Colorful Wedding Invitation Cards

You will have to think about the styles and designs when you are searching for your wedding invitation cards. In fact, you should also think about the colors of them. You will need to think about the color of the paper. You will also need to think about colors of the wordings and graphics that will be printed on them.

Traditionally, Wedding Invitation Cards are not really colorful. However, with the advance in printing technology, it is totally possible for you to do so. The only question is that whether you should add a lot of colors to your invitations.

If you are going to order very colorful wedding invitation cards, you will usually need to go for the idea of offset printing. You can print different graphics on them. You may even consider printing your photos on the card. Of course you may also consider put a photo of a beach on the card if you are going to have a beach wedding.

As discussed, you will also need to think about the paper and materials. In most cases, you will need to use paper which is white in color for your wedding invitation cards with a lot of colors. This is because it will be very difficult for you to print on some darker paper. Of course you may still consider using methods such as silk screen printing if you would like to print on a black color piece of paper.

You may wonder if you can make a traditional card colorful. The answer is certainly a YES. However, you may not really need to print some graphics or photos on these kinds of wedding invitation cards. Instead, you can consider using some elements such as ribbons. You can for example put a red ribbon on your invitations!

Alternative to Silk Wedding Invitation Boxes

The trendy and sophisticated bride of today knows, padded silk envelopes are the most exclusive and outstanding way to present wedding invitations at low cost. Silk invitation boxes are great, don't get me wrong, but some bride has a limited budget considering all the other little things she needs to spend money for.

The wide variety of silk colors and materials enables to match the silk envelope to any color scheme. There is for example faux silk, an artificial but still elegant silk fiber, followed by pure Thai silk a natural silk fiber or dupioni silk, also a natural fiber with a more rough structure. And for all those who still want to beat the price, shiny polyester satin is the cheapest option to use.

The silk envelope can be ordered generally in any size. Just check the size of your invitation card and order the invitation envelope slightly bigger. Silk envelopes are usually closed with an elegant button or if required with a decorative tassel.
Each envelope comes padded to protect the wedding invitation cards from pressure and damages.

Personalize it! If you feel you wish to add a unique touch, try the initials embroidery service. Initials can be added small or big and on any side or position of the envelope.

Last but not least consider the delivery cost when sending your wedding invitation cards in a light weight padded silk envelope. Very low. We advise to slide each ready made invitation envelope in a slightly bigger paper envelope. This allows easy labeling of the addresses and protection of the silk surface.

Have fun choosing colors and designs!

Wedding Invitation Cards

Elegant Matte Wedding invitation cards los Angeles CA. Invitation cards made in matte photographic paper are more popular and convenient than traditional old style cotton stock paper. Matte photographic paper is an elegant and suitable surface for printing just about any type of special occasion cards including: wedding announcements, birthdays, Baptisms, parties, baby showers cards and more. Matte photographic paper is a great media for creating Wedding announcement cards, they are lighter in weight, elegant, and very affordable to any body with a low budget and can be created for all types of special occasions.

Modern wedding invitation cards made in matte paper produces a better choice for costumers who are looking for flexibility and affordability. A few wedding photography services in Los Angeles, offer wedding invitation cards design as a part of their service due to the lock of a good designer working inside of their premises. There is a good place in Los Angeles area were you can order your wedding announcement cards in their website at very affordable prizes and can have them ready in a very short period of time. People who look for design services in Los Angeles, CA find themselves paying a lot of money due to the heavy paper they use and the printing process through which they go under not forgetting the cost for mailing these heavy cards to all of your expected guests in your wedding day. Matte paper in comparison with the heavy stock cotton paper used to produce classic or old style wedding invitation cards will produce a better color and printing quality specially when printing an image and will cost less money when ordering them from your designer of your choice due to the low cost for printing them and will not weight as much as the old style cotton stock paper when mailing them to your guests.

In conclusion, elegant matte wedding invitation cards can be costume made to your needs and are more affordable than traditional old style cotton stock paper. They are made in modern photographic paper that renders a better surface for printing and images if any printed on matte photographic paper will look more natural and realistic than traditional old style cotton stock paper due to its glossy surface.

Arrange Your Wedding Invitation Cards

Every wedding card is the door to the wedding itself. What does this mean? This simply means that the wedding invitation is what will be used by most guests to make a first and lasting impression about the whole wedding event. Remember that it is common for most guests to exhibit these cards in their homes. The events of the wedding will be fresh in their minds and this may be done to simply remind them of the wedding activities. Remember that there are so many options that you can decide on to make these cards look striking. Your weeding cards can be proficiently done by an expert. But this does not leave you with the choice of personally doing what can be done. Remember that when things are given some form of creativity, it is then that the beauty in them is discovered. What you should also know is that personally doing your invitation can be a lot of excitement.

When you are through with the production, the next worry should be on how to arrange these invitations cards for eventual distribution. Every wedding invitation will normally be in the form of a fold-up paper and one of two envelops to wrap up the invitation. In some cases, the invitation pack may contain more then the above. Some people normally add reply or receptions cards in the invitation or a direction to show the location of the wedding. Today, most invitation cards will be beautified by ribbons which are also meant to hold them up.

How can the invitations cards be carefully arranged? Here are ten guidelines to make the process seem simpler:

1. Ensure that your hands are free from dirt and especially oil. Keep in mind that the nature of invitations cards makes them feasible to hold up dirt. In short, avoid touching anything that may leave marks of touches on the invitation.

2. Endeavour that your working environment or surface is very tidy. And also make sure that you have enough room to work. Remember that a closed and tighter environment may lead you to imperfections.

3. Put yourself into some order. There are so many accessories that you will need. It is good to make sure that they are in tact ahead of starting work.

4. It is always good to work as a team. But do not let someone spoil the fine ideas that you may have. You should consider inviting your future spouse to help you out. You should also know that the nature of such a work does not warrant too many people at a time.

5. Arrange your papers into groups of say, ten. Remember that breaking up your work into smaller parts means you can easily handle and complete every task. This is also to help you achieve perfection and equally to avoid wastage of resources.

6. Make sure everything is placed as it should be. Remember that any extra leaflet should go inside the card. The reception card is followed by the reply card. Any other item can be included in the envelope. All these items must be enclosed in the envelope so that they should be kept in tact. Write on the back of the envelope. Place all smaller envelopes into the large ones and the front of the smaller envelopes should face the back of the larger ones. The recipient must be able to see his or her name as soon as the envelope is opened.

