With so many envelopes and different sized cards, choosing wedding stationery can be a bit bewildering. Here are the essential elements of a wedding invitation explained in clear terms that any bride to be can understand.

Invitation Card
The actual wedding invitation card is the heart of your wedding stationery. Since this is the most important item, it is usually the largest in size. The invitation card should include all the indispensable information about your wedding event. Both of your names should have a prominent position on the card and are usually printed in a larger font. You can choose whether to put your first names only or your full names. The date, time and location of the ceremony should be included.

Generally, the reception time is not noted but you can write something along the lines of, “Reception to follow at the Grand Hotel in Sheffield.” Guests will assume that the reception will start as soon as everyone has made their way to the reception hall from the ceremony location. It’s good to include the name of the town or city the reception will be in, if it’s taking place in a different locale than your ceremony. That way guests can figure out how far they’ll be driving and if they want to carpool.

Many couples also include their parents’ names on the wedding invitation card. Traditionally, the bride’s parents have hosted the wedding and therefore their names have been featured on the card. Nowadays many couples are breaking from tradition to include the groom’s parents’ names as well, or just using the names of the bridal couple if they are primarily hosting the function without parental support.

Inner Envelope
The inner envelope is the addressed envelope that your wedding invitation goes inside. It generally only includes the names of the addressees, and not their mailing address. Calligraphy or fancy writing with a gold or silver pen is often used to address these envelopes.

Reply Card
The reply card is what the guests used to give you their RSVP and entrée choices. This card should have tick boxes of places where the guests can mark how many people from their party are attending and what they’d like to eat. Make sure all the entrée choices are listed and spelled correctly. You may opt to give a short description of each dish, if you think your guests may need an explanation in order to choose. Design your reply cards so that they’ll be easy to tally when you receive them in the mail.

Return Envelope
The return envelope is a stamped envelope that your guests used to send their reply card back to you. It should be smaller and the perfect size for the reply card. They should already be addresses so that guests don’t need to look around for your current mailing address.

Outer Envelope
What holds it all together is the outer envelope. This is the big envelope that everything goes inside and is addressed to your guests. Many brides choose to have their outer envelopes addressed by a calligrapher or to make stick on labels via computer. The last thing you want is for your wedding invitations to get lost in the mail because you didn’t dot your i’s or cross your t’s!

When ordering your wedding stationery package, be sure that what you’re being quoted for includes all of these elements. If reply cards and return envelopes are an add-on, it’s good to know beforehand so you can calculate your wedding invitation budget accurately.

—

Authored by Heather Carreiro from Dependable Printing.

Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Calligraphy grants importance to your invited guests. When guests receive their envelopes hand lettered in calligraphy, it stands out amongst a sea of bills, and is becomes a paper treasure along with your invitation, something that will be kept and not thrown out. You will find calligraphy will most definitely set the tone for your wedding.

After investing all that money in beautiful invitations, the use of calligraphy for addressing your envelopes completes your investment.

Decide if you want your addresses to be written out formally or informally.

To save time for your calligrapher, it is best to compile your guest list, alphabetically, for quick easy referral. This will assist both you and your calligrapher to address any questions either of you may have or if any of those last minute changes are required while your calligrapher addresses your envelopes. As an option you can also number your guest list for easy referral.

Nothing is abreviated when addressing envelopes in calligraphy. Be sure all information is provided. This includes Roads, Streets, Drives, Crescents, Rural Routes, etc.

—

Authored by Diane Iannuzziello for Calligraphy by Diane.

A world class calligrapher of extraordinary talent, Diane Iannuzziello, with Calligraphy by Diane, has the ability to write in any lettering style and in any language.  Diane’s level of perfectionism and insistence that all her work far exceed expectations, has made her the most sought-after calligrapher.  Diane looks forward to servicing you for your very special wedding day.

Do I really need to send out Save the Date Cards? If so, how early do I send them out? What is the purpose of sending out Save the Date Cards?

