Tips to Remember for Your Wedding Invitations

Personalized wedding invitations are just one of the many things on your wedding checklist but one of the most important so you want to be properly organized.  Since there are many things to remember when planning, preparing and mailing your wedding invites, here is a list of some tips to help keep you on track.

1. Gather everyone’s list of guests to use in preparing your master guest list.  This will give you the number of personalized wedding invitations needed instead of just guessing at the amount.  Be sure to include bridal party attendants, parents, officiant, etc.  Remember, your invitation count will not exactly match the number of guests on your list since married couples only receive one invitation.
2. Shop and place your order early to avoid paying for faster shipping methods and last-minute rushing.
3. Be prepared with all the dates, times, names (correct spellings) and location addresses that will be included on your invitations when placing your order.
4. Order a few extras so you don’t run out and have to order only a few more later.  If offered, order a few extra envelopes, too, to allow for addressing mistakes.
5. Have a return address either printed or handwritten on the outside of your mailing envelopes (traditionally on the back flap) so any undeliverable invitations will be returned.
6. Include a response card if you need an accurate guest count for food and seating arrangements.  Make sure you keep a copy of your guest list so you can check off guest names as you receive their replies.  Place a postage stamp on your response card envelopes as a convenience to your guests.  If you are using a postcard, there will be no envelope so the stamp would go directly on the postcard (postage for postcards is cheaper).
7. Insert a direction or map card as a convenience for any guests who may not be familiar with the area of your wedding location.
8. Consider ordering your thank you or informal notes at the same time as your stationery to save on separate shipping costs later.  Quite often, they can be purchased to match your invitations.
9. Carefully proof all information that will be printed on your personalized wedding invitations AND have someone else help with the proofing before your order is finalized.
10. Address your mailing envelopes before stuffing your invitations inside them so your handwriting will not make an imprint on them through the envelope and so you have a smooth flat area to write on.  See more guidelines for addressing wedding invitations.
11. Take one ready-to-mail wedding invitation to the Post Office to have it weighed so you affix the correct amount of postage.  Have you considered purchasing custom wedding stamps for an extra personal touch?
12. Mail them at least 4-6 weeks before your wedding – even sooner if you are having a destination wedding requiring guests to travel or if your wedding date lands close to a holiday.
13. Mail all of your wedding invitations at a Post Office rather than at a drop box.

These tips are just the highlights of your invitation planning.  To be truly organized, you may want to have an actual wedding invitation checklist to follow.  This can be used as a guide when you select, order, prepare and mail your personalized wedding invitations.