Cheap Wedding Invitations

Every couple has different priorities when it comes to budgeting for their wedding. For some, the dress is a necessary splurge while others focus their money into creating a memorable dining and entertainment experience.

Most wedding budgets allow for anywhere between 2-5% expenditure on invitations and other printed material such as thank you cards, place/seating cards, and programs.

Discount wedding invitations are available direct from the manufacturer through the internet at 25% to 50% off the regular retail price. You can even preview your invitation with your own wording shown in the exact lettering style and ink color of your choice. You can keep the costs low by opting for standard ink colors and using thermography instead of engraving.

Cheap wedding invitations are available to smart shoppers who understand the massive competition among printers and invitation specialists and their desire to secure your business. A couple can receive 50 or more free wedding invitations regardless of whether the order is small or large. Quality is not sacrificed for price with a selection of styles and wording available by well known makers of wedding invitations.

Another way to stay within your budget is free printable wedding invitations. Downloadable templates in Microsoft Word contain sample wording and are already formatted. All you need to do is insert your details and print. Various wedding fonts are also available for download and you can even print in silver or gold with the right RGB (red/green/blue) combination.

Special promotions for free wedding invitations are available through a variety of specialty shops supplying tuxedos, floral and decoration, and even jewelers. Don’t forget to book your honeymoon early because some resorts offer free wedding invitations as part of their package. Although your tuxedo rental or wedding related purchase is specific and the card choices might be limited in style and quantity, the cards are from respected and quality wedding invitation makers.

If your main source of communication with family and friends is through email, consider Cybercard sites and resources offering a selection of free wedding invitations. It’s not elegant, but it’s free and convenient and the ultimate in cheap wedding invitations.

Wedding Invitatation RSVP Cards

When it comes to response/RSVP cards, the goal is to get a response. Whether selecting a card with a self-addressed, either by hand or computer printed labels, and pre-stamped envelope or an economic post card with your address on one side and the guest response on the other, do what works best for you.

You can personalize the response with a handwritten note or print it with standard or customized wording. A helpful hint for keeping the RSVP process on track and organized is to lightly number each card on the back and correspond it with a numbered guest list.

It is customary for the response cards to go to the host of the wedding, but the bride can request they remain sealed until the responses can be opened together.

The response card can be addressed to you as long as the address of the host appears on the back of the main envelope to indicate they formally sent the wedding invitation.

The caterer insists on a final guest count about a week before the wedding, so don’t be shy about calling those who haven’t sent in their RSVP by the set date.

Often close friends and family members assume you know they’re coming and they fail to even return the first phone call. Let a parent or your fiancé make the second call to communicate how sorry they are the guest will be unable to attend and how they hope to see them at another gathering soon. This usually brings forth a quick response from even the most dedicated procrastinator.

Creative wording for your wedding invitations is all about expressing yourself creatively and wedding invitation etiquette is a guide to expressing yourself appropriately.

The Virtual Wedding Invitation

From purchasing the garter to choosing the photographer, brides (and grooms!) are online and as the Internet’s many advantages have begun to permeate most every aspect of wedding planning, a single question has been popping up more and more: can I use the Internet for my wedding invitations? As a wedding website designer I’ve answered numerous emails from brides asking if an email announcement to visit their wedding website can not just supplement their wedding invitation but actually replace it. It’s an interesting idea, one with the potential to save a great deal of time and money. However, one big question remains. Is it acceptable? Considering the potential benefits, it’s certainly a question worth asking, and some compelling arguments can be found on both sides.

First, consider the many purposes of a wedding invitation. Most obvious is the intent that the recipient understands who is invited. Also important is the inclusion of maps and directions, RSVP information, reply cards and essential wedding details. Furthermore, the wedding invitation is an expression of the couple’s personal style and can serve as a memento for friends and family to remember the event. Considering all these essential functions, the question, then, is whether the traditional wedding invitation can be replaced by a simple email invitation to visit the couple’s site online. Certainly, a creative and informative wedding website can serve the majority of the purposes mentioned. In fact, wedding details might be more specific and useful on a website given the amount of space that can be afforded an entire page devoted to each subject. One can easily give details and links to important wedding locations, schedules, maps, etc. Also, if the bride and groom are able to create their own site or find a designer they like, they can certainly express their own unique style and theme on a wedding website. But what about the empty space in grandma’s album just waiting for her granddaughter’s wedding invitation? Here is where an online invitation falls short. One solution, however, could be to purchase or make a wedding CD with the website on it. Technologically hip grandparents can treasure this memento like they would a written invitation (even if it doesn’t go well in an album).