Save the Date Cards announce to all your family and friends the date of your wedding and simply ask them to reserve that day especially for you. They can be very useful for guests that will be having to travel long distances to attend the wedding. If someone is coming from out of the country, making needed arrangements early can save them a great deal of money on their traveling expenses. Also Save the Date Cards can be very helpful for a destination wedding. Giving early notice to all who plan to attend gives them the opportunity to request vacation from their employer and helps them save them a substantial amount of money on their travel expenses.

In order to give your guests plenty of notice Save the Date Cards should be mailed out a minimum of 4-6 months before your wedding date and as long as 12-15 months in advance if you will have many guests traveling from afar. This will allow your guests ample time to make all the necessary travel arrangements so that they will be able to attend your special event.

Save the Date Cards are not meant to be formal. The main purpose is just to let your family and friends know the actual date of the wedding so that they can plan ahead. There are many styles to choose from. When deciding on a Save the Date Card, you may want to try and match your wedding invitations. Save the date cards are mostly used as card stock or magnets and they are normally post card size. You can add a picture of you and your fiancé, or embellishments that are sure to add a personal touch. Most brides prefer the Save the Date Magnets because your guests can put it on their refrigerator and it serves as a constant reminder.

Here are some guidelines for what is needed on the card or magnet: both the bride and grooms name, the wedding date and location of the wedding. You can feel free to add any other information you feel will assist your guest in making their plans. You will also want to include the wording “invitation to follow” so that your guests will know that an official wedding invitation with more specific information will be mailed to them at a later date.

It is also recommended that you include other helpful information with your Save the Date Card such as airline, car rental and hotel information that will make things easier on your guests. They may also be interested in other special events or attractions in your area. If possible also try to acquire group discount rates for your guests by calling specialty companies and seeing if they do offer group discounts. It is customary for most vendors to set up a group code or use your last name for booking purposes. You can provide this information and any other group information when you mail your Save The Date cards!!

Have a great time planning for your special day!

—

Authored by Jeff Fain from Dependable Printing.

Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, save the date card & magnets and much more.

Have the last several wedding invitations you’ve received been rather non-descript and uninteresting? Shades of white, ivory, and cream with embossed lettering aren’t always enough to bring out the personality of the bride and groom to be. If the traditional, white wedding invitation just doesn’t get you excited, here are some tips to add some style to your wedding stationery.

Add Texture
One of the latest trends in wedding stationery has been to add a small bow to each invitation. Find some ribbon in your wedding colors, punch a hole in the corner of your invite, and presto, you’ve got something with some style. Ribbons aren’t the only way to add texture to a wedding invitation. Add glitter, beads, or small stones to make a more funky invitation, or even glue on small seashells for a beach-themed wedding. The possibilities are endless here, although you want to make sure your wedding invitations don’t end up looking like a kindergarten art project. If not so art savvy yourself, why not ask some artsy gal pals to help you jazz up your stationery? You can check out the scrapbooking aisles at arts and crafts stores for ideas as well.

Add a Photo
Has your mom insisted that you invite all those second cousins and great aunts that you barely know? Help them remember who you are, and give other guests a sneak preview of your fiancé, by putting a personalized photo in your wedding invitation. There is no hard and fast rule that wedding invitations need to be formal and white. Do you both love roller-skating? Take a cute photo of you two holding hands at the roller rink. If you’re both comedians at heart, take a funny photo of you two colliding at the roller rink! Use a silly caption like, “Watch two lives come together on December 4th!” to make your guests smile. Photo-based wedding invitations can have a serious or casual look, and this will help you set the tone for your wedding.

Add an Ethnic Touch
Get in touch with your roots by adding some ethnic flair to your wedding invitation. Are you and your fiancé from different cultural background? Why not have bilingual invitations? Some couples have really intrigued their guests by sending them invites in different languages. For example, a Chinese bride and American groom could send Chinese invitations to the Americans, and English invitations to the Chinese guests! Of course this might leave guests bewildered at first, but if you put essential information like the date, place, and time in both languages, this ploy could really pique guests’ interest. So you’ve always loved Hollywood movies? Choose exquisite Indian scroll invitations to make the announcement of your wedding equal to a royal proclamation. Have your stationery outlined with beautiful Arabic calligraphy for a Middle Eastern wedding.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try several different options. Make a few samples and ask your bridesmaids which sample wedding invitation really shows your personality and wedding style. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box and come up with something truly unique!

