Next stop for our wedding planning blog journey is
...Wedding Invitations
There are many decisions that go into planning your wedding to make it YOUR special day. One of the decisions that you will have to make early on in your wedding planning is the type and style of invitations to use.
One of the toughest jobs of your wedding can be your guest list. There are several things you need to decide before starting to make your guest list. Your budget, venue and size of your wedding will all come in to play
when making out your guest list. The person/people who are paying for the
wedding should also be in on this part of the wedding planning process.
A good way to begin your guest list is by assigning 50 percent of the number of guests to the
bride and groom and 25 percent to each set of parents.If your parents are paying for the wedding,
you may want to give them a higher percentage. If it turns out that one of you doesn’t
need all your allotted spots, you can redistribute them to whoever has requested more.
Steps to help you create a wedding guest list that is right for your special day!
1. Determine how big your wedding will be.
2. Each of you draw up a list of must-have guests.
3. Know your budget. At this point, you should calculate how many people you can afford to have. The number of people you invite will have a significant impact on the other costs associated with your wedding;
reception, invitations, venue, etc.
4. Secure the location of both the wedding and the reception. This will help you determine how many guests you can fit in both places. It will also give you an idea of the style and type of invitation that
would best fit with your wedding.
Once you have written out a draft of your complete list, place each guest into a relationship category. The first tier consists of essential family members (grandparents, siblings, uncles, first cousins); the second is close friends and extended family (second cousins); the third is colleagues and other friends. When you know how many guests you can afford, start cutting the list from the bottom tier up. You’ll save potential hurt feelings by eliminating entire groups of people (say coworkers or your book club), rather than inviting just a few. That said, if someone’s
After deciding on the guest list, your next decision is the type of invitations you want to use. And nothing sets the tone of your wedding like your wedding invitations. There are three main types of wedding invitations: formal, semi-formal and informal. So when deciding on your invitations for your wedding,
chose the ones that best fits your style for wedding.
There are four main print styles of invitations.
Engraved
Engraved Invitations are an elegant printing process and will leave an impression on your guests. These high end invitations are stamped with your wording, leaving an imprint on the paper. Ink is then applied to the imprint and allowed to dry. Engraved invitations are the perfect choice to invite
guests to your formal wedding.
Thermography
This is the most popular type of invitation because it's beautiful and much cheaper than Engraved. It starts with a negative of your wording, that is transferred to a plate. The choice of paper gives through the press and while the ink is still wet another machine dusts the ink with powder. Then the paper goes through an oven heating the ink and powder, creating a raised look and feel.
Contemporary
While all formal invitations are printed/pressed on white, ivory or ecru colored paper, contemporary invitations use color. Using colored paper, color ink, a bouquet of flowers, a picture of the couple, etc. you are personalizing the invitation. Contemporary Invitations are not suggested for a formal wedding.
The wording on the invitations are also be less formal.
Printed
Exactly what the name implies. The wording is printed directly on the paper. This is the perfect choice for the DIY couple. You can use the paper of your choice and print them at home. There are no fancy steps or big production in the printing process. It is the most informal style of invitationsand would not be used for that type of wedding.
There is no one specific way to word or design formal invitations,
but couples in a traditional wedding should observe certain etiquette guidelines.
Wording
Wedding invitations are usually written in third person. The first line identifies the hosts. The hosts' names is then followed by a phrase that extends the invitation; "request the honor of your presence". If the ceremony will not be held in a place of worship, a less formal invitation extension; "request the pleasure of your company". Next the bride and groom are named in full and then the date, year, time and location.
Punctuation
Punctuation is commonly avoided when writing a wedding invitation, except after titles such as "Mrs." or "Dr." Names, titles and first letter of a sentence, as opposed to a line, are capitalized. All words, dates and times are spelled out. For example, "3:00 p.m." should be written as " three o'clock in the afternoon" and "July 23, 2011" as "The twenty-third of July two thousand and eleven." Avoid contractions and do not abbreviate.
RSVP
The invitation can also include a RSVP card with a deadline of 2-3 weeks before the wedding. The RSVP is usually included on a separate card sent with the wedding invitation. Etiquette for the RSVP cards should use the
same type of formality as the invitation. The cards can use the simple wording
"I/We are able to attend or I/We are unable to attend."
Addressing and Mailing
For formal invitations, the return address should be printed on the envelop flap. It should be the wedding hosts' address and not include any names. The invitation should be addressed specifically to the individual or individuals invited and use titles as necessary. An invitation addressed to Mr. Jones indicates the Mr. Jones should attend the wedding alone without bringing an additional guest. Mr. Jones and guest implies that Mr. Jones and a second guest many attend. Mail invitations 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding.
Children
Children under the age of 18 do not need to be named on the outer envelope, but if their names are not included on the inner envelope, it indicates that they are not invited. If children under 18 are invited to attend with their parents, include their names on the inner envelope. Children who are 18 or older should receive their own separate invitations even if they still reside with their parents.
Follow-Up
Once the invitations go out, the only thing you should have to do is wait for is the RSVPs to come. Unfortunately, manners and rules of etiquette are often left by the wayside and guests do not always send their reply. If guests do not reply by the deadline. The Emily Post Institute declares a bride, groom, parent, friend or wedding coordinator can call invited guests a week after the deadline has passed to personally ask for their reply.
Save the Date Cards
Three-day wedding events and destination weddings are on the rise and so are the custom of sending "Save the Date" cards. The cards are designed to give guests an extended notice of the wedding date to allow proper planning. Whether the wedding is in a far away location or during a busy travel time, the advanced notice is a much-appreciated gesture. These cards need to be mailed at least 6-8 months before the wedding.I hope this blog has helped to answer some questions and concerns about your wedding invitations.
Please share any comments and suggestions that you have to help other couples along their wedding planning journey.
I hope this blog has helped to answer some questions and concerns about your wedding invitations.
Please share any comments and suggestions that you have to help other couples along their wedding planning journey.
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