The Wedding Invitation
How will your guests first know of your wedding? Your
invitation! Choosing the right invitation for your wedding will
give your guests an idea of what is to come. It will help set
the tone of your entire celebration, so you will need to take
some time and decide what you would like your invitations to say
about you and your dream wedding.
Many brides get
caught up on the proper etiquette for invitations. While
etiquette is important, there is no need to fuss over it, as you
can quickly look up the proper format and wording online or in
any bridal magazine. What is really important, however, is that
your invitation matches your expectations for your wedding. For
example, don't send out extremely informal invitations, and then
expect your guests to somehow understand that you've planned a
formal black tie event!
Once you have chosen the style
of wedding you would like to have, you can then choose your
invitation. Some invitations require many different inserts and
envelopes, and these would be considered more formal. Others
contain just a simple notice, and a postcard style reply card.
All invitations, regardless of style, should be addressed neatly
and include vital information such as directions and the time of
your wedding. If you are not having a reception, you can send
out announcements rather than invitations.
You will also
want to consider your budgetary limits when choosing an
invitation. There are striking price differences in seemingly
similar invitations, so beware of the prices before you fall in
love with a particular invitation.
Before you make your
choice, it is a good idea to look at several different styles.
Any good stationery shop will have catalogs of invitations to
choose from, most specific to weddings. Please be sure to read
the description for each invitation, as some may not be suitable
for your needs. Some are only available as blank cards, and
cannot be used for machine printing..
Looking to save
some money on your invitations? Consider creating your own
invitations. If you or your family members have any artistic
ability, you may be able to create a beautiful invitation using
calligraphy and some art. You can then have your invitation
duplicated onto fine stationery, and the results could be both
beautiful and meaningful. This idea probably works best for an
informal wedding, although it could work for something more
traditional depending on the skills of your family member or
friend. What a wonderful way to personalize your
invitations!
There is a great variety of invitations out
there for you to choose from, and you should be confident that
the right choice is out there for you. Know what you want for
your wedding, whether you will want a more formal or traditional
wedding or something that is elegant but casual, and you will be
able to find an invitation that best suits your needs.