The look of the wedding invitations you send will not only says a lot about you and your husband-to-be they will also convey a fair amount of information about your upcoming ceremony. So it is important to plan the type of wedding you will have before you make any decisions about your invitations.
Based upon the quality of the paper stock, lettering, color and design you select, recipients are likely to make a determination about the formality or informality of the event, thus how they should dress. The color of your invitations may suggest the color scheme of your wedding. The quality of the paper may indicate how elaborate or simple you wedding will be.
Choosing Invitations
Stationery Stores-Most brides still go to a stationery store to select invitations. Once there, you can look at brochures and browse through manufacturers' catalogs. The catalogs include samples invitations so that you can feel the paper stock, see the true color of the paper, and compare different print options. Knowledgeable clerks will be on hand to help you pick out the desired color and weight of the paper as well as the ink, style of script, and wording for your invitations. The only thing remaining for you to do will be to provide the particulars.
There are only a few large manufacturers and they dominate the wedding invitation industry. As a result, whichever stationery house you go to you are likely to see the exact same catalogs. Unlike private print shops, because these companies mass-produce their products they are able to offer you greater variety at a lower price.
Online Shopping-There is virtually nothing you can't buy on the Internet, including your gown (although I would not recommend an online purchase for your wedding dress, which must be properly sized and fitted).
The Internet offers a huge number of sites selling both traditional and unique invitations. If you are bargain shopping for invitations, the Internet is definitely the place to go.
Keep in mind that you are always taking a chance when you choose this method. There is nothing like being able to feel the quality of the paper or the raised lettering to ensure that you will get exactly what you want. However, knowing how different weights of papers feel and about the different methods of printing can help.
Private Printers-Because of the availability of mass producers and the tendency of many people to shop for bargains on the Internet, private shops are now hard to find. If you have your heart set on truly personalized invitations, look around. You are almost sure to find one somewhere.
Different Printing Methods
There are essentially four common methods of invitation printing, each with its own benefits.
Handwritten-If you are planning a small wedding (meaning 50 people or fewer), it is perfectly acceptable to hand write your invitations. Of course, this will be hard work, but you will save a lot of money.
Engraved-This is the ultimate in invitation printing. With engraving, the printer stamps the back of the paper using metal plates. This raises the print up off of the paper so that you can actually feel the lettering. For most brides, engraved invitations are much to costly.
Thermography-This is the most common form of invitation printing. With this method, the ink is heated to create a raised-letter effect that is nearly indistinguishable from engraving.
Calligraphy-We all recognize this as another name for fancy formal script. This method is becoming more popular every year, Many of the printing houses are now able to offer this print option as well, but it is not done by hand.
Saying It with Words
Today, there are so many different kinds of families-traditional, blended, divorced, etc.-that it's no wonder brides are often concerned about how to word their invitations without breaching any rules of etiquette. The stationer you will likely be visiting soon will have more samples of wording than you will want to see. For now though, I'll let you glance at a few of the more commonly used forms. These all fall under the category "traditional."
(Bride's parents are hosting)
Mr. and Mrs. David Hennesse
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Miss Ellen Marie Hennesse
to
Mr. Mark Peter Bruster
on Saturday, the ninth of June
Two thousand and five
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St. Mary's Church
Duluth, Minnesota
(Both bride's and groom's parents are hosting)
Mr. And Mrs. David Hennesse
and
Mr. And Mrs. Clark Bruster
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Ellen Marie Hennesse
and
Mark Peter Bruster
on Saturday, the ninth of June
Two thousand and five
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St. Mary's Church
Duluth, Minnesota
(When the bride and groom host the wedding)
Miss Ellen Marie Hennesse
and
Mr. Mark Peter Bruster
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the ninth of June
Two thousand and five
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St. Mary's Church
Duluth, Minnesota
The old rule was that the word "honor" should always be spelled "honour." This rule is no longer firmly held. However, you should always spell everything out-names, the date, the time and the location.
There are definite rules regarding the use of initials. "Doctor" (medical only, otherwise the professional title is not used) is written in full, unless the name to follow is long. "Mr." is never written "Mister," but "Jr." may also be written as "junior," although the first is preferred.
