Wedding invitations & stationery tips

If you are following tradition then it is the bride’s parents who send out the wedding invitations but these days many couples choose to send these themselves. When choosing wedding invitations and stationary, choose ones that compliment the style and theme of your wedding and don’t be afraid to step away from tradition especially if the wedding has an unusual theme.

Invitations should always be ordered at least 6 months in advance of the date and always remember to ask for proof of the details the company has before they are printed. Some important points to note and which you should include on the invitations are:

* Make clear who is invited.

* What part of the wedding they are invited to, either the wedding itself and the reception or just the reception.

* Any specific dress code that you require, for example black tie.

* Any specific requirements such as fancy dress or theme for the evening reception.

* If children other than those belonging to your closest relatives are invited.

If you have a huge guest list then you have to decide whether your guests for the reception can bring their children, this can be a problem for remember that the venue will have a fire regulation code and the venue will only hold a certain amount of people, you should check this amount beforehand with them.

When sending out invitations for the reception only you could include a short note explaining this and making sure people understand. Always include both sets of parents and the attendants such as bridesmaids and best man in the invitations and it is also advisable to order roughly 10% more invitations than actually needed, this will allow for any mistakes that are made or any people you have forgotten about.

Invitations should all be sent out at the same time if possible and be sure to include a stamped addressed reply card with a deadline for returning to you. Other handy notes you could include would be directions to the reception and your gift list.

Other wedding stationary

Other stationary worth considering purchasing could include the order of the service or ceremony, including the name of the bride and groom, place of the wedding and any music or readings that you will be having.

Stationary for the reception could include name cards, serviettes, menus for the table, a book for guests attending to sign and cake boxes; these should all of course match the theme and style of your wedding. Thank you cards could be designed around a favourite wedding photograph of your choice which the stationer can turn into a card for you.