Wedding Invitations

INVITATIONS

Photo Credit: Lindsey Cole Photography scan me

WEDDING INVITATIONS

the first impression

GETTING STARTED

Traditional wedding invitations include so many tiny etiquette details from how to address each envelope to arranging the many parts and pieces. To keep all the invitation details straight, it’s best to find a qualified local professional to act as your go-to person for all paper goods and etiquette questions. Or if you choose to purchase online, give yourself some extra time in case there are any problems that require shipping back and forth. It’s also smart to test-drive an online retailer before committing (ask for paper samples, etc.).

The sooner you start on invitations, the better. Before you choose a style of invitation, it’s crucial to know some of the broad themes of your wedding: casual vs. formal, bold colors vs. soft hues, rustic vs. black tie, etc. Knowing these key details will help you find or create invitations to reflect the style of your day.

If possible, order invitations and other wedding stationery six or more months before the big day to give yourself plenty of time for proofreading, printing, addressing and envelope stuffing. Formal invitations should be sent six to eight weeks before the wedding with save-the-dates going out months in advance. Save-the-date cards, or even an in-formal conversation with your guests, are especially important for out-of-town guests. Plenty of advance notice gives traveling guests enough time to book flights and lodging with some flexibility.

CREATIVE THINKING

While formal invitations, complete with calligraphy and foil-lined envelopes are never out of style, the breadth of invite design options has grown immensely. The use of watercolor and illustrated elements is also growing to such an extent that many stationery companies now have a resident artist to accommodate those personalized, handmade touches. Beyond formal calligraphy, you might choose whimsical hand-lettering or even white ink on dark envelopes. Dress up your invites with a belt or sash wrapped around the middle. Hand-drawn embellishments, a chalkboard look, and vintage-inspired designs are also lovely if they work with the style of your wedding.

PAPER PARTS & PIECES

Wedding invitation suites typically consist of several parts: a ceremony card with the details of the ceremony, a reception card explaining reception details, a response card with its stamped/addressed envelope (yes, it’s proper etiquette to provide return postage), a map or some other card with directions to the ceremony/reception and hotel information for out-of-town guests, and an inner and outer envelope. The rules aren’t hard and fast, however, you can combine information on a single card, omit the tissue paper, or really think outside the box with your design if that suits the style of your wedding day.

INVITATION WORDING

Traditionally, whoever is hosting (read: paying for) the wedding will be listed first on the invitation. But it’s best to work this out on a case-by-case basis with open communication between the couple, the bride’s parents, and the groom’s parents. Some couples today who are paying for the majority of their wedding say “Mary Bride and John Groom, together with their families, request the honor of your presence at their marriage.”

Classic Calligraphy For The Contemporary Bride

www.CalligraphyByCami.com 904.703.1608 • Cami@CalligraphyByCami.com

We also offer classes!

ADDRESSING ADVICE

To address the envelopes, you can run them through your printer in a beautiful font, hand-write them yourself, or hire a hand-letterer to do the job for you. Hand lettering gives a beautiful first impression and can even act as a sort of frameable gift to your guests. Avoid using labels at all costs, even clear ones as they just don’t convey an elegance or special-ness that a wedding deserves.

If you want to keep things formal/classic, here are some tips for the etiquette of addresses. Street names, cities, and states should be written out completely (no abbreviations). To address a married couple, use “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith.” For an unmarried couple living together, use “Mr. Tom Smith and Miss Judy Jones.” If every member of the family is invited, use “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith & Family.” If you don’t want young children at your reception, then politely say “adults only” somewhere in the invite.

Include your return address on the back of the envelope. Placing it on the back is less crowded and leaves room for the guest’s address to shine on the front. You’ll also want to make sure that the return address matches the primary host. Is it Mary Bride and John Groom, or Mary’s parents?

KATIE & CHRIS

MARCH 13, 2022

premier vendors:

Reception: The River House Photographer: Dan Harris PhotoArt Flowers: Rose of Sharon Cake/Sweets: Smallcakes/ Chefs Garden Wedding Gown: Zoya’s Atelier - Suzanne Neville Bridesmaids Attire: David’s Bridal Grooms Gown: Men’s Warehouse DJ: Footloose Entertainment

Décor/Rentals/Linins:

All About Events Wedding Planners: Monica B Weddings and Events Hair/Makeup: Makeup by Paulina Perez Other: Signage by Calligraphy by Cami and live streaming video of ceremony by First Coast Audio Visual