7. You should not put on any makeup on your lips if you intend to lick the envelope ahead of closing it.

8. Any attractive seal should be used for the inner envelope. Remember that you want these to arrive at your recipients' undamaged.

9. If you are using ribbons, remember not to fasten them so strong. They should be easily untied.

10. Make sure you have some additional cards. Remember that some might get bad in the process of arranging them and will need replacement.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Your Wedding Invitation Cards

Weddings are one of the most wonderful events for families to share together. However, they can also be very stressful for the couple working to put the finishing touches on the entire event. You may not realize it but the wedding invitation cards themselves can be some of the most challenging parts of the planning process. From knowing who to invite to dealing with pesky problems, understanding proper wedding invitation etiquette is definitely not an easy part of the arrangement. Below is some advice to help you start moving in the right direction.

The Guest List and Etiquette Wedding Invitations

One of the biggest decisions that involve invitations is putting together your guest list. Most couples have lots of people they want to invite but their budget and location probably put a limit on the reality of the list's size. If you're worried about being fair, let each person involved in planning or paying for the wedding create their own list. Definitely invite everyone who appears on multiple lists but you'll have to compromise on the other names. Who gets on the wedding invite list? Well, this might be one of the biggest choices you have to make before the wedding.

Now even if you have to leave a few people off the list make sure that you add them to your wedding announcement list. Another factor you should always remember as well is that no one who is invited to the wedding should be kept out of the reception. You may want to invite people to the reception who are not invited to the ceremony, however. This might be a good idea for children or if you have a small ceremony location.

Mailing Your Wedding Invitation

Second, you need to know when to get those cards in the mailbox. Six weeks before the wedding date is the latest you want to drop them in the mail. Now if you're concerned that some or all of your guests are going to need additional notice - they may live out of town or you may be having a destination wedding - then use save the date cards. These can be sent out several months in advance and don't necessarily need to include all of the location details. They should include the date of the event, however. Be sure to also include a date by which guests should respond to the wedding invitations. If you don't hear from someone by that date, wedding invitation etiquette does allow you to give them a friendly call to check their status.

Problems with Invitations

Finally, you may find some problems need to be addressed carefully and according to basic Wedding Invitations Etiquette. For example, what if you don't want your cousins to bring all of their children to the wedding? How do you handle that situation? The best way is add an "Adults Only" comment to all of the invitations. Of course, this means no children will be invited and none should be included in the wedding party either. This is the only way to be fair to all of your guests.

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Indian Wedding Invitation Cards

An Indian marriage is essentially different from a typical American wedding and Indian wedding invitation cards come in many designs declaring the process of the wedding to guests. Details of wedding programs are mentioned in the marriage cards along with their timings.

Most of the marriage cards carry the picture of the "Lord Ganesha" or "Lord Ganapathi." Both the bride and groom send out wedding invitation cards to their respective guests separately, and wedding programs are arranged jointly or separately for the guests.

The wedding invitation wording on the invitation cards usually starts with the invocation of the Gods that are worshiped by the Hindu religion, if it's a Hindu marriage. Wedding invitation cards may be printed in any of the many Indian languages or English, or both. Even if it is printed in English, the ancient Vedic Sanskrit mantras are still printed on the cards. Sanskrit mantras in English make for interesting text to read.

The riot of colors, loud music, and the boisterous dances are what captivate you at an Indian marriage. No Indian marriage is complete without hearty dancing. People accept Indian wedding invitation cards readily for these reasons. Of course, there is sumptuous food and tons of gossip awaiting the guests.

"Tie the knot" programs are loaded with fun activities. The fun activities are not additions but are inherent features of Indian weddings that infuse a lot of playfulness between the bride and the groom and between their families.

Heavy bridal decoration forms an essential part of wedding decorations in India. The most beautiful part of the marriage is the bride that is usually decked up with precious jewelry from head to toe. The home of the bride and of the groom are decorated as part of the decorations of this special day.

Instead of candles, oil lamps made of brass are used for decorations of this special day. A special dais is built for the solemnization of the marriage and both the bride and groom repeat mantras chanted by a priest. Starting from the Indian wedding invitation cards to the honeymoon trip of the couple, every event in an Indian marriage is celebrated joyously with a riot of colors and an abundance of bonhomie.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette an Important Thing to Consider

Wedding is not only about two individuals getting into the bond of holy matrimony but it is also about families getting into a relationship. At the actual event when the wedding is supposed to happen you need to make sure that everyone who comes is in a very happy frame of mind and wishes you well for the years ahead.

It is very easy to make a mistake when you are in such a rush to accomplish everything for the actual wedding day. An important part of that whole thing is the wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are important as that in itself translated in to what kind of planning you need to do.

It is after a numbers game and if you do no well in advance how many people are going to turn up then your planning can go for a toss. Therefore the wedding invitation etiquette demands that you send the wedding announcements well in advance and also send a save a date card.

An RSVP is a must so that you know that how many people are actually going to join in and also in turn you know then for how many people the seating and dining arrangement has to be done. If you have guests coming form far then you need to make stay arrangements for the same.

When you send wedding invitations make sure that you invite or name each one whom you wish to invite. For example if you have someone who is single but has a girlfriend then make sure that you invite the girlfriend specifically. A lot of people take this invite thing very seriously and you do not want to offend people simply by not following the proper etiquette.

Then there are minor things like sending the maps to the wedding venue or instructions for those people that are arriving by flights. All these things take small amount of time but are very much needed if you do not want top offend people sensibilities. Most of the tips are very common sense but in the whole gamut of activities these may get sidelined so you do need to pay close attention to these when you are planning things for the wedding event.

Relationships are very fragile by nature and following the etiquette is very important to maintain the relationships especially at the time of the marriage. So go ahead and send out the invites with close attention to details.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Your wedding, and perhaps your worries, start with invitation. Inviting guests is pleasant and painful task. Here are some tips on Wedding Invitation Etiquettes for young couples who are on the verge of taking a plunge.

First and foremost send your invitation cards to your distant relatives - not emotionally but physically. Yes, those who reside far from the wedding crowd, i.e. your place of wedding. Your out-of-town guests should receive your wedding invitation cards 30 to 45 days in advance, while in-town guests should receive it three weeks before the D-day.

