Thursday, February 19, 2009

Etiquette Tips

We all know that wedding invitation etiquette can be a bit over-whelming. Here are a few pointers for you to consider when going over your wording with your fiancé, family, or friends:

When wording your invitation, keep in mind the setting of your ceremony. If you’re tying the knot in a place of worship, church or synagogue, you would use the wording:
“request the hono(u)r of your presence”
If your ceremony is outside of a church, like an island resort, ballroom or mansion, then use the wording:
“request the pleasure of your company”
Of course, these are very traditional styles of wording. Ultimately, it is your decision on how you will invite your guests, so feel free to be creative about how to word your invitation, it’s your day!

A touchy subject for most brides is who to mention on the invitation. Traditionally, you would only put whomever is hosting the wedding (the bride’s parents, or groom’s parents, or even yourselves), but it has become popular to mention parents other than those hosting the wedding. So if you feel like the groom’s parents should be recognized, mention them after your names using “son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dough”. This usually resolves issues of the mother of the groom feeling a little left out.

It is not proper to address your envelopes using a printer or labels. Instead, we recommend addressing the envelopes yourselves to show each guest you have taken the time to personally invite them to your wedding, or search for a local calligrapher to pen the names for you. There are many styles to choose from, and we strongly suggest taking the time to look at the calligraphers samples in person prior to hiring in order to see their unique style and quality. This is also an opportune time to see the setting your envelopes will be temporarily living in. A lot of brides have found family members or friends of the family practice calligraphy as a hobby. This could be a less-expensive solution to addressing your envelopes and what a great wedding gift from Aunt Sue!

A lot of brides mention that they want guests to R.S.V.P. online, through a website. This could cut costs initially, but what about all the uncles and aunts that don’t frequent the computer as much as you do? Ordering response cards and envelopes can be beneficial in the long run, so don’t skimp out on major details like your guest list. It is not good etiquette and could lead to being a giant pain in the long run.

Of course, you can have your wedding anyway you’d like, we just like to mention the little things that keep tradition going. Etiquette can be stressful, but if tradition is a big value for you, you might want to consider some of the things listed above to help you along in the process.
When placing your order with us, we will be by your side every step of the way, making suggestions and helping write out your wording. Don’t be afraid of proper-etiquette. It can help add a classic memory to your wedding day!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Don't forget about thank you notes!

A lot of people come in to order wedding invitations not thinking about thank you cards. It is one of the most important things included in your wedding plans. People take the time to come from out of town, state, or country to enjoy your day! The last thing you want to do is leave your guests with the impression that you didn't appreciate their company and/or gifts.



Not ordering them with your invitation ensemble makes it easy to forget about them, and a hassle later on in the future. Here, at Invitation Solutions, we offer thank you cards with envelopes at competitive prices, with your personalized monogram or design to match with your invitations!



I found a great article at theknot.com with great tips and advice about thank you notes.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-invitations/articles/a-complete-guide-to-sending-thank-you-notes.aspx

speaking of invitation etiquette!