Wedding Invitation Ideas

A wedding is a day that people look forward to as soon as an engagement is announced, the bride especially!. Most brides will begin to organise their wedding as soon as they have got engaged.

The first part of a wedding, and making the wedding official is the wedding invitations. This is something that will represent the couple who are getting married most wedding invitation ideas are to make the invitation original and unique.

Searching the internet for wedding invitation ideas is probably the best place to start. You will find many places that will offer you a huge amount of different wedding invitation ideas. Many online stores will offer you the option of having the cards made by them, or if you need to cut costs you can simply have a look at the designs to give yourself some wedding invitation ideas to make your own.

Making your own wedding invitations could save you a lot of money but this is something you will need to plan well in advance as it can be extremely time consuming especially if your wedding invitation ideas are more elaborate.

If you have made the decision to make your own, it is worth asking a friend or family member to share the work load, they do not have to be especially good at craft you could give each friend a small job to do, maybe cutting something or folding the card or making the inserts if you are going to have them.

Take the time to research and look at as many different wedding invitation ideas as you can, you may want your invitations to compliment the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding, giving the guests a little taste of what is to come.

Once you have spent some time looking at wedding invitation ideas you can then decide if you will have them custom made or if you have decided to make your own.

If your wedding invitations are to be custom made, make sure you know all the costs involved, ask your friends if they can recommend someone so you know your wedding invitations will be made to the highest quality. Ask about money back guarantees should you be unhappy when you receive your invitations.

Always ask for a sample to be made first so you can approve the design, sometimes the wedding invitation ideas we have in our heads do not always look the same on paper.

If you have decided to make your own wedding invitations, search around for places you can buy your materials in bulk as wholesaler usually offer a significant discount. Plan your time wisely and make sure you have enough materials should you make any mistakes.

It is always worth spending a little extra time and effort when it comes to wedding invitations, many people including the bride and groom will keep a copy of the invitation as a reminder of the special day.

Vicki Churchill is the owner of Wedding Table Ideas, a site that specializes in Wedding Centerpiece, Wedding Table, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs. And also Wedding Invitations

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Wording Of Your Wedding Invitations

When it comes to your wedding invitations you will always want them to look there best no matter, but there are just some things that you will need help on. The only things I would recommend changing are as follows: removing the comma after Street in the reception location address, and moving "Saint Paul, Minnesota" down to the next line.

In terms of the "together with their parents" line, placement depends upon who the hosts of the reception are; generally (and this is regardless of financial contribution), the hosts of the party are the parents of the bride, or the parents of the couple. The hosts always receive top billing on the invitation, as they are the people technically issuing the invitation. For that reason, I generally advise that "Together with their parents" appears at the top of reception-only invitations.

When writing the invitations, just mention the ceremony. Make no mention of a reception and most people will understand that they are just being invited to a ceremony.

I would have a friend -- best man, maid of honor, somebody send out a separate card that is more casual that includes the other information. Gift information is not appropriate in any way coming from the two of you -- and the Dutch info might more efficiently be expressed by someone writing on your behalf. That way you guys can focus on sending out an invite with standard wording and not have to worry about the other details.

By all means send them an invitation too. As a matter of fact I was asked a question by a guest that received a save the date card and did not receive an invitation when they thought they should have. A save the date card is just saying get ready and plan for it. The invitation is telling them to come.

The best way to make your wishes known is via word of mouth. For the invitations, do not put any information about the reception at all. Instead tell your bridal party and family what you wish to do and have them pass the word along to guests. While they're telling the guests about the Dutch dinner afterward (don't call it a reception at all or guests will think that you are paying), they can also inform the guest (but only if the guest asks) that you would prefer to have gift cards as you are moving. Keep in mind that some people will still insist on giving a physical gift. Perhaps make arrangements to have your family in the states send a shipment to you after you are settled.

There is a widely-held assumption that if a person's parents are listed by name on the invitation, it has something to do with finances. In terms of etiquette, this is a common misconception which often does nothing but create a source of anxiety for brides, grooms and their families.

Traditional invitation etiquette demands that there is *no indication* of who is paying for what in the wording of the invitation. In fact, the reason that only the bride's parents appear on traditional Christian invitations has to do with the idea that the bride's family is "giving her away," with their blessings, into marriage to the groom. The groom is assumed to be a man with the means to care for their daughter, without his family's assistance.

In Jewish tradition, both parents are mentioned, which implies that both families are supportive of the impending marriage in spirit, rather than financially.

In your situation, I would suggest choosing the wording that you and the groom-to-be feel best represents your wedding: very formal and traditional, casual and contemporary, or somewhere in between and simply goes with that.

Victor Epand is an expert commentator at http://www.CustomDesignPostcards.com. Visit us when you need to make custom designed holiday, gift, and invitation cards, as well as business cards and brochures. We are the only design utility that lets you download the print-ready images!

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Handmade Wedding Invitations

Handmade wedding invitations can set the mood for your once in a life-time day. Weddings are the single most important intimate detail between you and your love. Some brides get so carried away in all the other preparations they overlook the much needed detail of the custom wedding invitations. The invitation is very important because it is what is sent to the homes of your guests. These notifications not only reflect upon you, but also your wedding day. When a handmade wedding invitation with ribbon, flowers or other decorative details arrives at the door the recipient draws the work and specialness of the card.

