Wedding Stationary
Choosing a theme
Many couples worry that they don’t have a theme or colour scheme and that their wedding will suffer because of it. A great way to come up with a theme is to think of things that you both like that could be incorporated such as;
- A favourite colour or two co-ordinating colours
- A favourite flower, perhaps the same as the first bunch you were bought whilst dating?
- A holiday location or favourite place, which could give rise to a spring or beach theme
- Making use of the time of year, Christmas and Easter weddings have their own colour and flower schemes for you to be inspired from
There are no right or wrong answers and your theme can be as involved or as simple as you like. Once you have an idea you can then work to incorporate it into items such as your invitations, table decorations, table plan and thank you cards.
If you are having personalised invitations your designer should be able to work with all or part of your ideas to create something unique for you, that can set the tone for the whole day from the moment the first invitation is sent.
Should you ‘Save the date’?
Many couples are unsure when to send out their wedding invitations, and wonder if they will be too early so that guests forget, or too late and guests will have made other plans.
Traditionally invitations should be sent out approximately six weeks before the big day, however many brides often feel that this doesn’t leave them long enough to chase responses and confirm catering details.
One way to ease these concerns is to send out ‘save the date’ cards which are increasingly popular. Couples only need to outline the date and add a note stating that an invitation is to follow, which usually apeases even the most traditional of relatives. Save the date cards can be sent out once the venue(s) and dates are booked and confirmed, allowing guests anything up to a year to keep the day free. This is especially helpful for couples with large families who they may not see regularly or those getting married on a bank holiday or other popular time of year.
Brides can then send their full invitations at a time that they feel more comfortable with, knowing that most of their guests will have kept the day free.
If you haven’t decided on a theme or design, a simple and stylish layout with a beautiful font on attractive card will be just fine until you have agreed on an invitation design.
How do RSVPs’ help?
As many venues or budgets limit the numbers of guests able to attend a wedding or wedding breakfast it can be difficult to keep track of who has replied and who is keeping you guessing.
One simple way to get a prompt response from your guests is to include an RSVP/ reply card. Invitations traditionally state a date to reply by and an address to send an acceptance to. However brides with personalised stationery can make full use of their reply cards by including any extra information that might help them, such as asking guests to note any dietary requirements, to listing their top three songs that can then make up the DJ set list, which means one less job to do and guarantees your guests enjoying the music!
Another great way to compile reply's quickly is to make them pre-printed with a return address and if possible included with the invitation with a stamp on. Then your guests really have no excuses not to respond!
How many invitations do I need?
Couples often ask how many invitations they should send out and we’ve found the best advice to keep everyone happy is,
- Each family that live together should receive one invite.
- However, children over 16 should receive their own invitation as they may choose not to attend, or only want to attend the evening.
- Close family even those in the bridal party (bridesmaids and best man included) should also receive an invitation although it is assumed they’ll be there!
- It is also polite to invite elderly or ill guests who cannot make it as the thought is always appreciated.
- Friends and family who live a long way away should also be invited even if they can’t make it.
If you choose to have a ‘reserve’ list of guests who you’d like to invite, it is always best to be polite and if possible explain the situation if you are limited on numbers. Let them know that you will invite them if possible but may not know for a while. No one likes to discover that they were second best.
When ordering personalised stationery it is always advisable to order a few extra invitations to allow for spelling mistakes, ink smudges and errors. It is easier to over order at first than to re-order a small number later on, and is often far cheaper than paying for print fees or postage twice.
Gift Lists and asking for money
Many couples have lived together for several years before they tie the knot and invariably have all the white goods and toasters that they need leaving their guests at a loss as to what to buy them. In this case many stores and online companies offer gift list facilities where guests can club together to buy more expensive items for the home or even upgrades and excursions on the couples honeymoon.
Couples often feel it can appear rude and calculating to ask for money, vouchers or specific expensive items and some have found that writing a short poem about their needs and including it in their invitations often helps them ask for things such as holiday money in a foreign currency or donations to specific charities. Most guests want to buy wedding gifts and a hint in the right direction is often appreciated. If you are at all worried about offending anyone on this delicate subject a note to say that ‘a guests presence is requested to help make their day, and not their presents’ often works well.
Whatever you do, make sure you remember to formally thank all your guests for their gifts (no matter how small) once you return from your honeymoon or within a month of your wedding day. A good way to keep track is to share opening your gifts together with one of you noting down who gave you what as you go.
Article by Lisa Dean, The Doo