Format and paper of wedding invitations

The format of my invitations

Standard: either square or rectangular, for a classic statement. Engraving or letterhead looks best. For a more formal feel, print your announcement vertically; text printed across the length of the card tends to look more modern. A script card is shaped like a long, narrow rectangular and fits into a standard No. 10 envelopes. This style doesn't mesh with lots of enclosures and embellishments, but looks wonderful with coloured paper, coloured ink and letterpress printing. 

Folder:One of the most popular styles, a fold-over, folder or bifold.

Gatefold: also known as a barn door invitation, has 2 panels that open from the middle. The doors are held closed with ribbon, band or tie. Those are perfect for destination wedding invitations and weddings with multiple stages. 

Trifold: An invitation that folds into 3 is called a trifold; one panel contains the invitation wording and the others may contain reception details, directions and etc. Some use perforated third panel as the response card. If you want to print your invitation in 2 languages this is the perfect format.

The paper of the wedding invitations

Paper is very personal choice. There is no consensus on whether the ideal paper for lettering is hefty or onion thin, so don't let anyone steer you to a certain type of paper out of snobbery if you don't find it pleasing to the eye and the touch. Paper ranges from 3 to 9 ply. It can be cottony, flimsy, crisp or substantial. Some people prefer texture others smooth. Cotton makes for creamy, soft look that's naturally acid free and doesn't yellow with age; heavy cotton lends itself perfectly to letterpress printing but wont make it through a lazer printer. Wood fiber, which can achieve similar effects, used to be reserved for lower quality papers but has been improved and used by most of the high-end companies. For a textured, luxurious finish, linen is a wonderful and underused option; it can range from durable to extremely delicate. Vellum is a thin, translucent parchment that's attached to a card stock for a layered effect. Flat printing is the way to go , as vellum can't stand letterpress or engraving. 

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Shopping for Wedding Invitations

The wedding invitations embody a central premise of the wedding itself: the public recognition of a private commitment. Choosing your wedding invitations is hard as there is so much fine stationery and so beautiful: deckle edges, letterpress printing, cotton rag, embossing. It even makes it harder as nowadays there are so many themes to choose from:beach wedding invitations,modern wedding invitation, contemporary wedding invitations,floral wedding invitations,western wedding invitations,country wedding invitations,damask wedding invitations,vintage wedding invitations, ethnic wedding invitations,seasonal wedding invitations,destination wedding invitations and more.

Until recently, the rules of the wedding stationery-what type to use, how to engrave it, when to send it, hot to sign it-were set strictly by etiquette, not by style. These days, the wedding invitations are fully initiated members of the wedding party, giving guests a preview of what's to come and helping to bind the look of the event together.

Wedding invitations give you an early opportunity to help guests feel taken care of.

Invitations and Timing

Plan to mail the wedding invitations about 8 weeks before your wedding. You will usually receive them within 2-4 weeks of ordering them and up to 8 weeks for engraved invitations. Leave time to review a proof of the wedding invitations-it slows down the process, but it's absolutely critical. You will need to allow at least a week for addressing the wedding invitations, proofreading addresses and stuffing envelopes.

Shopping for Wedding Invitations

Custom designers have become very popular of late. They listen to your ideas, show you samples, and either design modern wedding invitations for you or modify an existing one. When ordering your chic wedding invitations online, be sure to get a sample to see the design and feel the texture and weight of the paper. The key components of the invitations styles are the format, type of paper, paper colour, printing method, font and ink colour. 

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Wedding Receptions: Basic Decisions

Choosing a location for your reception is one of the biggest decisions. The size, style and ambiance of your venue will set the mood for your event, while the catering and rental fees associated with it may easily add up to more than half of your budget. With an array of fabulous reception sites available, finding one that fits your style will probably be the fun and easy part of making your decision.

Many venues offer wedding packages that include catering, staffing, linens, while some offer a huge selection of extras, including every aspect of event coordination from your cake to your music. If you are thrilled with the ambiance, amenities and vendor selection at an all-inclusive location, you may want to turn the details over to their staff. From the start, determine what the location you are interested in provides and what restrictions apply. Get per head quotes for a variety of options and take a good look at your guest list to see what each option ends up to.

To make the right decision consider your budget as well as your priorities, then schedule visits at at several sites and be ready to negotiate.

