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Anyone thinking of proposing today?! Good luck!
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We’re getting down to business here on the blog today too. Letter press, digital, foil edged or DIY? This morning, my regular guest blogger Helen from Bash helps you to navigate the paper jungle as we focus on picking your wedding paper!
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Over to Helen: As a result of working with couples and helping them to overcome hurdles at various stages of the wedding planning process, I’m all too familiar with some of your most frequently asked questions and throughout this series of Wedding Planning SOS, it’s those gems specifically that I’m here to help you out with.
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In this week’s instalment, we tear open a debate about stationery in an attempt to prevent you from making any embarrassing or costly faux pas.
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Imagine you’re on the receiving end as a perfectly wrapped package drops through the letter box, addressed to you. As you carefully peel back an outer edge of the envelope, what hits you? What hits you is the first glimpse of what you can expect to experience on a very special day, a day unlike any other. What does it feel like?
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If you don’t quite get my drift then of course you can be forgiven for thinking that the correspondence you’re holding in your hand is, well, just a piece of paper. And whilst that might be true, whether you like it or not, this piece of paper sets the scene for what’s to come. Regardless of whether you make a statement with a bespoke design or cleverly create something by hand, it’s a reflection of your personalities and an opportunity to offer your guests a taste of what’s in store.
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Whether to go for a modern, cute, formal, friendly, contemporary or traditional style will undoubtedly be influenced by other factors, such as the venue and any colour palette you might have in mind. Perhaps it’s not a piece of paper at all. Maybe it’s a message recorded in some other way? Printed ribbon wrapped around a parcel containing all the information required, or some other form of keepsake? By all means be creative but before you set your heart on anything, be it hearts, flowers, ribbons, recycled, illustrated, embossed or letter press, there are some things to bear in mind:
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Make sure you see a sample. It’s so important to touch and feel the material.
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Which font to use and how to address the invitation depends just as much on who the invitation is coming from as who it is intended for – we could dedicate an entire article to this alone! As a minimum requirement, you need to state the date, time and place of your wedding and reception, names of the parents or hosts and the full names of the Bride and Groom, including middle names.
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Get a grip of the guest list! Begin by creating four lists. Traditionally this would be the Bride’s, the Groom’s and both sets of parents’. If your budget allows invitations to people other than immediate family and closest friends, do give some consideration to those who’ve supported you individually and as a couple. Be as tolerant as possible of Parents’ requests, but don’t lose sight of what your day is about. Weddings are not opportunities to pay back social obligations or re-coup what you’ve spent on other people’s wedding presents in the past. And don’t send invitations to people you really don’t want to invite on the basis that you don’t think they’ll come. You can bet your money they’ll be the first to accept and if anyone refuses to speak to you again because you left them off the list, don’t bat an eye lid. They didn’t deserve to be there anyway!
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Ordering the entire ‘collection’ at the same time, including save the dates, invitations, rsvps, order of service, thank you cards, menu cards, place cards and table plans can not only save money but also ensures consistency in terms of paper weight, art work and colour.
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Order extras, as reordering afterwards can be expensive. If you’re getting married in a Church, it’s a good idea to allow an order of service for every guest and a few extra for any other people at the ceremony such as the choir.
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Provide your guests with as much information as possible, including the availability of accommodation and transport. This takes time and effort but will make things easier for everyone in the long run.
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If you want a dress code, say so. Don’t skirt around it. Be specific. If you want guests to dress up, state Black Tie, as opposed to saying that it is ‘optional’ or ‘encouraged’.
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Proof read EVERYTHING. Read the content very carefully yourself but always involve another person, preferably someone who knows nothing about your wedding. Obvious typos are often the easiest to miss and you can’t blame the printer or designer for any mistakes. It’s your responsibility to sign them off. End of story.
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Include a note if you cannot accommodate children. Or if you are inviting children, let parents know if you have arranged any childcare facilities.
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And finally, assuming they’re involved…don’t forget to send invitations to your parents! You might even want to send one to yourselves to see how long it takes to arrive and in what condition. Take one to the post office and have it weighed. After all, your guests might not take kindly to paying for the postage.
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Helen is owner and wedding planner at Bash. Click here to read an interview with Helen.
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Previous guest posts by Helen:
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Wedding Planning SOS – Picture Perfect- How To Choose A Wedding Photographer
Your Move! Wedding Planning SOS- Where On Earth To Begin?!
Wedding Planning SOS- Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn- Wedding Venue Rescue
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Would you like to be a guest blogger for Brides Up North? Contact me
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Image © 2012 Flair Designery
Bash is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier, but this is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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