Should You Send Save the Date Cards to Your Guests?

Posted on 18 November 2008 by admin

You’ve probably heard about Save the Dates since they have become quite popular with brides but you might not know exactly what purpose they serve.  Proper etiquette doesn’t dictate that these advance notices have to be sent but in today’s world it helps your guests in their planning so they can be sure to be with you sharing in the celebration of one of the most important days of your life.

 

People’s lives are getting increasingly busier and more tightly scheduled so that’s where Save the Date announcements come in handy.  With today’s hectic lifestyles, you want to be sure that family and friends keep your wedding date open when planning their calendars.  To ensure this, you can consider sending out Save the Date notices shortly after setting your wedding date, especially if it is several months in the future or lands around a holiday. 

 

Guests who will have to travel to be in attendance will find them especially helpful for giving them plenty of travel preparation time particularly if you are having a destination wedding.

 

It’s easy to be creative when sending out your Save the Dates since there are so many different varieties and designs available.

 

·         Magnets have become a favorite selection and why not since your guests can easily stick them onto their refrigerator as their reminder.  Some magnets have the option of including a photo and some actually show a calendar of your wedding date month with your date circled for easy reference.

 

·         Calendar Sticker Cards are a fun, unique way of asking your guests to mark your wedding date on their schedule.  Your date will appear on the card and also on the attached seal which can be removed and affixed to their calendar on that specific date.  

 

·         Announcement Cards can be as creative or as simple as you like.  They come in varying designs, colors and themes from whimsical to more traditional.  To be creative, select a uniquely shaped save the date card that matches your wedding theme. Shape choices might include a leaf or a shell.

 

All Save the Date designs are printed with your wedding date and names; some even give the option of including the wedding location. Blank mailing envelopes are usually included in the price no matter which design you choose.  Be sure to list at the bottom of your Save the Date the added line “invitation to follow”, so guests won’t assume that this is the actual wedding invitation.  This is also why it’s imperative that everyone who receives your Save the Date will also receive your wedding invitation. 

 

Wedding invitations play an important role in planning your wedding, and in today’s society, Save the Dates are becoming increasingly popular because of your guests’ busy schedules.  You want to do everything you can to make sure family and friends will be able to share in the joy of your wedding day.

Wedding Invitations – Terms You Need to Know

Posted on 18 November 2008 by admin

Everyone is familiar with wedding invitations, but what about all the terms related to them.  Here are explanations of some of the more common ones that you’ll probably encounter while invitation shopping.   

Seal n Send Invitations:  This simple wedding invitation style is also economical for several reasons.  It is a single-folded piece with the response postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal.  Being a response postcard, you will save on postage costs.  It folds up into a self-mailer piece eliminating an extra mailing envelope.  Prices for this product normally include seals along with a printed return address on both the back flap and on the perforated response postcard.

Reception Cards:  If there isn’t enough room on your wedding invitation for listing your reception details, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert.  Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.

Response Cards:  These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations.  The response card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your wedding invitation.  Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also come pre-printed with your chosen mailing address so all your guests will have to do is fill it out and mail it back by your requested date. 

Map/Direction Cards:  These direction cards would be included as a convenience for any guests who might not be familiar with the location of the church and/or reception.    

Lined Inner Envelopes:  For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your wedding invitation ensemble.  Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose.

Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps:  This option of having your return address printed on the outside envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable wedding invitations are returned to you.  There is a small cost involved but it also gives an address to those who might not be able to attend but still want to send you a card or gift.

Envelope Seals:  These self-adhesive labels add just the right finishing touch.  They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.

Announcements:  For those who won’t be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card.  They can be printed on the same paper as your wedding invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place.

Informal Notes:  These are used separately from your wedding invitations but should be included with your original order since they are usually printed on matching paper and this will save you on shipping costs.  They are personalized with either your names or monogram on the front with the inside being blank for writing your thank you notes.  Any leftovers can be used long after the wedding for other purposes.  Blank mailing envelopes are included with them.

Not all of the above items are necessary to make your wedding invitations complete.   Remember, this is your special day, so it’s your decision as to which ones you would like to include as part of your invitation ensemble.

How to Think Green with Your Wedding Invitations

Posted on 08 November 2008 by admin

Green can have a much different meaning than just the color of your wedding invitations. A hot topic these days in wedding planning is ‘going green’. When it comes to your wedding invitations, you will be happy to know there are a number of easy ways to be more environmentally conscience, some of which may even save you some money.

The most obvious way is to have your invitations printed on recycled paper. Designs on recycled papers have come a long way in giving you some gorgeous choices.

Another way to ‘think green’ with your wedding invitations is to simply reduce the amount of paper used for your invitation ensemble. Suggested ways to save on paper include:

  • Select an invitation style that comes with only one envelope for mailing thus eliminating the familiar inner envelope. An example of this style is a self-mailer invitation where the envelopment wraps around all of your pieces and seals up to become the actual mailing envelope. Another benefit of having only one envelope is that you will save on your handwriting time. This style may require extra postage depending on its overall size.
  • Choose a smaller sized single-panel invitation card instead of a larger folded or layered style.
  • Use a response postcard to eliminate the need for a return mailing envelope and to save on postage.
  • Include your reception information on your invitation to eliminate the need for including a separate reception card (having less weight in your envelope may even save you from purchasing extra postage). If space allows, your dinner and reception details can be added on as extra lines aligned with the rest of your verse printing, or some invitation styles allow the option of a corner copy – 3-4 lines that appear in the bottom left or right corner usually in a smaller sized font. There may be a small extra charge for corner copy which is not recommended for narrow or tea length styles.
  • Opt for a seal and send wedding invitation which gets mailed without a separate envelope. This economical all-in-one design folds up and seals into its own self-mailing piece. This style also has a response postcard attached for easy removal and mailing back by your guests.
  • Set up a personal wedding website to give your guests easy access to online maps, directions, area hotels, gift registry information, etc., instead of printing extra invitation insert pieces.

Making eco-friendly choices when it comes to your wedding invitations is easier than ever today without sacrificing quality or style. Every little bit helps when it comes to saving our planet and some of your choices might even save you some ‘green’ (money) in the process.

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