Important:

• Decide if you are having your reception indoors or outdoors, or both
• Determine whether your location is on- premises or off-premises. On premises venue like hotel ballrooms come with a caterer and other professionals, so be sure their options meet your expectations.
• Decide what beverages you want to serve. The cost for beer and wine versus an open bar can greatly affect your cost.
• Keep in mind that all inclusive packages can save you lots of time and money
• Alternative venues like rustic farms, art galleries and urban lofts are fun examples of off-premises locations. Off-premises venue require to hire professionals separately which gives you greater control over the style and quality of your event.

Choose the Right Wedding Ceremony

From a soaring cathedral to a country garden, choose a ceremony site that is just right for you. While over 75 percent of today's couple choose to get married in a church, any place that feels sacred to you can be the perfect place for ceremony.

Religious Ceremonies:

There are basically 2 types of ceremonies: civil and religious. Religious ceremonies incorporate rules of faith and require a religious officiant. If the officiant is willing to travel off site, a religious ceremony can be held at any venue that feels appropriate to you and your fiancé.

Civil Ceremonies:The traditional civil ceremony takes place in city hall but many take place at any location you love civil ceremonies require a legal official to marry you: a justice of the peace, judge, magistrate, county clerk, a captain or a mayor.

Size and Space

• Have a backup plan for wind and rain
• Keep in mind that you will need 8 square feet per guest

Special Considerations

• check with your location in advance if you want to release birds, include your pets in the ceremony or throw flower petals or birdseed
• be sure you have an easy place to park

Creating yout timeline:two months to one day before your wedding

You are almost there! As your wedding day approaches, you will be preparing for your ceremony and reception, shopping for your honeymoon, going to parties and getting gorgeous.

Finalize the details of your ceremony.  Meet with your officiant to discuss your schedule and review professional and recessional arrangements. Write and rehearse your vows, confirm musicians and set asside your programs to be delivered to ushers 2 days before your wedding day.

Visualize reception. Write your toast and practice it and be sure your best man and other speakers are prepared as well. Schedule dance lessons and take 2 a week until you are ready to glide into your first dance. Consider buying toasting glasses and a special knife to cut the cake. Make the most of your lightning; be sure it plays up your décor and showcases your reception events.

Enjoy your parties! Schedule a rehearsal dinner and other wedding related events. Have fun at your bachelor and bachelorette parties and enjoy socializing with friends.

Send out thank you notes and express your gratitute generously.

Remember to pamper yourself every day along the way. Drink lots of water, eat well, take vitamins and exercise. Enjoy visits to spa, get a series of facials and take care of your hands and feet. Get rid of tanning lines and whiten your teeth.

Creating your timeline:two to four months before your wedding

Pull together your plan and fill in the details. In the next few months you will be putting the finishing touches on your planning to ensure that you big day unfolds gracefully. If you haven't, set up a time to taste cakes. Pick out your wedding bands and shop for gifts. Give your guests a wide range of options to suit every budget. Be sure you have your paperwork in order. Research and complete the marriage license requirements for your state, renew your passport if travelling, and schedule any necessary blood tests and vaccinations. If you will be changing your name, consider waiting until you get back from you honeymoon.

As time unfolds, confirm every reservation, meet with your caterer, give your DJ your playlist. Go to final fittings for your dress and schedule manicure, pedicure, make-up and hairstyle appointments for your wedding.

Last but not least, send out your wedding invitations. Eight weeks is the perfect amount of time for nearby guests to make arrangements for your wedding. Remember to have thank you cards as your response cards and wedding gifts roll in.

Order your Cake

• wedding cakes come in array of delicious flavours and fillings and an endless array of styles, usually range from $2 to $12 a slice
• attend a tasting to try out samples

Buy Weddings Bands and Gifts

• decide if you are buying matching bands or each other choosing your own style
• buy only from reputable local dealers
• allow 8-10 weeks for special orders and engravings

Fill Out You Paperwork

• sit down together and run a complete credit report on each other's financial profiles before you merge your assets
• consider a prenup

Invite Your Guests

• addressing wedding invitations is time consuming, consider hiring your invitation designer to assist
• formal and semi-formal invitations should be hand addressed
• send your photographer your invitation
• set up a wedding website for your guests; post your wedding schedule and information, driving directions and photos

Seasonal Style Wedding

Seasonal Style

Seasonal touches inspired by nature bring a special sense of time and place to your celebration

In the spring choose bright yellow daffodils and pink tulips for your bouqet. Have fresh floral wreath made for your flower girl's hair, use a birds' snest for your ring pillow or incorporate fashio accessories for your wedding wardrobe in shades of robin's egg, soft green or petal pink.