Still can’t decide? Consider some of the pros and cons of the “Virtual Wedding Invitation”:

Pros:
*Save money on wedding invitations (certainly the most compelling argument for many). The cost of an online invitation, including one designed by a reasonably priced professional, should be considerably less than sending written invitations for an average sized wedding when factoring in the cost of the printing, postage, and reply cards.
*Save the time of selecting and sending written invitations, especially if you were going to have a wedding website anyway.
*Make things a little easier for those guests who already do a great deal online.
*Receive RSVP responses via email.
*Include links to maps and directions.
*Have wedding details laid out for guests to avoid the bother of answering the same questions over and over.
*Include important links so guests can find the information they need on such things as local attractions, accommodations, and travel (particularly useful for destination weddings).

Cons:
*Compiling all of your guests’ current email addresses can be a daunting task.
*Not everyone is online. Unless you know for a fact that you can get your email invitation to everyone who should receive one, this is not a good option. You never want to offend family and friends when planning a wedding.
*Etiquette, etiquette, etiquette. If etiquette is particularly important to you or the people who will be receiving your invitations, this is not the right choice for you.

For those who are thinking the whole “virtual invitation” is too drastic a change I suggest a compromise. Many couples are finding that combining the modern with the traditional is the way to go until all their friends and family have caught on to the Internet. The couple’s web address can be included in the traditional invitation so their guests can have two sources for wedding information. Also, written invitations can be sent with instructions to RSVP online thus saving the couple time and money for postage and reply cards (with just a slight bend in tradition).

In the end, whether it’s traditional, modern or modern-traditional, what matters most is that the bride and groom have the wedding they desire. The best advice I can give is don’t worry too much about tradition and etiquette; rather, spend the time planning the wedding of your dreams and maybe make some traditions of your own along the way.

Wedding Invitation Tips and Advice

You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided on the design of your wedding invitation. The wording has been chosen and the guest list is well on its way to completion. Here are some additional wedding invitation tips and advice that you should also be aware of.

* If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put "and family". For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and John
or
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family

* If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.

* If you don't wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or "and family" on the outside of the envelope. It's suggested you add "Sorry, but children are not invited", "adults only" or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card...or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.

* When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put "and Guest" on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:

Mr. Ralph Jones and Guest
or
Miss Sarah Campbell and Guest

* Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won't make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.

* In some cases, you'll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of Printable Wedding Invitations. One that includes reception information and one that doesn't.

* If you don't receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.

* If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.

* Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you're doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.

* Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you'll want to have a few extras on hand.

* You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.

* If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.

Wedding Invitations Than You Might Think

Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the other terms and items that are associated with them. Below are explanations of some of the more common terms and items that you’ll probably encounter while shopping for your invitations.

Seal n Send Invitations: This type of wedding invitation is mailed to guests as a single-folded piece (without an envelope) having the respond postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal. Since the respond piece is a postcard, you will save on postage for the return mailing. Prices for this product normally include seals along with a printed return address on both the back flap when initially mailing the invitation and on the perforated respond postcard.

Announcements: For those who won’t be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card. They can be printed on the same paper as your invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place.

Reception Cards: If there isn’t enough room on your wedding invitation for listing the details of your reception or if not all guests will be invited to attend the reception, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert. Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.

Respond Cards: These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations. The respond card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your wedding invitation. Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also have a mailing address already printed on it so all your guests have to do is fill out the card and mail it back by the date you have printed on it.

Map Cards: These direction cards would be included as a convenience for any guests who might not be familiar with the location of the church and/or reception.

Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps: This option of having your return address printed on the outside envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable wedding invitations are returned to you. There is a small cost involved but it also gives an address to those who might not be able to attend but still want to send you a card or gift.

