Announcing the details of your big day is one exciting task, as you can have your wedding invitations
come in a design that sets the tone for the celebration. As you plan to
send out your invites and other wedding-related stationery, make sure
that you follow basic etiquette. Below are some common rules for printed materials.
==============================
======================
Would you send these out for your special day?
People get so wrapped up in weddings these days.
It all starts from planning what invitations you’re going to send out to the guests (after you’ve gone through the painstaking process of choosing who to invite) and ends at what piece of twine you’re going to wrap around your take home gifts.
A lot of people put way too much pressure on the small piece of paper that’s going to make its way through snail mail into the post boxes of your nearest and dearest.
But there seems to be a new trend creeping its way in to the wedding invite industry – that’s taking some of the pressure off the sequinned paper.
The new trend about to hit the snail mail wedding trend is injecting some funny in to the beginning of your wedding journey.
The invites about to land in your post box are quirky, random and completely left of field. From old school photos, to your dogs inviting guests on behalf of you, SCROLL THROUGH to see what people are sending out…
===================
Timing is an important issue. The invitation must be mailed far
enough in advance so that your guests can easily plan to attend. If many
guests are traveling from out of town to your wedding, a save-the-date
card sent out several months in advance is thoughtful. The standard
schedule for invitations is as follows:
Order invitations: 2 to 3 months in advance
Mail save-the-date card: Up to 3 months in advance
Mail invitation: 6 to 8 weeks in advance
Mail rehearsal dinner invitation: 3 to 4 weeks in advance
Mail post-wedding brunch invitations: With wedding invitations, or 3 to 4 weeks in advance
=====================
How to make wedding invitations more memorable with WedTree?
Your wedding is round the corner and you are preoccupied with satiating your shopping spree. But amidst all the work, most people tend to overlook the invitation. This shouldn’t be the case- wedding invitations are small yet power packed cards that efficiently announce that you are tying the knot. When your friends and relatives will receive the your invitations they should be left spell bound to see the intricacies and minute details that you have incorporated while designing your wedding card.
Why spend bucks for your wedding invitation?
Invitations are one of the most crucial parts of planning a wedding as these little things can set the tone of the awesome experience the invitees can expect on the wedding. Some people think that the wedding cards are nothing but pieces of paper that people forget after they’ve taken note of the wedding date. But this is not true- a thoughtfully designed card can have a long life as your near ones shall keep them in their memory books.
Setting the tone of the occasion:
Have you ever received any wedding invitation that has probed you to imagine the wedding? If your answer is no, then the wedding card failed to set the tone of the wedding. But if WedTree takes the responsibility of inviting your guests on behalf of you, you can expect something uniquely attractive. This dedicated team of skilled craftsman can design the wedding care you have dreamt of and when your guests will receive the cards you can rest assure that they would go bonkers. Whether you prefer traditional or contemporary, modern or classic styles, WedTree has an answer for all your needs. You just got to browse through their site anytime from anywhere and select a design to invite people for your wedding.
Power of the designer wedding invitations:
When people will receive the invitation they would surely appreciate your introspective efforts. A simple yet elegantly designed invitation with all the necessary information detailed in the card is sure to steal the show. Giving an invitation from WedTree would help you join the couples in this tradition through ages.
A pretty card that your guests would receive with other important mails will prompt them to anxiously await your wedding. They would start to plan for the day ahead of time. The wedding card that reflects your personalities as a couple shall remain in the hearts of your loved ones. No matter how far each of your invitees live, a beautifully designed card would prompt them to attend your wedding, stylishly dressed with gifts that usher in connubial bliss so that you both can live happily ever after.
=========================
Often times, brides and grooms-to-be forget to factor in what it will take to get those pretty invitations in the mail. With so many details that go into a wedding, from flowers, to the cake, the invitations are just as important! Remember, they're the first thing your guests receive and they offer a sneak peek of what's to come on. We've put together a few helpful tips to keep in mind when preparing to mail your invitations.
Put it in the budget!
Don't forget -- postage costs extra and is a necessity. Wedding invitations cost more than the standard letter rate, thanks to all the fancy add-ons, like envelope liners, belly bands and response cards. Even the shape has an effect on price. For example, square envelopes cost extra! Be careful, as being even a few cents off, you risk having invitations sent back due to insufficient postage, which will lead to major delays in invitation delivery and will cost even more to remedy.