In the heat of summer have your ceremony programs made up as pretty paper fans to keep your guest cool.

For fall choose rich oranges, reds and russets for your color palette. Go glam in winetr with a black and hwite wedding with splashes of ruby red or emerald green. Hold a candle light ceremony and decorate your reception with thosuands of twinkling lights.

Spring Style: bouquets of peonies, mini daffodils shout out spring style

Summer Style:bright bouquet of sunflowers, dahlias, red roses, stephanotis and gardenia

Fall Style: wineries, orchids and historic barns

Winter Style: Ski lodges, masnions and venues with fireplaces; crystal, gold and silver decorations; ceremony and reception at the same place; misletoe, put guests in an affectionate mood

Alternative Style Wedding?

ALTERNATIVE STYLE

Out of the box ideas and creative accents combine to produce an unforgettable event

Green Weddings, Theme Weddings, Destinations Weddings are popping up everywhere. When it comes to planning your wedding there is only one way -and that's your way.

Unique Weddings

• if you are dreaming of it, there is a way to incorpoarte it in your wedding day
• if you look fabulous in it, wear it

Theme Weddings

• find ways to express your wedding theme in everything from your apparel to your locations and your getaway vehicle
• throw on your cowaboy boots at your country style wedding

Destination Weddings

• give your guests time to plan and a tiered price range of accommodation options

Go Green

• choose favours that will live on after your wedding day
• choose an organic catering company that compost leftovers
• rent, don't buy

Casual Style Wedding?

CASUAL STYLE
Lovely laid-back details create understated elegance and an atmosphere of easy entertaining

Informal wedding relax the standards of tradition and take a more carefree approach to both etiquette and style. Casual celebrations give you permission to have fun with the rules, from the way you announce your engagement to where you hold your reception. Show off your romantic, casual style and embrace what inspires you: a special place or a favourite color theme. Play up your love for the beach by getting married with your toes in the sand and holding a bouquet of exotic flowers, followed by a sunset reception. Celebrate your love for the country by tying the knot in a barn lit with antique chandeliers and filed with the sounds of mandolin and fiddle.

Relax the rules

• creative wedding invitations
• beautiful outdoors and indoors
• create a lovely altar wherever you are, choose a floral arbour, a chuppah or a decorated fabric pavilion
• Walk down the aisle with your dad or your best male friend

Have Fun with Fashion

• wear a tea-lenght skirt or a dress with peek-a-boo tulle for a fun and feminine look
• suits in colours like dark blue, charcoal gray or mix and match jacket and pants
• linen suits and a dress shirt without a tie look sharp on hot summer days

Add Playful Accents

• leave the top of your convertible down during your outdoor reception and have guests leave their gifts inside
• choose a creative guest book like an instant-photo scrapbook or a bottle of champagne signed by all your guests
• if your reception will run late, serve your guests late night snacks

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Classic, Casual or Alternative Style Wedding

CLASSIC STYLE

Chic, classic styles honor important traditions while making an elegant statement

Do you adore the idea of kicking up your shiny heels on a dance floor full of black ties, tuxes and tails? The you probably have a classic sense of style, and a traditional, elegant wedding is what you are looking for. To show off your good taste choose timeless designs and formal fashions that make a classic style statement, the polish off your planning by weaving together each element to evoke an aura of sophistication. For a wedding full of time-honored traditions, choose your church for your ceremony, followed up by a reception at a glittering hotel ballroom or histotic mansion. Opt for Old English fonts on your wedding invitations and have silk ribbons woven tightly around your bridal bouquet. Wear your hair in a chignon or a elegant up-do. Top off your look with a tiara or full-lenght veil and make your way down the aisle in white wedding dress that will leave your guests breathless.

Foe a wedding that's all about glamour get married at your place of worship or consider having your ceremony and reception at the same location. Book a penthouse of a private club above the city lights, or choose your favourite restaurant with a view of the harbour.