Lined Inner Envelopes: For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your wedding invitation ensemble. Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose.

Envelope Seals: These self-adhesive labels add just the right finishing touch. They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.

Informal Notes: These are used separately from your wedding invitations but should be included with your original order since they are usually printed on matching paper and this will save you on shipping costs. They are personalized with either your names or monogram on the front with the inside being blank for writing your thank you notes. Any leftovers can be used long after the wedding for other purposes. Blank mailing envelopes are included with them.

Not all of the above items are necessary to make your wedding invitations complete. Remember, this is your special day, so it’s your decision as to which ones you would like to include as part of your invitation ensemble.

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.

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.

Pretty Purple Wedding Flowers

Purple is a marvelous color for wedding flowers. It can range from the palest lavender to a bright purple to a royal eggplant shade, and a huge variety of flowers are available in purple. From centerpieces to bouquets to flower girls, these are some of the prettiest purple wedding flowers.

No conversation about wedding flowers would be complete without mention of roses. They are the most popular flower for weddings, and make wonderful additions to all of your floral arrangements for the ceremony and the reception. Roses can range in color from a cool and elegant lilac to a brighter passionate purple. The roses in the purple and lilac family also tend to be among the most fragrant. The various shades intermix very nicely for bouquets and centerpieces with a nice depth of purple color.

Tulips are another very popular wedding flower that can be found in purple. Whether your preference is the classic Dutch tulip or the baroque parrot tulip, purple tulips are fantastic for a wedding from the winter months into the summer. For the most drama, choose tulips in a dark inky purple that borders on black. They would be a sophisticated accent for an evening wedding, and pair nicely with other striking accessories, such as wedding jewelry that is handmade from dark purple crystals.

If your style is old fashioned or vintage, you will have some lovely purple wedding flowers from which to choose. One of the prettiest is the charming look of a big bouquet of ruffly sweetpeas. You couldn't find a more delightful bouquet for a spring wedding. Another wonderful flower with a vintage flair is stocks, which comes in several shades of purple. Multiple blossoms grow along one tall stem, making stocks an excellent addition to centerpieces or ceremony arrangements, much in the same way that florists use gladioli for height.

Some brides love sophisticated and glamorous wedding details, from their handmade wedding jewelry to their letterpress wedding invitations to their unique and stylish bouquets. If this sounds like you, then you will adore the look of exotic orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids come in a rich medium purple, and unique Vanda orchids are a dark purple with white accents. Either looks fantastic in a dramatic flowing bouquet, and used in the centerpieces as well. Another great option is purple mini calla lilies. They work beautifully for bouquets with a single type of flower, and the small size of mini callas also makes them a natural addition to mixed flower wedding centerpieces and bouquets.

Speaking of small, one of the most darling purple wedding flowers is muscari, which is also called grape hyacinth, due to the fact that it resembles a small bunch of purple grapes. Muscari can be used to add texture and variety to wedding arrangements that feature a range of purple flowers. It is also a lovely choice for creating flower girl wreaths and bouquets for a spring wedding.

There are still more gorgeous purple flowers! Bright anemones add cheer and color to winter weddings, while foxgloves and pansies are charming for spring weddings. Whatever the style of your wedding, and whatever the season, purple flowers can add immense style and beauty.

Wedding Menu Ideas

Choosing a menu for your wedding is one of the most fun parts of planning. Mostly because you get taste all of your options. Whether you are hosting a wedding in your backyard or at a hotel ballroom, when planning a menu, take all the different guests into consideration.

Depending on your site, you may have to send a dinner option with your RSVP card in your invitation. Typically there are three options of steak, chicken, and fish. You may want to add that a vegetarian meal can be requested for those guests who abstain from eating meat. If you and your groom are vegetarians or vegans, you may want to mention this somewhere on your invitations, wedding goers tend to be creatures of habit, and if a veggie wedding is new to them, it might be nice if they know ahead of time.

If you are able to custom design dishes, choose some of your favorites. Or maybe there are some special dishes from your heritage that could be included on the menu. Having a summertime wedding beachside? Raw bar and lobster tails would be terrific thematic fare. Often times a buffet dinner at a reception will allow you more choices than plated dinners. Chicken, fish, steak, pasta, rice, veggies and more may be included.