Weigh in!
Once you have all of the elements for your invites, put together a complete invitation and weigh it to calculate exactly how much postage you will need. If you are going to use personalized photo stamps or a collage of vintage stamps for a unique and creative look, this step is even more important. Custom postage stamps add that additional special touch to your invitations. You can choose a design that matches your wedding stationery theme, or personalize the stamp with a photo of the two of you, your pet, special monogram, or any image that is representative of your wedding -- the possibilities are endless!
Image via Wedding Paper Divas
Time to visit the post office!
DO NOT drop your invites in the corner mailbox. They'll end up going through automated postage machines and can get bent, torn or be left with an unattractive scan mark on them. Especially if you splurged on calligraphy, have a wax seal or a really thick envelope, you are going to want to set aside time to go to the post office and ask the postmaster to hand-cancel those pretty pieces of mail!
Hand-cancelling is when the postage is marked individually, by hand, which ensures that your outer envelope will stay in perfect condition. There can be an additional fee associated, or sometimes they will ask you to stamp them yourself. After all the time and effort that went into creating the invitations, it's well worth it, we promise!
Hand-cancelled envelopes, image via Charleston Crafted
Machine-cancelled envelope, image via Sarah Drake Design
Pro tip: Make sure you call ahead to ensure that the specific post office location offers this service.
And once you've finished the task, don't forget to celebrate with a cocktail -- or two! Show off your pretty parcels on instagram using the hashtag
==================
Once you've decided on your guest list, you've gotten through the most harrowing part of the wedding invitation process! Now, all you have to do is address the envelopes and send them out. While you may be overly eager to get them in the mail, one mistake could cost you big. Take your time, and keep these pointers in mind so a huge stack of envelopes doesn't wind up right back in your mailbox!
1. Being careless about titles and names
Just because we're all living in an ever-changing digital world, proper etiquette, especially when it comes to your wedding invitations, is still very much alive and appreciated, points out Ceci Johnson, Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York. Know the appropriate titles for your guests. "For example, Mr. shouldn't be used for a doctor," she warns. "Likewise, do your best to confirm any names you're unsure of, and keep in mind that these days many women don't change their last names with marriage, and those that are divorced may still use their married name." Yes, it can be tricky, but a little extra effort will go a long way.
2. Failing to order extra envelopes
This is a must, whether you're writing out addresses yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. As Johnson explains, calligraphers like to have a few spare envelopes to test for color matching and alignment and, of course, human error. "For my clients working directly with us, we automatically supply our calligraphers with at least 25 additional envelopes for all of their set-up needs," she says. Managing the process on your own? Johnson recommends checking in with your calligrapher to see how many extra he or she prefers. "10-15% is a good rule of thumb, but it's always best to ask."
3. Not weighing your invitation sets before buying stamps
This one could cost you precious time and money! That's why Tom Hart, designer and co-founder of Jolly Edition, strongly advises brides to find out what the exact weight of their entire invitation set (including the RSVP card and return envelope, information card, etc.) is before buying stamps. "Particularly if they're super fancy, vintage or custom designed stamps." It's also wise to weigh your sets at the same post office you plan on mailing them from, adds Johnson. "Believe it or not, each location can be wildly inconsistent and may provide you with varying information."
4. Forgetting to check postage rates
We bet you didn't even think of doing this, now did you? Prior to even ordering any postage, you'll want to make sure there isn't a rate increase on the horizon, cautions Johnson. "A quick Google search should let you know, as you not only need your invitations to reach your guests, but also for the replies to get back to you," she notes. Double-check the rates one last time the day of or day prior to sending them off.
5. Formatting your address spreadsheet poorly
This could be especially disastrous if you're doing envelope printing or using a calligrapher that wouldn't know your mom doesn't, in fact, live in Maine. "Create a simple spreadsheet that's separate from your other financial and logistical spreadsheets, and omit any notes that might find their way onto the envelopes," directs Hart. "Everyone will be embarrassed by, 'do we really have to invite him?' winding up on your envelope."
6. Getting international addresses and postage wrong
If you're not sure how to properly format or write out an international address, hit the Internet to see some examples. "Remember that your international guests will require more postage, and their reply envelopes shouldn't be stamped with U.S. postage; you'll either need their local postage or to leave it blank for them to reply," says Johnson.
