First impressions matter. Your wedding invitation is your guests first impression of your wedding. You want to make sure your guests know what to expect. From theme to design to information, chose details that give them a sneak peak of what’s to come.
“Designing or choosing an invitation could be a daunting task. Afterall, the pressure of it being the first glance guests will see before attending the event, and thereby setting the tone for the affair. Does the invitation convey the message? By using tone, style, couple’s personality, color, or theme of the event, do these details illustrate a message to ensure guests are well informed?” – Marci Guttenberg, Invitation Guru, An Affair To Remember By Marci
13 Wedding Invitation Tips:
1. Send your SAVE-THE-DATE at least 3-4 months up to a year in advance. If you are having a destination wedding, I would recommend even more time as guests will need to plan for travel and accommodations. Download my complimentary Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist for more important dates and deadlines.
2. Create a wedding website. Your wedding website is a one-stop shop that includes your love story, important information for your guests, photo albums, access to your registry, wedding itinerary, directions to venues, updates, and more.
3. Your SAVE-THE-DATE should include your wedding website so guests can find more wedding details online.
4. “Invitations should be ordered 4-6 months prior to the event. The more elaborate the invitation, the more time needed to produce.” Marci Guttenberg, Invitation Guru, An Affair To Remember By Marci
5. Your guests need time to make plans and so do you! Your invitations should be sent at least 2 months before your wedding date. Download my complimentary Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist for more important dates and deadlines.
6. Make everything as clear as possible. My advice is to spell out words like street, drive, and apartment in full.
7. Ladies first. The bride’s name should appear first on the invitations.3.
8. Request the RSVP cards back 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding date for final head count and seating chart. Warning: Be prepared to call guests that do not RSVP. There is always a handful that do not return the cards.
9. Be considerate. Placing a stamp on the response cards is a simple courtesy for your guests.
10. If your wedding is adult only, make it clear by addressing invitations to exactly who is invited and note adult-only reception on wedding website. Pro Tip: Consider hiring a babysitter and let guests with small children know you will have childcare available.
11. Is your wedding beach casual? Black tie? Do you have a theme? Make sure you include the dress code on your invitations.
12. Less is not more. More is always a good idea when it comes to weddings and events. Order extra invitations. Mistakes happen and you will need more than you think.
13. Hire an invitation specialist. Whether it’s a personalized invitation or a custom/couture invitation, the consultant listens to the client’s needs and then helps determine the best approach. I recommend Marci Guttenberg, Invitation Guru of An Affair To Remember By Marci.
2021 Invitation Trends
Add an Unexpected Touch – Try Floral or Other Prints Inside Your Envelopes.
Up Close and Personal – Create Stationary Personalized to Your Love Story and / or a Personalize Wax Seal on Your Envelopes.
Get All Natural – Natural Tones Like Champagne and Blush are so HOT Right Now.
Avoid Paper Cuts – Get No Lick Envelopes or use Tombow Glue Tape.