Many couples are more than enthusiastic while writing wedding invitation cards, but when it comes to give titles to the names, their pen stops working. They suddenly realize that they are unsure with titles. Dear couples, kindly go through the below written list:

A married couple: Mr. and Mrs Apurva Shah

A married couple in which the woman has kept her name: Ms Heeral Gandhi and Mr Apurva Shah.

When husband is an army official: Colonel and Mrs R K Khanna

If wife is doctor and her husband is not: Wife with the professional title is listed first. Out side the envelop: Dr. Gunjan Bhatt (top line), Mr Pranav Bhatt. Or Dr. Gunjan Bhatt and Mr Pranav Bhatt. Inside the envelope, you can write: Dr Bhatt and Mr Bhatt, or Dr. and Mr Bhatt.

Couples, do your homework well in advance to write the initials and designations right. Remember, people love to be invited with their professional titles. A doctor likes to be known as doctor and same with others also.

Many couples do not want to accept gifts, but they don't know how to convey their idea to their guests. But friends, telling them personally can be very awkward. The best solution is to mention it in your wedding invitation cards. I will give you two options:

1. Your presence will be our gift. We kindly request no other.
2. If you can donate to the nearby charity, we will be delighted and honoured.

Another common trouble couples face is that their friends live with their parents. And they have good affinity with their parents also. At this, you should remember that elders love to be treated specially and you need to make all efforts to give them the invitation card personally. If this sounds impractical or unnecessary to give separate cards to your friends and their parents, the solution is to address the invitation to the head of the family and his members. If your friend's father's name is Mr D K Arora, you can address it as Mr D K Arora and family.

Last but not the least, if you want to make your invitation cards full of warmth and feelings, then don't ever paste labels on the envelope. Labels cannot create that personal touch, you know. So what if you have to invite many guests to the wedding; get the envelope hand-written or if your bank account allows, call a calligrapher to do it properly.

You Ever Considered a Photo Wedding Invitation

Every couple will try their best to search for the best and most unique wedding items. This is also true for your wedding invitation. There are plenty of different choices of wedding invitations out there. You can also find a lot of ideas and concepts on the web. Of all these ideas and choices, putting your photos into the wedding invitation can be one of the choices.

How to select the photos?

You cannot have your photo wedding invitation done without the photos. As a result the most difficult part is to find good photos for your invitation. Basically you have two options for the photos. You can either select existing photos and put them into the wedding invitation or you can take new photos if you can afford the time to do so.

You may think that it will be totally fine to choose existing photos for your photo wedding invitation. The key for this choice is the communication between you and your husband-to-be. You have to bear in mind that it is the wedding of both of you. You should never select the photos without discussing with your partner.

You may try to take new photos if you think selecting existing photos is not your choice. In fact it should be worth the money and time to do so since wedding is a once-in-a-life event. Because the photos will set the tone of both your wedding and wedding invitation card, you should plan your photos with the greatest care. If you are going to hold a beach wedding, it will be perfect if you can take a photo on a beach with your swimsuits on. On the contrary, if you are going to hold a more formal and traditional wedding, you may opt to take a formal portrait in a photo studio.

Indeed selecting existing photos and taking new ones are equally good choices. What you have to bear in mind is that the best photos do not necessarily mean the most beautiful photos. The best photos should be the most appropriate ones. They should be able to let your guests know about the tone of your wedding.

How many photos should be put in the invitation?

You may be a bit hesitate when you think of the number of photos you should put into the wedding invitation. In fact you can virtually put as many photos into the wedding invitation card as you want. However, you need to keep in mind that you need to put the information of your wedding on the card besides the photos. You should get a balance between the space occupied by the photos and the space for putting the information.

How to design the invitation?

The photos are only the ingredients of the wedding invitation. You will need to compose and design the invitation once you select the photos. You can hire a wedding invitation designer to design the invitation for you. You should well advise your designer the tone and theme of your wedding so that he or she can design it to meet your requirements.

Cut Your Budget On Wedding Invitation

Designing and making wedding invitation can be something as expensive as your wedding photography and gown. It can be even more expensive if you want to make the wedding cards extremely unique and elegant. However, if you would like to save money on this item, there are still some ways to do it.

Estimate the number of guests accurately

You will certainly have to make the guest list. However, from my experience, most couple will only have a rough idea of the number of guests when they order the invitations. They have not finished the guest list yet. In this case the only way is to order a larger quantity since it will be nearly impossible (unless you pay a lot) to make extra cards if you find that ten cards are missing. Yet it is in fact costing you more since you may not need so many cards.

As a result, you can save some money if you can have an accurate estimation of your number of guests since you do not need to order the extra in order to play save. This does not only help you to save money but also help to protect our Earth since it creates less waste.

Eliminate unimportant items

Traditionally, you will at least need to make the save the date card, wedding invitation, RSVP and thank you card in order to get a whole set of wedding stationery. Making more items means a larger budget. If your goal is to save money, you can order the most essential items only.

You can order the invitation cards only. You can ask your guests to save the date by phone. Your guests will also probably give you a phone call to tell you if they will attend your wedding or not.

Print the card yourself

I always emphasize that the best way of saving money is DIY. You can certainly save some money if you print the card yourself. If you think the job will be too much for you and your partner, you may ask your close relatives and friends to help you. They will be more than happy to help since it is your wedding.

You can shop for the cheapest yet acceptable materials for your wedding cards. You can check from your local bookstores for the materials. However, you should always test if your printer at home can print on the materials first otherwise you will just waste your money on the materials.

Create a wedding website

It is a trend for couples to create wedding websites. By using a wedding website, you can put the details of your wedding into it otherwise you will need to print the information on cards which will most probably be more expensive.

You can also consider sending your invitation to your guests via email and advise them to refer to the wedding website. For the thank you notes, you can either put them into your website or send them via email again. In this case you should be able to save even more.

How Do You Choose Your Wedding Invitation

Compared to the price of wedding photos and gown, the cost for wedding invitation is a lot lower and some couples may overlook the production of it due to this reason. In fact, wedding invitation should be as important as your photos and gown. You cannot invite your guests to your wedding without a wedding invitation. How to choose the wedding invitation should be one of the essential issues a couple should take care of.

You need to choose a vendor before you really choose the wedding item. It is also true when you choose your invitation. You should firstly choose the wedding invitation provider. Reputation is always the most important point to consider. An irresponsible company will just ruin your wedding.