Sending Out Save-the-Date Cards
While social media sites and texting make it easier to spread the word about your wedding date, it would also be a great idea to give guests a physical reminder of your big day. Send out your save-the-date reminders four to six months before the wedding--that should give guests ample time to block off your chosen date. Guests who are out of the country sometimes need up to a year's notice so they can book flights.Sending Out Wedding Invitations
E-invites are quite popular nowadays, but do remember that not all your guests are tech-savvy. Ergo, sending out printed invitations is still the way to go, especially among elder guests. This should be done two months before the wedding date, so that guests still have time to respond to your invitation.RSVP Deadline
Your wedding invitations should have a line that requests your guests to confirm their attendance. Included in the RSVP details are the contact person and contact number, and the deadline for responses. The deadline should be two to three weeks before the wedding. If you're worried that guests might not phone the contact person, have the contact person call the guests.Including Gift Preferences
Traditionally, details of the gift registry don't make it to the wedding invitations--information is spread through word of mouth with the help of family and friends. If you think that your guests will frown upon including such details in your invites, you may just opt to post the specifics on your wedding website (if you have one). In the recent years, however, Filipinos have become more comfortable with including the gift preferences in the invites.Announcing an Adults-only Affair
Having an adults-only celebration is one way by which some couples trim their guest list. If you're planning to do the same, let your guests know through your wedding invitations. As you address the envelopes, list down the names of the adults you're inviting. You may also state "Adult reception follows" in the main invitation.Indicating Number of Seats
It's understandable that you're keeping a close eye on the guest list, and to help you manage the headcount for the reception, let your guests know how many seats you've reserved for them. If your invitations will have just one page, you can put the RSVP details, along with the number of reserved seats, on the lower left corner of the invitation. Other couples allot a separate page for such information.Announcing the Dress Code
Help your guests get ready for the party by indicating the dress code in your invitations. Among the common dress codes are black tie, formal, semi-formal, cocktail, and smart casual. Keep your reception venue and program in mind when determining your big day's dress code--you want to make sure that everyone will be comfy in their garb. Attire details are usually indicated on the lower right corner of the invitation's main page.Sending Out Thank-you Notes
After the wedding, let your guests know how much you appreciate their presence on your most special day. A list of your wedding gifts may also come in handy, so that you can customize your message for each guest. You can say something like "We can't wait to have guests over in our new home, and use the dinner set you gave us." Don't wait too long before sending out thank-you cards. For the gesture to be considered sincere, finish this task before you celebrate your second month as a married couple.==============================
5 things you didn’t know about mailing your wedding invitations
Timing is everything
Choose a “reply by” date that gives guests plenty of time to respond. This is typically three or four weeks from the date the cards are received (plan on one week for mailing time). We also recommend lightly numbering the back of each reply card in case a guest accidentally mails back the cards without a name. (This happens far more frequently than one would expect!) Keep a corresponding numbered guest list so you can solve any mystery replies.Weigh in
Before buying your postage, take a field trip to your local post office with a complete set of your invitations in hand. A USPS representative will weigh the set and provide the amount needed for the outer envelope. Keep in mind that extra large or square shapes and extra-thick paper can add to the cost. Thick, luxurious papers can incur an extra fee called a “rigid charge,” so be sure to ask if it applies! If you have any international guests, ask what the total will be for destination. We’ve found that you may get differing weights from different representatives, so it’s best to add an additional $.40 beyond the quote you get just to be on the safe side. And don’t forget to get postage so you can pre-stamp your reply cards as well! It’s a classy courtesy (and also increases the chances of prompt replies!)Stamp in style
Choosing stamps that coordinate with the style and color palette of your invitations is a thoughtful detail that adds cohesiveness or a peek into the couple’s personality. One of our brides was able to find stamps from her home state, the groom’s home state and a stamp that showed a common interest of theirs. USPS.com has some gorgeous new stamps at the moment, and we also like to combine new stamps with vintage ones; just be sure your postage adds up to the full amount you need!Always hand cancel!
