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General Wedding
Invitation Information
Wedding
Invitations set the tone for the style, theme and
formality of your wedding. Selecting the paper, style
and wording of your wedding invitation is an important
step in planning any wedding.
WEDDING
STATIONARY
Wedding
Stationary is made up of many different items.
Wedding stationary goes beyond the request to attend
your wedding. The "Invitation" itself is
typically comprised of the ceremony card,
reception card (if applicable), response card with
return envelope, map and the inner and outer envelopes.
In addition, there are also ceremony programs, table
cards, announcements and thank you notes to consider.
WHEN
TO ORDER
Your
wedding invitations should be ordered four to six months
prior to the wedding to allow plenty of time for
proofreading, corrections of errors, printing,
addressing and mailing. The first step is to finalize
your guest list. To determine how many wedding
invitations you should order, simply count each couple
and single guest, each attendant, parents, family,
clergy and their guests. Order 25-50 extra invitations
to handle last minute surprises, as well as wedding
guests from the "B" list (if applicable).
It would also be wise to order an extra 25 - 50
envelopes for potential addressing mistakes.
WEDDING
CEREMONY INVITATIONS
Once
you peruse the wide array of wedding invitations
available, you may decide to go with a traditional or
contemporary invitation style. Look for designs
utilizing unique papers; moiré, rice, weaves, linens
and parchment, or handmade papers with flower petals,
glitter of confetti. If you and your fiancé are
environmentally conscious, select an invitation made
from recycled paper. Whatever the case may be, choose an
invitation that best reflects both you and your
intended's personalities.
If
your intention is to invite all wedding guests to both
the wedding ceremony and reception and they are both
being held at the same site, it is acceptable to include
the reception information on the ceremony invitation.
(Usually stated as "Reception immediately following
Ceremony") If the ceremony and reception
sites are different or if the guest lists vary you
should include a separate reception invitation with the
ceremony invitation.
WEDDING
RECEPTION INVITATION
The
invitation to a reception after the wedding ceremony is
printed on a small card that matches the paper and
typestyle of the ceremony invitation.
RESPONSE
CARD
Response
cards are commonly included to enable you and your
family to keep track of the number of guests who will be
attending the reception. They simply request that your
guests confirm whether they will be attending your
wedding. Be sure to include the matching postage-paid
return envelope.
WEDDING
MAPS
As
a courtesy to your guests, include a map or written
instructions to the ceremony and reception sites. Maps
are available from you invitation stationer.
Should you choose to compose and print the map yourself,
keep in mind that photocopies are not considered
acceptable. A more appropriate option would be to create
the map on your home computer and print it on a paper
similar to your invitations.
MAILING
WEDDING INVITATIONS
Invitations
should be mailed four to six weeks before the wedding.
If many of your guests are from out-of-town or if the
wedding is on a holiday, consider mailing the
invitations eight weeks or more prior to the wedding.
This courtesy will allow time for your guests to make
the necessary travel arrangements. Be sure to weigh the
complete invitation to ensure correct postage, and to
confirm whether the envelope is considered standard or
oversized by the United States Post Office.
THANK
YOU NOTES
. Brides have up to 3 months from the date received to
acknowledge wedding gifts and congratulatory notes. A
handwritten, personal thank you is required for every
gift. The note should include a brief reference to the
gift, and how it will be used in your new home. If the
gift is monetary, do not state the amount, rather
mention what you plan to do with the gift, such as
purchasing an item on your registry or putting it
towards your new home.
WEDDING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wedding
announcements are in good taste, as they require no
obligation to send a gift (as opposed to
wedding/reception invitations). They are sent to old
friends who have been out of touch for some time,
business associates, clients, people who live too far
away to attend, and good friends who are not included
when the wedding and reception lists are limited.
Announcements should be mailed the day of the wedding,
or the day after, but may be sent up to a year after the
wedding has taken place.
WEDDING
CEREMONY PROGRAMS
Ceremony
programs are growing in popularity: Not only do they
help personalize the event, they assist guests of other
religious denominations understand and follow your
service. Programs include the order of the ceremony, the
names of all of the bridal party, parents, the officiant,
readers, the source of readings, musicians, vocalists,
titles and composers of songs.
PEW
CARDS
Pew
cards are for family members and intimate friends who
are seated in specially designated pews at the ceremony.
They are typically 2" x 3" and simply state
the pew number or "Within the ribbons." Pew
cards may be mailed with the invitations, or may be sent
out or hand delivered once attendance is confirmed.
AT
HOME CARDS
At
home cards are given to friends and relatives to inform
them of the address of the newly married couple. These
cards measure approximately 4" x 2-1/2". For
clarity it is best to state your married name on the
first line, followed by the date by which you will be at
the new address. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton will
be at home after the thirtieth of August 1234 Main
Street Merriville, Ohio 44000
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