18 June 2008
One of the biggest wedding decisions you will have to make is what kind of invitations to buy. Your wedding invitations will set the mood for your wedding ceremony and reception. If you are planning a formal, black tie event, you might choose an invitation that is plain white or ivory with black ink. If you are having a themed wedding, try incorporating that theme into your invitations. For example, if you are having a beach-themed wedding, select an invitation with shells, a lighthouse, or a couple walking along the beach. Don’t forget to integrate your wedding colors into your invitations as well. By selecting a colored ink or an invitation that contains accents in your wedding colors, your guests will know your colors and be able to dress appropriately. Ideally, you should begin shopping for your invitations as soon as you know the date, time and location of your wedding. The American Wedding offers quality invitations and accessories at prices significantly lower than what you are likely to find at your local stationery shop or printer. We also offer free samples of most of our invitations and enclosure cards, as well as many of our accessory items like napkins, cake bags, matches, place cards and bookmarks. As you can tell, we're a little biased. No matter where you shop, or who you choose to buy your invitations from, be sure to request samples of both paper quality and any applicable colors before placing your order. You want to make sure the invitations and accessories are a good quality and will compliment your wedding colors. Once you have decided where to purchase your invitations, you should prepare your guest list so that you will know how many invitations to order. You will need one invitation per couple and one invitation per single guest. Remember, children ages sixteen and over should be sent a separate invitation. We always advise that you order at least 25 more invitations, envelopes and accessory cards in case of last-minute guest additions, mistakes and keepsakes. Read Part 2 >>  Permalink
20 June 2008
<< Read Part 1
There are two major types of printing processes used in creating invitations. Engraved invitations are used for the most traditional, formal weddings, and are the most expensive. This process involves raising the letters above the paper by pressing the paper into a metal plate. The second type of process is Thermography. This is a process of fusing ink and powder on paper to create raised letters. It produces the similar look of engraving, but at a much lower price. This process also allows you to choose from a larger variety of ink colors and typestyles. The American Wedding uses the thermography printing method on most of our invitation styles, offering over 20 ink colors and 50 typestyles. Once you have decided where and what to order, it is time to decide what you want your invitations to say. You should be sure to include who is hosting the wedding, the date, time and location. If you are ordering reception and respond cards, make sure you have the details for these as well. Consider ordering your thank you notes at the same time, as you will begin receiving gifts shortly after sending out your wedding invitations. Once you have confirmed all the details and decided what you want your invitations to say, it is time to place your order. If you order from The American Wedding you can order several ways—by phone, mail, fax or online. We have trained professionals who can assist you in your ordering needs and can give you advice on wording, etiquette and answer any questions you may have. Once you have placed your order, just sit back and wait for them to arrive. Once you receive your wedding invitations, be sure to check them over to make sure everything is correct. If you are hiring a calligrapher to address your envelopes, make sure they get all the envelopes (including the extras) in plenty of time to do the job. After you have received your envelopes back from the calligrapher, gather your bridesmaids together and have a ‘stuffing’ party. Create an assembly line to assemble the invitations and accessory cards into the envelopes. If you are including respond cards, don’t forget to put a stamp on the respond envelope! When you have all the invitations assembled and sealed in their envelopes, take a few to the post office to be weighed. Slapping on a normal stamp on the envelopes may be not enough to cover the postage and you don’t want your guests to pay postage due on your invitations. Once the postage has been determined for your invitations, put stamps on your invitations and mail. Now that you have this major wedding detail in the bag, you can scratch this off your wedding to-do list.
23 June 2008
People have always wanted to celebrate important events with family and friends, but it wasn't always as easy as it is today to inform them of those events. The Renaissance Period
In the years before the invention of the printing press, the written word was much a luxury enjoyed exclusively by the nobility. Often, monks were commissioned the painstaking craft of creating written documents. Using highly stylized lettering, which eventually gave birth to calligraphy, the monks would work diligently and carefully, as a single mistake could destroy many hours of labor and waste precious writing materials. Paper, created by the Chinese around 105 BC, did not become popular until after the invention of the printing press, by Johannes Gutenberg in 1439, so monks would more commonly use smooth and lustrous parchment made from animal skins. Since a single piece of parchment was very expensive, only the rich could afford a finished printed work. At that time, however, very few people could actually read the finished product anyway and often had to employ someone to read the documents to them. At this time, wedding invitations were very rare. Most wedding invitations were delivered verbally. Weddings tended to be local events, as people rarely ventured far from their own town. Even extended families tended to be clustered together around the same village. Similar to placing an engagement announcement in the newspaper today, town criers were often used to announce a wedding. Town criers were tasked with walking a normal route through the town, pausing at decided places to shout the news of the day and any important happenings or events. Anyone who heard about a wedding from a town crier was invited to the celebration. It was quite some time before written wedding invitations made their way to the common people of the day. Even with the advent of mass produced print, the nobility generally preferred hand-crafted invitations, as print quality was generally poor, and the wedding of a prince or princess, dutchess or earl rated the added expense. Most wedding invitations included the family crest, or coat of arms, and were usually sealed with wax. To some extent, that tradition survives today. Seals are used to give wedding invitations that extra mark of distinction. Print quality was revolutionized in 1642, when Ludwig von Siegen invented the process of metal-plate engraving. Engravers would carefully etch the wording, in reverse, on soft metal plates. These etchings would then be coated in ink. When the plates were wiped, ink would remain in the etched recesses, to be transferred to paper when it was pressed firmly against the plate. The pressing would also cause the fibers of the paper to expand into the recesses, creating raised print. Engraving plates could be used to make many identical copies. Now it was possible to get the look and elegance of hand-made wedding invitations, with the added benefit of raised print, and to mass produce it. Nevertheless, engraved invitations remained very expensive and literacy rates were only growing slowly. Tissue paper was laid on top of each printed invitation, to keep the ink from smearing. Today's fast drying inks have eliminated that problem, but the tradition of placing tissues on top of the invitation wording remains.
Read Part 2 | Part 3
25 June 2008
Read Part 1
People have always wanted to celebrate important events with family and friends, but it wasn't always as easy as it is today to inform them of those events. The Colonial Period and Victorian Era
In the early 1600s, as newspapers began to appear throughout Europe and in the American colonies, wedding announcements began appearing almost immediately. Alois Senefelder, an Austrian actor and playwright, invented lithography in 1796. Using a greasy, acid-resistant ink, he found that he could transfer a printed image onto a flat, smooth limestone. He could then transfer that image to paper by pressing it against the stone. He continued his experiments until he had developed a workable lithographic printing press. This invention is important in the history of printing in general, but especially as it relates to wedding invitations, as it radically reduced the amount of time and expense involved in creating a finished invite. For the first time in history, wedding invitations became affordable to classes other than the nobility and extremely wealthy. By 1837, techniques were developed to even allow multiple colors to be printed using lithography. During the 19th century, most wedding invitations began to be printed this way, though some were still hand-crafted. Invitations were mailed two weeks before the wedding, in double envelopes. Postal systems were still in their infancy and posted letters were often subjected to some pretty rough handling. The outer envelope, containing the recipients' addresses and the required postage, was removed by a servant so that the invite could be delivered to the master of the house in a clean, presentable inner envelope. As invitations became accessible to people of more modest means, budgets became more of a concern. Sometimes large weddings were planned, but the reception party had to be a bit more intimate. This gave rise to the addition of reception cards in the invitation package, included with those invitations where the guest was also invited to the reception. Most weddings at this time took place in churches, so to insure enough seating for those invited, pew cards, directing the guest to their reserved pews, were included, especially where the church was small. Only those guests presenting pew cards were admitted to the wedding ceremony.
