Tips for Ordering Wedding Invitations

• Have an idea of what you are looking for. There are many different Options to choose from.
  • Single Card
  • Double Layer
  • Triple Layer
  • Pocket or Jacket fold
  • Ribbon on Invitations
  • Photo Invitations
  • Thermography, Letterpress, Digital Printing
  • Designs embossed / plain card
  • Color of Wedding to enhance card (Bring swatch of color if trying to match)

 

• What is your Budget for Invitations?

 

• Double envelope or single envelope?
  • Traditionally there is an inner and outer envelope.  The inner envelope is addressed more directly to the guests invited. This is something that is becoming more of a tradition and less used in the modern times.

 

• Quantity
  • Have a good idea if not a definite idea of what quantity of invitations you will need.
    • Remember – one invitation per household
    • Always order 25 more than your actual count to allow for those forgotten and errors in addressing invites

 

• Reception Card
  • Will you order separately or add information as a footnote on bottom of invite?

 

• Have your Location/Time/Date
  • Where is Ceremony
    • Time
  • Where is Reception
    • Time

 

• Know when the Caterer needs count by
  • Usually response date should be 3-4 weeks before wedding

 

• Know who will be included on the invitation. Check with family before writing wording up for Invitations, some parents are very specific or may get offended if left off.  Especially, if they are assisting with wedding costs.
  • Brides parents only
  • Grooms parents only
  • Brides and Grooms parents
  • Just Bride and Groom

 

• Who to bring with you to decide
  • This is your wedding and your opinion means the most.  However, for support bring one or two of the following friends or relatives.  A whole bridal party is not necessary and only creates more opinions than needed.  This can potentially add strain to what is supposed to be exciting for you.
    • Bride / Groom
    • Parent of Bride or Groom (They may insist if paying for wedding or invitations)
  • Maid or Matron of honor

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Stationery Pieces to Consider:

Save the Date
Save the Date cards are sent to your guests in advance of your wedding invitations. This assists in allowing your guests to leave that date free. Out of town guests greatly appreciate the heads up so they can check ahead for travel arrangements.

Wedding Invitation
Proper etiquette suggests Wedding Invitations be sent to guests 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding. The response date should be 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding date. The caterer usually needs a head count and you want to give yourself time to receive all the responses for an accurate number.

Reply Card
A Reply Card encourages your guests to respond to the invitation of your wedding.  This card is sent with the Invitation.  A response envelope pre-addressed and pre-stamped  should accompany the Reply card.

Reception Card
A Reception Card traditionally accompanies the Wedding Invitation.  This card illustrates where and when the Wedding Reception will be.  It is not unlikely to have this card omitted and add the information to the bottom of your invitation as a foot note.  This usually occurs when the Reception immediately follows the ceremony.

Thank You Card
Thank you cards printed with your monogram or married name on the outside, leaving the inside blank for your own personal message illustrates you appreciate the thought and effort which went into your gift.  Although, pre-printed cards are always an option, they lack the personal touch that says how much you care.  In addition, by personalizing with only a monogram you can order a few extra and have them for future use.

Wedding Program
An outline of ceremonial events printed on an elegant paper stock.  This assists guests in knowing what is going to happen next.

Place Card / Escort Card
Using a fold over card or single card inserted into a place card holder, these petite cards indicate the seating arrangement for each individual guest.  They can be placed on the tables or on a single table in the entryway of the reception.  Each card with each guests name and table number.  Each table should be marked with a table number.

Menu Card
While not essential, menu cards are an elegant token.  The different courses for the meal are presented, and the cards are either placed at each place setting or displayed two or three to a table

Wedding Announcements
Wedding Announcements sent after a wedding has taken place. Announcements are usually issued by the new Bride & Groom.

 

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CHECK LIST:

__ Correct quantity plus 25 extra in case you forgot someone (very costly to reorder 25 later)

__ Ink color or Foil Color

__ Lettering Style

__ Colored lining for envelopes

__ Does invitations copy contain the time, place, and date of the ceremony?

__ Return address on invitation envelopes

__ Check all spelling

__ Reception Cards

__ Response Cards

__ Address on response envelopes

Have it ALL?

__ Thank you notes or Informals

__ Wedding Announcements

__ Programs

__ Napkins (2-3 per person)

__ Place Cards / Escort Cards

__ Favor Boxes and Bags

__ Candy Bar Wrappers

__ Hotel “GUEST” Bags

__ Gift Bags

__ Coasters

__ Favor Ribbon

__ Favor Tags

 

Ceremony Items:

__ Ring Pillow

__ Ring Box

__ Flower Girl Basket

__ Unity Candle

__ Wedding Program

__ Guest Book

__ Sand Ceremony

__ Aisle Runner

__ Pen Set

__ Memorial / In Loving Memory

__ Wedding Sign

 

Reception Items:

__ Card Box

__ Wine Glasses

__ Beer Steins

__ Toasting Glasses

__ Cake Serving Set

__ Cake Topper

__ Guest Book and Pens

 

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