Besides, you should also observe if the company delivers products with good quality. You would like your wedding to be perfect and the wedding invitation should also be perfect. You should never choose a wedding card vendor which delivers cards with bad quality.

After you have decided which company you choose, you can start to think of the style you like. You may want the wedding invitation to match your wedding theme. In this case you can discuss with the designer what your wedding theme is so that they can make the design to match your theme.

Using your photos as the invitation becomes more and more popular these days. If you are planning to put your photos into the wedding invitation, you should always ask if the resolution of the photo you choose is high enough for printing. A photo with low resolution will just make the wedding invitation a mess.

Although the style of the invitation is very important, you should not miss the point that you have to put the details of your wedding into it. You need to put the address of the venue and date of your wedding. You may also need to include a small map into the wedding invitation so that your guests can find their way to the venue.

As a result you need to make sure that you will have enough space to incorporate all the information you need to put onto the wedding invitation. If it is not enough for a piece of card, you may need to make a few cards. For example, the details of your wedding are on one card and the map is on a separated card. If this is your choice, you may need to make a folder of some kind so that you can put all the cards, such as the main invitation, RSVP and map into it.

Furthermore, you should order your wedding card as soon as possible. Even the best company may make mistakes. If you do not order your invitation early, you will not have enough time to do it again if there is any mistake. It will only be a pity if you cannot have your perfect wedding cards just because you do not have enough time.

With all these in mind, you should be able to choose your dream wedding card.

Indian Wedding Invitation Cards

Indian weddings are known to be ostentatious ceremonies with color and splendor marking a very special day in the lives of the couple. The wedding preparations start with the invitation card and choosing a card is not as easy considering the variety card makers have in store.

Indian wedding invitation cards can be simple and articulate cards in the form of greeting cards with gods adorning the first page followed by the marriage date and venue details. Wedding invitations are indicative of the style and the grandeur that can be expected of the wedding. A high quality decorative invitation card is replete with rhinestones and gold print are a sign of what you are most likely to expect during the wedding. Ostentatious weddings also ensure a gift along with every invitation card for the invitee.

Dealers unwilling to lose both simple and high end marriages ensure a wide price range among invitation cards such that they are able to tap both type of buyers. Price range can vary from Rs.10/ for a simple card to Rs.100/- and above for an expensive card. The price varies according to the type of paper, quality of paper and the printed material.

The design and overall look and feel of the wedding card also changes with the type of wedding i.e.: Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jew or Sikh. Indian wedding cards are further categorized into South Indian and North Indian wedding cards to reflect the differing geographic tastes in color and design.

One also has the choice in terms of shopping for the invitation cards. There are specific areas that are marked in Indian bazaars that specialize in the sale of wedding cards or one can call the local dealer to check the options available with him. Online shopping is another easy alternative considering you can choose your invitation and also get approval instantly from others with regard to your choice despite distances.

Weddings have brought about the rise of an entire industry that works towards making the wedding a glamorous affair. From historic venues, global menus, event management to celebrity performances the Indian weddings are now even sought after by other nationals. The Indian invitation card is therefore very much in the race to attract not only Indians but other nationals as well to send Indian color, decor and splendor laden invitations to their invitees.

Ideas On Creating Your Own Wedding Invitation Cards

You've had a great idea already, in having a calligrapher hand-write the invitations. Not only is this a beautiful and elegant way to have a small quantity of invitations produced, it's relatively cost-effective. You might want to check your local area for calligraphers (the phone book, or wedding informational websites). Call them up, ask for pricing for 25 hand-written invitations, and ask to see samples. Most calligraphers are happy to send you samples of their work, so that you can feel confident when hiring them. You might also ask about papers; the calligraphers may have resources for beautiful papers, or suggest papers that they've worked with previously. Be sure to ask about the cost of a response card, if you want the calligrapher to create one of those, as well as the cost of a return address for both the response envelope and the mailing envelope, as well as the guests' address.

As far as creating something "special" on a computer, there are a couple of things I would suggest. First, head to your local craft store, book store and/or art supply store, and look for scrap booking, stamp, or invitation books. There are many of these types of books out there, and they're full of wonderful ideas and instructions for creating something unique and truly special for your wedding, even with your computer. Craft and art supply shops often have many items that may be used to embellish a simple printed invitation, such as rubber stamps and embossing powder, shaped punches, and colored paper which may be layered to create a beautiful effect.

If you're not particularly crafty and wouldn't be comfortable creating something yourself, consider approaching a designer. Many designers will create an invitation design in PDF format (an electronic file format that takes only a free program -- Acrobat Reader -- to open and print) that you may print out on your own, or at a local Kinko's-type shop. This would be less costly (in most cases -- you'll need to ask for a quote from the designer) than having the invitations professionally printed, but will still have a professional look.

Creating your own invitations can be a great way to cut down expenses. Since you are not quite sure what style of invitation you want, I would suggest doing two things: first, take an afternoon with your fiance, and spend some time at a local stationer's, just looking through the books of invitations. You will find, as you go through the books, that both of you will be able to pick out things you like about the invitations, as well as things you don't. (For example, you may find that you both like very ornate scripts, or vellum overlay, but dislike green ink for the text.)

You also may want to jump online, and join an online community where there are bulletin boards devoted to invitations exclusively. These communities foster a creative spirit, with many members providing photos of their creations, as well as instructions/templates so that others may create the same or similar pieces.

Wedding Invitation Cards

A large number of wedding ceremonies take place in the United States, each year. A large percentage of these wedding ceremonies include an extensive guest list. To notify friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers of your wedding, it is likely that you will use wedding invitations.

Planning a wedding involves making a large number of decisions. Some of these decisions are larger than others. When it comes to a wedding, all decisions are important. If you are getting married, one important decision that you may have to make is the style of wedding invitations that you want.

Wedding invitations are important for a number of different reasons. They help to notify friends and family that you are getting married. In addition to notifying guests, wedding invitations are also vital to the planning of a wedding. Knowing how many guests will attend your event is the best way to prepare seating, food, and drinks.

As previously mentioned, wedding invitations are important to the success of a wedding. Since they are important to the success of a wedding, there are many couples who spend days selecting the perfect wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are fun to select, but at the same time they are difficult. This is because there are a wide variety of different wedding styles to choose from.

Perhaps, the most used wedding invitation style is a one page invitation. One page wedding invitations are invitations where all the information is placed on one page. They are simple way to notify friends and family of your upcoming nuptials. The only problem with one page wedding invitations is their size. Because they are only one page, only the basic information can be displayed. To allow more information, such as a favorite song or poem, many couples make the decision to purchase wedding invitation card sets.