Read Part 3
27 June 2008
Read Part 1 | Part 2
People have always wanted to celebrate important events with family and friends, but it wasn't always as easy as it is today to inform them of those events. The Modern EraFollowing World War II, incomes for many families increased dramatically, creating an explosion of the middle class. This growing segment of the population could better afford luxuries previously limited to the wealthy. More than anything else, this popularized wedding invitations, making them de rigueur for nearly all weddings. Although postal systems have improved dramatically and delivery times are much quicker, today's wedding invitations are usually mailed even earlier. Thirty days before the event is fairly common, to allow sufficient time to receive the replies and finalize all the wedding and reception plans. More and more, the need to order accessories, advise caterers and reserve furnishings requires sending out invitations earlier. Guests, too, have their own concerns. Today, many guests travel from far away to celebrate the nuptials with the bride and groom. The need to make travel plans requires early planning. The Save-the-Date card, a modern addition, allows for early notification without having to send the invitation months in advance. Save-the-Date cards are sent as early as a year ahead of the event, but most often precede it by about six months. Modern wedding invitations are most commonly printed using a technique known as thermography. Like an engraved invitation, a thermograved wedding invitation has elegant and distinctive raised print.The process is much different than engraving, however, and much less expensive, allowing invitations to be printed with the rich, elegant look and feel of traditional engraved invitations, at a fraction of the cost. Using computers, modern printing equipment and highly automated processes, invitation manufacturers today are able to provide beautiful wedding invitations at prices affordable to the average consumer. Since 1919, The American Wedding has seen various stages of printing technology rise and fall, having tried several of these technologies for a season. We have worked to produce quality products, worthy of nobility, at a low cost of doing business, which in turn means selling our wedding invitations and accessory products at reasonable prices to every bride and groom.
30 June 2008
Every bride has dreamed of the fairy tale wedding since she was able to walk around in mom's high heels. Most of us never think about how much that magical day is really going to cost. If the budget is a little tighter than you imagined, there are ways to make it to the ball without the fairy godmother. - Wedding Gown
Ask around. There may very well be an heirloom dress in the family or a close friend may have a gown you can borrow. Most women would be honored by the request. One thing, be sure to get permission for major changes or size alterations you would like to have made. Also, if the dress is going back to the original bride or family member after the wedding, it is only fair that you pay to have the dress cleaned and prepared for storage before returning it.
- Bridal Party
The smaller the group you have standing up front, the less expense is involved. Even if the attendants pay for their own attire, there are still flowers, gift and rehearsal dinner expenses involved when having a large bridal party.
- Flowers
Instead of bouquets that bubble over with exotic flower selections from around the globe, a single long-stem rose tied with a satin ribbon for the bridesmaids is a simple and elegant choice. The bride could use a small prayer book or bible with a small bunch of lily-of-the-valley.
- Attendant Gifts
Take a casual photo of your bridesmaids and purchase inexpensive frames to give each member a memento from one of your bridal showers or a "girls' night out". Be sure to include a message and the date on the back of the picture for an even more meaningful touch.
- Invitations
Go simple! The most impressive wedding invitations are the sleek, one card type. Also, selecting a card size that does not require extra postage will save money incrementally depending on the size of the guest list.
- Photography
Professional photographers usually have several options for you to choose from. You can get the album you want without breaking the budget. After you have selected the pictures you want in the formal album, ask about buying the rest of the proofs. If you know someone who takes great photos, ask them to be your photographer. Usually you can buy the film and pay for the developing yourself. At the reception, it is fun to have disposable cameras at each table to get plenty of candid and often very funny shots. Just be sure to include the development costs for each camera in the budget.
- Guest List
Keep it short. Invite the people that are most important to you, your family and friends. An intimate gathering will be more memorable for you and everyone you share it with.
- Ceremony
Decorate the church with large bows and simple flower arrangements. Large flowers such as magnolias look beautiful at the end of long, wooden pews.
- Rice Shower
Some brides substitute rice with bird seed. Cut a yard of netting into 2" x 2" squares, place a small amount of bird see in the center, gather up the four corners and tie it with a ribbon. With bird seed, there's also no cleanup necessary at most venues.
- Programs
Wedding programs are not necessary, but if you want them and have access to a computer, you can easily make them yourself. Most paper or craft stores carry a variety of covers. Select your favorite and get creative. Be sure you have the correct spelling for all names.
25 July 2008
Did you ever wonder why there is such a thing? The tradition goes back to the days when invitations were delivered by hand. The wedding invitation was delivered to the invitee's home, with the name and address on the outer envelope so it could be delivered with ease. Before the invitation ever made it to the recipient, the outer envelope was removed and discarded by the butler or personal valet and only the inner envelope was presented to the master of the house.
Traditionally, inner envelopes read:
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
with no first names or address. If children are being invited, it would read:
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
Miss Johnson (if there is more than one girl, first names should be used as well)
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4 August 2008
Finding the best possible design for your wedding invitation can be a long and tedious process, but knowing which designs are popular can help you narrow down the options quickly. You might not be the type of person who simply chooses whatever appeals to the masses, but when it comes to wedding invitations, it is important to remember that the invitations you choose create the first impression of the wedding your friends and family will attend. For the most part, our invitation designs are split into nine categories. These basic distinctions will help you begin the process of finding the right invitation for the type of wedding you plan to have. The categories are classic, contemporary, couples, destination, floral, hearts, layered, Christian and Fall themed. Understanding what each of these themes has to offer is one of the keys to finding the right invitation for your ceremony. A classic style wedding invitation is perfect for the traditional wedding, and white is usually the dominant color of these invitations. The majority of the invitation will be covered with white, while other colors, most frequently black or gold, are used for decorative borders or symbols. Many of these invitations feature some form of imprinting or embossed patterns. Sheer ribbon is also a common decorative element of these invitations. A refined sense of elegance and formality is the mood that is most frequently portrayed from these invitations. If your ceremony is a reflection of that mood, then a classic style invitation is perfect for you. Contemporary invitations convey a similar mood to the classical design. They can also be fun and relaxed if you want them to be. The featured colors tend to be white, black, pink and a light brown, almost bronze color. Sheer ribbons are used frequently, and white classical styling frequently uses vine-work and other similar designs for borders, contemporary designs utilize geometric patterns, giving the document a more artistic style. The Couples group of invitations follows its name. By portraying couples together getting married, they put the focus on the bride and groom. White is the standard color, but these invitations tend to allow more freedom for experimentation with color choices. These invites can range from formal to romantic, and this style of invitation really does focus on the couple, often down to how the invitation wording is laid out. This type of invitation gives you the freedom to find a card that focuses on your personal style as a couple. For the Destination Wedding, you can find invitations that emphasize a specific location or general ambiance. Whether your destination is the Las Vegas Strip, a cruise liner, or a white sandy beach somewhere, you are sure to find an invitation that highlights the locale. This can be a very rewarding design choice as it serves to absorb your guest into the atmosphere of your wedding, and prepares him or her for the excitement of the destination. If you are having a destination wedding, look no further, these invitations would be perfect for your event. Floral designs are another popular choice for many couples. These invitations display the best features of both the classic and contemporary style and create a beauty that is perfect for any type of ceremony. One popular feature of these invitations is the way in which color can be used. Emphasizing the color of the flower over the white and black background creates a striking and elegant mood. Other design elements feature embossed patterns and frames that are cut into the front of the card. The frame is frequently surrounded by flowers that border the text. This allows for an elaborate visual design that does not get in the way of the message within. For those looking for a theme that will put the emphasis on a fun sense of romance and love, the Heart category is perfect. This style of design works very similarly to the others, but where flowers, geometric shapes or pictures of couples make up the images that adorn the card, hearts now take the focus. This particular style of invitation is perfect for anybody who wants a simple but heartfelt atmosphere for the wedding since most of these designs are not overly complex. Layered invitations are perhaps the most elaborate and potentially formal invitations. These cards feature layers of paper folded and intertwined in a variety of patterns to give the invitation a very complex sense of beauty. Extensive use of bows and accenting paper make up the most prominent features of these cards. For a couple trying to have a very high end, formal feel for their ceremony, this category is a great fit. The Christian themed wedding invitations are designed for those who want to emphasize the Christian faith aspects of their wedding ceremony. These cards will often feature Christian symbols such as the cross or hands praying. They will also frequently contain a Bible passage as part of the text of the card. In terms of overall look and feel of these invitations, the options are unlimited. Popular cards from this category take cues from all of the other themes, but add Christian concepts to them. If you are planning a beautiful autumn wedding, then a fall theme invitation could be perfect for you. Featuring a wide variety of harvest time imagery, these invitations can provide a great deal of options when it comes to ceremony styles. Formal designs are plentiful, but so are more laid back options. This card style can be used in a diverse number of settings as long as your ceremony is taking place in the fall. Whatever you end up choosing as the theme for your wedding, you are sure to find the perfect invitation. With so many options for themes, take some time to browse and find the most beautiful card possible. After all, the invitation will be everybody's first impression of the ceremony.
