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SAVE THE DATE CARDS

A 'Save the Date' card is usually posted to guests some 12 months before your wedding date. Is this a necessity or a waste of money? My answer is that it depends. If you are having a summer wedding then they can be extremely useful to your guests that may be planning their annual holiday. The same could apply if you are thinking of marrying some distance away or even abroad. Some of your guests may have to save for their trip! A great idea is to make them as a magnet so your guests can put them on their fridge and never forget!

However, you must decide carefully on this addition to your order and ask yourself if there is any reason why you can not just send your invitations out instead as I advised a few of my clients in the past. Sending out save the date cards seven months before your wedding is not very practical and I advise that sending the invitations out instead would be just as acceptable. This would also save you money in your budget.

WEDDING INVITATIONS

Finding a design you like can be a daunting task. The best way to do this is to first find a designer you like. Look at materials they use and the quality of their work and then arrange a consultation with them to discuss ideas you have. I find that once I sit down with a couple I have an informal chat with them. This relaxes them and helps me get an idea as to the kind of people they are and who I am. We have a look at ideas they like. It may be that they like parts of different designs and we talk about merging them. Or they may have an idea of ​​their own.

You may also have a color scheme already for your wedding this is the perfect opportunity to discuss this color for your stationery. You must remember that every design is unique and is complimented by one color and horrible in another.

This also applies to the fonts you wish to use. It is no good wanting a contemporary style and then having Curltz as your font! A real big trend at the moment is mixing your fonts. Have basic font but have your names in elegant, stylish fonts.

Also please do not try and save money by adding additional information to your invitations. An invitation is just that and should state names, times, addresses and spaces only. I am a big fan of merging uses but this is not one of the times to do so.

Also, remember some fonts need to be quite large to show their effect, likewise some fonts are better small. Your designer will advise you of this but a font will suit depending on print area size and amount of word used.

A big thing that is over looked are the envelopes. There are many colors available which would also compliment your design and add that flash of color if needed.

There are many textures of card that can be used. But again just because you like a texture does not mean it will suit our design. Again the size of shape of your card can make or break your designs effect.

To add the amount of invitations needed total your guests and dividend by 2. This will give you an approximate guide to quantities.

There is not set time limit on when to send your invitations out and I advise differently to each client. For example if your wedding is between the months of June – August then you must take into account that this is the holiday season. So you may want to send invitations out earlier then if your wedding was in February or March. I also advise my client to send their day invitations out before their evening one. This way you can have a 'reserves' list in case you wish o upgrade a guest to replace a day guest that can not attend.

RSVP's

The first thing I say to my clients is before you order these are you planning on keeping them in your keepsake box?

If the answer is yes, I dissuade them from ordering them – why would you want to keep 60 identical RSVP's?

If however you are ordering them for a convenience and a quick reply then these are a great way to encourage your guests to reply. They match your stationery theme and look great when your guest receive this little package of items. I have heard many a time the quote "It was great having everything your need in the envelope".

I get asked all the time "Should I add my return address on the envelope and a stamp?" My answer is you do not have to as it is not a requirement. Your reply address will be on your invitation. Look at your budget. If you can afford the extra then your designer can add your address to the envelopes. You must add the cost total for the stamps.

You can also use this card to let your guests notify you of any dietary requirements that they may have or special needs for the day.

GUEST INFORMATION CARDS

I will be totally honest I hated the idea of ​​these at first. But now I think they are a brilliant idea and would strongly recommend having these.

You can tell your guests the name of the venue along with all the details including phone numbers, addresses and websites. I would strongly suggest using a few hotels details for your guests to book. You should also contact one and ask for a discount on a few rooms. Then let your guests know this. Local taxi numbers are great as your guests can book them for the night.

Travel directions are good to add so guests know where they are going. You can add train and road directions.

Some clients arrange mini buses to take guest from the hotel. If this is the case you can add this information along with times etc.

Gift list information can also be added to this card. I have a gift list with a department store or you have a honeymoon account you can add your information and account numbers for money to be paid. Like wise if you just wish money to be added to a bank account you can add the information here.

Remember these cards are to tell your guests everything you think they will need to know. This saves a lot of phone calls asking. You can even add a map.

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Source by Donna Newton