—

Authored by Heather Carreiro for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Save The Date cards can be an excellent and affordable way to inform or remind others of your upcoming special day. You may have many expected guests from out of town who need time to make travel arrangements, or you may have scheduled your event during the holiday season or during a time when others typically have a lot of social engagements. If you are having a weekend wedding or successive events, you will want to give your guests plenty of advance notice. Either way, Save The Date cards can help ensure that others are able to attend your event, or simply serve as a reminder for your more absent-minded guests!

Save The Date cards can be simple, listing only your names and the date and location of the event. However, your Save The Date cards could also include important messages about special aspects of your event that guests may need to prepare for. For example, indicating an adults-only event on your Save The Date card allows parents to make prior arrangements so that no one has to miss your special day.

When planning a destination wedding, Save The Date cards can offer necessary travel information. There is no standard form for Save The Date cards, they can be as elegant and formal, or whimsical and informal as you like! In addition, many companies will print Save-the-Date cards that coordinate with your custom invitations or theme.

So, if you are looking for an easy way to announce your special event, Save The Date cards are the way to go.

—

Authored by CK Rogers for Dependable Printing.

Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations , Save the Date cards, holiday party invitations, shower invitations, party invitations and much more.

We released a small but useful feature today. You can now left/right/center the position of Photo and Text & Photo elements. To use this feature, log in, hover over a Photo or Text & Photo element and click on the gear image in the top right corner (beside the delete button). A drop down will appear allowing you to change the position of the photo.

We also changed our invite page, you can now archive old invites so they don’t clutter the page anymore. Many users had been requesting that feature.

Happy site building!

Paul

- The MomentVille Team

In the last couple of weeks, more than half of the envelopes I have addressed for brides have had square envelopes. If you are concerned about postage, make sure you take into consideration when looking at invitations that the square will cost more in postage, in some cases up to $1.00 each to mail. When the price of stamps went up, the postal service actually lowered the price of what I refer to as the “bridal” rate stamp (they used to be $.63 and now they are $.58 each) but the price of squares went up a lot. A small square envelope might be able to use lower postage (but not as low as a $.42 regular stamp) but it would have to be about 4 1/2 inches or less. Always, even with non-square invitations, make sure you take one completed invitation to the post office to have the weight checked before buying your stamps.

—

Authored by Maren Nicholas of DreamWeaver Calligraphy

When it comes to setting the tone of your wedding, choosing wedding stationery can be one of your most important choices. The wedding invitation is the first glimpse that your guests will get of your wedding style and theme. Use these tips to help choose the right style of wedding invitations for you.

Contemporary Wedding Invitations
If you’re a modern bride planning a chic urban wedding, a contemporary style is the way to go. Although you’re not requiring a black tie dress code, you expect your guests to clean up nice for your special event. Choose hand-made paper, decorative bows, or transparent paper with a dark background for a modern look.

Casual Wedding Invitations
Your fiancé plans to wear a simple shirt and tie, and you’ve always thought a cowgirl hat would go great with your wedding dress. Set a relaxed tone for your wedding with casual stationery. You certainly don’t want your guests to overdress if your reception consists of an outdoor BBQ at your parents’ house. Sending out more formal invites would only serve to confuse guests, so if a casual wedding it is, a casual invitation it should be.

Unique Wedding Invitations
People have always described you as a “different” kind of girl. If you plan to drive off for your honeymoon in an ice cream van rather than a limo, unique would be a good word to describe you. Choose something different and rouse guests’ interests by sending out something that’s not just your average wedding invitation. Add photos or an ethnic touch to make your stationery truly yours.

Elegant Wedding Invitations
Not everyone aspires to model their weddings after the world’s royal families, but if you are that kind of bride, make sure choose timeless elegant wedding stationery. A garden wedding followed by high tea would certainly call for something above and beyond your normal white paper invitation cards. Let guests know what to expect by having your invites printed with Ecru paper, gold filigree, or lace trim. Ecru alone is enough to tell your guests that this event may be the high-class party of the year.