22 August 2008
Have you ever received an invitation with a thin piece of tissue paper over the invite wording and wondered what it was even there for? Once upon a time, when invitations came off the printing press, the ink would still be wet and could not be stacked because the ink would smear. Printers came up with the idea to place squares of tissue over the invitation so that the slow-drying ink would not smear onto the card placed on top of it. Before mailing the invitation, the bride was to remove the tissue, as its only purpose was as packing material. Over the years, brides, unaware of the purpose of the tissues, improperly sent their wedding invitations with the tissues, hence making it "proper". Today, most wedding invitations are printed with an ink that dries quickly or with a process called thermography. Thermography is the process used to create the raised ink effects on several of our invitations. In order for thermography to work, it requires that the ink be subjected to heat, thus drying the ink even faster, eliminating the need for a tissue. Essentially, tissues are no longer needed, but the tradition of using them continues more out of habit than necessity. So, when you get your invitations, you can either use the tissues or toss them. If you decide to use tissues with your wedding invitations, it is only used on the invitation, over the invite wording and then any enclosure cards are placed on top of the tissue. Tissues are not placed between each enclosure card. Creatively, some brides have begun using their included tissues in their wedding decorations.
27 August 2008
Letterpress invitations are all the rage this wedding season. But you may be asking yourself, what are letterpress invitations? Letterpress is one of the earliest forms of printing text on paper. Johann Gutenberg is credited with the inventing of the movable press in the early to mid 1400's to create printed images on paper. He is known as the father of letterpress printing in Europe, but it is the Chinese who are credited with creating letterpress characters and images as early as 750 AD. Letterpress is a technique that stamps ink into paper using raised lettering. Traditionally, letterpress printing involved the inked type just lightly kissing the high quality, cotton-based paper and did not create an impression on the paper at all. Even though letterpress wedding invitations are considered an old-fashioned technique, they are quite modern and add an air of sophistication and class to your special event. Letterpress printing is generally more expensive than some other forms of printing, due to it being more labor-intensive, but the final elegance and sophisticated look and feel of letterpress wedding invitations is worth it to many brides and grooms.
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5 September 2008
A wedding invitation is always a welcome site in the mailbox. However, if proper wedding invitation etiquette is not followed, problems can arise. When sending out wedding invitations, take extra care to not confuse or possibly insult your guests. Following proper wedding invitation etiquette and protocol is crucial to not giving anyone the wrong impression. Although you may not be able to meet everyone's expectations, by following proper wedding invitation etiquette, you can lower your chances of insulting a potential guest. Adhering to generally accepted guidelines to deal with sensitive invitation issues, such as not inviting children, can make the whole process leading up to the wedding run much smoother. As mentioned before, one of the most glaring points of contention and potential insult comes with the issue of children at a wedding. Many younger couples like to avoid having the little ones at the ceremony and reception because of the potential for misbehavior. Depending on the individuals, it can be difficult to ask a parent to not include their children in any activity. The easiest and most appropriate way to not invite a child is simple; you should leave their name off the invitation entirely. If the name of the child does not appear anywhere on the outer or inner envelopes, then the guest should assume that their child is not invited. Without proper indication, guests may assume their entire family is invited. If you are worried about this happening, even if the child's name is not mentioned on the invitation, there are a few steps you can take. A subtle and indirect method of uninviting children is to let the information that no children will be at the wedding pass through your family and friends. Tell a few people that should not be offended by the fact that the ceremony and reception are for adults only. Then, if anybody has questions, they may likely hear the answer through one of the other sources that children are not invited. If your group of guests may not be in close enough contact with one another, or you are still worried that some parents may try to bring the children along, you can simply specify on the response cards that an adult reception will be held after the ceremony. This will subtly inform your guests that only adults are welcome without singling out any particular family. A final measure that can be taken to ensure that children do not attend is to simply fill out the number of guests slot on the invitation ahead of time. If you specify how many guests are allowed, the invitee should be able to pick up what is going on. These actions are all socially acceptable ways to ensure that children are not at your ceremony.
12 September 2008
A wedding invitation is always a welcome site in the mailbox. However, if proper wedding invitation etiquette is not followed, problems can arise. When sending out wedding invitations, take extra care to not confuse or possibly insult your guests. Following proper wedding invitation etiquette and protocol is crucial to not giving anyone the wrong impression. Although you may not be to meet everyone's expectations, by following proper wedding invitation etiquette, you can lower your chances of insulting a potential guest. Adhering to generally accepted guidelines to deal with sensitive invitation issues, such as not inviting children, can make the whole process leading up to the wedding run much smoother. A major area of wedding invitation etiquette comes in the form of return envelopes. It is generally considered unacceptable to not pay for return postage. Not only is it a nice gesture to your guest to include postage; it also serves to help ensure a quick response. If you give your invitee a stamped and addressed return envelope, it makes the likelihood of a response much higher. Indeed, invitations that do not include a properly equipped return envelope are often shoved at the bottom of a pile of mail to be sent out, and eventually forgotten. If your budget can not handle the cost of postage for your entire guest list, then use return post cards. The fee is smaller with post cards, and there is no social slight in using them instead of an envelope. One other such instance where confusion can occur is when the guest has not R.S.V.P.'d in time. If you receive no reply to your invitation by the date specified, you should wait about a week before taking action. If you are confident enough, you can then call the guests. The best way to bring up the issue is to ask if they have received the invitation. For the most part, people usually have received the invitation and just forgotten about it under the stack of other things they have to get done. If, by some chance, they never received the invitation, you should confirm that you have the correct address and take necessary action from there. If you are uncomfortable with calling, then just assume that the guest is attending. It is always better to have space for your guest should he or she attend, than be unprepared if he or she shows up and were not accounted for. Overall, it is pretty easy to ensure that you do not offend any of your guests. Just take the necessary precautions, and you should have no trouble. Take care of sending the respond cards and then relax and wait for the responses to arrive.
