Wedding Planning Advice Part 1

After almost 15 years in the wedding consulting business, I learned a few things. Since wedding season is right around the corner, it seemed like a good time to share some of that knowledge . Since there are a lot of aspects involved in planning a wedding, I am going to do this in a few parts. Today I will cover invitations.
Here are my rules on selecting and ordering your invites.

1. Set a budget and stick to it. It's easy to get sucked in to the elaborate designs and add ons, but more often than not, they aren't worth it. Remember, people just read it and throw it away, so spend that extra money on something more worthwhile, like food or entertainment.
2. Limit your opinions. It is your wedding, so yours is the only opinion that matters. Just like with anything else, people will try to convince you to do this or that, and it only makes it more stressful. You wouldn't let your mother-in-law pick your dress, so don't let her pick your invitations either.
3. Keep in mind that your invitation informs people not only of the time and place, but also the level of formality. If you send them an invitation with a palm tree and a luau look, they will assume it is a casual affair and dress accordingly. If your invitation is very traditional and formal looking, they will show up in suits and dresses. So pick carefully.
4. Be smart when choosing your font. Everyone always thinks you have to select the most decorative styling when it comes to the font, but I recommend the more simple, clean texts. Always look at the complete alphabet in whatever font you are considering. Look at the letters in your names, locations, etc. Does the capital J look like an L? Is the script clear and easy to read? Remember, not everyone has 20/20 vision and older guests especially have a hard time with smaller type, and that's before you add all the curlicues and flare. Also, keep in mind ink color. Yes, pale pink will match your design, but will you be able to read it? Often there is an additional charge for color and black ink is included, so just take that into consideration.
5. Add ons. When it comes to these, I usually say stick with your budget. I do generally recommend response cards, because they are important, but no one likes to open an invitation and have enough paper to write a novel with fall out. Also, the more items you stuff in, the higher the weight, thus added postage costs. So unless they have to choose an entree, skip the menus. Buy your own thank you notes, they are cheaper at the stores and generally offer a wider selection. Maps can be printed at home or Kinkos, Office Max, etc. for much less. Again my advice of keep it simple comes into play.
6. Do your research. If you are ordering online, ask to have a sample mailed to you. Many people describe colors & materiels differently, and you don't want to have a last minute surprise on your hands. Also, be sure to ask about assembly. If your invitation has ribbon, vellum, etc. it may not come complete. This can be a lot of extra work, so make sure to find that out. Also, some stores may have additional charges for shipping, colored inks, extra lines, and more, so be sure to read the fine print and ask questions.
7. Mail them out in time. Standard notice for a wedding invitation is 2 months. If you are having it on a holiday or out of town, where they will need to find a hotel, I recommend adding a month to that, or sending save the dates. Also, some of the new invitation designs are coming with postcards attatched as response cards. These are great, but DO NOT use postcard postage. Postcards are not sent first class mail, and may take weeks or even months to arrive. Use first class postage or skip that design all together.
8. Do what feels right. No two people are the same, so no two weddings should be the same. Keep this in mind when selecting your invites. Maybe you like the traditional design, but prefer a more modern script. Or maybe you want to write your own verse. As long as you include the important information, and stick with your budget, I say go right ahead. This is your guests first peek into your wedding, so don't just settle for ordinary. Be creative, but be smart. And if you have any questions regarding invitaions or anything wedding related, please don't hesitate to ask. I am happy to share my knowledge and experience. Happy Planning!! XOXO