Choosing the right wedding invitation style is key to setting your wedding theme and letting your guests know what kind of event it will be. Your friends may know you well enough to guests, but chances are that the majority of your guest list will decide based on what they receive in the mail. Choose wisely and set the tone right.

—

Authored by Heather Carreiro for Dependable Printing.  Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Planning a wedding can be lots of fun, but it can be hard work as well. There are so many details that must come together in order for that dream wedding to become a reality, and planning that special day can quickly become overwhelming. From finding the perfect cake to choosing the right color flowers, there are just so many things to think about. In all that excitement it can be easy for simple things like the wedding invitations to get pushed to the back burner.

That would be a mistake of course. So much of wedding planning hinges on getting an accurate guest count, and it is impossible to get that guest count without sending out the wedding invitations and counting the RSVP responses. So it is important to start thinking about those wedding invitations as soon as possible and to get them in the mail as soon as the date of the wedding has been confirmed.

It is also important to choose those wedding invitations with care. Wedding invitations should reflect the style and taste of the happy couple, and they should reflect the casualness or formality of the ceremony itself. A big formal wedding at the best country club in town will naturally require a different style of wedding invitations than a casual backyard affair. It is important to consider the nature of the ceremony as you shop for those important wedding invitations.

If your wedding has a specific theme it is also a good idea to make the wedding invitations you choose a reflection of that special theme. . For instance, beach weddings and destination weddings are all the rage these days. If you plan to hold your nuptials at a local or far off beach, why not let the fun shine through with the right wedding invitations. Maybe you could use a splash of bright colors and beach themes to invite your special guests to your special day. Maybe you could even include a souvenir drink umbrella or cocktail stirrer your guests can use as a memento of your special day.

If your wedding will use your special colors, why not use those special colors throughout the wedding invitations? From the colors used on the RSVP card to the colors of the mailing envelope, there are plenty of ways to make those wedding invitations even more special.

Wedding invitations are much more than simple documents. They are a way to express your joy and offer your family members and friends a way to share in this most special of days. The wedding invitations you choose should be a reflection of your taste, your style, your creativity and above all your happiness. So choose those wedding invitations carefully and create a wonderful first impression with your honored guests.

—

Authored by:  Bonnie Conrad for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, unique wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Today’s trends in wedding stationery are a far cry from what it was in your mother’s or your grandmother’s day. Brides no longer have to stick to white, and there are multiple options available in any color of the rainbow. In the past, it was easy to make your wedding invitation cards stick out by just adding a hint of color. Nowadays, with the multitude of designs available, it may take a little more creativity to get truly unique wedding invitations into your guests’ mailboxes. Here are some elements you can play with to achieve a different style of card that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Shape

Most wedding invitations still come in the traditional rectangular card shape. More brides are starting to branch out and send square cards, but not many have tapped into the various other shapes available. You can choose a long, layered invitation or a die-cut card in a wedding motif. Invitations in the shape of a bride’s dress, or of a sandal for a beach-themed wedding are certainly different from the norm.

Fold

Instead of a simple open and shut card, choose a different type of fold to add some flair to your wedding invitations. A three-way gate fold, a pocket style design or a diagonal fold will add texture to your cards. These folds can set different tones for your wedding depending on the material and colors you choose. A pink-polka dotted pocket invitation would suit a more casual wedding, while a black and silver monogrammed card would suit a more chic urban affair.

Wrapping

Intensify the suspense of your guests by wrapping your invitations. Guests will have to do some work to unveil the details of your event, but they should be intrigued in the process. Wrap white invitations in black for a fancy event, or show how decadent your wedding will be with an elegant floral wrap. Patterns depicting roses, dark reds and pinks all can give a unique and romantic touch to your wedding invitations.

When choosing your unique wedding invitation, just make sure you don’t go overboard. Guests may get confused if they receive a lime green, pocket-folded and wrapped invitation. Using one of the elements mentioned above should be sufficient to set your wedding invitation apart. You want your invitation to be different, but you certainly don’t want it to be so frustrating to open that your guests become flustered. Combing one of these ideas with your wedding colors should get you on track to hosting a memorable wedding.

—

Authored by Heather Carreiro for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, unique wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.