Wedding invitation card sets are similar to traditional, one paged wedding invitations. Wedding invitation card sets often include invitations and matching envelopes. The only difference between the two is the invitation style. Instead of being only one page, a wedding anniversary card has a traditional card style. This means that the initiation will fold.

Wedding anniversary card sets may not be the most popular type of invitation, but they are used quite a bit. They are popular because they allow a wedding invitation to have a personal touch. In addition to a favorite song or poem, many wedding invitation card sets also include a picture. This picture can be a generic one or it can be a picture of your and your spouse.

Each year weddings are hosted, but each wedding is likely to be different. That is often what makes a wedding unique and memorable. If a wedding can be different than so can the invitations. If you are interested in sending out custom made invitations to all your guests, you should at least consider ordering a wedding invitation card set. Why order wedding invitations that are just like the rest, especially when you can order your own unique invitations?

Wedding Invitation - How to Choose Design

A beautifully scripted wedding invitation happens to turn on your invitees and they may feel compelled to attend your wedding. However a bad invitation may affect their decision on making a presence at your wedding. So you need to be equally attentive on invitation like other aspects of your wedding. Most often a wedding invitation is considered as a reflection of a couple's life style and the kind of marriage they are planning for themselves. All in all, a wedding invitation could set or break the mood of your guests for your wedding.

A personalized and unique invitation is what all couples long for. In your quest to come up with a unique marriage invitation, you need to look at what you would love to communicate to your family and friends with your best possible expressions while inviting them on your wedding. And of course invitation must have a tinge of the theme that you have set for your wedding.

Uniqueness comes with originality, so be pure in your expression while inviting your guests. An invitation carrying emotional flavor would be appreciated a lot. This is probably the best way to make your wedding invitation stand out from other invitations.

You must accord warmth to your invitees through your invitation card and let each of the invitee feel very special by your printed expressions. Your mood and personality must be reflected in the invitation card in the best possible manner.

As we say a picture better expresses an idea than thousand words, a photograph of a couple can be made a part of your invitation. Nothing could give the message as better as photograph of couple. And it hardly needs words to compliment with. However you must pick out the photograph that is not likely to embarrass your guests with distastefully intimate posture.

Wedding invitation must carry the essence of your marriage as it is rightly termed as the prologue to the impending drama that is likely to be full of joy and fervor.

A little research on wedding invitation text would help you write your own text for the invitation. Color and designing cards could be decided by visiting greeting stores and bridal accessories stores. If it's going to be a formal wedding party, you can zoom in on cards with sober shades, however for an informal wild wedding, invitation cards could be chosen with vibrant colors.

Wedding With Sparkle and Shimmer

There is nothing more elegant than a wedding that is alive with surfaces that sparkle and shine. The reflections of crystals, rhinestones, glass, and even ice will make your wedding feel like a fantasy that has come to life. Here is how to use sparkle and shimmer to create your dream wedding.

Like all weddings, it all starts with the bride. Your wedding gown and crystal bridal jewelry are the perfect place to introduce the sparkle. A gown that is embellished with beautiful crystals will twinkle and dance as you walk down the aisle. Don't stop there: let crystal accents add style to your tiara, your veil, and even your bouquet. For the bridesmaids, choose satin dresses with rhinestone or crystal straps. Add even more sparkle to each bridesmaid's outfit with a fabulous Swarovski crystal tin cup necklace. You can have a tin cup necklace handcrafted in crystals in your wedding colors for a dazzling bridesmaid jewelry gift that will wow your attendants.

When you think of sparkle, the wedding flowers might not be the first thing that come to mind, but there are some fantastic ways that crystals and rhinestones can be used to embellish your bouquets and centerpieces. For the bridal bouquet, one lovely effect is to create a bouquet that includes the classic wedding flower stephanotis. These small white flowers are traditionally accented with pearl tipped pins through their centers (their stems are too short to use in a bouquet, so the pearl pins are used to secure the blossoms to wire stems); for a fabulous twist on an old classic, have your florist use a crystal or rhinestone pin to bejewel the center of each stephanotis flower. The bouquet wrap can also be bejeweled by pinning a vintage crystal brooch to a wide satin ribbon. It is a tasteful and elegant touch that will add a lot of style and class to your bouquet.

To make your reception flowers come alive with shimmer, the vessels are a good place to begin. One truly fantastic effect is to have ornate vases carved out of ice to hold flowers at the entrance to the reception. This would be truly amazing for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding, and is sure to make an impression on your guests. For the centerpieces, cut crystal vases will sparkle and shine, especially when surrounded by candlelight. If your venue does not have crystal chandeliers, they can be rented and suspended over each dinner table for even more drama and sparkle.

Even the table linens can benefit from some shimmer. Choose tablecloths that have beaded edges for maximum impact. Or layer a shimmery metallic organza overlayer over a solid tablecloth. The napkins can get in on the act too. Simply slip a crystal napkin ring over a simple napkin for an instant upgrade in style. And don't forget to set the table with lots of crystal glasses and crystal candle holders. Beaded table runners will add the right note to buffet and serving tables.

There is really no part of your wedding that would not be enhanced by the addition of a few sparkly accents. From the wedding cake to the invitations to the favors, shimmer and shine are the perfect thing to create a magical fantasy wedding.

Starry Night Theme Wedding

One of the most enchanting themes for an evening wedding is a starry night. The idea of a wedding held under the twinkling light of the stars and soft glow of the moon is incredibly romantic, whether the light is from the night sky or artificially created. Read on for suggestions on how to put together a starry night wedding that your guests will never forget.

Certainly, if you can host your wedding outdoors under the stars, that would be ideal. The perfect spot will need to be away from the bright city lights that will block your view of the night sky. An open field would be a wonderful location, perhaps with some areas tented and some left wide open for the best stargazing. For many of us, no such location is readily available, which is fine, too; you can create a magical starry night atmosphere even indoors with the right lighting and details.

Let your guests get a sense of your theme with the wedding invitations or even the save-the-date cards. One beautiful idea would be to have custom invitations created which have a reproduction of Van Gogh's famous painting "Starry Night" across the bottom (with room on the top two-thirds of the paper for the wedding information). A simpler idea would be to select a classic white invitation bordered with either an inky blue or a gold edge. Line the envelopes with a paper that features a print of gold stars on a rich blue background for an elegant and subtle hint of what is to come.