20 October 2008
Your wedding invitations are one of the most important parts of your wedding. So you want them to be correct. Here are a few tips to help you get things right. Abbreviations:It is considered socially correct to spell out all words on invitations, accessory cards and envelopes. For example, you would use road instead of rd., boulevard instead of blvd., etc. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. Titles may be abbreviated, for example, Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Dr. Instead of spelling out Saint or Saints, it is acceptable to use St. or Sts. Numerical time should use the abbreviations like a.m. and p.m. When used in a name, Jr. and Sr. can be abbreviated instead of using Junior and Senior. Time:To be socially correct, invitations require that time be spelled out. However, numerals may be used on accessory cards. Invitations: - Time should be spelled out, but never capitalized.
- If the time is on the hour, it should be followed by o’clock. Note the proper way is to have it all
- Lower case with an apostrophe.
- Do not use o’clock if the time is not on the hour.
- Time not on the hour should be hyphenated. For example, one-thirty instead of on thirty or twelve forty-five instead of twelve forty five.
- Time should always be followed by in the morning, noon, in the afternoon, in the evening or midnight. To clarify which is which, 12:01 a.m. – 11:59 a.m. is morning, 12:00 p.m. is noon, 12:01 p.m. – 5:59 p.m. is afternoon, 6:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. is evening, and 12:00 a.m. is midnight
Accessory Cards: - Time can either be spelled out using the invitation rules above or numerals may be used.
- When numerals are used, they should be followed by a.m. or p.m. Note the proper way is lowercase and periods.
- Immediately can be used instead of an exact time. The use of immediately and a time is unnecessary. For example, ‘Reception immediately following ceremony’ is correct, but ‘Reception immediately following ceremony at six o’clock in the evening’ is incorrect.
Read: Part 2 | Part 3
22 October 2008
Dates:
On the accessory cards, the date and time formats should be consistent. If a time is not provided, you may spell out the date, abbreviate it or use a numerical date. - Invitations:
The date should be spelled out at all times. It should be preceded by the day of the week and a comma should separate the two. The year should always be on a separate line and may be omitted if desired. A comma should not separate the month and year. Here is an example of the proper way to have the date:
on Saturday, the first of November
Two thousand and eight
- Accessory cards:
If the time is used on the accessory card, be consistent with the date. When the time is spelled out, spell out the date. If you use numerical time, then use a numerical date. If a time is not used, any format is acceptable.
Symbols:
We often see the use of symbols to represent words. This is becoming more and more popular; however, it is a social faux pas. You should never use symbols on the invitation. For example, Mr. & Mrs. should always be Mr. and Mrs.
Capitalization:
Etiquette dictates certain protocols when it comes to capitalization. Names of people and places are always capitalized. When spelling out the year, capitalize the “t” in two, as seen above. Sentences or each new thought on an invitation should always begin with a capital letter.
Zip Codes:
Zip codes do not belong on the invitation or most of the accessory cards. They are appropriate only on the outer envelopes, R.S.V.P. envelopes and at home cards.
Spelling:
You should always ask someone else to proofread your wording. Make sure you play close attention to proper nouns. Many common words are often misspelled or misused. For example, you should use night instead of nite.
Read: Part 1 | Part 3
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24 October 2008
Grammar:Remember that pronouns should be consistent throughout the invitation. If you are using first person pronouns (I, we, us, our and me) use them everywhere. If using third person pronouns (them, they, their) use them everywhere. It is bad etiquette to mix first and third person pronouns. Do not use punctuation, such as commas and periods, at the end of a line in your invitation wording. And vs. To:When both the bride and groom's parents are issuing the invitation, the word between the bride and groom's names should be "and." Example: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Johnson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Anne Marie
and
Robert David | When just one set of parents are issuing the invitation, the word between the bride and groom's names should be "to." Example: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jones
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jessica Anne
to
Mr. Peter Allen Lee
|
Respond Date:
The respond date should be two to four weeks before the wedding date. This gives you enough time to count the number of people coming and allows you to plan accordingly. The respond date should always be before the wedding date. You would be surprised how many people get these two dates switched. Be sure to check the dates before submitting the invitation order.
Consistency:
Keep the ink color consistent. If you decide to use blue pearl ink on the invitations then use blue pearl ink on everything. It looks better if all the ink colors match. Use the same typestyle on the invitations and accessory cards. If you use different typestyles it will look mismatched. Use the accessory cards that match your invitations. It makes a nice presentation to your guests if everything is consistent and matches.
Additional Tips:
Make sure you have filled out all the necessary information for every item. Proof read the order before you submit it. Make sure to order enough; it is much cheaper to order a few extra initially than it is to order a few extra later. If your wedding date is more than six months away, consider sending a Save The Date Card six to twelve months before the wedding. Then send your invitations four to six weeks before the wedding.
Read: Part 1 | Part 2
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28 October 2008
By selecting memorable, meaningful or unique colors for your wedding invitations, you'll be making a personal style statement for your wedding from the very beginning. Today there are more options than ever, and with so many beautiful shades and exciting color combinations to choose from, you're sure to find the hue that is right for you! When you find invitations that appeal to you, be sure to get samples and assure that what you see really is what you'll get. Just as important as picking your "signature" color is pairing it with complementary hues. You want to create a wedding invitation palette that is both pleasing and true to your individual style. You can implement these beautiful color combinations by including embellishments like bows and backing layers in highlight colors, selecting the perfect ink color to offset your paper choice, or simply by choosing an invitations that incorporates all the colors you prefer. Here are just a few of our favorite color combinations: Black and White Wedding Invitations Black and Blue Wedding Invitations Brown and Blue Wedding Invitations Chocolate and White Wedding Invitations Green, Black & White Wedding Invitations
29 October 2008
The task of choosing your perfect wedding invitation can be rather daunting. There are so many to choose from; here are some trends to help guide you. In today's society people are "going green;" wedding invitations are no different. There are now a wide variety of eco friendly invitations to choose from. For example, there is recycled stock, handmade paper, tree free and chlorine free. Another eco trend is botanical touches such as pressed flowers or leaves and silk fibers woven into the paper. Eliminate extra paper use wherever possible. Use a reply postcard instead of a card that requires an envelope; skip the inner envelope all together. Color is another big trend; rich and bold colors are popular this year. If you are having a winter wedding, onyx black with touches of snow white and silver is a popular color scheme. Forest green and plum are other popular winter colors. For a spring wedding, picture blooming gardens when thinking of your colors. Examples include sky blue, leaf green, magnolia pink and daisy yellow, just to name a few. Summer weddings are all about electric colors. Apple green, aqua blue, bright yellow and orange are the colors of choice. For fall weddings, the summer palette mellows into deep shades of rusty orange, scarlet and chocolate brown. When planning your fall wedding, think harvest. Motifs and graphic themes are also popular now. Many wedding companies offer a variety of designs that you can use on just about everything needed for the wedding, whether it be a certain type of flower, your monogram, a personalized logo or a scripture verse; personalization is key. If there are items that you cannot get personalized, then consider doing it yourself. Buy personalized ribbons to tie on your bubbles or other decorations. Buy seals with your motif on it and use them throughout your decor. Pocket invitations are a very popular choice as well. Instead of having an inner envelope, everything is kept inside a folder-type card. It has a pocket for everything and it keeps you invitations neat and organized. You can usually get the pocket in a variety of colors to compliment your invitations and wedding color scheme. Map and direction cards are crucial now. The last thing you want is for your guests to get lost on the way to the wedding. If you are getting married in an unfamiliar location, investing in map cards is probably a good idea. All you have to do is supply a map to the invitation company and they will print it out for you on stock that matches your invitations. This is a good way to ensure that your guests make it to the ceremony and reception.