For dinners that will be ordered at the reception instead of being decided on ahead of time, have menus printed and placed at each guests table, that way the servers don't have to try and be heard over the music, and your guests will be guaranteed receive the meal they ordered.

If you have invited children to your wedding, have some kid friendly choices. It is rare that a child will be inclined to order the salmon almandine, but pasta with marinara sauce or some chicken fingers are sure to be a hit with the tots.

Wedding Invitation Wording for an Elegant Affair

Most little girls have a dream of what their wedding will be like when they grow up. They will wear a beautiful white gown and walk down the aisle while everyone watches and says how beautiful she looks and at the end is the man of her dreams. Some of these little girls grow up to have this fantasy become a reality. It is important for all of the guests to know in advance that the wedding is going to be elegant and formal. This is easily accomplished through the wedding invitation and the wedding invitation wording.

The bride and groom need to choose an elegant wedding invitation. These are usually simple invitations that are cream or white on a thick cardstock and have little ornamentation. These classic invitations convey an elegant event. In addition, the bride and groom may choose to include a tissue paper overlay with the invitation. This is an old and elegant tradition. The bride and groom should also include envelope since they enhance the elegance of the invitation. Once these invitations are chosen, the bride and groom need to choose their wedding invitation wording.

Just as the wedding invitations convey a formal wedding, so should the wedding invitation wording. Some brides and grooms choose to use Old English spelling and wording and choose an ornate script as well. This is all to express the formality of the wedding to the guests. This will ensure that the guests come to the wedding dressed appropriately.

Finding the perfect wedding invitation wording does not need to be a difficult process. Every retailer of wedding invitations will have many examples of the most popular wedding invitation wording. This will make it easier for the bride and groom to choose wedding invitation wording that expresses a formal event. The bride and groom may also combine different examples to fit their needs or may choose to write their own wedding invitation wording. As long as the invitation conveys all of the necessary information as well as expresses the atmosphere of the wedding, then the wedding invitation wording should not be difficult to choose.

Regardless of how formal and elegant the wedding is going to be, there is certain information that must be included on every wedding invitation. An elegant wedding invitation should include the names of the people who are hosting the wedding if it is different than the bride and groom. Elegant invitations also include the full names of the bride and groom. The wedding invitation wording should also include the day of the week, date, year, time, and location of the ceremony. All of this information should be spelled out fully and never abbreviated. If the reception is at a different location or at a later time, then this information should be included as well. The guests will need all of this information in order to attend the wedding.

The wedding invitation wording is extremely important when the wedding is going to be an elegant, formal affair. The guests will need all of this information in order to make plans and travel arrangements to attend the wedding. The wedding invitation wording should easily convey that the event will be formal so that all guests know what to expect at the wedding!

Wedding Invitation Vendor

One of the most important items for your wedding is the wedding invitation. You may want to make your wedding invitation as unique as it can be. A good wedding invitation vendor can certainly make your dream come true. Of the many wedding invitation vendors you can find in your city and on the web, you may find it hard to decide which one is the most suitable for you. You may try to consider these issues when you are selecting your wedding invitation vendor.

Price

You may need to consider the price of the wedding invitation vendor charges in the first place. This is indeed related to your budget and there is no point to hire a vendor or designer who charges so much that it becomes totally out of your budget. Of course a higher price may sometimes mean a better quality and design. You may still need to take care of your wallets.

Usually a company which provides ready made invitation templates will charge you a lower price and a company which makes tailor made designs will charge you more. A design with four color printing will be more expensive than a design with one color printing. A specially made three dimensional wedding invitation of course will cost you even more. Asking for a different options and services provided by the wedding invitation vendor will help you to make a wise decision in terms of price.

Style

The second thing you need to consider is the style of the wedding invitation the company provides. Some companies may concentrate on producing invitations with the photos of the couples and some may be better in making formal wedding cards. You may even approach a company which concentrates on making custom made wedding invitations.

You will need to take a look at the past projects of the wedding invitation provider so that you can have a better understanding of the work they did. You may even need to discuss with the designer of the wedding invitation provider to ensure that they know what your requirements are. By doing this you may know if the designer can give you a proper solution for your wedding cards.

