Detroit Area Wedding Guide
Order Wedding Invitations
Overview of Wedding Invitations
While many facets of a wedding have relaxed in tradition, the invitations still adhere to some formality and etiquette. Of course, etiquette does not mean that you must spend lavish amounts on your invitations but rather that the wording, the timing, the inclusions and the general appearance of the invitations be "correct".
Traditionally wedding invitations were either white or ecru (cream) in color. They were actually engraved with the wording in parchment and the fonts were clear and crisp to read and always in black or maybe gold. Further, the invitations usually conveyed the message with pretty lace or doves adorning the design. Other common designs may have included a bride and groom or two rings intertwined. While several designs may have existed, they all seemed to exude the stoic elegance of etiquette.
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Wedding invitations normally are mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding. For those overseas, the eight weeks are required to enable the invitees to return their RSVP cards on time. Some brides are also sending "Save the Date Cards". These cards are particularly useful for weddings held on days when there are other events and the bride and groom wish to be sure the person does not make other plans that day. Also, if the invitees must travel, the card lets them know in advance so that they can plan ahead for the upcoming trip.
Invitations are always mailed by regular post. Admittedly, while it is true that some people are using email, this method is not very tactful and should only apply to limited circumstances such as very informal weddings with a handful of attendees. For the most part, email is not an acceptable form of sending wedding invitations. One must remember that the guests spend money to attend a wedding and as such, should be treated with respect.
Another computer era mistake that brides and grooms make is labeling the envelopes. It is still proper etiquette to hand write the names and addresses on the envelopes of the invitations. A more practical reason for writing the envelopes and not using computer generated address labels is that computer labels resemble junk mail. Some people may be inclined to throw the invitation away without even looking.
Wedding invitations may now come in different colors and styles depending on the type of wedding. For beach themed weddings for example, a strict white invitation as mentioned above may be too severe. A more fun and upbeat invitation possibly printed on colored paper may be appropriate. And while, it is not prudent to use the computer for the labels, there is no reason why a couple cannot design their own wedding invitation and print it on pretty card stock. Just make sure the ink is crisp, clean and dries sufficiently so as not to smudge the writing.
One area where the couple should pay particular attention is the font. Whether they are creating the invitation themselves or having them printed by a professional, the font makes the page. Do not pick fonts that are "cutesy" or unique if you cannot see how they interact on the paper. Depending on the number of lines in the wording, the font may be too small or too weak. Likewise, it may be too bold and overbearing. When creating yourself, test different fonts and print out the exact wording on your chosen paper until you find the correct combination. When purchasing at the printers, they more than likely have samples with the font and will be able to advise you.
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When sending out the invitation, you normally include several items in the master envelope.
inner envelope
actual invitation with a piece of tissue to protect the writing from damage in the mail
reception card
RSVP card for the reception
pre-addressed, postage paid return envelope for the RSVP card
maps or special instructions
Addressing the envelope should be done by hand and proper form should be used. Further, make sure to have correct addresses including the zip code or postal code. You do not want to have the envelope returned with nasty postmarks all over it. Lastly, before actually mailing the envelope, take one completed package to the post office and have it weighed. Then buy the appropriate priced stamps to mail the envelope. Do not assume the price of a standard stamp will be the price of your package. The weight of the envelope coupled with the size of the packaging will certainly cause an increase in price.
Traditionally, the bride's family has been responsible for the invitations and they usually come from her family's address. The RSVP cards are usually sent to that address as well. The people who receive invitations are:
parents of the bride and groom
wedding party
each couple on the guest list
children over the age of eighteen
the bride and groom should keep a momento for themselves
When ordering the invitations, remember that you do not order by the number of guests, you order by the number of invitations. Specifically a couple is two guests but only one invitation. It is recommended that you add another twenty-five to the final order count so that you have extras in the case of damage or mistakenly forgetting someone on the list and needing an invitation later.
The invitations may be personalized with the wording but take a look at the sample verses the printer offers to ensure that you use proper form on the invitation. Etiquette books are helpful as well because in most instances, you want your invitation to be as lovely as possible. In addition, when ordering the invitations, if you prefer that all your wedding stationery be alike or the same, order the place cards, thank you cards, serviettes and matches at the same time. Please remember that this is not mandatory and many times the wedding couple chooses an alternative.
One order requirement that cannot be stressed enough is to proofread your wording over and over. Have someone else who knows your details to proofread the order before placing. Have several people review the wording very closely. Sending people to the wrong church or to the reception at the wrong time would be disastrous so double check and double check again. Once you receive the completed invitations, check them thoroughly for any spelling errors, date or time errors.
In summary, whether you create your own invitations, use store bought ready invitations or order from a printer, proper etiquette is important.
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