Hand canceling means your postage is manually validated with a stamp. If you don’t hand cancel, your invitations will be processed through machines which add not-so-pretty barcodes and are very unforgiving to the contents of your invitations! It’s such a shame to receive a beautifully calligraphed invitation or colorful envelope with scuffs, marks, or even tears. Not all postal branches technically offer this service, so turn on the charm when you’re asking! The first 50 hand cancellations are free, but after that you’ll need to pay 5 cents per envelope.Order extras
Just in case! Plan for a few invitations to be lost in the mail or addressed incorrectly, and remember that you might have last minute guest additions. We recommend ordering at least 15 to 20 extra invitation sets.======================
People get so wrapped up in weddings these days.
It all starts from planning what invitations you’re going to send out to the guests (after you’ve gone through the painstaking process of choosing who to invite) and ends at what piece of twine you’re going to wrap around your take home gifts.
A lot of people put way too much pressure on the small piece of paper that’s going to make its way through snail mail into the post boxes of your nearest and dearest.
But there seems to be a new trend creeping its way in to the wedding invite industry – that’s taking some of the pressure off the sequinned paper.
The new trend about to hit the snail mail wedding trend is injecting some funny in to the beginning of your wedding journey.
The invites about to land in your post box are quirky, random and completely left of field. From old school photos, to your dogs inviting guests on behalf of you, SCROLL THROUGH to see what people are sending out…
===================
Wedding Invitation Mailing Timeline
Order invitations: 2 to 3 months in advance
Mail save-the-date card: Up to 3 months in advance
Mail invitation: 6 to 8 weeks in advance
Mail rehearsal dinner invitation: 3 to 4 weeks in advance
Mail post-wedding brunch invitations: With wedding invitations, or 3 to 4 weeks in advance
=====================
How to make wedding invitations more memorable with WedTree?
Your wedding is round the corner and you are preoccupied with satiating your shopping spree. But amidst all the work, most people tend to overlook the invitation. This shouldn’t be the case- wedding invitations are small yet power packed cards that efficiently announce that you are tying the knot. When your friends and relatives will receive the your invitations they should be left spell bound to see the intricacies and minute details that you have incorporated while designing your wedding card.
Why spend bucks for your wedding invitation?
Invitations are one of the most crucial parts of planning a wedding as these little things can set the tone of the awesome experience the invitees can expect on the wedding. Some people think that the wedding cards are nothing but pieces of paper that people forget after they’ve taken note of the wedding date. But this is not true- a thoughtfully designed card can have a long life as your near ones shall keep them in their memory books.
Setting the tone of the occasion:
Have you ever received any wedding invitation that has probed you to imagine the wedding? If your answer is no, then the wedding card failed to set the tone of the wedding. But if WedTree takes the responsibility of inviting your guests on behalf of you, you can expect something uniquely attractive. This dedicated team of skilled craftsman can design the wedding care you have dreamt of and when your guests will receive the cards you can rest assure that they would go bonkers. Whether you prefer traditional or contemporary, modern or classic styles, WedTree has an answer for all your needs. You just got to browse through their site anytime from anywhere and select a design to invite people for your wedding.
Power of the designer wedding invitations:
When people will receive the invitation they would surely appreciate your introspective efforts. A simple yet elegantly designed invitation with all the necessary information detailed in the card is sure to steal the show. Giving an invitation from WedTree would help you join the couples in this tradition through ages.
A pretty card that your guests would receive with other important mails will prompt them to anxiously await your wedding. They would start to plan for the day ahead of time. The wedding card that reflects your personalities as a couple shall remain in the hearts of your loved ones. No matter how far each of your invitees live, a beautifully designed card would prompt them to attend your wedding, stylishly dressed with gifts that usher in connubial bliss so that you both can live happily ever after.
=========================
Often times, brides and grooms-to-be forget to factor in what it will take to get those pretty invitations in the mail. With so many details that go into a wedding, from flowers, to the cake, the invitations are just as important! Remember, they're the first thing your guests receive and they offer a sneak peek of what's to come on. We've put together a few helpful tips to keep in mind when preparing to mail your invitations.
Put it in the budget!
Don't forget -- postage costs extra and is a necessity. Wedding invitations cost more than the standard letter rate, thanks to all the fancy add-ons, like envelope liners, belly bands and response cards. Even the shape has an effect on price. For example, square envelopes cost extra! Be careful, as being even a few cents off, you risk having invitations sent back due to insufficient postage, which will lead to major delays in invitation delivery and will cost even more to remedy.
