Your wedding invitations will be the centerpiece of your stationery. They provide a glimpse into the style of the wedding and its formality. Save-the-dates are fun and flirty, but your invitations should reflect the event. My complete guide to wedding invitation planning will help you plan your wedding invitations. - acrylic wedding invitations
Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation
You can have many enclosures on your wedding invitations depending on the nature and budget of your stationery. (Obviously, more enclosures will result in higher prices)
o The outer envelope: This holds all enclosures and is addressed to the recipient.
o Inner envelope: Protects the contents of the formal third-person invitation during shipping. - clear acrylic wedding invitations
o Reception card - Specifies the location and time of the reception. This is usually only necessary if the ceremony or reception are held at different locations.
o Response card: This is where your guests can indicate their acceptance or disapproval. In self-addressed stamped envelope. Include an RSVP deadline
o Map/Directional: An optional insertion that will help guests find and book accommodations.
Budget & Cost Considerations
Be familiar with the process of printing invitations and the lingo before you shop. This will allow you to determine your needs and save money. Prices are determined per invitation. If you have a large guest list, be ready to allocate a portion of your budget for wedding invitations. Prices can vary from $1 to $50 per invitation. The cost of bulky papers, colored inks, and unique graphics can all be high. Prices can be high for custom designs. The cost of printing options can also be affected.
You have many options for invitation printing
o Engraving is the most formal and expensive. It results in raised print on the back.
o Thermography is less expensive than engraving and produces raised print that doesn't press through the back.
Prints made with o Lithography are less expensive than engraving or theromography. They are neither raised nor pressed.
o Laser printing is the cheapest option. Laser printing produces a similar print to lithography.
Postage is an important part of total costs. This includes stamps for response cards and envelopes. Are you looking for ways to save money? You can save money by keeping your design simple and using only one color. Use lighter papers and less inserts. Instead of using cards with envelopes, use response postcards.
Trends
Your invitations, like all aspects of your wedding can reflect a specific color, theme and/or season. In spring, use pressed flowers and a flower blossom motif that reflects the colors of the wedding. Trendy right now are floral designs that have an Asian influence or any 3D texture. Warm, vibrant leaves are best for fall. Summer weddings should feature starfish and seashells with vibrant ocean-blues, or sunset-orange/reds. For winter, add snowflakes to a plain white invitation. - acrylic wedding invitation
You can also use ribbons and other themed items like bindings, in addition to unique color combinations. Many couples prefer the formal, traditional look of having both sets of initials appear on the cover. But, a creative logo or family seal is even more popular. No matter what you choose, your invitations should be unique and reflect your personal style.
Tips, Rules & Etiquette
o When to send them: Send wedding invitations 6-8 week before the big day. If you feel your guests may need advance notice, send save the date cards. To ensure that they arrive on time, order your invitations at least 3-4 months ahead.
o How many guests to invite - You should order about 25% more than you actually need.
For an extra touch of elegance, consider hiring a calligrapher. This is your first impression of your wedding! To ensure that your invitations arrive on time, make sure you factor in additional timing. There are many rules that apply to the wording and address of invitations. These are the essentials to make sure your invitations aren't a faux pas
Invitation Wording Etiquette
o It is important to clearly state dates and times (half past four in the evening, not 4:30pm and the twenty-second April, not April 22).
O Mrs. and Mr. are abbreviated, and Jr. may also be used. However, the title Doctor should always be written out
Except for abbreviations or between cities and states, no punctuation is allowed.
o A wedding invitation that only includes the ceremony is not inclusive of a R.S.V.P
A "hosting" wedding could refer to any arrangement where a group of parents helps plan the event, invites the guests, or covers the cost.
List the names of all hosts at the beginning if there are more than one.
List on separate lines if both sets are hosting.
You can include both sets if one set hosts but not the other. Note their names under their respective sons/daughters' names.
Start with the request line if you're hosting your own wedding. You can also state the relationship of your parents under your name.
If both parents are hosting, please list your names first. Then add "together with their parents" to the request line.
Addressing Etiquette
o All abbreviations must be written out, except Mr., Mrs., or Ms. states.
o Send a separate invitation to a single guest if they are bringing a date you personally know.
o In the event that you cannot get the name of one friend's guest, indicate on the inner envelope that they may invite a guest. This looks awkward
Unmarried couples living together should receive one invitation. Their names will be listed alphabetically and on their own lines.
Guests who live together as roommates should receive separate invitations.
o Include the names of any children younger than 18 who live at home. This is an alternative to "& Family", which can be confusing and easy misinterpreted. No matter their living situation, children over 18 years old should be invited.
o This format should be followed by the traditional married couple recipient:
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Parker
2211 First Street Apartment 3.
San Diego, California 92109
Sample Wedding Invitation Wording
No longer are wedding traditions that required the bride's parents and her only parent to host the ceremony. Anyone can pay the bill today, and modern familial arrangements are often more nuclear than traditional. There is no standard way to word invitations. We have compiled wording samples to help you understand the most common arrangements.
Simple, Traditional
[proper names for the hosts] (official host line) Request the honour of your attendance at the marriage of [relationship between the bride and the host] [bride’s first and middle name] to [groom’s full name], at [hour] o’clock in the [time] at [name wedding venue] in [city], state. Reception to follow
Divorced Parents
[property name of the host] asks for your honor at the marriage [his/her] of [his/her] [relationship between the bride and the host]
If parent is remarried, and you are hosting with a new spouse:
[Names of hosts] ask for your honor at the wedding of [his/her] [relationship between the bride and the host]
If divorcing parents are hosting each other:
[property name of mother] and (property name of father] ask for your honor at the [relationship between the bride and the host] marriage.
If the bride is being hosted by An invitation will be sent only in the name and address of the living parent.
Mr. Timothy Wright and Jonathan Stephen Smith request your attendance at the wedding of Elizabeth Ann.
Bride and Groom are hosted
Your presence is appreciated at the wedding of Miss Ashley Johnson and Mr. Paul Wilkins.
OR
Miss Ashley Johnson and Mr. Paul Wilkins ask for your honor to be present at their wedding
Other "Request Line" Options
A "pleasure of Your Company"
A "honor of you presence" is used instead of the formal honor when ceremony takes place outside of a church.
A "share and celebrate their joy" is another creative idea that will reflect the theme of your wedding.
For More Info: black wedding invitation
vellum paper wedding invitations