. The card should include the date of the wedding, the location and any prearranged packages you may have available for them to book. Gift Registry can also be included with your Save The Date card.
Response cards
For most receptions, you need to know how many people are going to attend to tell your caterer. Always include some way to tell you how many people are attending or you may have unexpected guest show up. People are amazing and don’t think anything of adding people to your guest list without an invitation. Number the back of each card to correspond to your list to make it easier to check off, especially if you cannot read their writing or you have duplicate names. The response card price includes the return envelope to you.
Thank you notes…do they need to be sent?
Yes, thank you notes must be sent, preferably within two months of the event. Many people send gifts via computer, gift registries, etc. How do they know the gift was received, UNLESS they receive your Thank You Note. They do not want to pay for something you didn’t receive. It also lets them know you appreciate the fact that they took the time and expense to send a gift, whether you liked the gift or not. The note does not need to be elaborate or long, just sent. If you can, write them as the gifts arrive, then the task won’t be overwhelming.
What is Hand Calligraphy?
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. A calligrapher is someone specially trained in the art and should address your envelopes in a style complementing you invitations. Some calligraphers only know one style of writing, and that style might not work effectively with your invitations. When invitations are received that have been addressed beautifully, they stand out in your guest’s mail and announce a special event. Some of the bridal magazines suggest you get your bridesmaids or family together to address them. Please, don’t spend money on invitations and then address it with a ball point pen and sloppy penmanship. If you do it yourself, get a good pen and use your best writing.
Is computer calligraphy nice looking?
There are all types of computer calligraphy. Some look like a data base mailing label and others are beautifully done. I have developed my own program and do each envelope individually on the computer. If you want to do your envelopes yourself via computer, be sure your printer will accommodate your envelopes without creasing them or ruining them. Never use mailing labels or a postage meter when sending out the invitations.
Original article by Madelyn R. Used with permission and modified by Brides Club Wedding Planner.
Photo by LOLLY INVITATIONS.
Tags: Invitations, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Announcements, Calligraphy
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Wedding invitations