Seven Simple Steps to Choosing Your Wedding Invitations

The Wedding Invitation

Choosing your wedding invitations can be a daunting task, especially when you consider it's often the first thing your guests will see involving your big day. You want it to be perfect, to say something about you. But then, there are so many things to consider: style, paper, color, printing method, and of course, budget. How are you supposed to make the best decision with all of the choices at hand? Some may want to consider hiring a designer, although below you will find tips to aid in making these choices on your own - and achieving stellar results that will have your guests talking!

Timing

A lot hinges on how much time you have to plan your upcoming wedding. Ideally, you will give yourself at least one year for organizing all of the components, but everything can be accomplished within a shorter period of time with a little hard work. You will want to send your invitations out roughly 2 months before the big day, however you need to consider placing your order about 4 months before the wedding takes place, especially if you intend on getting married during the holidays.Your out-of-town guests will appreciate receiving an invitation as soon as possible, in order to reserve transportation and accommodations. You will not be able to order invitations without first securing your venue for the date and time of your choosing, so be sure to create a timeline to assist you. You may want to send a save-the-date card prior to the invitation to provide your guests with more warning, but more on that below.

Do your homework

First, you will want to gather a list of stationery stores in your area that supply example books. Plan to visit one or two of these stores in the beginning of your planning process to get a feel for what styles and price ranges are out there. You will also want to research a bit online to find printing companies that speak to your preference. The options are endless so just take your time to identify what you like - and perhaps why you like it. Do you prefer a smooth or textured paper? Do you want something traditional? Is there a font that catches your eye? You will most likely find the answers to these questions flipping through the books your store offers. Make a list of the things you discover you like and dislike to help you narrow down your search.

The most important step(s)

How much money do you have to spend on your wedding and the sum of its parts? The bulk of your savings will be consumed by your reception, and reasonably so. Flowers, attire, and ceremonial venue will also take a considerable portion. Or perhaps you want something a little less traditional, so your budget could be spread in a different way. You and your fiance will want to think about where you want to get married: your family church? the coast? France? Also consider the guest list. Would you prefer close family and friends only? Or do you want your coworkers, neighbors, and family friends present as well? Decide on a locale that fits your guest list and budget, and you can begin pricing your food and venue costs. Now that you have an idea of how your finances will be utilized, you're ready to begin the invitation design process.

Revisit your local stationery store

Now that you know approximately when and where your wedding will be, and also an estimated list of guests, you can start honing in on your invitation style. Many of the discoveries you made during that preliminary invitation search will assist you in narrowing down your choices. Speak to an employee about your preferences, and budget. They should know the products in their store well enough to steer you in an affordable direction that matches your taste. Ask which invitations and accessories you can customize and how you can do so. Are there different paper options and font styles for certain ones? This can open up possibilities you may not have considered when first looking. Consider your locale and season. Have you determined a color scheme for your attire and wedding decor? The most versatile invitations are on white or ecru papers and will match any style decisions you make down the road.

Save the date!

Many couples are choosing to alert their guests of the wedding before sending invitations to allow for more planning. You will absolutely want to send a save-the-date if you intend on having a destination wedding, or are inviting many out-of-towners. It will also ensure that most of your friends and family will be able to attend as you can send it out up to a year in advance. You may choose to design your save-the-date in the same style as the invitation, but feel free to do something completely different. You may not have a clue as to what you want in an invitation and this will give you some practice in the ordering process. Your save-the-date need not include much information, with the exception of your names, the date, and the general locale. If you have narrowed down a venue at this point, feel free to include it, as well as travel information.

What's in a font?

For your guests, you're invitation is a window into your wedding. The best way to clue them into the tone of your day is to choose a font that fits the wedding style you've chosen. Font choice may seem of little importance, but upon further examination you will discover the nuances the right font can offer. If you plan on having a formal event, you will most likely want a script - however, you have to consider how readable the font is. Nothing is worse than sending an invitation that no one can read! If your event is casual, consider a block font, and perhaps using all lowercase. One beautiful and unique way to use fonts is to choose two that differ greatly from each other, such as a flourished script and a straight-forward block. Use one for the names, and the other for the wedding details. This can be used for a formal or casual event, and lends something special to your invitation. Consider using different point sizes as well, in order to bring more attention to your names.

Inside the envelope

There are many potential pieces to the wedding invitation suite and it is up to you to determine what best suits your needs. If you're looking for the simplest, most classic option, you may just want to send an invitation in a mailing envelope. If you want to include more information consider adding the following pieces:

Response card: If it fits in your budget, you may consider providing your friends and family with a response card. You can be creative with this piece using either a flat or folded card with an envelope or a custom postcard. If you intend on serving a sit-down dinner, include the meal choices on your response card. If you opt to not include this piece, make sure you include the r.s.v.p. date on the invitation.

Travel card: The travel card is great for out-of-town guests, as it contains hotel and flight information to aid in planning their trip.

Festivities card: The festivities card includes information on the whereabouts and times of your rehearsal dinner, reception, and any other events you intend on hosting to celebrate your marriage. This card doesn't necessarily need to be sent to all guests, depending on your budget and who you want to include at each event.

Liners, pocketfolds, borders: All of these embellishments add to the overall feel of your invitation and subsequent wedding. You may choose to even use double envelopes and only line the inside envelope. Borders can add a touch of color, without overwhelming the invitation itself. A pocket-fold is a nice possibility if you intend on including many or all of additional pieces, as it can hold all of them in an organized way.

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