Stand on Traditional

• formal wedding invitations printed on linen or cotton stationary and sent in a hand-addressed envelopes
• a religious ceremony held at your place of worship
• having your father walk you down the aisle

Dress to Impress

• a white dress worn with a fingertip-lenght or a cathedral veil
• formal tuxedo with cuff links, silk tie and shiny shoes

Pamper Your Guest

• exceptional service
• kick off your party with a first dance
• a traditional champagne toast is a must for classic events

Add Elegant Accents

• a black and white color palette with metallic or bold color accents is always in fashion
• choose calla lilies, orchids or red roses and a multi layered cake 

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Timeline: 4 to 8 months before the wedding day

That's the time when life gets busy and super fun! You are about to decide what will be wearing, how to announce your wedding day, and what you will be offering your guests, from food to music to atmosphere.
Have fun and dive into your fashion fantasies to find a dress that makes you feel like a million  bucks. Arrange to have any necessary alterations started immediately to avoid last-minute hassles. Choose your bridal party and get your girls together to brainstorm their fashions. Get busy putting together the rest of your wedding look,from your shoes to your hairstyle to your accessories.
If you haven't hired a caterer, meet with caterers now. Decide on a menu that harmonize with your style and budget. Order any additional items that you will need like tables, chairs, dishes, lightning.
Pick your wedding invitations and save the date cards online. Remember to mail the save the dates 6 months ahead to your guests who will need to make travel arrangements. Choose the wedding invitation that fits your style: chic wedding invitations, modern/contemporary wedding invitations, beach wedding invitations, damask/vintage wedding invitations, floral/botanical wedding invitations, ethnic wedding invitations, destination wedding invitations, seasonal wedding invitations, western/country wedding invitations.
Hire your florist. Flowers are important piece of your wedding decor and your fashion ensemble. Choose someone creative and passionate about helping you express your style.
Book hotel rooms for yourself and your guests.If you are having destination wedding make those arrangements as early as possible.

FASHION YOUR LOOK

• the transformation of a woman into a bride is breathtaking. Revel in your moment by creating a look that makes you feel confident, poised and gorgeous.
• buy your dress the your shoes
• most wedding boutiques require appointment so make sure to call firs

CREATE YOUR MENU

• determine the type of meal you will be serving based on the time of your reception

CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING INVITATION

• when choosing your invitation have in mind your wedding theme and colors.
• order your wedding invitations along with thank you cards, save the date cards, response cards, place cards, reception cards.

Wedding Planning:Creating your timeline

First things first:eight to twelve months before your wedding

Set your date. Ideally you will give yourself 12 months or longer to plan you wedding. Begin by choosing a date that's easy on you and your guests. Then consider hiring a consultant. Wedding consultants are available for every aspect of planning, from complete coordination to day of assistance. Plus, experienced consultants have the knowledge and expertise to help you save time and money while giving you the confidence to pull off a memorable event.
Book you reception venue. Once you've chosen an overall style or theme fro your wedding, you will want to search for a venue that really shows it off. Your venue will be the key to setting the tone for your wedding day. The cost to rent your reception site, combined with catering expenses, is bound to be your largest expenditure, so don't get overwhelmed. Schedule time for your ceremony and rehearsal, and be sure to add one to two hours to your allotted ceremony time for pictures and unforeseen delays.
Book your officiant. Find someone you like and respect and who shares your benefits. Then schedule any required counselling appointments.
Find your photographer and videographer. We know that when it's all said and done, you will look to your wedding photos for your memories and you will pass them on to future generations.

SET YOUR DATE

• choose a date in your favourite season, or one of emotional significance, like the day you first met
• before you set your date in stone, check with the people most important to you and be sure they are available to attend.
• if you start planning a little late, or if you are on a tight budget, consider having your wedding on a date other than Saturday, when locations and vendors will be more available.

HIRE A CONSULTANT

• the average wedding takes over 250 hours to plan. If your time is valuable, hiring a consultant can be a highly practical use of funds.
• savvy consultants know how to negotiate contracts and cut costs on things you and your guests will never miss.
• interview few consultants before you make your decision and consider their professionalism and experience

CHOOSE YOUR LOCATIONS

• popular venues can book up years in advance, so don't delay in making this important decision.
• book your officiant along with your ceremony site. Some sites require certain officiants, and some won't travel to perform ceremonies.  
• conduct site inspections of your locations. Take traffic flow, parking, rental needs, and lightning into consideration.
• calculate the distance between your ceremony and your reception site and have a plan for group transportation if necessary.

FIND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

• compare few for style, price and personality.
• schedule any additional time for your save the date photos and your rehearsal dinner
• create a photo album for your guy that he is guaranteed to love. Schedule a tasteful boudoir photo session and show off your playful, sexy side.