So Inviting
Helen Cernigliaro
The wedding invitation is the one thing that sends the message out to your guests as to what the tone or theme of your nuptial will be. Just by the type of paper, printing, wording, color, and embellishments, your guests will sum up what kind of wedding you are having the instant they open the envelope. Will it be a gala reception or intimate gathering? Sit-down dinner or buffet? Kids ok? Or not?
Is your date set? Good! The first piece of correspondence to be sent out is the “save the date” card. This is an especially great idea for those guests who live out of town because they’ll need to make travel arrangements for your wedding.
There is no standard for the save the date card. Here, you can use your own creativity or go the more formal route, such as with a simple, creamy white (ecru) postcard, with raised black print. A popular trend for the save the date note is to design it on a magnet, which your guests can stick on the side of their refrigerator. This makes the perfect reminder.
Choosing the paper you want your invitation to be printed on can be a job in itself. The most popular paper is cotton fiber, a 100% cotton paper. This is the traditional choice for formal wedding invitations. The next top choice is linen, which is slightly grainier than cotton, with more texture to it. Vellum is a translucent, finished paper, which is made from a cotton blend. It’s strong enough to be printed on, and makes a beautiful overlay.
Some non-traditional choices for paper, which also make interesting and lovely presentations, are: parchment, which is an antique-looking paper (it can be translucent or opaque); jacquard, in which a design has been printed on top of the paper itself;
corrugated, a paper which has thick grooves in it for an urban, chic feel; handmade paper, made from natural and recycled fibers; glassine, a smooth, thin transparent paper; and rice paper, which is another thin, pliable, and textured stationery.
Many invitations feature a deckled edge, which looks like the edge of the paper has been gently torn away. This is often found on parchment paper. Other special finishes include: matte, where the surface of the paper does not reflect any light; and marble, in which the paper has a swirl design similar to that of actual marble stone. Sizes of invitations can vary too, from Embassy (5”x7”) to Classic (4”x6”). For a more modern look, perfectly square invitations have grown in popularity.
After deciding on the type of paper you want, next comes the printing. Engraved printing is the most expensive, most traditional, and most formal of all the printing methods. The paper is pressed onto the metal plate, thereby causing the letters to be raised on the paper. Want the look of engraving for less cost? Thermography is the way to go. Ink and powder are fused together to get the identical raised look of engraving. Off-set printing, in which the ink lies flat on the paper, offers a less formal look, but it is also popular. This print is less expensive than both engraving and thermography styles.
If you want an antique effect, letterpress printing could work. Raised letters are inked and then pressed onto the invitation. This can cost a little more, but the effect can be lovely on a delicate paper.
To address your envelopes, you may want to find a talented calligrapher to write the names and addresses in elegant, italic script. There is also a trend towards computerized calligraphy, which can be done with a mechanized pen or a laser printer. So, you’ve decided on the paper and print – what else is going into your invitation ensemble? What about the enclosures? Enclosures are the small cards that are included with the invitation, which provide more detailed information about the wedding, such as the reception card, map card, and response card. A pew card for seating can be included for ultra-formal weddings.
Your invitations include a set of inner and outer envelopes. The outer envelope seals for mailing the package; and the nner envelope, which does not seal, protects the actual invitation itself. For an extra touch, the inner envelopes can be lined with colored paper. This is optional. If you need to watch your budget, you can do without them. Envelopes with postage are required for the RSVP card because they are mailed back to you. If you are interested in doing something different, you can have custom-made stamps made with a photo of the two of you on them. (Go to Photostamps.com to order personalized postage.) Take into consideration the season and the time of day of your wedding, as well as your budget before you choose the level of formality for your invitations. For the season your wedding is happening in, you can choose the appropriate colors of the month. For example, invitations for a fall wedding could feature russet, gold, or burgundy hues. Getting married around New Year’s Eve? How about black paper with metallic gold or silver ink, platinum gilt edges, and metallic sealing wax.
A morning wedding tends to be less formal than an afternoon wedding, and an evening affair would obviously fall into the most formal category. The newest innovations for invitations are mbellishments – from pressed flowers and ribbons to wiring and glass beading. Also, consider buttons, bows, and metal charms – whatever strikes your fancy. The Asian influence is big right now, such as Chinese coins, and floral designed papers sewn onto the backs of invitations.
Embossed or engraved monograms are also very trendy right now. Putting your new initials on the invitation lets your guests know you are proudly taking your new husband’s last name.
When considering the cost of your invitation, there are several ways you can keep costs down while still getting the invitations you really want. Discuss your options with your stationer. Some cost-cutting ideas include: Using the standard size invite or an all-in-one invitation, in which all the essential information is on one main card (this eliminates the need for numerous enclosure cards). Also, the lighter the weight of paper stock you choose, the less costly it will be. You can drop the response card and include the RSVP request with a telephone number on the invitation. This way, you are saving money on the extra card, envelope, and postage. Lastly, order about 25 more invitations than what you initially need, because an extra 25 will cost less than having to re-order for those last minute guests.
If there is an invitation you’ve fallen in love with and absolutely must have, go for it. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event and you wouldn’t want to settle for something you weren’t really wild about.
A word about thank you notes: They are necessary and must be done! Good manners dictate that you send them out in a timely fashion, as well. Two weeks after you return from the honeymoon is fine. Thank you cards, which should be in the same style as your invitation ensemble, are to be hand-written in order to personalize the note to let your guests know their generosity was appreciated, no matter how large or small their gift was. A thank you should be sent even if the gift didn’t thrill you. Don’t mention monetary amounts, just say what you intend to use it for. If you receive a group gift from ten people or less, you’ll need to send out a separate note to each of them. If you receive gifts from the same person for your engagement party, bridal shower, and wedding; each event and gift requires a separate note. The entire wedding party deserves a note of thanks for being part of your day, as well.
Be sure that whichever style of stationery you choose; it reflects your personality and wedding. And don’t forget to save one for yourself as a keepsake.