Many brides are moving away from the plain white invitation with traditional colored typeset. There are many variations and ways to enhance the wedding invitation. When you contact a company for a custom wedding invitation you have the ability to decide exactly what you want. There are many types of paper, colors of typeset, designs and even themes that you can specify. If you are having a seaside wedding than designate that your wedding invitation be a custom handmade wedding invitation. Sand could be sprinkled on the invitation or there could be a use of sea shells or pictures of the nautical theme. What ever the theme, it can be achieved through the customization of the wedding invitation.

Other custom wedding invitations include special paper. This paper is certainly not traditional and set the invitation apart from the rest. There are companies that specialize in paper made from special products. Paper made from flowers has become increasingly popular. Not only is the texture an excellent choice for the custom wedding invitation, but it is beautiful as well. This paper is a hand made paper that yells to your guest’s class and style. The paper is made through a process of pressed flowers that you choose. It may be the favorite flower of the bride and groom or one that picks up the colors of the wedding. Other versions that are used with handmade wedding invitations are baby’s breath and leaves.

The typeset and colors have a great deal to do with the impression and look of the custom made wedding invitation. It is best to experiment to decide which color to choose. Look at the paper and compare different styles of print and colors. This will help you make the decision on your invitation. This is very important so take your time!

With so many weddings taking place it is important to set your wedding apart from the others. One of the best ways to do this is customize everything. Whether it is a custom wedding invitation or a handmade wedding invitation that is unique only to you as a couple. There are many decorations, ribbons, photos and other backgrounds that you can choose from when picking the invitation. Whether they know it or not people judge your wedding by what they see. The first thing they see is the custom wedding invitation. If you have taken the time and effort it will show. So move away from the traditional and into a custom wedding invitation, you will be proud of the uniqueness years down the road.

Tim Olden is a respected author offering advice and reviews of Custom wedding invitations.

Want to read more free information about Custom wedding invitations?

Click here for more free Custom wedding invitations advice: http://www.motorcycle-pictures-wedding-invitations.com

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Discount Wedding Invitations

Wedding expenses can leave your credit cards maxed and bank account drained. Many people do not look for discounts on wedding products because they think that expense equivocates to quality. This is simply not true. Many times you can find quality, trendy products for less, if you look. Discount wedding invitations are a great way to cut costs without anyone ever knowing. There are ways that you can add to your wedding invitations that are not too expensive, but will make them look like they cost a fortune. Whether you tell or not is up to you!

Often times you can find discount wedding invitations that are being closed out or not produced any longer. In some cases brides will pass these by because they think they are not worthy. Wrong! You can save money plus not worry about Cousin Sue using the same invitation two months from now. This is a great way to ensure that your wedding invitation is unique and will not show up again! There are many companies that carry discount wedding invitations, products and gifts for the bride and groom. This is a great way to save and get more for your money.

Another great way to find discount wedding invitations is to look for companies that do not have large overhead. Companies that operate on the web or from home are great because they can pass that savings along to you. They do not have all that overhead expense so they can offer you discount wedding invitations. Many of these companies have a great selection and are just as good as the expensive local printers. You can choose your design and theme for your discount wedding invitation; most of the companies have a wide variety for selection.

Discount wedding invitations are available in a variety of styles and designs. The designs can vary depending on the theme of the wedding. Photos that are customized with the couple’s photos, scenic or any other type of images that can link your theme to the wedding ceremony. Artwork can also be used to enhance the looks of the invitation as well. Discount wedding invitations are the same quality as others, just at a less expensive rate.

With the other expenses it is important to cut costs where you can. Purchasing discount wedding invitations will save you some money leaving more for the reception or something other. There is not any reason to spend a fortune for wedding invitations when you can purchase discount wedding invitations for half the price. If you feel the need you can add a few extras such as bows, designs or other items to add to the appearance. Invitations are very important and many people feel that it is the first impression of the entire wedding. Because you purchase discount wedding invitations does not mean that they are not formal or very classy. They can be and you must simply dig through until you find the right one. Shop, compare prices and find the best discount wedding invitation available.

Tim Olden is a respected author offering advice and reviews of Custom wedding invitations.

Want to read more free information about Custom wedding invitations?

Click here for more free Custom wedding invitations advice: http://www.motorcycle-pictures-wedding-invitations.com

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Wedding Invitation Tips and Advice

You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided on the design of your wedding invitation. The wording has been chosen and the guest list is well on its way to completion. Here are some additional wedding invitation tips and advice that you should also be aware of.

* If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put “and family”. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and John
or
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family

* If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.

* If you don’t wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or “and family” on the outside of the envelope. It’s suggested you add “Sorry, but children are not invited”, “adults only” or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card…or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.

* When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put “and Guest” on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:

Mr. Ralph Jones and Guest
or
Miss Sarah Campbell and Guest

* Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won’t make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.

* In some cases, you’ll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of invitations printed. One that includes reception information and one that doesn’t.

* If you don’t receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.

* If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.

* Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you’re doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.

* Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you’ll want to have a few extras on hand.

* You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.

* If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.

Rose Smith has been providing helpful information on wedding planning for many years. For wedding theme ideas, articles and resources, visit her website Wedding Themes and More at http://www.wedthemes.com. Visit Wedding Planning Guides for a full range of wedding planning books at http://www.wedding-planning-guides.com

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How To Choose Wedding Invitations That Match The Style Of Your Wedding

The very first impression that people will get of your upcoming wedding will be when they receive your invitation. They will often make a decision on attending at that moment. The invitation needs to be a complete visualization on paper that shares what your plans are plainly to the receiver so it is crucial to the wedding planning process.

Contrary to popular opinion, especially the opinions of most men, there is much more to the process than simply pulling out a nice one and making you're your names are spelled properly. The wording is very important and you want it to be original, get some ideas from other invitations but end the end make yours unique.

Your invitation should also go along with the style of wedding you are having. If you are having a fancy, traditional wedding then you should have an equally elegant invitation to match. On the other hand if you are getting married on the beach a fancy invitation just would not look right and would also convey the wrong message. For a beach wedding you want everyone to feel comfortable and know that it is not in the least formal. Here are some more helpful hints to assist you in choosing the right wedding invitation.

When you are choosing your invitations remember you also need to pick out the right font for the wording. You want a font that leaps off the paper demanding attention. Choose a style that matches your ceremony and that you both love. Also be sure that the font you choose matches your personalities as should your wedding ceremony.

Another important factor is choosing the paper you will use. There are many different types and thicknesses of paper when it comes to invitations and overall probably hundreds of different styles available. If the invitations are to be folded don't get a paper that is too thick, but if they are to be standalone then a good thick paper is recommended.

You want the style of the invitation to match your wedding so if you are having a simple wedding go with a very simple style of invitation. You have choices like tri-fold, bi-fold, single page, and others so make sure that the one you choose is appropriate.

You should also include RSVP cards with a stamped return envelope so that you will be able to plan for the number of people who will be coming. Ideally these should match your invitation as well. Always pre-stamp the RSVP card out of courtesy.

Make sure that you proofread everything more than once, then have at least one other person look over all of the items to be printed for errors. You will be unable to fix the errors after they are printed and if you sign off that they are okay, it's on you! Double check your guest list before ordering so you don't get stuck with too many or too little invitation.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about baby shower and wedding invitations at http://www.monkeybusinessinvitations.com

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Free Printable Wedding Invitations - How To Save Money On Wedding Invitations

If you have wedding bells ringing in the air, then you are among the many who will be tying the knot soon. Planning a wedding can be challenging to say the least. But rest assured, there are many things you can do to make the whole event run more smoothly.

One of the first things you have to decide on is the wedding invitations. This could be one of the easiest decisions that you will have to make and you can do it inexpensively, saving a great deal of money by choosing free printable wedding invitations.

There are many different websites that offer free templates to choose from to create your own wedding invitations. This allows you the freedom to do whatever you want with the invitations, making them truly your own. For something as important as the invitations, you want them to be special and something that expresses your love for each other, letting your friends know you wish for them to join you in your wondrous celebration.

The first thing you will need to do when choosing your free printable wedding invitations is to choose the paper that you will print them on. There are many office supply stores as well as craft stores that offer a wide range of papers and card stock to choose from. If you want some other options of what styles to choose from, then the internet has an almost unlimited amount of designs and styles to choose from. Most often the websites that offer the free templates for the invitations will have a good selection of paper and cards stock to choose from, all geared toward weddings.

Next, you will want to choose the template that you are going to go with or perhaps you have a computer at home and you want to create something of your own. Maybe with a picture of the happy couple and a special poem that symbolizes your love for each other. You may even want to combine two different templates to make something truly unique.

If you are trying to do a great wedding on a budget, then you can start by saving money with your wedding invitations. Free printable wedding invitations will save you a great deal of money and give you the personal touch and quality that you want. You will be sure to have great invitations that have that extra special touch, making them perfect for your special occasion. Free printable wedding invitations are a great way to go when planning your wedding. You can choose every detail from the quality, to the design, to the card stock. You can make the planning of your special day as simple and cost effective as possible.

If you want to discover how to save money on your wedding invitations then try visiting http://www.plan-the-perfect-wedding.info , a website that specializes in wedding ideas, wedding planning, favors and wedding ring information.

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Wedding Invitations Explained

Your wedding planner advises "6 weeks before the big day, send out the wedding invitations."

Great, but due to the large variety of options (paper type, color, font, wording, reply options, announcements, partial invitations etc) it can all get rather confusing. So to make things clearer, here's a brief description of the terms commonly associated with wedding invitations.

Seal And Send: These invitations consist of a single piece of card folded and sealed to avoid the need for an envelope. Beneath the invitation there is a perforated return postcard that can use to reply. Prices for send and seal invitations normally include seals and a return address printed on both the outside of the initial invitation and the response card.

Envelope Seals: These seals are purely for decorative purposes. They are made or self-adhesive labels or blobs of wax and are meant to give the impression that they hold the envelope closed (although the envelope is already sealed in the conventional way). If chosen correctly, these seals can add a touch of class and make your wedding invites stand out from the rest of the mail that people receive. Hundreds of different styles are available so you shouldn't have a problem finding the right seal to match your invitations.

Pre-Printed Envelope Flaps: If you want to save time and ensure that any undeliverable invitations are sent back, why not get your return address printed on the outer envelope. It will add a small amount to the cost of your invitations but the benefits outweigh the cost.

Response Cards: If you need to know specific details about your guests' requirements, these cards are invaluable. They are generally included in the envelope with the main invitation and allow your guests to give you more than a simple yes/no response. For example, you could include the option to attend just the reception or the whole day. Or they may also have specific dietary requirements that have to be catered for. All of these answers will help with your preparations. If you want the best response possible, include a stamped return envelop with your return address on it. Then, your guests only have to fill out the card and send it back. Due to the extra weight, these cards may add to the cost of your postage.

Reception Cards: If you need extra space to add details about your reception, or if not all guests will be invited to the reception, these cards can be made to match the style of your invitations and sent with the main invitation. Again, they could add to the overall cost of your postage.

Map Cards: This is another additional insert and as the name suggests, is a map of the wedding location/reception for guests who don't know the area.

Thank You Notes: These can be purchased/designed at the same time at the rest of your invitation set. These notes normally consist of your names on the front and a blank area inside for you to write your message of thanks. Envelopes are either plain or made to match the style of your invitations.

And that's the basis of a typical wedding invitation. But whatever style of invitation you choose, bear one thing in mind. It's your special day, so your decision is final.

For more information on wedding invitations and a free guide to organizing all your wedding essentials, visit Ellie Thomson's website at YourWeddingDayEssentials.com

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Wedding Invitation: How to Save Money on the Invitation of Your Choice

The wedding invitation that you choose will make a reflection on the people that you send it to. It will say something about the way that you feel about this special event and how you feel about them. But, with all of the other expenses for a wedding, you may be concerned about the cost of getting a nice wedding invitation. If this is the case, there are options available to you so that you can get a great price on a wedding invitation that reflects your personal taste and style. You can design and print your own invitations or you can go to a discount printer or stationery business.

Although etiquette dictates that a wedding invitation contains certain features and information, the bride and groom are free to express themselves in the color, design and even wording. This is what makes designing your own wedding invitation so appealing. You can choose to work with a local print shop or stationery store, or you can find a site on the internet which will allow you to pick and choose every thing from the type of paper to the color of the ink. Make sure that you are able to examine the paper and see samples of the printing before you choose any printer. If you have access to a high quality printer, you may be able to print your own wedding invitation, but the cost of having the discount printer do it may be worth the reduced hassle.

Online you can also find many businesses offering discounted invitations, and virtually all of them will send you free samples so that you can get a look at their work before you make a purchase. The weight of the paper and the quality of the printing are the key things to look for as well as the number of selections available for customization.

Make sure that you begin your selection process as early as possible so that you can have time to think about the wording as well as the design and allow room for errors to be corrected if that is necessary.

Eriani Doyel writes articles for and about Weddings. For more information on choosing a wedding invitation visit fleckwedding.com.

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The Wedding Guest List

In wedding preparations, budget and space allocation is yet another point for consideration. While couples would normally have a hard time determining who to invite, chances are they would have to whittle down the guest list to accommodate the feasible amount needed to grace the special occasion of holy matrimony between the two.

Determining the list of guests to grace the wedding would usually be a matter of priority. Depending on the type of celebration, relatives will always be the first consideration or even the priority of the bride and groom. Friends would follow and then colleagues and acquaintances as long as the allocation for accommodating the said guests allow.

It has been a common issue that people planning their wedding tend to overdo it a little and tend to invite people who are not that important in their lives. It is a natural reaction! Relatives for example may extend beyond close kindred. It may seem harsh, but sometimes decisions have to be made to limit the number of true relatives not only because of the costs involved but also because you would naturally wish only those that would treasure the occasion to be present. It is a fact that while some of the extended relatives may be in the wedding guest list, not all of them may share the same spirit as the bride and groom.

Wedding guests can go as far as over a 100. It depends on how large the celebration is expected to be. For some, budget restrictions force them to trim down the wedding guest list, sometimes even finding the need for a RSVP to do the proper head count of expected wedding guests who will actually come. Wedding invitations to be printed and disseminated also rely heavily on the wedding guest list. An allocated wedding invitation printing is needed to properly stay within budget and avoid spoilage.

Assumptions that special wedding guests such as the principal and secondary sponsors would bring along a partner or their families should be expected. For one, it is quite unethical to state to these people that they are not allowed to bring anyone because of budget constraints. This may offend them and may put them in a difficult position since not all people would understand the situation or the decision - especially if they were chosen and asked to be sponsors for the event.

There are also people who would invite special personalities as well like officials, celebrities and icons to grace the occasion. This has been a practice for couples since such would be an honor to have such well-known and famous personalities on hand during the wedding ceremony and celebration. The reason behind such is usually for bragging rights and of course being identified with them for future use, just in case the need to seek advice and help in the future may be necessary.

Easy as it may seem to strike off certain names from the guest list, it is hard to explain in the end why they were not invited. But given the short time to prepare and work on budgets for wedding celebrations, couples would evidently be left with no alternative in such cases where they are pressed for time to go through with their holy union.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on marriage and visit our associated site articles for free.

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Proper Etiquette and Tips For Your Wedding Invitations

Many couples are opting for the traditional engraved invitation, as deeply rooted a custom as entering the church to the music of Wagner and leaving to Mendelsson. Despite the many other wedding traditions that have changed, this style of invitation has prevailed since the late 1800's, according to leading manufacturers and suppliers of wedding invitations.

The top selling wedding invitations of today don't look much different than they did 100 years ago. With the exception of the 1970s, when couples sought unconventional invitations with bright colors and creative wordings, the traditional engraved invitation has been the most popular choice.

The engraving process embosses letters into the paper, creating a raised look and feel to the surface. The lettering, usually engraved on cream or white cotton-content paper is most often royal or classical script. The design is simple and the wording standard, according to traditional rules of etiquette.

There are many traditions associated with marriage. The engraved invitation is one of them. Wedding invitations set the mood, style and tone of the wedding. For many couples who have conventional church weddings, the traditional invitation is most appropriate.

Tiffany & Co., the internationally renowned luxury goods supplier and oldest stationary company in America, is a firm believer in the traditional invitation. The company has strict guidelines for the design and wording of the invitations they produce and will only sell invitations deemed "proper" by traditional standards.

Only as recently as five years ago did Tiffany & Co. begin putting reply cards and envelopes into their sample books. According to rules of proper etiquette, recipients of wedding invitations are supposed to send a handwritten letter of response to the bride and groom within 24 hours. However, the company decided to add the reply cards and envelopes to their product line because contemporary society has not been conditioned to letter writing. Without the reply cards the bride has no assurance of total guest turnout.

Tiffany & Co. has also had to adapt traditional wording of invitations to accommodate all family structures such as families with only one parent, divorced parents, etc.

In addition to modifying the wording, today's invitation can be designed to express one's individuality without breaking tradition. Many couples are requesting embossed borders or motifs to accent the traditional invitation. Adding a ribbon or embossing a personal monogram or family crest are other ways to customize the invitation without compromising the integrity that the traditional engraved invitation conveys.

Etiquette 'experts' also agree that the traditional engraved invitation is the most proper form of wedding correspondence. It is far better to write personal letters or inform your friends of your marriage by phone than to have your invitations printed rather than properly engraved. According to these experts, do it right or don't do it at all.

The rich quality and elegant look of the traditional invitation is the best way for brides to tell family and friends that their presence is greatly valued on this important occasion.

For the bride who wants to be absolutely proper and follow the rules of traditional social etiquette, following are some of the guidelines

- Invitations should always be engraved.

- The paper selected should be white, or ivory, 100 cotton content paper.

- The most traditional lettering is script. There are many styles to choose from.

- In the strictest of traditional standards, the groom's parents should never be listed on the invitation along with the bride's.

- If divorced parents are both sponsoring their daughter's wedding, names should be listed with the mother's preceding, followed by the father's on the next line.

- For a conventional church wedding, the wording of the invitation should read "request the honor of your presence".

- For a wedding ceremony that is to be performed somewhere other than a church, the invitation should read "request the pleasure of your company".

- The place of the reception should never be written on the invitation itself unless the wedding ceremony is taken place there.

- There is no need to put the year of the wedding on the invitation because it is a timely event.

Finally, if proper etiquette is important to you, you should follow these rules. Keep in mind that slight variations will not mean the end of the world. After all, it is your wedding day and you should do what you feel is best for your individual situation.

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors as well as bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, and bridal shower gifts. For more information about wedding planning and wedding reception ideas, visit their website at: WeddingFavorsEmporium.com

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A Guide to Beautiful Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are an integral part of a wedding’s theme and the “mood” you want to set for your ceremony. After all, if the purpose were to solely inform the guests of the details of the event, then you could just send an email or postcard. However, the invitation also serves as a souvenir of a special occasion, and an announcement of a couple’s love. Like the wedding ceremony itself, it must be beautiful and personal.

Selecting the Wedding Invitation’s Design

There are thousands of ready-made wedding invitations to choose from; simply select a design, send the details, and the printer can have it ready within weeks. With such a wide selection, it may be difficult to pick which one is best. Here are the things to consider:

* Formal or casual. You want a wedding invitation to complement the overall theme and mood of the wedding. Is your wedding formal or casual? A formal wedding may need classic script fonts, formal wording, and the traditional double envelope. A more casual invitation may use more modern fonts and more natural wording (i.e., instead of “we cordially invite you”, say “please join us…”), but care must be taken to retain the solemnity of the occasion. Let’s say you want to enclose a photo of you and your fiancé—not typically done for traditional invitations. Wear appropriate clothes to the photo shoot: shorts and tank tops simply don’t work.

* Color. You should always choose a subdued color. If you are using a rather bright color for your motif, like turquoise, opt for a delicate ribbon trim or small accents at the sides or corners rather than applying it to the whole invitation. This makes the invitation look more classy, and again, is in keeping with the nature of the event. It’s a wedding, not a night dancing at a trendy club.

* Personal Touches. You can add a short poem, a photo of the couple, or a song lyric from the wedding ceremony.

Wedding Invitation Inserts

Most wedding invitation companies can provide a selection of templates where you just have to fill in the specific names, places and dates. However, many couples prefer to make their own, to make the invitation less stiff and more personalized. If so, here are a few guidelines:

* It is not necessary to put the entourage in the invitation. However, you can have a separate piece of paper listing the members that can be inserted in select invitations—specifically those that go to the entourage themselves, and to the more immediate family and friends. They would appreciate the souvenir; plus, it is a way of thanking them for their participation.

* You’d never forget to put the date and the venue, but many couples forget to put a map to the church and/.or reception area. A map would be very helpful, and would save many guests any inconvenience especially if the wedding is located in a place they are unfamiliar with.

* If you are trying to control the number of guests, insert a small card that says, “We have reserved __ seats for you.” This is a subtle and polite way of minimizing the headcount.

* If you are moving to a new home after the wedding, you can include another small insert announcing your new address.

Resources.eu.com is an online resource centre covering many topics including weddings and wedding invitations.

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Do-It-Yourself Wedding Invitation Guide

Think creatively and add a personal touch to your special event with do-it-yourself wedding invitations. When your friends inquire about the invitation designer, you can proudly say you did them yourself, just don’t tell them it was easy.

With the availability of home computers and the ease of downloading templates, fonts, and special wedding clipart, the budgeting couple has everything needed to complete the do-it-yourself wedding invitations project. What’s not accessible online is easily found in stationery and art supply stores.

Selecting the decorative paper to make your own wedding invitations is the first step. This sounds simple, but there are a lot of options from classic ivory and white to floral or tropical, depending on whether the wedding is formal or casual.

Once the paper is chosen you can really get creative with fonts, clip art, borders, photos and even your own artistic hand-painted touches, but invitation designers recommend you keep focused on a tasteful basic as you ponder the possibilities of what to incorporate.

Either do-it-yourself or find a friend who’s comfortable using a small paint brush and a glue gun and the options are endless. To create a striking border on your wedding invitations you can use watercolor paints around the edge even blending two colors together.

A simple ribbon, dried flower, or small shell glued on the invitation will give it the feel of being lovingly handmade and using a photograph makes it a memorable keepsake. Too much, however, is not complimentary to the beauty of wedding invitations.

When in doubt or in need of advice on everything from the right RGB (red/green/blue) combination to print silver or gold lettering to using wax seals, consult wedding Message Boards on the internet. Although a few vendors are logging on to encourage you to use their service, there is an abundance of information and answers from those with first-hand experience.

Remember, do-it-yourself wedding invitations can be a lovely addition to your wedding plans, as well as fun and easy on your budget.

Wedding Invitations Info provides information on cheap, unique, and do-it-yourself wedding invitations, plus wedding shower invitations, and advice on wedding invitation wording. Wedding Invitations Info is the sister site of Wedding Favors Web.

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Modern Wedding Invitations - Formal or Casual?

The traditional formal wedding invitation is a true work of art and will certainly stand out from the bulk of your normal mail. Often bearing a distinctive franking or special stamps, the outer postal envelope opens to reveal a creamy white inner envelope elegantly address and invariably penned in calligraphy. This inner envelope in turn contains, wrapped in tissue, the beautifully printed and hand written invitation card displaying a style of wording that has been used for generations.

The traditional wedding invitation is said to date back to the Middle Ages when the only people who were schooled in reading and writing were monks. Their principal task at that time was to produce bibles and other religious books and documents in an age before printing had been invented and they had developed expert skills in calligraphy for this work. It became common practice therefore for members of European royal families and the aristocracy to engage the services of monks to provide the first written wedding invitations.

By the seventeenth century metal plate engraving had been developed and it was possible to print invitations. The inks used at that time were however prone to smudge and so a sheet of tissue paper was placed on top of each engraving as it was made and this practice remains today with traditional invitation cards still being wrapped in tissue.

Although it was now possible to print invitation cards, there was still no postal service or indeed stationery and these would not become available until the nineteenth century. Once fine stationery arrived during the Victorian era printed invitation cards could be wrapped in tissue and enclosed in an envelope which was then hand addressed. As, however, the postal service would almost certainly soil this envelope, a second outer envelope would then be used and, despite considerable improvements in the carriage of today’s mail, this practice still continues.

It was also during the Victorian era that the wording of wedding invitation was defined and this too is still in use today. Invitations in general today might, for example, "Request the pleasure of your company…" while a wedding invitation will "Request the honour of your presence…" with the word "honour" retaining the English form of spelling.

Printing methods have of course changed today but the most formal of weddings will still use tradition engraving in which the invitation is pressed onto a metal plate raising the letters on the paper. It is also now common for invitations to be printed using thermography, which is an imitation of the engraving process using a mixture of ink and powder to create a raised effect similar to engraving.

For less formal invitations normal offset printing can be used and increasingly couples are choosing to print their own wedding invitation using a home computer. With the huge range of fonts that are now available for home computers and, with the development of relatively inexpensive and very high quality computer printers, printing your own wedding invitations has become a reasonable simple and very cost effective option.

For more information on modern wedding invitations please visit Talking Weddings

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Personalized Wedding Invitations - Don't Miss Out the Important Details

A couple’s big day involve many decisions, among them there’s the cake, church and very importantly the wedding invitation card. It is not difficult to understand why invitation cards are deem as so important because it is one of the tool to notify and inform everyone of your big day!

Most couple would want their wedding invitation cards to be as unique and personalized as possible so that it can reflect the couple personality. Nevertheless, as unique as you want it to be, it is still of utmost importance to include all the necessary and correct information on your invitation card. Here’s a basic guideline of what information you should include if you are designing your own wedding invitation cards.

1. Hosts – The most important information to be on a wedding invitation card is the names of the people who are hosting the event. Traditionally, this column is reserve for the bride’s parents. It can also include the groom’s parent and the name of the couple itself. It is not uncommon to see invitation cards that have both the parents and couple name nowadays. For basic courtesy and tradition, the bride’s name should be listed first in the order of first, middle and last name.

2. Date and Time – The next thing you need to inform your guest are the date and time. It is only common sense for them to know the date and time so that they can arrange for free time to join the wedding. Typically, this information is spelled out in the cards, like for example, “Sunday, tenth of March, two thousand and seven at one o’clock in the afternoon.

3. Location – The location of the wedding must be specific and described as clear as possible. If the venue is popular and well known, there is no need to include an additional line for the address, but if the wedding is taking place at a lesser known setting, then the address ought to be listed. You can also choose to include a small map enclose together with the invitation card when you send it out. Most guests would be appreciative of this kind little gesture.

4. Reception – Reception time and location should be included as well if there is any. There are no hard and fast rules as to how you can do it. You can choose to either include it in the wedding invitation itself or in a separate card. This information is especially important if the reception is at a different location from the ceremony. For the convenience of your guests, it is good to let your guest know whether a full meal would be served or not.

R.S.V.P. – A typical R.S.V.P. card would include a return envelope with blank spaces for the guest to write their names. It is advisable to collect the meal type preference from the guests so that the host would be better prepared. Do not forget to include a date where you need your guess to respond by.

The main purpose of a wedding invitation is to notify your guests of your wedding. A unique wedding card is always preferred since it can bring out the personality of the couple. But a unique card would be useless if it cannot serve the purpose of notifying your guest the wedding details correctly. In short, make sure that you follow the guideline listed above and you should be safe.

Moses Wright is the founder of All Weddings. He provides more useful information on Wedding Invitation Card and Wedding Invitation Design on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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The Perfect Wedding Invitation Ideas

Everyone wants a perfect wedding where families and friends can remember, cherish and enjoy for a long time to come. For that to happen, a perfect wedding would require intensive planning and coordination.

The first step to the perfect wedding would be the invitation; its job is to announce your big day and should ideally not only represent the couple personality and style but also be distinctive and unique. Here’s a list of wedding invitation ideas to help you get that special invitation out.

1. Recently Married Friends – Ask to see if anyone around you are preparing or just went through their wedding. These groups of people are the best consultant for advices since they have gone through all the work of researching the best printers and designers in the area where you live in. Check out the quality of their invitation, designs and prices so that you can have a good feel of how much each invitation would cost.

2. Websites – With current technology and the advancement of online business, a search engine search on wedding invitation would bring out at least 20 similar sites dealing in wedding invitation. Most of them would have either catalogs or close up of their invitation designs for potential clients to access the quality of their work. Many also sell paper and printing material online. What you can do is to use these sites as a research tool.

You can look at the design of their work to collect ideas on how you want to design yours and the type of paper material you can use to print your invitations. A careful detail look would give one tons of ideas especially for those would like to design their own invitation.

3. Magazines – There are so many wedding magazines out there, online and offline. For a quick start, you can search for the online magazines first. You would be amazed by how many ideas you can generate from a magazine alone.

4. Wedding Forums – Do not belittle the power of forums, they may be mostly ordinary people like you and me. But that does not stop them from being creative. Throw in a topic or question and you will be amazed by the number of people who are more than willing to help you generate free ideas.

A wedding is such a special day for the brides and grooms. It is not surprising to see most couples keep a copy of their wedding invitation to remind them of this special moment. If you want a special unique invitation, you would have to invest in more time and effort. I’m sure it is worth the effort at the end of the day.

Moses Wright is the founder of All Weddings. He provides more useful information on Wedding Invitation Card and Wedding Invitation Design on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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Wedding Planning: A Complete Guide On Wedding Invitation Cards

A wedding invitation or a card is a simple letter asking the recipient to attend the wedding. These invitations are generally mailed out six to eight weeks before the finalised wedding date. So once you are engaged and the dates are planned for the various occasions, the next big step that follows is to decide upon the wedding invitations. Everything has to be the perfect, including your wedding cards. They are important part in setting your mood right for your special day.

From invitations that are handcrafted to the formal ones, cards with raised letters on it or the one having engraved styles, there are numerous beautiful wedding invitations available to match the style and theme of your wedding. From the traditional to the contemporary, there are wedding cards to compliment the taste of everyone.

Choosing the right wedding invitation for your guests is not an easy task and can get a run for your money. So if you do not want to work harder on making a choice on that and want to make it simple, you can go for the ready to use wedding invitation that are available in the card stores that are local to you. But this is not the only option. Your wedding cards can be designed to coordinate your wedding theme. So if you are planning to have a vintage-style wedding, you can definitely have an invitation, suiting the mood of the whole celebration.

And if you are bored of seeing those traditionally made cards. Do not worry. There are options for you to give you that funky and modern look that you always desired. Under this category of wedding invitations, you can create your own art by putting the favorite photographs of you and your beloved. This gives a more personal touch to the whole celebration. And if you really want to put some good efforts, you can even purchase some blank cards and then decorate them yourself.

There are many wedding invitations that come with matching envelopes to give them a complete and impeccable look. Invitation cards also include thank you notes. This is necessary to give the wedding card a personal touch.

You can sometimes find calligraphy on the wedding invitations. But this is not just the option. There are also other types of printing that can be beautifully displayed on them. Thermography, engraving, letterpress printing and also sometimes blind embossing. Generally double envelopes are used to mail them. The inner envelope has a lining of a matching color to the card and is not gummed. On the other hand, the outer envelope is used as a sealer.

There are numerous parts of a wedding invitation. Beside the invite, you may also find an ensemble of various cards, that are for the different occasions to be held on different days. Adding a location map or a direction card is also common.

Now once the layout of your wedding card is prepared, the last thing that follows is to decide upon their numbers. And the date and the mode of their dispatch.

To get more information on wedding, wedding planning and wedding traditions visit http://www.weddingleague.com/

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Wedding Invitations and Handwritten Calligraphy

What You Should Know.
Before you purchase your wedding invitations or correspondence stationery, you need to become familiar with paper quality. The quality of paper you select is very important. Not only because premium paper makes for a more lovely presentation for your recipient, but excellent quality paper is critical if you are using professional, handwritten calligraphy for your envelopes.

The Heirloom.
Your wedding invitation is your heirloom keepsake. Choose stationery that won’t fall apart over time. For example, 100 percent cotton or linen is best. If you are hiring a professional calligrapher to address your wedding envelopes, then avoid the following: thin papers like those of inexpensive greeting card quality, papers made with wood pulp, and handmade or recycled papers. Calligraphy ink may bleed on handmade and recycled stocks.

What to Avoid.
Try to stay away from dark papers or the use of liners in your envelopes. The most formal wedding invitations, at one time, were not accompanied by lined envelopes. Liners have become more popular recently, this is true. However, I often wonder if liners were introduced to create the illusion of “substance” to mask otherwise “thin” paper. If you choose heavy weight premium paper, then a liner is not necessary. If you are “sold” on liners, because you wish to incorporate your wedding color into your invitations, then consider instead: a silk ribbon tied around the invitation with a parchment overlay. Or print an envelope seal in your wedding color on the back flap of our outer envelope. Monograms make wonderful envelope seals. Lastly, because dark colors and liners make envelopes opaque and can also affect writing results, calligraphers may charge more to address these flavors of envelopes.

The Toughie.
How do you choose premium paper? Stationery is usually measured in bond weight. A good piece of paper is thirty-two or forty-pound bond. And hundred-pound offset is roughly equal to forty-pound bond. Heavy cards should be made of three-ply stock. Ask your vendor about their paper quality if you are unsure. Also, here are two great tests for paper quality for envelopes. Hold the envelope up to the light. Is the envelope feathery, very thin and extremely easy to see through? Can you write on it with a good fountain pen, or does the ink bleed? Professional calligraphers use fountain and dip inks. I always tell my clients, “Exquisite calligraphy can only be achieved on the finest paper.”

In Sum.
Choose a reputable wedding vendor for your wedding invitations and correspondence. And remember, if the quoted prices are “too-good-to-be-true”, then the paper and calligraphy most likely are not.

~ Dayna Bischof is a master calligrapher and owner of CL - Unique Wedding Invitations Studio which offers top brand and handwritten wedding invitations and calligraphy services. Her education is in language, literature and art. Her calligraphy has been featured in bridal magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, CosmoBride and the Knot. She also offers creative hand lettering and graphic designs for logos, headlines and magazines. Her illustration and lettering portfolio may be found at daynabischof.com

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Complete Guide To Wedding Invitations

Do you have a wedding coming up soon? If you do you will have many aspects to carefully consider and plan. Here are some helpful hints and tips to help you to choose the most suitable wedding invitations for yourself to mark that special day.

Wedding invitations can make a massive first impression when it comes to informing your guests about the wedding. This is likely to be the first thing your guests see when they find out you are getting married. Your invitations will need to make a good first impression because you won’t get a second chance at that. As well as making a good first impression your invite should be informative and designed in the style of your wedding.

Wedding invitations are no longer narrowed down to just white or ivory cards with dark text. Some people will still choose to go for a traditional style wedding invite but nowadays people are getting a lot more creative and are going for there own custom creative designs. A good way to design the theme of your invite is to base it on the location of your wedding. For example if you’re getting married in Las Vegas then you might want a casino styled Vegas invitation.

Once you have written out your guest list you might want to contact a specialist wedding invitation designer. When selecting a designer an important aspect is to make sure you will not be charged for seeing a proof design of your invite. This way you can change designer if you don’t like the style of the invitations you have had designed already. You will need to tell the designer how many invitations you need and ordering maybe 10-15 extra may be advisable for those people you have forgot and want to invite at the last minute. Another important aspect that people can often forget about is envelopes. It’s no use ordering 200 invitations and then having to buy envelopes that fit on the high street. So ordering envelopes with your invitations can save you time and money.

You may also want to go the full way and order all your wedding stationary from the same supplier. You might need things such as thank you cards, reply cards, menus, place cards, gift registry cards, and seating plans. Ordering them all from the same supplier can save you time, hassle and money.

Click the link to find out more about ordering Wedding Invitations and to view a large selection of different wedding invitation themes, styles and templates.

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Wedding Invitation Ideas

A wedding is a day that people look forward to as soon as an engagement is announced, the bride especially!. Most brides will begin to organise their wedding as soon as they have got engaged.

The first part of a wedding, and making the wedding official is the wedding invitations. This is something that will represent the couple who are getting married most wedding invitation ideas are to make the invitation original and unique.

Searching the internet for wedding invitation ideas is probably the best place to start. You will find many places that will offer you a huge amount of different wedding invitation ideas. Many online stores will offer you the option of having the cards made by them, or if you need to cut costs you can simply have a look at the designs to give yourself some wedding invitation ideas to make your own.

Making your own wedding invitations could save you a lot of money but this is something you will need to plan well in advance as it can be extremely time consuming especially if your wedding invitation ideas are more elaborate.

If you have made the decision to make your own, it is worth asking a friend or family member to share the work load, they do not have to be especially good at craft you could give each friend a small job to do, maybe cutting something or folding the card or making the inserts if you are going to have them.

Take the time to research and look at as many different wedding invitation ideas as you can, you may want your invitations to compliment the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding, giving the guests a little taste of what is to come.

Once you have spent some time looking at wedding invitation ideas you can then decide if you will have them custom made or if you have decided to make your own.

If your wedding invitations are to be custom made, make sure you know all the costs involved, ask your friends if they can recommend someone so you know your wedding invitations will be made to the highest quality. Ask about money back guarantees should you be unhappy when you receive your invitations.

Always ask for a sample to be made first so you can approve the design, sometimes the wedding invitation ideas we have in our heads do not always look the same on paper.

If you have decided to make your own wedding invitations, search around for places you can buy your materials in bulk as wholesaler usually offer a significant discount. Plan your time wisely and make sure you have enough materials should you make any mistakes.

It is always worth spending a little extra time and effort when it comes to wedding invitations, many people including the bride and groom will keep a copy of the invitation as a reminder of the special day.

Vicki Churchill is the owner of Wedding Table Ideas, a site that specializes in Wedding Centerpiece, Wedding Table, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs. And also Wedding Invitations

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