After finalizing the guest list to your wedding, and conveniently forgetting to list some people, it's time to send out the wedding invitations. Your wedding invitation will set the stage for your special day. Invitations come in all shapes and sizes there are a lot to choose from if you go pre-made, and even more if you go custom.
What's In The Envelope?
If you are not yet entirely sure what should be on your wedding invitations, there are many sites that will show you around the basics with helpful hints, along with many samples that can be viewed online, or if you should choose, you can get a free actual sample. For example, a good invitation will answer all the FAQs: who's getting married (of course), where, and when. The details on what to wear, what to expect and what is expected may be left to be placed on the reception cards. Make sure that the printer you choose has the answers for the what and how, so that all you have to worry about is whom to send the invitations to.
There are also some people that seek the formality of being sent a solid and tangible wedding invitation, for whom verbal invites or general statements of "hey, I'm getting married, be there" will not do. When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many options to choose from, in classic or modern designs that are also good have as keepsakes.
There are many a wedding store that could provide for everything on your wedding, from wedding invitations to wedding cakes in Mississauga. If you're pressed for time, this is always a good route to take.
Counting The Days
You should be able to send out the wedding invitations at least two weeks before the event, to be considerate and for practicality's sake. A good printer will ensure that you get to send your wedding invitations as fast as you want it, and at a reasonable price. You can get quotations at the site. Wedding invitations are often hand carried, but if this is impractical, so at least go through registered mail or local courier, for your peace of mind that your invitation was received. The time allowance will allow guests with to make arrangements. If you have the time, or know someone who does (like your maid of honor or bridesmaids), call up the guests to confirm if they are coming.
Not only will such a practice make you sensitive to your guests convenience, you also get to prepare for your receptions headcount so you don't end up budgeting for too much, or worse, too little.
Tit For Tat?
Avoid the politically incorrect in guise of practicality trend of putting in cards with wedding invitations that say "in lieu of gifts, the couple for reasons stated herein would rather receive cash" that will often be read as "we invited you to give us money." More important than your wedding invitations' design is your etiquette. Know propriety for a successful wedding.
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Wedding Invitations Reception Only
Your destination wedding can be a fantastic and totally unique experience. While you'd like to take all of your friends and family with you, it is just not always possible for everyone to travel and get away for your ceremony and reception. In this instance, it is very common to hold another reception once you have returned home. Keep your wedding invitations for you're the destination few and save them for the reception when you return.
Invitations and announcements
Typically your destination nuptials will be smaller than a traditional at-home affair. Since this may be the case, when planning your at-home reception plan on sending more wedding invitations than announcements. Keep the reception small and light while you're away and have a big bash when you return. This may be the one occasion when you can combine the invitation and the announcement.
In some cases, if the actual ceremony is much earlier than the planned ‘at home' reception, an announcement is sent separate from the wedding invitation. In this instance, you'd send an invitation to those who are coming to the destination, an announcement to everyone else and then another wedding reception invitation to those you'd like to have at the ‘at home' reception.
Reception
Once you've decided what you're going to do for the reception, you should get those invitations in the mail. And make no mistake - this is not an everyday kind of party. You should treat this party as a real wedding reception, as that is what it is – just without the ceremony. You should have a cake that you and the groom cut, a first dance and even toasts. Take advantage of this opportunity to wear your wedding dress again, this is probably the only time you will get to re-wear your dress.
Elopement
There is no rule that states that you can't have a reception after you've eloped. And there is also no rule that states that you have to have a reception. It's your big day and you can have it your way. If you do decide to have a reception after you've eloped, make sure your reception invitations state “we've eloped.” From there you can treat your reception as any other bride would. You can still cut the cake and have the first dance if you wish. Again, this might be the one and only place you can wear your wedding dress again.
Just an announcement
Some couples choose to elope as a way to avoid the expense of the reception. This practice is perfectly acceptable as it is your party and you can do what you'd like. In this instance, make sure you send an announcement to all of your friends and family. And while they may want to celebrate with you, it may have to be done on a smaller scale.
This is your big day and you can make your plans any way you choose. Enjoy your romantic destination ceremony and reception and then come home and enjoy a great reception. And if you decide to elope you've got lots of great options for wedding invitations and announcements.
Both Sarrah Beaumont & Amy Carter are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.