It is acceptable to use numbers when writing the address of the church or synagogue, but avoid doing so. Generally, the address (including the street name) of the location where the wedding will be held is omitted. You may want to include it if not doing so would be likely to cause your guest frustration-when, for example, you are getting married in a large city and guests would have to guess which of the several churches with the same name you mean.
If you do include the address and you are using a formal style of wording, spell out numbers under 100. Never abbreviate words such as "Street," "Avenue," and "Road," and do not include the zip code.
Saving Time and Money
If you are pressed for time, ask the stationer if you can have the envelopes early. This way, while you are waiting for your invitations to be printed you can address the envelopes.
When it comes to deciding how many invitations to order, you should definitely order slightly more than you think you will need. Chances are you are going to need more than you thought. It's a lot more expensive to place a second order than it is to order extras.
About the Author
Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels.
For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.
Rose petals will add luxury to a wedding day or... Read More
For many centuries wedding favors have been a part of... Read More
In the next six months, my... Read More
Is it to be a summer wedding or winter wedding?... Read More
You've probably heard about Save the Dates since they have... Read More
When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
Getting the wedding tables right can make a big difference... Read More
You have made the decision to contact a marriage counselor.... Read More
The biggest problem long-distance spouses often face is how to... Read More
A dynamic that prevents real connection in a relationship is... Read More
Thinking about remarrying? Consider these reasons why others have chosen... Read More
Every woman in the room agreed that Crichton was a... Read More
Your wedding is quite possibly the most important day of... Read More
Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well.... Read More
Because many men do not discuss feelings as easily as... Read More
Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. Therefore, this article is... Read More
When I was the owner of a major wedding facility,... Read More
So, you decided to opt for an outdoor wedding under... Read More
Each of the dozens of Maui honeymoon resorts can be... Read More
When people think about great love stories, more often than... Read More
From the book Spider's Big CatchAs June wraps its arms... Read More
The symbolism of Celtic Diamond Rings is relevant to all... Read More
With so many ways to ask your closest friends and... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
Just the thought of all the expenses that come with... Read More
There is an overwhelming demand for high quality, custom stationery... Read More
The tradition of hosting a bridal shower for the bride... Read More
A 2005 mother of bride dress tends to have a... Read More
Almost there! This is the third lesson of my "Invitation... Read More
Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential... Read More
The extravagance of weddings is a popular topic. We blame... Read More
Every woman dreams of her own wedding. May it be... Read More
From purchasing the garter to choosing the photographer, brides (and... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?$100?$1000?How... Read More
The enchanting Belize honeymoon resorts captivate every visitor through the... Read More
The wearing of a man wedding ring is a relatively... Read More
In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play... Read More
In 2004' Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th anniversary, yet very... Read More
Oregon is one of the most marvelous places in the... Read More
Ben* has been happily married for 19 years. He recently... Read More
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often... Read More
Recently, I stumbled across something on the internet. A particular... Read More
My husband Bill and I have just had our 37th-wedding... Read More
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah... Read More
Now that you are planning your wedding, you've got to... Read More
Of course, times have changed and there are occasions where... Read More
One of the biggest areas of dispute in estate planning... Read More
Whatever your religious affiliation, or whatever you'd like to experience,... Read More
One of the top priorities on a wedding day is... Read More
Every bride would agree that her wedding dress should be... Read More
Even though it's a great tradition with a long history,... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
Original gift ideas for your Bridesmaids and Bestman.What better way... Read More
Deik and Kim, remember that marriage is a COVENANT relationship.... Read More
Your wedding party is a major factor in the success... Read More
For many brides, the wedding ceremony starts long before they... Read More
Wedding Invitations should be ordered when you have all the... Read More
Your wedding vows are the words that will forever remain... Read More
What should you "walk down the aisle" to? Should you... Read More
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
When you are planning a budgeted menu, you must first... Read More
Perhaps the biggest worry of a bride-to-be, is picking out... Read More
Rose petals will add luxury to a wedding day or... Read More
Just the thought of all the expenses that come with... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |