|
Monday, January 10, 2005Assembling your wedding invitations
Monday, December 26, 2004
Well, we've all been through another Christmas--hope that yours was wonderful! Putting our Christmas cards together this year reminded us that whether or not you are planning to print your own invitations, you should put some thought into how you are going to assemble them, since the typical wedding invitation generally has several parts, depending on your budget and plans. Wedding invitations, by the way, should be sent out four to six weeks before the wedding date.
Your wedding invitations may have several parts, such as:
Your first task is to count the parts of your invitations to make sure you have the number you ordered, and divide them in groups of 25. Most suppliers are honest, but no one is infallible, and it would be a shame to find that you are short. In addition, if you start with an accurate count, you will know later if you have missed adding a required part and can correct it before they are sent out. If you are planning to use RSVP and/or reception cards, and not everyone who is invited to the ceremony will be invited, count the number that will require the additional enclosures, and make sure that you match it to the number of invitations, inner and outer envelopes. Your RSVP cards should be stamped and self-addressed to the person in charge of the guest responses; now is the time to make sure the RSVP envelopes are ready. You may also want to address your outer and inner envelopes (if you're using inner envelopes) before assembling your invitations. While this is optional and there are pros and cons to doing it this way, envelopes are much easier to write on when they are empty, especially if you're planning to send out enclosures. It is also possible to use a decorative font and your inkjet or laser printer as well. Some brides will pay a calligrapher to address their outer and inner envelopes--it is up to you, your budget and your time. Now that you're ready for the final assembly, match the invitation, inner envelope, outer envelope and enclosure card count with your guest list count. While this seems tedious and unnecessary, you could very well end up inviting the wrong set of people to your reception! Assemble those invitations that are to include enclosures such as an RSVP card or reception card first. Lay out the parts of your invitation in a line, starting with the invitation. If tissues are used, place the tissue on the face of the invitation, and place both in the inner envelope. If you're using RSVP cards, they should already be in their envelopes. Pick up the RSVP envelope or reception card, and place it behind the invitation in the inner envelope. The inner envelope does not seal and has no adhesive. Pick up the outer envelope. Look at the face of the inner envelope and the face of the outer envelope, and make sure they match, then place them in the outer envelope. Check off that guest from your guest list. When your invitations are assembled, stamp and mail. While your invitations can be mailed in stages as they are done, doing so can cause one person to receive their invitation before another, leaving the impression, at least temporarily, that the other person or persons are not to be invited. At best, it's tacky.
|
Do It Yourself--and Save!