30 October 2008
Question: We are planning an adult only reception, how do you tell you guests in the invitation? What is the proper wording, saying...? Lillian The Everyday Etiquette Answer: Dear Lillian, This is always a sticky situation when children are involved. Most etiquette experts agree that it is improper to say "no children" or "adult reception" on your wedding invitations. My son and daughter-in-law had the same issue last year. They were dealing with the Matron-of-Honor's baby and a good friend's toddler. There are several ways to get around this. We let family and friends know that we had a babysitter available for the children during the ceremony and reception. This let them know that the kids were not included at the event, but we hoped this would help them out. It worked like a charm! This approach is especially helpful when you have out of town family and friends. You can also let it be known by word of mouth that children are not invited. The groom's mother can let her side of the family know, and you or your mother can advise your side. By personally informing your guests in advance of the game plan, you can head off this issue before it becomes a full blown problem. Hopefully, your friends and family know that ONLY the people whose names appear on the inner envelope of the invitation are invited. Here are a few examples of what I mean and how to address the inner envelopes: | Mr. and Mrs. Jones Mr. Jones
Ms. Anderson (his date) Mr. Jones and Guest (if you don't know her name) Mr. and Mrs. Jones
Sarah and Billy (when the children are invited) | | Mr. and Mrs. Jones
Miss Sarah Jones
Master Billy Jones (young boy) | I hope this helps you out and send my best wishes for a wonderful wedding. Ms. Carey Ask your own Everyday Etiquette questions See more on Invitation Wording
30 October 2008
Question: Can I still honor my father in the wording on my invitations even though he is deceased? (My mother is not remarried). Joanne The Everyday Etiquette Answer: Dear Joanne, What a wonderful thought. When I got married, my mother was deceased, so only my father's name was on the invitation. Traditionally, deceased parents are not listed on the invitation but remembered in the program. Several years ago, the exact situation came up with a customer in my stationery store. I did some research and found that "Emily Post's Etiquette" by Peggy Post offered interesting wording for such situations. Since then, I have always suggested this as an option for remembering a deceased parent. Here is an example: | Mary Catherine Williams
daughter of Mrs. Christopher Williams and the late Mr. Williams
and
Thomas Scott Carson
son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Carson
request the honour of your presence
... | It is improper to have your mother and late father issuing an invitation (ie. Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams). Therefore, the above wording is necessary. Otherwise, you could use the following wording and have the minister remember your father during the wedding service and honor him in your program. Mrs. Christopher Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Mary Catherine
to
... | In my opinion, either is a very good solution. You just need to choose the one that makes you feel good. Have a wonderful wedding. Ms. Carey Ask your own Everyday Etiquette questions See more on Invitation Wording
1 November 2008
Wedding invitations run the gamut from plain ecru panels to complicated, colorful creations. If you are like the majority of brides out there, your personal wedding invitation style falls somewhere in between totally traditional and fashionably futuristic. One of the best ways to keep things classic without bordering on boring is to incorporate subtle, sophisticated elements that let your personal style shine through. Over the next week, we will be posting a quick guide to all the "little extras"...the tiniest of details that will make your wedding invitations truly something special.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
2 November 2008
No longer reserved for pigtails and holiday presents, ribbons and bows are beautiful, perfectly polished embellishments for wedding invitations. They can take an otherwise plain invitation and "tie it off" with a fancy flourish. Here are just a few "fit to be tied" options: Tied With Love Wedding Invitations
A simple, square white invitation is enveloped by a heavyweight black cardstock. Your personalized initials and invitation wording is all tied together with a wide, sheer ribbon. You can also choose to get this invitation with a sheer, black ribbon. Modern Romance Wedding Invitations
A colorful, whimsical design decorates the top half of this unique horizontal invitation. A backing layer in deep black adds even more interest. The entire contemporary ensemble is tied together with a delicate satin ribbon. The design on this invitation comes in pink, blue or brown. Sheer Class Wedding Invitations
Place your names on a sheer vellum overlay, laying on top of a classy cardstock wedding invitation. When the package is tied up with a perfectly polished bow, the entire look is sheer elegance. Lovers Delight Wedding Invitations
Three layers are featured on this unique horizontal invitation. The black backing layer lies underneath the white wording layer, which is wrapped in a heart-adorned sheer layer, and it all ties together with a black satin ribbon.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
3 November 2008
Whether you dream of big, bold blooms, or subtle, feminine floral...flowers are the perfect compliment to all types of wedding invitation styles, from traditional to contemporary. Here are just a few examples of fantastic floral touches: Floral Passion Wedding Invitations
The floral stripe flowing down the left side of the invitation provides the perfect accent to your invitation wording. This elegant invitation is available in black, red and brown. Intricate Floral Wedding Invitations
Surround your happy news with flowing, feminine flowers and elegant vines. Water Lilies Wedding Invitations
Beautiful water lilies adorn the corner of this elegant invitation. The sweet design is the perfect backdrop for your wedding wording. Tranquility Wedding Invitations
For a more subdued floral look, and for a touch of blue, try these beautiful letterpressed flower invitations. These soft white invitations are accented only by a graceful blue flower, creating a classic yet eye-catching effect.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
4 November 2008
What better way to add a little extra interest than by adding some subtle sparkle? "Shine" doesn't have to mean rhinestones and glitter. Here are a few examples of shining sophistication: Shimmer Chic Wedding Invitations
Your invitation wording is printed on your choice of shimmering pearl, glitzy gold, or stunning silver cardstock. The effect is understated elegance. Shimmering Starfish Wedding Invitations
For a more whimsical wedding invitation, try the look of two pearl embossed starfish for a stunning but less stuffy style. Shimmering Pearl Elegance Wedding Invitations
Featuring imported European paper with subtle pearl striping, this invitation is the ultimate in stylish simplicity. European Shimmer Wedding Invitations
With a shimmering pearlized stripe and a double embossed bevel border, these stunning wedding invitations are nothing short of shining stars.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
5 November 2008
Beautifully embossed borders, edges and designs are a great way to add elegant interest to your wedding invitations without taking focus away from your special wording. Here are few excellent examples of what we mean: Tuxedo Wedding Invitations
Floral embossing adds an extra touch of elegance to the tuxedo jacket cover of these invitations. Available in black and white styles. Our timeless Classic Organza Wedding Invitations
Featuring the couple's first names, and bordered by a double edged border for a touch of elegance, you can choose to highlight your striking invitations in pearl, gold or silver. I Do Wedding Invitations
Even romantic wording can be embossed! This contemporary invitation style features a simple silver foil and embossed statement: "I DO." The Gift of Love Wedding Invitations
This beautifully embossed invitation is tied with a single ribbon and opens to reveal your words of love. Also available in pink.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
6 November 2008
Polka dots can provide a little extra pop of playfulness to your wedding invitations. They send a happy vibe and a festive spirit to get guests excited for your joyous day. Dotted Elegance Wedding Invitations
Sweet, simple, pearl dots surround your wedding invitation wording on this popular invitation pick. It manages to be both playful and sophisticated at the same time! Playful Hearts and Dots Wedding Invitations
A string of chocolate polka dots and soft pink hearts dance across the front of theme dramatically joyful wedding invitations. Charisma Wedding Invitations
For a charismatic, cheeky flourish, try these whimsical invitations, which are fit to be tied with their upbeat polka dot bows.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
7 November 2008
A tradition from an age of chivalry and feudal rule might sound awful to use on your wedding invitations, until you realize it is the art of monogramming your wedding invitations with the initials of the bride and groom. Brilliant calligraphy and elegant brush strokes create an atmosphere of grandeur for your guests to enjoy. Ravishing Wedding Invitations
One grand initial sweeps across the backdrop of this elegant invitation. A black backing layer adds an extra element of sophistication, while a single white crystal embellishment adds a touch of glamour. Classic Monogram Wedding Invitations
In a timeless and totally striking style, these wedding invitations feature your personal monogram as the centerpiece of the design. Bold Curves Wedding Invitations
Your wedding invitation wording is printed in raised ink, on a smooth heavyweight card with a completely unique design. The invitation card itself is tucked inside the striking, sophisticated folder.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
