Few people see the bride in her gown before the day of the wedding. Fewer people see the groom in his tuxedo. The favors are often left as a total surprise to all. However, everyone sees the invitations.
Besides this designed, printed piece of paper making your upcoming wedding official, it does much more. Your wedding invitations are your guests' first impression of your wedding. The style selected often affects your guests' expectations of the reception and choice of attire. Gift giving is also subject to influence by the invitation received.
The average couple gets married later in life and are often more financially capable than their parents. Thus, there is a trend that more couples are paying for their own wedding. This occurrence is even more prevalent among second weddings. This shift has resulted in a broader spectrum of invitation selection creating a demand for more innovative designs.
Usually the first task is to select the style of invitation. Printing can be done at a later date. The quest to coordinate with the wedding colors is often an important criteria for selection. Modern invitations often have the versatility not only to the alternate the color of the lettering, but also the color of the paper, envelope lining. One can even add additional paper layers of a different material and appliques.
According to a market survey, the average brides spends approximately $500 for one hundred invitation, reception and response cards. The most time and energy gets spent here. Printers, Party Stores, Bridal Shops, Florists and Bridal Consultants often carry invitations.
While many brides investigate ordering invitations mail order for convenience and economy, there is a greater likelihood of mistakes, disappointment about quality and shipping complications. You can base your initial decision on quantity by taking the forecasted number of guests, multiplying it by one half and adding an additional 25. This will factor in the cross section of single guests, families and couples.
Besides the many paper designs, ink colors and font selection, there are two primary methods of printing. Both result in the raised lettering effect that is characteristic of a wedding invitation.
The first process is typically known as "engraving." This process dates back to the seventeenth century and is the oldest form of printing. It begins by etching the design and word copy into a copper plate from a negative. The current term for this process is "die-stamping."
The paper is placed on the press face down above the inked plate. It is then printed by pressure coming down on the back of the sheet while the front of the sheet meets with the plate. This "sandwich" effect creates the raised lettering and bruise on the back of the printed paper that are both classic features of engravure. Typically you will receive the actual copper plate used for printing as a keepsake.
Thermography is an economical alternative to engraving. An aluminum plate containing word copy is placed on the press. The paper is then fed through the press and onto a conveyor. A resin in sprinkled onto the wet ink and then vacuumed off the unprinted area. It goes into an oven that melts and raises the resin. This creates the raised effect on the lettering that is more pronounced than the engraving. No bruises appear on the back of the paper.
Send your order to print a minimum of four months before the wedding and allow a little more time for engraving. As long as the time and sites are finalized along with the guest list, it is never too early to order your invitations. It is better to allow time for the possibility of error. It will be a comfort to know the invitations are waiting at home for you to address instead of you waiting for the invitations.
OTHER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: So many different wedding professionals and printers carry invitation catalogues, where is the best place to order them?
A: There is no difference in quality when ordering from a specific catalogue at any business establishment. The individual that projects the most knowledge about weddings and etiquette will help you with proper wording, quantities, and appropriate selections.
Q: Why should I order 25 extra invitations? Can't I order them if I need them later.
A: Yes you can, but it is not advisable. 25 additional invitations with your initial order is only a minimal additional charge in most cases. After receiving your invitations, if you are one invitation short, you will need to order a minimum of 25-50. This will cost you almost as much as your initial order because the company has to reset the printing press. Ordering the extra 25 initially is like a low cost insurance policy.
Q: I have relatives from another country and would like to send out invitations in a foreign language. Is that possible?
A: Yes it is. You would be placing two separate orders for invitations. One in English and the other in foreign language. The wording in foreign language will definitely have to be neatly typed and will cost more than those printed in English.
Q: If the ceremony and reception are in the same place do I need a separate reception card?
A: No, it is perfectly OK to have printed on the bottom of the invitation, "reception immediately following ceremony". It is generally done in a contrasting sized type-style so it stands out.
Q: Should I order extra invitations to allow for mistakes in addressing?
A: No. You would just need extra envelopes. All writing is done on the envelopes. Generally, several extra envelopes are provided to allow for mistakes. If you need more it is a nominal charge.
Q: My caterer requires the entrees to be ordered in advance. Where should I put the choice of entrees?
A: There is ample room on the bottom of the response card. This way you can receive this information as you receive your acceptances and regrets.
Q: What type of thank-you card should I order?
A: Many brides choose a thank-you card matching their invitations. That is not necessary being that thank-you cards are sent out independent of the invitations. There are two formats of thank-you cards. Formal and informal.
A formal thank-you has a pre-printed message of your choice. All you need to do is put the thank-you in an envelope, address and stamp it. An informal thank-you has your names or monogram on the front and on the inside you would write a personalized message to each guest. It is obvious which type is more time consuming. Both are perfectly acceptable.
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