| |
| |
|
Marriage & Wedding Information |
|
Wedding Invitations-Today's Etiquette and Wording
The look of the wedding invitations you send will not only says a lot about you and your husband-to-be they will also convey a fair amount of information about your upcoming ceremony. So it is important to plan the type of wedding you will have before you make any decisions about your invitations. Based upon the quality of the paper stock, lettering, color and design you select, recipients are likely to make a determination about the formality or informality of the event, thus how they should dress. The color of your invitations may suggest the color scheme of your wedding. The quality of the paper may indicate how elaborate or simple you wedding will be. Choosing Invitations Stationery Stores-Most brides still go to a stationery store to select invitations. Once there, you can look at brochures and browse through manufacturers' catalogs. The catalogs include samples invitations so that you can feel the paper stock, see the true color of the paper, and compare different print options. Knowledgeable clerks will be on hand to help you pick out the desired color and weight of the paper as well as the ink, style of script, and wording for your invitations. The only thing remaining for you to do will be to provide the particulars. There are only a few large manufacturers and they dominate the wedding invitation industry. As a result, whichever stationery house you go to you are likely to see the exact same catalogs. Unlike private print shops, because these companies mass-produce their products they are able to offer you greater variety at a lower price. Online Shopping-There is virtually nothing you can't buy on the Internet, including your gown (although I would not recommend an online purchase for your wedding dress, which must be properly sized and fitted). The Internet offers a huge number of sites selling both traditional and unique invitations. If you are bargain shopping for invitations, the Internet is definitely the place to go. Keep in mind that you are always taking a chance when you choose this method. There is nothing like being able to feel the quality of the paper or the raised lettering to ensure that you will get exactly what you want. However, knowing how different weights of papers feel and about the different methods of printing can help. Private Printers-Because of the availability of mass producers and the tendency of many people to shop for bargains on the Internet, private shops are now hard to find. If you have your heart set on truly personalized invitations, look around. You are almost sure to find one somewhere. Different Printing Methods There are essentially four common methods of invitation printing, each with its own benefits. Handwritten-If you are planning a small wedding (meaning 50 people or fewer), it is perfectly acceptable to hand write your invitations. Of course, this will be hard work, but you will save a lot of money. Engraved-This is the ultimate in invitation printing. With engraving, the printer stamps the back of the paper using metal plates. This raises the print up off of the paper so that you can actually feel the lettering. For most brides, engraved invitations are much to costly. Thermography-This is the most common form of invitation printing. With this method, the ink is heated to create a raised-letter effect that is nearly indistinguishable from engraving. Calligraphy-We all recognize this as another name for fancy formal script. This method is becoming more popular every year, Many of the printing houses are now able to offer this print option as well, but it is not done by hand. Saying It with Words Today, there are so many different kinds of families-traditional, blended, divorced, etc.-that it's no wonder brides are often concerned about how to word their invitations without breaching any rules of etiquette. The stationer you will likely be visiting soon will have more samples of wording than you will want to see. For now though, I'll let you glance at a few of the more commonly used forms. These all fall under the category "traditional." (Bride's parents are hosting) (Both bride's and groom's parents are hosting) (When the bride and groom host the wedding) The old rule was that the word "honor" should always be spelled "honour." This rule is no longer firmly held. However, you should always spell everything out-names, the date, the time and the location. There are definite rules regarding the use of initials. "Doctor" (medical only, otherwise the professional title is not used) is written in full, unless the name to follow is long. "Mr." is never written "Mister," but "Jr." may also be written as "junior," although the first is preferred. It is acceptable to use numbers when writing the address of the church or synagogue, but avoid doing so. Generally, the address (including the street name) of the location where the wedding will be held is omitted. You may want to include it if not doing so would be likely to cause your guest frustration-when, for example, you are getting married in a large city and guests would have to guess which of the several churches with the same name you mean. If you do include the address and you are using a formal style of wording, spell out numbers under 100. Never abbreviate words such as "Street," "Avenue," and "Road," and do not include the zip code. Saving Time and Money