8 November 2008
An increasingly popular wedding invitation shape, folio pocket wedding invitations let your guests feel as though they are opening an exciting gift as they discover your invitation wording inside. Vertical Folio Pocket Wedding Invitations
Available in a huge selection of paper colors and ink colors to let you customize till your heart's content, the vertical folio style is a contemporary style wedding invitation that's as striking as it is elegant. Square Folio Pocket Invitations
These fun and functional wedding invitations allow your special stationery to be as unique as you are. Our Square Folio Pocket Mix and Match invitations features an array of paper colors, ink colors and combo type styles to inspire your creativity.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
21 November 2008
Most of us try to plan our wedding with some sort of budget in mind. Here are a few tips to help you save some money on your wedding invitations and help you stay within your budget. Shop around for your invitations. Do not just buy them from the first bridal catalog you get. You would be surprised at how many places carry invitations now. You can get them printed from several different websites and mail order catalogs. You can also buy kits to print them yourself from office supply stores, discount stores and warehouse stores. You can even get them from the same place you get the dress and tuxedo. Different printing techniques can also affect the price. Engraving is a beautiful look to go with, but it can be expensive. You might want to think about thermography or raised ink, which is less expensive. Then there is always laser printing, which is probably the least expensive alternative. But it is flat ink, similar to what you print on your home printer. Choosing the printing technique is merely personal preference and really depends on your budget and how formal your wedding will be. Other ways to help keep the cost down is to avoid some of the extras. Jackets, bows, reception cards and lined envelopes are all extra things that add a nice touch to your invitation, but also add expense. If you are really trying to stick to a budget, you might think about eliminating some of these extras. Most people will not even notice that they are not there. If you choose not to have a reception card, you can have the reception information printed on the invitations. Another way to save money is to purchase a standard size invitation. The bigger and heavier the invitations, the more expensive they are to mail. Odd shaped invitations also cost more to mail. Instead of buying the reception cards and registration cards, you might print them yourself. You would still have them in the invitation, but they would be on a lighter weight paper, so the postage would be less. The post office will charge additional postage if the envelope contains something that causes the surface to be uneven or contains very rigid items like wood or metal. One final way to save money is to proof read the order before it is submitted. Most companies charge for a proof of the order. They also have charges if the order has to be changed once it is submitted. The fees might not be very much individually, but having several can cause the expense to rise.
5 January 2009
Looking through a wedding catalog can be kind of intimidating at times. There are so many wedding invitations to choose from. How can you decide which one will be right for you and your wedding? Take it a step at a time. Use the process of elimination. Once you have decided between tri-fold, bi-fold, single panel, white or ivory, next comes the process of making them personal. Your wedding invitation is your guest’s first look at your wedding. The invitation tells them what kind of wedding to expect; whether it is black tie formal, casual, or even a themed wedding. Whatever the case may be, one thing that you always want to keep in mind is keeping it personal. Remember personal does not mean untraditional. It just means that you have put some of your style and personality into every part of your special day including the invitation. There are a few ways to make your invitation personal. First and probably the biggest is the color. Your invitation does not have to be a perfect match to the bridesmaid’s dresses, but you want them to at least compliment each other. Try to keep the invitation in the same color palette as the rest of your wedding. Another way is use your monogram. A monogram is the first letter of your and your fiancé’s first names and the first letter of his last name, which is your new last name. This is a more traditional way to add a personal touch. Not only can the monogram be printed on the invitation, but you can continue the theme and use it through out the decorations for the wedding and the reception. You can also use a special design or icon. If there is a design or icon that has special meaning to you, then by all means incorporate that into your wedding invitations. There may be an extra set up fee for using your own design, but if it is what you want, then go for it. You can also use special fonts to add a touch of personality to the wedding invitation. Another good way is use pictures. Most companies now sell photo wedding invitations of some sort. You can pick a favorite picture and have that printed on your invitation or you can use it to make seals for the outside of the envelope. Whatever you decide to do just remember that these are the invitations to your wedding - your special day. You can make them as personalized as you choose, but do not go overboard. Keep in mind that no matter how casual your event is going to be, it still has some formal undertones and your invitations should reflect that.
8 January 2009
Your wedding invitations will be your first chance to make an impression on your guests. Its sole purpose is to not only inform them of the date, time and location of the wedding ceremony and reception, but to also set the tone of the wedding or let them know your theme. So it is very important to make sure your invitations are worded correctly. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when wording and sending out your wedding invitations: - You should not order your invitations until the details of your wedding have been finalized. The wedding date, time and location must all be confirmed in order to have accurate information on your invitations.
- When you are ready to write your invitation wording and start shopping for that perfect wedding invitation, make sure you convey the formality of your wedding to your guests. They want and need to know what kind of wedding you will be having and your wording and choice of wedding invitation will convey this information to them.
| If you are planning a formal wedding, you should choose a wedding invitation that is either white or ecru, with no color accents. It should have no border, or a simple beveled border. Avoid invitations with motifs like flowers, birds, and hearts. An example of formal wording is: | The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of
Bride’s full name
to
Groom’s full name
etc. | | For less formal weddings, you can choose an invitation with color accents and motifs. You wording would read something like this: | Because you have shared in their lives
by your friendship and love
your presence is requested as Bride’s full name
and
Groom’s full name
exchange marriage vows
etc. | | If you are having a themed wedding, you can incorporate this in your choice of wedding invitation and wording. For example, if you are having a beach-themed wedding, choose an invitation with a beach scene, shells, lighthouse, etc. Your wording can also convey your theme. For example: | | Friends forever we will be
whether walking on the beach
or sailing on the sea...
Please be our guest as we
Bride’s full name
and
Groom’s full name
join together in marriage
on Saturday, the first of August
Two thousand and nine
at five o’clock in the afternoon
on the beach at Grand Haven State Park
Grand Haven, Michigan |
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
9 January 2009
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Mary Anne
to
Mr. Robert Alan Johnston
etc. | | If both bride and groom’s parents are hosting, you can word your invitations as follows: | Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnston
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Mary Anne
and
Robert Alan | | Today, many brides and grooms come from blended families, so listing the names of all the parents can become a challenge and can make your wedding invitation look crowded. To avoid listing all the parents, and thus overshadowing the bride and groom, it is recommended that you don’t list them all by name, but list them as a group. For example: | The parents of
Mary Anne Smith
and
Robert Alan Johnston
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
etc. | | This way, the parents are acknowledged as the hosts without dedicating three or four lines on your wedding invitation to listing them all. |
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
12 January 2009
- Never list or mention a deceased parent (or other close relative) on your wedding invitations. Your wedding is supposed to be a day of joy, and you do not want to bring your guests down by mentioning someone who has passed on. You can honor that person during your ceremony by lighting a candle in remembrance, have a special reading dedicated to that person, have a special table set up with that person’s photo, etc.
- Never put a gift registry or ask for monetary gifts on your wedding invitation. This information can go on your shower invitations, wedding web site, or have members of your family and bridal party spread the word by mouth. If you have a wedding web site, you can enclose a card with your invitation mentioning your site. When they get to your site, your gift registry information or your preference for monetary gifts can be listed.
- Do not put the dress code for your wedding on the invitation. Your guests will know the formality of your wedding by how you word your invitations. If you feel you must indicate the dress code, put this information on a separate card and include it with the invitation.
