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Every bride and groom knows they need to pick out wedding invitations and mail them in ample time to ensure a good RSVP and turnout on the big day. The truth is there is more to the process than meets the eye. Of course, invitations should include the basic who, what, when, where and why type answers. But, what else should go into their creation?
The answer to that question can be a whole lot. Wedding invitations can serve as valuable tools to tell guests about several different things relevant to the ceremony, reception and even gift-giving suggestions. While this information won't necessarily all go on the main invitation itself, you should consider extra cards or inclusions if you want the festivities to be a bit different.
For those planning a standard wedding and reception, wedding invitations should go out at least a month in advance. Also, they should include such things as th e bride and groom's names, the location of the ceremony and reception, the date, time and who to RSVP to. Pre-stamped envelopes are a nice touch, too, for the RSVPs. In addition, the invitations might also include dinner order cards and other standard touches. It is acceptable to include special cards with the invitations that list gift registries and preferences. It can, however, seem rude to include them as part of the main invitation.
Special circumstances for wedding invitations arise when:
Theme weddings are planned. It's no fun for guests to show up at a costume party reception in standard dress clothes. If the intent is to throw a beach party, a masquerade ball or even a Hawaiian luau, share that information in the invitation. Doing otherwise could leave guests out of the loop and feeling rather uncomfortable on your big day.
Destination weddings. When a wedding is planned for a remote location or even set to take place during a cruise, you should let guests know well in advance. It's one thing to take a day off to fly in for a one-day event, it's another to get a week off for a cruise. Planning and money saving will be required on the guests' part, too, so share the intent as early as possible. Send invitations early and consider reminder cards as the big day approaches.
Black-tie affairs. As it is with theme weddings, so it goes for formal affairs. Most guests expect to dress up, but perhaps not this much. If you want tuxes and tails dress, make that clear in the invitation.
Other special circumstances. If you intend something special for the wedding or the ceremony that will need guest participation, it's not a bad idea to share that in the invitation or on an add on card that goes with it. Examples here include such things as cash bars rather than open, a
reception that's age 21 and up only and so on.
Wedding invitations are meant to do more than just herald the big day. They should also carry any information that guests will find important. From clues about proper dress to special theme announcements, the more information you share, the more likely it is guests will come prepared.
As you begin planning your wedding you will be faced with choosing between a variety of wedding invitations. A lot of terms will be thrown at you, which can add to your confusion. While you can choose a lot of different styles of invitations, there are basically seven types of wedding invitations. Here is a description of each:
Engraved Wedding Invitations
Engraved invitations are the perfect solution if you are having an ultra-formal wedding. These are classic and traditional invitations, but they are costly. These are specialty printed pieces that add a touch of elegance to your wedding. Basically the letters are cut or impressed into the surface of the invitation, and they leave an imprint on the back of the paper. They do take some time to print, so you will need to order these invitations a minimum of 8 weeks before the wedding (but earlier is better).
Thermographed Wedding Invitations
Thermographed invitations may look similar to engraved invitations, but they are printed through a heat process. While they can look elegant, they should not be used for a very formal wedding. However, these invitations are much less expensive than engraved invitations, so you can add elegance for less. If you want thermographed invitations, you will need to order them a minimum of s6 weeks in advance.
Printed Wedding Invitations
If you are on a serious budget, then printed invitations may be your best choice. Or, if you are planning your wedding without much lead time, printed invitations only need to have 4 to 6 weeks advance notice. You can also order these invitations via the internet, too. They are very popular today, and can be used for semi-formal to casual weddings. Some couples are even using their home printers to print invitations on patterned paper.
Calligraphed Wedding Invitations
If you want to add some elegance or an old-fashioned feel to your invitations, you can hire a calligrapher to hand-write your wedding invitations. The calligraphy can be very pricey, as there is a lot of time and effort that goes into producing these invitations. Also, these invitations are done in an ink that will smear if it comes into contact with moisture. Calligraphy does take more time to complete, so you need to give your calligrapher enough notice to complete your invitations.
Handmade Wedding Invitations
Are you crafty? Do you have some time to show off your skills? Or do you know someone who is creative who can make your invitations? Handmade invitations add a nice personal touch to your wedding, though they should only be used for semi-formal or casual weddings. Again, these invitations are time-consuming, so you should give yourself enough time to make them. Also, buy some extra materials in case of mistakes.
Box Set Wedding Invitations
Many stationery stores offer boxed sets of invitations and response cards. You can often use these to print your own invitations from your computer, use a calligrapher to fill them out, or handwrite your wedding invitations. Boxed sets are versatile and can be used to create a unique look. They are often less expensive, and may be a good alternative for someone on a budget.
Electronic Wedding Invitations
Some brides and grooms are considering going to electronic wedding invitations due to their ease and environmentally friendly nature. However, many etiquette experts do not condone sending e-invitations. The more formal your wedding is, the less acceptable e-invitations are. However, they can still be done very elegantly and create a unique approach to inviting people to your wedding.