If you are pressed for time, ask the stationer if you can have the envelopes early. This way, while you are waiting for your invitations to be printed you can address the envelopes. When it comes to deciding how many invitations to order, you should definitely order slightly more than you think you will need. Chances are you are going to need more than you thought. It's a lot more expensive to place a second order than it is to order extras. About the Author Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels. For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Top 10 Wedding Decoration Budget Tips When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must decide on your theme. Once you have done this, you can then make your decisions about the budget that you will have. Fifteen Fabulous Favors The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating (or choosing) wedding favors. Take a look at the list below for fifteen fabulous ideas. How to Plan Your Wedding and Honeymoon 1. Weddings typically can cost you anywhere around $15,000 or more. Bridal Shower Themes It is the maid of honor's duty to organize the bridal shower and to ensure that the party is everything the bride expected. The best way to ensure that everyone will have fun is to create a theme around the bridal shower in which everyone can participate in. The High Cost of Resentment and Anger in Marriage Many spouses carry heavy suitcases filled with a collection of anger and resentment from their marriage. Periodically, they unpack these suitcases and review every situation in which they feel they were treated unfairly. Current Trends in Wedding Photography Wedding photography is an evolving field that requires artistic talent, vision, and highly technical expertise.In the past wedding photography was almost always limited to stiff posses without much regard for the underlying story, emotion, romance, and behind the scene events of the wedding day. Wedding Dresses - Why They Are White and Other Wedding Lore Brides have always worn white, right? Not so. In ancient times brides wore bright colored wedding dresses to signify their joy. Marriage Counseling: What Do Wives Really Want in a Husband? Part Two In Part One, we looked at what wives really want in a husband and we identified two things in particular. Wives want a soulmate who they feel deeply connected to and they want emotional support and emotional intimacy. Conquer the Five Most Common Fears About Your Wedding Ceremony It's safe to say that of all the important events in your lifetime, your wedding day is certain to be right up there with those that are the most meaningful. And throughout the entire wedding day - the preparations, the ceremony, the reception, and the wedding night - the moment when you recite your wedding vows to each other is the most meaningful. Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be very scary. With some basic tips and tricks, you will be sure to make you day special. Help Your Marriage Survive The Rough Spots Every marriage has its ups and downs, its rough periods. Even in the best of circumstances, there are going to be difficult times. Honeymooning on the Waves Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the ultimate romantic date. You can't be much more together alone than when you're separated from the rest of the world by sheets and sheets of water. Riding into the Sunset in Style Details, details, details. Paying attention to details, that's what makes a good wedding great. 3 Emerging Trends In Custom Invitations There is an overwhelming demand for high quality, custom stationery that really reflects the bridal couple's style, personality, and wedding. It doesn't stop at the wedding invitation set anymore! It seems every modern bridal couple is opting to have their entire stationery ensemble done by a custom invitation house. Restore Your Marriage - 5 Ways to Feel Connected to Your Spouse Even on Opposite Schedules We've all been through times in our lives when it was so busy we would rarely have time to ourselves let alone time to contact our family and friends. With every day life moving as quickly as it is, there just seems to be no time to do everything in one day and get a decent amount of sleep so you can do it all over again the next day. Maui: A Prime Wedding Destination Most visitors to Hawaii would agree that Maui is the most beautiful of all the settled islands there. For your wedding ceremony, for that special day you'll remember for the rest of your lives, there's no better location than Maui. 5 Tips To Keep Marital Bliss Alive After You Retire! Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition for spouses. Ample free time and drastic lifestyle changes can be a burden or a blessing for your marriage. How To Keep Love Growing Through All The Ups And Downs The relationship expert on i.village. Expert Tips on Making Your Own Wedding Stationery Vital tips on making your own wedding invitations - by Claire, Invitation Express Wedding Stationery SoftwareIf you want to design and print your own wedding stationery and don't know where to start, here are a few tips that hopefully will get you on your way.You should select your design before firming up your ideas on paper and cards etc. Are American Women Driving Their Men Away? Recently, I stumbled across something on the internet. A particular website caught my eye.
|
| home | site map | contact us |