- If your reception is being held in a different location than the ceremony, avoid putting this information on the wedding invitation. Purchase a reception card.
- If you are having a lot of out-of-town guests, be courteous and include map cards and accommodation cards.
- Once you have written you wedding invitation wording, be sure to proofread it several times to make sure everything is correct. Consider having someone else, like your fiancé, maid of honor, mother, or future mother-in-law, look at it to make sure you have not missed anything. There is nothing more heartbreaking than finding out after the invitations have been printed that you have misspelled the groom’s middle name or put the wrong address for the church.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
13 January 2009
- Make sure you order enough wedding invitations. It is recommended that you order at least 25 more invitations than you think you will need. You never know when additional guests are going to be added to your guest list, so it is important to have a buffer in case your list increases. And do not forget to order extra envelopes. Whether you hire a calligrapher to address the invitations, or you and your wedding party are doing the addressing, you will want to have extra envelopes in case of mistakes. If you order extra invitations and envelopes up front, you will avoid having to go back to order again and paying a big price.
- Do not wait until the last minute to order your invitations. You should order your invitations four to six months before the wedding. This will allow you plenty of time to get the invitations addressed, sent out, and give your guests time to make plans to attend the wedding. If you send out your invitations too close to the wedding date, your guests may already have plans or may have difficulty making travel and accommodation arrangements.
- When it comes time to address the envelopes, make sure you have spelled your guest’s name right, use their correct title (Mr., Miss, Doctor, Judge, etc.) and their address is correct. If you are not sure of their information, give them a call. They will appreciate you having enough respect for them to get the information right.
- Avoid putting "and Guest" on the envelope when the recipient is in a long-term relationship or engaged. Again, do your homework and find out this information. You can call the guest directly and ask for their significant other’s name or ask a friend or relative. It is a courteous act and good invitation etiquette.
- When it is time to mail your wedding invitations, make sure you have them weighed at the post office to ensure you have the correct postage. Wedding invitations are normally heavier than the average letter or card, so expect to pay more for postage. To prevent your invitations from arriving with postage due or being returned for insufficient postage, put together a complete invitation and take it to the post office to be weighed. Also, don’t forget to put a stamp on the respond card envelopes. Your guests should not have to pay to respond to your wedding.
Read Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
26 January 2009
With all the different events and announcements that go into a wedding, it is difficult for some couples to know how to properly go about dealing with everything. As far as wedding communication, there is a clear and concise difference between each facet, which can include engagement announcements, save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and wedding announcements. With just four things mentioned here, it can become quite confusing as to when each one should go out or even be used. The engagement announcement is probably the easiest one to figure out. The way these work is that the couple becomes engaged and then they spread this information to their family and friends. These announcements can be done quickly and without the stigma of having to invite recipients to the wedding. Engagement announcements can be sent out well before a wedding is even planned (a note on the card can mention that no date has been set) to individuals, done through email, printed in the local newspaper, or even on a blog! The save-the-date announcement is the next in the typical series of wedding-related communications. The save-the-date announcement is not the engagement announcement, as it specifically states the date of the wedding. However, the save-the-date announcement is also different from the wedding invitation because it does not include the venue, time, or reception information. It is simply meant to provide information to the invited guests about the date of the wedding and that they can expect an invitation shortly. It is advisable that couples send save-the- date announcements to only those guests that are invited to the wedding. The confusion generally comes when determining the difference between the wedding invitation and the wedding announcement. It is important to understand that the wedding invitation is sent 4 to 6 weeks before the event to those guests expected to attend the ceremony. The wedding invitation typically includes various elements of information including who is hosting the event, who is getting married, the date, the time, the location of the wedding ceremony, and the location of the reception. The wedding invitation should always include an RSVP card. This allows guests to indicate whether they will attend the wedding or not. Invitations also commonly include hotel information, directions, and suggested things to do in the area.
Read Part 2
27 January 2009
The wedding announcement is sent out the day of or shortly after the wedding takes place, especially to those who did not receive wedding invitations. Usually, the wedding announcement is sent to friends and family who were not invited to the main event due to space constraints or inability to travel. The wedding announcement simply states that the happy couple is now married. Unlike the wedding invitation, the announcement does not require any sort of acknowledgement on the part of the recipient. Also, gifts are appropriate, but not required in any way. Remember, in most cases, the wedding announcement is used after a couple elopes or has had an extremely small wedding with close friends and family only. The wedding announcement may be printed or written on formal invitation card stock or fine wedding stationary. Furthermore, it is important to note that wedding announcements are not required. They should also not take the place of individual thank you notes sent to guests of the wedding or those that sent gifts. The wording of the wedding announcement should be clear and concise — limited to only a few lines, taking up no more than one card. This is a good example of proper wedding announcement wording: Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson
Announce the marriage of their daughter
Emily Michelle
To
Mr. Michael Richard Smith
On Saturday, September the thirteenth
Two thousand and eight | It is important to remember that writing wedding announcements should not be a painstaking process. It should be simple and quick. It is also important to note that while wedding announcements are a nice touch after the wedding, they are not required. So if you are on a limited budget after the wedding, it is not an essential part of the wedding planning process. If you do feel that wedding announcements are necessary, expect to spend anywhere between $50 and $150 for about 50 announcements from a professional printer with a custom design. However, it is possible to purchase prepackaged wedding announcement cards that have spaces for you to fill in the information. These premade cards average between $5 and $10 for a package of six or eight. An excellent idea is to use any leftover paper or invitation materials for the announcements if you made the original invitations. When you are preparing your wedding be sure to keep in mind the difference between wedding invitations and wedding announcements. The main difference is that wedding invitations inform your guests that they are invited to the wedding and wedding announcements are sent out after the wedding. These announcements inform family and friends that did not attend the ceremony that you are now married. Read Part 1
28 January 2009
Wedding invitations are available in many styles and color options. Colors are an important aspect to consider when making your wedding invitation decision. Designing your own wedding invitation or choosing one of the stock invitation choices, color is important. Some brides choose simply white invitations, others use the colors of their wedding and some just pick colors they enjoy. There is nothing wrong with any of these choices; however, you do not want to make a color decision that you later regret. The following tips can help you decide which colors work best for your wedding invitations. First, consider a monochromatic color scheme; the most popular choice is a solid white invitation. White is synonymous with a wedding, and you may want to consider a layered look by using different shades of white. Different shades of white can consist of different textures or different types of paper (like cardstock, velum, lace, etc). Use a black or gray font in an elegant script and you can have a classy wedding invitation designed in just a few minutes. Another option to consider is utilizing multiple shades of your color choice. If you decide on choosing blue as the color of your wedding, a light blue paper with a dark blue design and medium-blue lace elements are an excellent choice. A white font should look great along with the dark blue background. If monochromatic schemes are not up your alley, think about the colors you do like. Again, many brides like to use the colors that are chosen as the wedding’s theme. These colors can be quite beautiful when paired with a neutral color. Neutral colors include black, white, and brown, and in some cases, gray and navy can serve as neutrals. Keep in mind that gold and silver, although not technically considered neutrals, also look great with almost any color scheme. Therefore, you might want to consider metallic touches. Choosing colors for your wedding invitations is not an easy task, so do not be afraid to ask for help. You may want to consult the designer of the card for help deciding what the best choice may be for your wedding. Talk about the colors you are using in your wedding theme, the specific "feel" you want for the card (i.e. classic, modern, fun, bright, subdued, etc.) and see what your designer recommends. Keep in mind that some colors may appear differently when viewed in different amounts of light. Different is the key word here! If you order wedding invitations after viewing pictures of them, you might not be viewing the real colors, because the photographs might have been taking under strange lighting or the background may have been set up in a way that does not show the true colors of the invitation. Be sure to always ask for samples, and this can help you find the correct color without worrying about it appearing as something different.
Read Part 2
29 January 2009
Do not be afraid to ask for advice from friends and family members, especially the bridesmaids. Bridesmaids love to get involved with decisions, and there is no need to keep all of your wedding invitation choices a secret. Once you have it narrowed down to a few top choices, poll your bridesmaids to see what they think looks best. Ultimately, this is your decision, but at the same time, advice from people you trust can really help you to make up your mind. Lastly, do not forget to consider pricing. Unfortunately, not all colors are cheap. In fact, if you order wedding invitations that have many colors printed on them, you might be looking at a bill that is hundreds of dollars above the base price of the invitations. The more colors you print, the more expensive it may be, but keep in mind that some colors are just automatically more expensive. For example, gold leafing on your invitations is more expensive than silver leafing, and a custom rose color might be more expensive than the generic pink they offer. The bottom line is that wedding invitations should make you feel happy, and while color is a big part of that, you do not want to overstep the boundaries of your budget. Wedding invitations are just a small part of the wedding, so do not spend a disproportionate amount of money on them for the sake of color. Wedding invitations are available in many styles and color options. Choosing the correct color may not always be a difficult process. An important factor to keep in mind is price, because this affects your choice due to the fact that multiple colors usually have a higher cost. Monochromatic colors are usually the best choice as you can mix multiple shades of that color. Keep these tips in mind when choosing your wedding invitations and you should be ready for your big day.
Read Part 1
6 February 2009
- Single Panel Card - A simple, unfolded one-sided card. This is a simpler and more economical invitation style.
- Overlay Invitation - An invitation, usually a single panel card, that has an overlay of vellum. The invitation text can either be printed directly on the vellum then attached to the card or the text can be printed on the card and the vellum is laid over the top.
- Tri-Fold Invitation - An invitation with three folds.
- Bi-Fold Invitation - An invitation with two folds. Similar to a greeting card, it can either be printed in the outside alone or have a pre-stamped verse on the front and your personalized text on the inside.
8 February 2009
Question: On the wedding invitations wording is it proper to put the fathers full name or is it okay to just put the middle initial...for example:
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Greene or should it be
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Edward Greene? Thanks,
Linda The Everyday Etiquette Answer: Linda, If you want to follow traditional wedding invitation etiquette, you would use your father's full name. Initials are really not supposed to be included. If your dad has a middle name that he dislikes then you should use no middle name such as: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Greene Ms. Carey Ask your own Everyday Etiquette questions
13 April 2009
One of the biggest decisions you will have to make is what kind of wedding invitations to buy. Your wedding invitations will set the mood of your wedding. They not only make your guests aware of your upcoming nuptials, but they will also set the tone for the type of event you are planning by unconsciously saying if the wedding will be formal or informal. If you are planning a formal, black tie event, you should choose an invitation that is plain white or ecru with black ink. If you are having a themed wedding, incorporate that theme into your wedding invitations. For example, if you are having a beach-themed wedding, select a wedding invitation with shells, a lighthouse, or a couple walking along the beach. Don't forget to incorporate your wedding colors into your invitations. This can be achieved by selecting a colored ink or colored lining or an invitation that contains accents from your wedding colors. You should begin shopping for your wedding invitations 4-6 months before your wedding date. Check your local stationery shops and printers to see what kind of invitations they have to offer. You will most likely pay a premium price for wedding invitations locally. The American Wedding Album offers quality wedding invitations and accessories at up to 50% off what you would find in the retail market. We aiso offer free samples of our wedding invitations and enclosure cards, as well as many of our accessory items like napkins, cake bags, matches, place cards and bookmarks. Be sure to request samples before placing your order so you know exactly what it is you're ordering. You want to make sure the wedding invitations and accessories will compliment your wedding colors. Read: Part 2
14 April 2009
Your wedding invitations will not only make your guests aware of your upcoming nuptials, but will also set the tone for the type of event you are planning. It will not only tell your guests when, where, and what time your wedding takes place, but it will also tell them who is hosting the event and subliminally say if the wedding will be formal or informal. Be sure to remember this when choosing your invitations. Ask yourself what kind of wedding are you having? Is it formal, semi-formal, informal or casual? The type of font that you choose will directly relate to the formality of your wedding. If you're having a formal wedding you might choose handwritten calligraphy or engraved script. If your wedding is semi-formal you might go with a traditional script thermography. If the wedding is informal or casual you might choose modern block thermography or a thermography with colored ink. There are many different components to a wedding invitation. First you have the actual wedding invitation. Then there is the inner envelope which can be lined or unlined. This is the envelope that holds invitation and all the cards. Next is the outer envelope. This is the envelope that holds everything once it's placed in the inner envelope. The outer envelope is the one that gets addressed. Next is the reception card. This is the card that lets your guests know when and where the reception will be. Then there is the response card, also known as the RSVP. This is the card that the guests use to respond to the invitation. It comes with its own envelope, which should have the return address and return postage on it when you put it in the invitation. There's also a map and direction card. This is exactly what the name suggests, a card with a map and directions on how to get to the wedding and reception. Another component is lodging information. This lets the out of town guests know which hotel you've reserved rooms at. Lastly, there are envelope seals. These are the stickers you use on the outer envelope to help seal it. The wording on a wedding invitation is your personal choice. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed on the invitation as the sole hosts, but anything goes these days. Many brides- and grooms-to-be are including both of their parents and even stepparents in some cases. Make sure to consider the bride, groom, bride's parents and or stepparents, groom's parents and/or stepparents, wedding date and time, ceremony site name and address when you're deciding on your invitation wording. Most large stationery companies either on the internet, from a mail-order catalog, or a large stationer in your home town will offer a wide variety of accessory items that can be purchased to match your invitations and wedding colors. Some of these extra items include personalized drink and luncheon napkins, personalized matches or notebooks, personalized envelope seals, personalized ribbon, personalized wedding favor bags or boxes, and wedding ceremony program, just to name a few. Read Part 1
2 October 2009
Calligraphy, the art of elegant handwriting, is a wonderful way to put a polished, finishing touch on your wedding invitations. By hiring a calligrapher to address your envelopes, you will add another layer of elegance to your wedding and your guests will love seeing their names written in beautiful handwriting. Many professional calligraphers can match the font on your invitations, thus creating a lovely, coordinated ensemble. To achieve this elegant look, finding a good calligrapher is essential. Local calligraphy societies are a good place to start. Stationers or printers can usually refer you to local calligraphers. If you’ve admired the calligraphy on an invitation sent by a friend or relative, be sure to ask them for their recommendations. You can also find calligraphers by surfing the web. Many calligraphers advertise their services on the web and often post samples of their work online. Before you hire a calligrapher, make sure you ask for the following: - References
- Calligraphy background—a good calligrapher should have a degree or certificate in the arts.
- What is their turnaround time?
- Do they have a minimum order policy?
- What do they charge?
You will also want to provide the calligrapher with one of your invitations and ask them to provide you with samples of their work. The key to great hand calligraphy is consistency, so don’t be afraid to interview more than one calligrapher and compare their work before making your final decision. Once you have decided upon a calligrapher, be sure to get a contract in writing. Some calligraphers offer extra services like envelope stuffing, sealing and stamping; creating hand written place card,. programs, menus, and more. Be sure to check out their entire line of services. Keep in mind that calligraphy is labor intensive and can be expensive. If you have the time and the money to spend, this is a great way to add more elegance to your wedding.
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