Whether your wedding will take place under the night sky or in an indoor setting, hundreds of twinkling white lights are a must. A very pretty effect can be created by draping large swathes of tulle across the top of a tent and filling the fabric with tiny white lights. They will dance and twinkle just like the stars in the sky, which makes a wonderfully romantic setting for a wedding reception.

Your star motif can be included in small details throughout the wedding. A beautiful idea for the reception centerpieces would be to display the flowers in frosted glass vases with a star pattern. This is actually something that can be done as a DIY project, if you are so inclined. You take clear glass vases and arrange star shaped stickers in a variety of sizes all over the vase. Then paint the vases with a glass etching solution (available at craft shops) and when you wash it off, the glass will be frosted, except for the areas that had the stickers, which will remain clear. Flowers in shades of deep purple would be perfect for the starry night centerpieces.

Something else that would be a nice table decoration is floating candles shaped like stars and crescent moons in white and yellow. They will add a festive touch to your reception tables. A set of star and moon theme candles could also make a great wedding favor. Tie them up in a pretty organza bag with a little note of thanks to your guests for sharing in your special day.

Finally, don't forget about the bride and her wedding party. A starry night theme wedding definitely calls for star theme jewelry. Swarovski creates dazzling crystal stars and moons that can be handcrafted into unique bridal jewelry. A set of crystal bridal jewelry with sparkling stars and moons would be the perfect finishing touch. A starry night wedding is so special that you will enjoy being reminded of your magical evening every time that you wear the Swarovski star jewelry.

Budget Wedding Planner Tips

1. Suggest Particular Vendors. A wedding coordinator should be effective and professional in what she does, so she would most likely have names of different vendors to suggest depending on the price ranges.All you need to do is advise her of your budget and ask her the service that you can use for the wedding from your wedding invitations to the cake decorations.

2. Keep a budget sheet. If you are on a budget, make sure that you know the amount of money that you will be spending and where.Your wedding planner can make this herself or she can assist you on how to do it yourself.

3. Schedule your Wedding. When one prepares for a wedding, this means a lot of tasks.Your planner can help you keep record of the things that have been done and what needs to be done.This will make sure that the process for the preparation is as efficient as possible.

4. Emergency Fixers. During weddings, a lot of emergency situations happen.A budget wedding planner would know what to do should your ring-bearer march to the wrong way or if your flowers die on your wedding day.

5. Customize things the way you want it. A planner can help prepare and get the exact ceremony that you want even if it's informal, formal, small or big.Your planner can help you select your color scheme, attire, theme, music and others.

These are just some of the stuff that your budget wedding planner can do to help you. So if you think she may be a big help - she really is.

Small Wedding Planning

The biggest factor that you need consider is the guest list - this is where you can determine whether you can have a big wedding or not. Start with your immediate family and then the close friends. A small wedding means having guests under a hundred people which makes 50 for the bride and 50 for the groom.

Having a venue that has ready decorations can make the wedding not as big as you want it to be. It's just like having a wedding at a garden means not having to buy any more flowers. Same goes for choosing a reception area with the interior that coincides with your theme. Both these options can make everything easier for you.

The option to do your own invitations is doable when planning for a small wedding. You can simply write a note on a special paper as your invitation if you have a very small guest list. Another thing that you can personalize and do in the comfort of your home is your wedding favors instead of buying them. These things are easy to do when having a small wedding and it would be great to take advantage of such plans.

Another good thing about planning a not-to big wedding is that it is less stressful and less expensive too as compared to having a huge and profligate wedding. You just have to make sure that you keep your wedding small and stick to your budget or you might be paying for more than you have planned if you are not attentive.

Pocket Wedding Invitations

Are you ready to give your wedding invitation a little something extra? Set your invite apart from the pack with the absolutely fabulous and incredibly functional pocket wedding invitations. These unique pieces of stationery are designed to carry all the information your guests will need for your special day in one fashionable piece. Available in a range of colors and designs and offered at a price point that won't ruin your budget, these invitations truly set the mood for the happiest day of your life.

Pocket Wedding Invitations are designed to include the invitation, the RSVP card, directions to the ceremony and reception, and also reception preferences in one piece of stationery. To make these invitations, a stiff piece of high grade paper is used as a matte foundation on which the traditional wedding invitation is fixed. On the back of this piece of stiff paper is a small envelope pocket that is secure enough to hold the three additional parts of the wedding invitation. The additional elements are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing order from smallest to largest from the front of the envelope pocket, with the RSVP card at the front, followed by the reception preferences card, followed by the largest piece of paper with the directions to the ceremony tucked into the back. The effect of this multifaceted and functional piece of stationery is truly striking.

The best part about pocket wedding invitations is the fact that they are customizable down to a T. You can select not only what color and font scheme you would like to use, but you can also choose the type and grade of paper for all four elements. And of course the wording of all four pieces is entirely in your control. Each of the four elements can be customized in whatever unique way that you'd like. For example, the RSVP card can be made into a postcard or come with its own small pre-stamped envelope. The ways in which you can make these unique invitations personal to you are almost endless.

Not only are these invitations incredibly chic and functional, but they are also affordable for brides regardless of the size of their wedding. Like all items bought in bulk, the more you buy the cheaper the individual unit is. These fun, fresh, and feminine pieces of stationery won't make you choose between having a super cute invitation and inviting those cousins that you really don't know to your wedding.

The truth is, while some people may notice the flowers or the way that the flower girl's dress matches the special hue used strategically in your bouquet, there are few other details of your wedding that will make an impact on your guests more than your invitations. The invitation is an announcement of a celebration. It is the first moment when you will be letting most of the world know that you have found your life partner and you are over the moon with happiness. Your invitation needs to convey your joy, your excitement, and also your expressed hope that each guest you invite will be able to share this moment with you. Through their beautiful designs, pocket wedding invitations share the depth of your emotion with your guests. However, it is the thoughtful functionality, keeping everything the guests need in one place, which shows how much their attendance will mean to you. So start your wedding off the right way with these absolute gems, and get ready for a truly magical wedding!

Red Wedding Invitations, Cakes and Flowers

There are memories which last throughout all weddings. The only things more memorable than the dresses are the invitations, cake and flowers. Each of those moments is memorable for a reason.

