Planning a wedding involves countless details, and one of the most crucial elements is sending out the elegant wedding invitations. These little cards serve as the first glimpse into your special day for your guests. To ensure your wedding invitations make a lasting impression, we've compiled a list of the top wedding invitation tips you need to know. From frequently asked questions to practical advice, this article will guide you through the process of creating beautiful and memorable wedding invitations.
Wedding Invitation FAQs
When should I order wedding invitations?
Timing is key when it comes to ordering your wedding invitations. It is recommended to start the process four to six months before your wedding date. This allows ample time for design, printing, addressing, and mailing. Ordering early also ensures that you have enough time to make any necessary changes or corrections.
What is the standard wedding invitation size?
The standard size for wedding invitations is typically 5x7 inches. This size provides enough space for all the essential details while still maintaining an elegant and compact design. However, you can choose different sizes based on your personal preference and the style of your wedding.
How much do wedding invitations cost?
The cost of wedding invitations can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as the design complexity, printing method, paper quality, and the number of invitations needed. On average, couples spend around $400 to $800 on their wedding invitations. It's essential to allocate a portion of your wedding budget specifically for invitations to ensure you get the desired quality and style within your price range.
What should wedding invitation wording look like?
Wedding invitation wording sets the tone for your event and provides crucial information to your guests. The traditional format includes the hosts' names, a request line, the names of the couple, the date and time, the venue, and RSVP details. However, modern weddings allow for more creativity and personalization in wording choices. Remember to include essential details while reflecting your personality and the style of your wedding.
Wedding Invitation Tips
How to Choose Wedding Invitations
Choosing the perfect wedding invitations can be overwhelming with so many options available. Start by considering your wedding theme, color scheme, and overall aesthetic. Explore various designs, materials, and printing techniques to find the ones that resonate with you. It's also essential to choose invitations that match your budget and timeline.
Know Your Colors
Colors play a significant role in wedding invitations as they set the mood and reflect your wedding palette. Select colors that complement each other and align with your overall wedding theme. Consider using shades that evoke the desired emotions, whether it's soft pastels for a romantic vibe or bold hues for a vibrant celebration.
Make Sure Your Invitations Are Legible
While creativity is encouraged, it's crucial to ensure that your wedding invitations are easily readable. Choose fonts that are elegant, clear, and appropriate for the tone of your wedding. Avoid using intricate scripts or overly decorative fonts that may make the text difficult to decipher. Test readability by printing a sample invitation and checking if all the details are legible.
Don't Crowd the Card
When designing your wedding invitations, remember that less is often more. Avoid overcrowding the card with excessive text or too many decorative elements. Keep the design clean, balanced, and visually appealing. Focus on essential information and leave enough white space to enhance readability and create a sophisticated look.
Get Your Dates Straight
Double-checking dates and times is crucial to avoid any confusion. Make sure all the dates mentioned in your wedding invitations are accurate, including the wedding day, ceremony start time, and reception start time. It's a good idea to consult with your wedding planner or coordinator to ensure consistency with the overall wedding schedule.
Have a Pro Address Your Envelopes
Addressing envelopes can be a time-consuming task. Hiring a professional calligrapher or using printing services for addressing envelopes can add an elegant touch to your invitations. Professionals can ensure consistent and beautiful handwriting, making your invitations look polished and sophisticated.
Count Your Households
When ordering your wedding invitations, it's crucial to consider the number of households rather than the number of guests. Keep in mind that not every guest will receive an individual invitation, as many invitations are sent per household. Counting households will help you accurately estimate the quantity of invitations needed.
Order Extra Invitations
To account for any last-minute additions, errors, or keepsakes, it's advisable to order extra wedding invitations. Ordering 10-15% more invitations than the estimated guest count will ensure you have enough for unforeseen circumstances and provide spare invitations for your own memories.
Don't Forget the Rest of Your Suite
While the wedding invitation is the main focus, don't forget about the rest of your invitation suite. Additional cards, such as RSVP cards, reception cards, accommodation cards, and details about pre-wedding events, can provide your guests with comprehensive information. Make sure all the pieces of your invitation suite are cohesive in design and style.
Remember Your Thank-Yous
Expressing gratitude to your guests is an essential part of the wedding process. Order your thank-you cards alongside your wedding invitations, ensuring they match the overall theme and design. This proactive approach will save you time and ensure you have thank-you cards ready to send after the wedding.
Put a Stamp on It
Before mailing your wedding invitations, take a completed invitation to the post office to determine the exact postage required. Irregular shapes, weight, and added inserts may affect the postage cost. Ensure each invitation has the correct postage to avoid any delivery issues or additional charges.
Do a Weigh-In
Before finalizing your wedding invitation design and selecting paper stock, take a sample invitation to the post office to weigh it. This will help you estimate the postage cost accurately and prevent any surprises. Choosing the appropriate weight of paper can also affect mailing costs, so consider this aspect during the selection process.
In conclusion, wedding invitations are an essential part of your wedding planning process. By following these top wedding invitation tips, you'll be well-prepared to create beautiful, personalized, and memorable invitations that will set the tone for your special day. From addressing envelopes to choosing the right colors and fonts, each element contributes to the overall elegance and success of your wedding invitations. Remember to plan ahead, pay attention to details, and infuse your personal style to make your wedding invitations truly unique.