Weigh in!
Once you have all of the elements for your invites, put together a complete invitation and weigh it to calculate exactly how much postage you will need. If you are going to use personalized photo stamps or a collage of vintage stamps for a unique and creative look, this step is even more important. Custom postage stamps add that additional special touch to your invitations. You can choose a design that matches your wedding stationery theme, or personalize the stamp with a photo of the two of you, your pet, special monogram, or any image that is representative of your wedding -- the possibilities are endless!
Image via Wedding Paper Divas
Time to visit the post office!
DO NOT drop your invites in the corner mailbox. They'll end up going through automated postage machines and can get bent, torn or be left with an unattractive scan mark on them. Especially if you splurged on calligraphy, have a wax seal or a really thick envelope, you are going to want to set aside time to go to the post office and ask the postmaster to hand-cancel those pretty pieces of mail!
Hand-cancelling is when the postage is marked individually, by hand, which ensures that your outer envelope will stay in perfect condition. There can be an additional fee associated, or sometimes they will ask you to stamp them yourself. After all the time and effort that went into creating the invitations, it's well worth it, we promise!
Hand-cancelled envelopes, image via Charleston Crafted
Machine-cancelled envelope, image via Sarah Drake Design
Pro tip: Make sure you call ahead to ensure that the specific post office location offers this service.
And once you've finished the task, don't forget to celebrate with a cocktail -- or two! Show off your pretty parcels on instagram using the hashtag
==================
Once you've decided on your guest list, you've gotten through the most harrowing part of the wedding invitation process! Now, all you have to do is address the envelopes and send them out. While you may be overly eager to get them in the mail, one mistake could cost you big. Take your time, and keep these pointers in mind so a huge stack of envelopes doesn't wind up right back in your mailbox!
1. Being careless about titles and names
Just because we're all living in an ever-changing digital world, proper etiquette, especially when it comes to your wedding invitations, is still very much alive and appreciated, points out Ceci Johnson, Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York. Know the appropriate titles for your guests. "For example, Mr. shouldn't be used for a doctor," she warns. "Likewise, do your best to confirm any names you're unsure of, and keep in mind that these days many women don't change their last names with marriage, and those that are divorced may still use their married name." Yes, it can be tricky, but a little extra effort will go a long way.
2. Failing to order extra envelopes
This is a must, whether you're writing out addresses yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. As Johnson explains, calligraphers like to have a few spare envelopes to test for color matching and alignment and, of course, human error. "For my clients working directly with us, we automatically supply our calligraphers with at least 25 additional envelopes for all of their set-up needs," she says. Managing the process on your own? Johnson recommends checking in with your calligrapher to see how many extra he or she prefers. "10-15% is a good rule of thumb, but it's always best to ask."
3. Not weighing your invitation sets before buying stamps
This one could cost you precious time and money! That's why Tom Hart, designer and co-founder of Jolly Edition, strongly advises brides to find out what the exact weight of their entire invitation set (including the RSVP card and return envelope, information card, etc.) is before buying stamps. "Particularly if they're super fancy, vintage or custom designed stamps." It's also wise to weigh your sets at the same post office you plan on mailing them from, adds Johnson. "Believe it or not, each location can be wildly inconsistent and may provide you with varying information."
4. Forgetting to check postage rates
We bet you didn't even think of doing this, now did you? Prior to even ordering any postage, you'll want to make sure there isn't a rate increase on the horizon, cautions Johnson. "A quick Google search should let you know, as you not only need your invitations to reach your guests, but also for the replies to get back to you," she notes. Double-check the rates one last time the day of or day prior to sending them off.
5. Formatting your address spreadsheet poorly
This could be especially disastrous if you're doing envelope printing or using a calligrapher that wouldn't know your mom doesn't, in fact, live in Maine. "Create a simple spreadsheet that's separate from your other financial and logistical spreadsheets, and omit any notes that might find their way onto the envelopes," directs Hart. "Everyone will be embarrassed by, 'do we really have to invite him?' winding up on your envelope."
6. Getting international addresses and postage wrong
If you're not sure how to properly format or write out an international address, hit the Internet to see some examples. "Remember that your international guests will require more postage, and their reply envelopes shouldn't be stamped with U.S. postage; you'll either need their local postage or to leave it blank for them to reply," says Johnson.
