Wedding invitations come in all sorts of shapes and sizes...they can be colorful or traditional...whimsical or classic...casual or elegant...the choices are unlimited! Typically wedding invitations are the first items your guests will be receiving to your upcoming nuptials so remember they should set the tone for your event. They should give your guests a sneak peak to what is to come.
If you are ready to start shopping for invitations, here are few questions to ask yourself before walking into a stationery store and a few helpful hints:
- How many households are you mailing invitations to?
It is very expensive to order more invitations so get the quantity right on the initial order.
- What is your invitation budget? On average, we tell our clients $10 per set. A set includes an invitation, reception card, response card, response envelope and an outer envelope with return address. Invitations can cost much more than the average but it is a great starting point. Items that increase an invitation cost are paper quality, multiple paper layers, accents such as ribbon, printing method, etc.
- Discuss with your Fiancé prior to the meeting about the wording for your invitation. An invitation invites your guests to your wedding but the question is...who is inviting your guests? The Bride's Parents? Both sets of Parents? Just the Bride and Groom? Or everyone? Traditionally the person(s) inviting is the person(s) paying for the wedding but contemporary weddings are evolving from years past so traditional invitation etiquette does not always fit in today's society. So it is important to discuss the wording with the important planning members prior to ordering so the right choice is made.
- What additional information do you want to tell your guests? Do you have room blocks set-up? Is there guest transportation? Is there a helpful map or directions to the ceremony and reception?
- When finalizing your response card wording, remember to think about your dinner reception...are you offering a choice entrée? Do you need to ask about dietary restrictions? Are kid's invited? Is your single friend invited with a guest? A great item to include on the response card is "number of persons attending."
- Always receive a proof for every piece
- Stationery stores have different lead times for invitation orders...I would recommend to start thinking about your invitations 5 to 6 months prior to the wedding.
- Invitations are mailed, according to traditional ettiquette, 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding. If your wedding is a destination or holiday weekend wedding and you have not mailed Save the Dates, I would recommend 10 weeks prior to the wedding.
A few collections that we carry are:
Checkerboard, BT Elements, Monique Lhuillier, Encore Studios,
Carlson Craft, McPhersons, Paper Duvet, and more!
Please let me know if you have any questions. Have fun! Enjoy the process! Mailing your invitations is an unbelievable feeling...it makes everything that you have planned and worked on for months the ultimate reality that the big day is just around the corner!