Invitations are the first look at a wedding's theme and color scheme. A guest has weeks to see the invitations. They sit on their fridge as a reminder of the special day. A red invitation stands out with a bright and bold statement. The color in itself is something that will imprint on the memories of the guests, but the time and care spent making it unique will also make it a keepsake.

Red wedding flowers are a beautiful way of brightening up the reception hall and the ceremony. The vibrancy of red makes it a truly memorable centerpiece. The color isn't the only thing to keep in mind when choosing your flowers. Scent is just as important as color. Red roses have a lovely scent that, when paired with other flowers, can leave a definite impression on the guests. Other beautiful flowers are Dahlia, a very exotic and sophisticated flower, and mums, flowers which are both fun and elegant at the same time.

The moment with the cake is one of the most special times during the wedding. It's a gathering of all the guests around the bride and groom to mark the celebration of their love. A red wedding cake is a centerpiece to be reckoned with on the desert table. Tiers of red cakes or cupcakes look amazing and taste fantastic.

A great way to tie all the beautiful cakes, invitations and flowers is by using the same shades of red and secondary colors and by using the flowers as a theme throughout the decorations, invitations and cakes. If you choose roses, for example, don't only use them in the centerpieces, use them throughout the entire wedding. Pressed, dried, drawn or painted roses are a lovely way to decorate the invitations. The rose theme can also be used as a watermark on the card paper.

The same roses can be used on the cake decorations. They can be in sugar form or butter cream roses placed around the cake. Additionally, for a red fondant cake, there can be scroll work done in white, black or gold, depending on the secondary color.

Remember roses aren't the only flowers that look great in red. There are hundreds of flowers and all of them can be incorporated into the theme. Roses are just much easier to make into sugar decorations on the cake than other flowers.

Your Own Personal Mary Poppins

The bridesmaids' dresses and your dress...you got it. Picking out the wedding invitations...no problem. Booking the honeymoon...done. Everything else...what else? If this is the way your wedding planning is going, then you might consider hiring a wedding planner. The wedding planner is the super hero to the wedding world. They have the eye for detail that you may be lacking, and they love to picking out the linens, floral arrangements, and center pieces that you may find extremely boring. They can assist you in finding the perfect cake, and even help your mother pick out an appropriate dress. If you are having trouble getting organized or just don't know where to start, the best thing you can do to make your wedding the most beautiful and memorable day of your entire life, is to hire a wedding planner. Here are some tips for selecting the person that will work for you:

1.) Word of mouth is a great way to pick a wedding planner. Talk to your married friends and see whom they used and if they would recommend using the same person.

2.) The phone book! If all else fails, just start calling every wedding planner listed in the phone book. But be sure to have a list of what you are looking for in a wedding planner handy. That way you can check off your list as you interview them to make sure you are getting the planner that meets your specific requirements.

3.) Enlist the help of an extremely organized friend or family member. Sometimes you don't really need a professional. Just someone who knows quite a bit about weddings and wedding etiquette who can help you get organized and make major decisions.

After selecting the wedding planner, you will need to meet with them to discuss things like your budget, what things you need for them to do specifically, and what ideas you have and how they feel they can improve on them and make those ideas work for you.

Another tip you should keep in mind is that you need to let your wedding planner do what you hired them to do. A good wedding planner will keep you, and your tastes and opinions involved throughout the entire process, so don't worry...that's why you hired them in the first place. You need to just leave all the tedious and organizational details up to them, and trust their intuition. Their job is to make your day go off perfectly and without a hitch, and that is exactly what they will do.

If you are about to get married and are suddenly in a panic about all those little details, then you should really considering hiring a wedding planner to help you take care of those things. Most brides that have used wedding planners will tell you, that when their big day arrives, they are more relaxed and are able to actually enjoy themselves. Remember...it's your day and you need to do what is best for you and what will make your wedding truly the happiest day of your life.

Choosing Your Colors and Theme For Your Wedding

Choosing your wedding theme and colors should first and foremost reflect your tastes and personality. Your guests should walk into your ceremony and reception and feel that you had a hand in everything. It works best to choose your theme, before you choose your color theme. You can't really do a beach theme with that baby blue and winter white color scheme you had in mind. Your theme will also guide you as you select your wedding invitations, guest favors, and reception venue, even your bridal party's attire. So talk to friends, browse through wedding magazines, see what themes other couples have used and maybe that will give you some ideas of what you want your wedding to look like. Here are some great wedding themes to get those ideas flowing:

1.) Seasonal themed weddings are wedding that incorporate the season in which you are getting married. Are you getting married in January? How about a winter themed wedding complete with lots of white and blues. You could incorporate snowflakes, an ice sculpture, and even some white Christmas lights. Is your date in May? Maybe you could center your wedding around a very spring-like them. Bright, colorful flowers could be the central focus you use for decorations. You could use them in your centerpieces, and even have your bridesmaids wear daisies in their hair.

2.) Historical themed weddings are also becoming increasingly popular. They are weddings that center around a specific time period in history. Maybe you could have an Elizabethan (Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, 1500's) themed wedding complete with elaborate costumes and a jester. An American Colonial themed wedding is also a unique idea. You could hold the wedding outdoors or in an old country church, and for your reception you could have a potluck/carry-in dinner set outside with pinic tables and benches. This type of celebration would mirror the types of celebrations that had in the early years of America.

3.) Decade themed weddings are also a great idea. You could center your wedding around the roaring1920's complete with jazz music, feather boas, flapper style dresses, and "zoot" suits. If you know someone with a 1920's restored historic vehicle, you could have them drive you to your ceremony and reception. A Victorian themed garden wedding would also be a beautiful and elegant theme. You could incorporate parasols, lace, roses and vintage colors such as brown, off-white, and deep pinks. This would be a perfect theme to use if you are wanting to arrive to your ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.

4.) Getting married at an exotic location, what about carrying the beach through the entire wedding theme. You could choose a more relaxed type of gown, and have your groomsmen wear khaki shorts and white button-downs. You could incorporate exotic flowers, and fruits into your decor, maybe even turn your reception into a beach-themed bonfire, and complete the evening with roasting marshmallows for dessert!

These are all fabulous ideas for wedding themes, but you should do plenty of research and pick a theme or color scheme that fits you and your fiance personality. Remember this is your day! Don't be afraid to make it your own.

How to Plan a Cheap Wedding

There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 - $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.

You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It's probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for the day.