Reputation

The reputation of the wedding card provider is also an essential factor you need to consider. Even if the company provides very beautiful wedding invitations and it really suits your taste, it will be extremely unwise to hire them if they are of bad reputation.

Remember that you will probably only have you wedding once in your life. You will not want any of the vendors to ruin your perfect wedding. To this end you should always choose a company with good reputation.

You can gather the information on the reputations of the wedding invitation vendors by asking on different forums about wedding. You may also consult friends and relatives who have got married. If you are going to ask on wedding forum, you have to bear in mind that the answers may be provided by the competitors of the company you are asking. Filtering the opinions from the web is an essential task otherwise you will just miss the point of asking and consulting.

Concepts for Wedding Invitation Design

Nowadays couples tend to search for really unique wedding invitations. There are also a number of wedding invitation designers who provide this service. Yet a couple may want to have their own idea and concept for designing the wedding invitation. A question follows this notion will be “Is there any formula to generate these ideas?” The answer is yes and no. There is no such formula in the view of design. However, there are some methodologies that we can follow to make a beautiful and unique wedding invitation. These methodologies are namely “Make it Grand”, “Ready made Concepts” and “Do it abstract”.

Make it Grand

This is the most common way to design a wedding invitation. Every detail have to be very nice looking. And it mainly connects with the elements and printing processes adopted in the wedding invitation card. Some common elements that will be used are vine patterns in Victorian style, Monograms or even the word double happiness in the context of Chinese wedding invitation. These elements are used to create a sense of nobleness. To facilitate this sense of nobleness, process such as hot stamping, embossing, engraving and die-cutting will be adopted. The material used will be paper with sparkling effect. The key of making this wedding invitation look nice will be the way of composing the patterns and the combination of different printing process described. Indeed this kind of design is material and process oriented. One may even feel that the more processes / material is involved, the better the design. Of course the cost of the card will be higher in this case. To make a wedding invitation under the concept of “Make it Grand”, a couple has to research on different monograms and patterns to fit their needs. There are plenty of books about this patterns and one good thing is that most patterns in these books are royalty free. Couples can apply these patterns directly to their wedding invitation card design. If they have knowledge in image processing software, they can even make the design themselves and have a print shop to print them out.

Ready made Concepts

The notion of Ready made Concepts does not necessarily mean it is not unique. The true meaning of “Ready made Concepts” here is “picking some ideas / items we see everyday and transform them to wedding invitations”. In Hong Kong, there has been wedding invitation design trying to imitate a passport. This is an interesting and creative concept indeed. The couple can put their photos in this “passport”. They can even put their story, such as how they met, when they became boy and girl friends in this passport. The wedding invitation is not only an invitation, but also a story book which tells the story of the couple. Another idea is an air ticket, an air ticket may not be as romantic as the passport since there may not be enough space for telling the stories. However, it is very interesting in sense that a guest gets a “ticket”, and with this ticket he/she can attend the wedding ceremony. At this point, it will not be surprising to think of a wedding invitation in the form of a sculpture, or to be more exact, a 3-dimensional piece of wedding invitation. Some wedding invitation providers provide glass bottles as wedding invitations. The only concern for this kind of wedding invitation may cost a couple a lot when they try to mail them out. There are tremendous amount of “Ready made Concepts”. Couples can just observe and make their own unique wedding invitation.

Do it Abstract

This is the most difficult concept for wedding invitation design. The concept of the wedding invitation is more abstract but there will be much more meaning in this kind of wedding invitation. A couple, say, Angela and Peter, can make two wedding invitations, one with the initial A and one with P on the covers. Angela’s friend will receive invitations with a P and Peter’s friend will receive that with an A. In the wedding banquet, the couple will be pulled together. Every item will be printing with both A and P. This design is based on the following concept. Conceptually Angela and Peter are two different units before marriage, and this is the reason for two wedding invitations. However, starting from the day of marriage, they become one unit and everything is united together as “ONE”. All the items such as table cards, Order of Services and Thank You Cards will be printed with both A and P. This kind of wedding invitation may be the most interesting among the three. However, it requires more thought in order to generate the design concept.