The Reception

This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone's home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks.

Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.

Invitations / Stationery

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home stationery. There are many online stationer's that will offer this service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.

Miscellaneous

Flowers can be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn't have to be a fruit cake - try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your favors and center-peices yourself. Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?

Summary

Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.

Organising Your Wedding Stationery

Of all the things you need to do, buy and organize in preparation for your wedding, wedding stationery is something that must be planned ahead. After all, you need to let your guests know well in advance of your forthcoming big day. Your wedding invitation and accessories set the tone for your special day firmly establishing your style and taste. It is the first official message about your wedding that a guest will receive from you, so make it special. If wedding etiquette is important to you, then make a start with your wedding stationery.

The Use of the Internet

The Internet has opened up new avenues for anyone planning a wedding. All your research can literally be done online and this also applies to finding your stationery items. There are hundreds of online stationery and wedding related websites that display all types of wedding invitations and accessories for you to choose from. Today many brides do their wedding research online as you can become quickly informed of the latest trends and new products available. You can either buy your wedding stationery directly over the Internet, or collect ideas and samples and take these to your local stationery store to implement. Most online stores actually send you a sample in the post to let you look and feel the stationery items before you purchase them.

Custom Stationery

Every bride wants her wedding to be as unique as can be. A good place to start is with custom wedding stationery. The great advantage with custom stationery is that you can enter your own wording, select the typeface, text size and color. No matter what theme you have set for your wedding, you will surely be able to customize your stationery to compliment the tone. Wedding invitations and accessories can be bought in various styles such as classic, contemporary, floral, embossed, layered and religious.

On a Budget?

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home wedding invitations. Save money and impress your guests when you personalize and print your wedding invitations at home using free online services that are available from some major online stationery stores. You pay for the paper and envelopes and then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools, you'll be able to enter your text, tweak it, preview it, and print it. No mistakes, no hassles, no wasted cards - and its cheap!

Choose a Theme

The theme of your stationery should coincide with the overall theme of your wedding. For example, if you are having a garden wedding then you may choose to have a floral print on your stationery items. There are many accessory items available to help you tie your stationery in with the theme of your wedding. For example, ribbons, hearts, rings, white doves etc.. The same applies to the color of your invitations. This is normally decided upon by the color of your bridesmaids dresses.

Stationery Items

You would be surprised at how many wedding stationery items there are. While your wedding invitation is the most prominent item of stationery, you can find complimentary stationery accessories to match your wedding invitations:-

• Wedding Invitations
• Wedding Programs
• Announcements
• Engagement Announcements & Invitations
• Save-the-Date Cards
• Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
• Bridal Shower Invitations
• Wedding Accessories (menu cards, thank you notes etc..)

Plan Head

Your wedding invitation is the first official message about your wedding and your guests need to know about their invite in plenty of time. Here is a checklist to help you plan ahead and be organised:-

• Double-check that the wording in your invitation is correct. Ask a friend or family member to also look through the invitation for you;
• Order your invitations as soon as your date, time and place have been confirmed. Three to six months before the ceremony is what most expert planners suggest;
• To calculate the number of invitations to order remember to count one invitation per single guest, couple and family;
• After calculating the number of invitations add approximately 25 invitations to your order: 10-12 more for keepsakes, plus extras for the last-minute guests. Also, depending on how large your order is, add 25 to 50 additional envelopes in case of mistakes in addressing;
• Most established wedding planners agree that you should plan to mail your invitations six weeks before the wedding. This gives the quest plenty of time to respond;
• Make sure you have one completely assembled invitation weighed at the post office to determine the correct postage.

Wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding and tell your guests what type of style and theme you have chosen for your wedding.

Wedding Invitation Motifs

Your wedding invitation is your first chance to set the tone for your event. The style that you choose will give your guests a sneak peek into what your wedding will be like, especially if you have a special theme. One of the best ways to personalize your wedding invitations is with a signature motif.

There are many types of motifs (the possibilities are infinite, actually), and a variety of ways in which to use them to add character to your wedding stationery. First think about the basics of your wedding. Will it be formal? Then choose a very small motif. Have it either engraved in gold ink or blind embossed for even more subtlety. A formal wedding calls for a traditional and symmetrical invitation, as well, so you will want to place your motif on the top border of your invitation, right in the center.

Less formal weddings can accommodate more eclectic uses of motifs. You could even choose stationery which has your design printed on it, and the invitation wording printed on a vellum overlay. For example, if you were having a destination wedding, complete with a breezy wedding gown and beach wedding jewelry, a fantastic invitation would be an image of a sandy beach or a large tropical flower. If the invitation shows the beach scene, tie the vellum layer on with a piece of raffia, or use a pretty fuchsia ribbon over the tropical flower image. Your guests will really get the beach wedding feeling, and start packing their most festive attire and jewelry in eager anticipation.

A simple way to use a pretty design for a semi-formal wedding is to print, engrave, or letterpress it onto the paper in a color. You can really have a lot of fun picking your motif. Choose one that ties in directly with your wedding theme, or select a design that reflects something personal. A good example of this would be a monogram or a family crest (either real, or invented). Or if the bride and groom are both Texans, a small image of a pair of cowboy boots would be fun on the invitations. You can also design an entirely custom motif that will start on your wedding stationery and be carried throughout the rest of the wedding.

There are some classic motifs from which a bride can choose for her wedding invitations. A garden wedding, for instance, would be the perfect reason to adorn your stationery with your favorite flower, a watering can, or a ladybug. Other insect motifs that are great for weddings are a dragonfly or a bee (along the lines of the French royal style). Nautical motifs are wonderful for seaside wedding. Choose from an anchor, a lighthouse, a ship's wheel, or shell. Preppy brides can even choose a whale or an alligator to dress up their invitations.

Seasonal motifs are always lovely. An intricate snowflake would be festive for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding. Autumn brides can embellish their invitations with a leaf design. A falling leaf print down one side of the stationery would be very nice. For a spring wedding, a cheerful watercolor print of a tiny bouquet of tulips would be the perfect touch for the top of the wedding invitations. And for summer weddings, there are all sorts of fun options, including Adirondack chairs, palm trees, and fruit.

Adorning your wedding invitations with a special motif or theme is a wonderful way to introduce your guests to the style of your wedding. It will also add personality to your stationery and help to set it apart from the basic invitations that many couples use. A custom motif is one of those small details that can add so much to a wedding.