Hot Trends in Wedding Planning

Almost every aspect of wedding planning has evolved over time. That’s why the saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same” rings true in wedding planning. Many wedding traditions and trends have changed along with wedding fashions. Though wedding trends may come and go, many items like reception favors and the use of calligraphy remain constants.

Calligraphy has long been a part of wedding invitations. The word “calligraphy” means beautiful handwriting and includes a variety of writing styles. Even after it became customary to order printed or engraved wedding invitations, calligraphy was still used to address the invitation envelopes to add a special touch. Whether you are planning a formal or informal wedding, using calligraphy to address your invitation envelopes, and your reception placecards adds a touch of elegance.

Today’s bride has many choices when it comes to calligraphy. Just as it seems that everything else has gone high tech, the new trend in calligraphy is computerized calligraphy. Just like traditional calligraphy, computerized calligraphy services include invitation envelopes, reception placecards and menu cards. While each calligrapher may offer you a choice of calligraphy styles, computerized calligraphy generally offers a wider selection of fonts. Often, your wedding invitation font can be matched to a computerized calligraphy font. Another appeal of computerized calligraphy is its affordability. Many brides are opting for the computerized calligraphy not only to save money, but because computerized calligraphy orders usually can be completed in a shorter amount of time. Also, brides realize that most guests discard the invitation envelopes, keeping only the wedding invitation itself as a keepsake. So the money you save by using computerized calligraphy can be put towards another part of your wedding budget.

It is still customary for the bride and groom to give their guests wedding favors as a token of appreciation for sharing in the couple’s wedding celebration. Usually, these favors incorporate candies, with almonds being the traditional favorite. However, other types of candies are also being used in wedding favors today to add a creative or whimsical flare. For example, many couples in southern New Jersey prefer to use salt water taffies to add a hint of the Jersey shore to their wedding, while candy corn is becoming popular for fall weddings. One of the newest trends in favors is using wedding conversation heart candies. These heart-shaped candies bear wedding related messages such as “Kiss the bride”.

Whatever type of candy you choose, the wedding favor’s presentation has also been updated. Some couples still choose almonds wrapped in tulle or lace, but candy favors can also be presented in colorful cellowraps, personalized clay pots and stemware, just to name a few new ideas. Another popular trend is attaching the guest’s placecard to each wedding favor, eliminating the need for a separate placecard table at the reception. The room saved by eliminating a placecard table can be used for a larger cocktail or dance floor area, or making room for additional guest tables. Whatever your taste or budget, many traditional aspects of your wedding can be updated to incorporate these latest trends.

by Elaine Carroll of Elaine’s Creations
elainescreations@yahoo.com

Elaine’s Creations
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
(973) 926-0375

Sending out the invitations, Getting it right the first time.

With so much on your mind when planning a wedding you would think that sending out the invitations is no big deal. For something that seems so effortless it can be an easier said than done task. Take it from me, and to steer clear of a 12 round decision with your fiancée you want to make sure that when you are stuffing those envelopes, you should in fact pay attention. It was my job to coordinate and stuff all of the bits and pieces into the invitations. What a mistake that was. I, but not on purpose as my now wife would say, left out some minor details in about half of the invitations. I forgot to put in the directions to the reception. Well I did not know which of the invitations had the directions and which ones did not. And once you seal you pre-printed envelope you cannot open them back up. So we had to re-send to our entire guest list a second letter with the directions and apologizing for my blunder. This took twice as long, cost us more in postage and gave me a colossal headache. Needless to say 5 years later I still hear about how I almost ruined our wedding. What you need to do is work together on this project and set you self-up like an assembly line.

There are quite a few details that are entered into a wedding invitation. You have the invitation itself which has it's own envelope, the church location and directions; the reception location and directions, the return card with a self-address stamped envelope and the little piece of soft paper that go in between each layer of information. Setup the proper order of how the information should be displayed in the envelope then work down the line putting each item in the proper place .The first secret I can divulge is to stuff all the envelopes and have you fiancée double check them before sealing the envelopes. This way he or she cannot put the full blame on you if there is anything left out. The second secret is to try and get a family member or friend to take responsibility for this task. You would be surprised in how many people actually like doing things like this. If for some reason you cannot escape the horror of organizing the invitations just remember to take you time and double check you work.

Good luck.
Chris D'Cicco

Introducing My Parentsssss:
The Complexities of Extra Sets of Parents and Suggested Solutions

There are less and less traditional nuclear family units these days. It has become more the norm, because of the increasingly high divorce rate, to have multiple sets of parents and grandparents in the "mix" of planning a wedding. The addition of multiple sets of parents can make planning more complicated. There are some solutions and some answers, but the first and best piece of advice that relatives need to take to heart is to remember that the bride and groom and their happiness should be the central focus for everyone involved. If relatives heed that advice and maintain a positive, cooperative attitude, logistics will have a way of working out.

The bride and groom might begin by considering their relationship with each set of parents, and with stepparents. Opening the lines of communication early on is a good way to set the mood. The bride and groom ought to sit down and talk with all their parents and find out, up front, how they feel and what makes them comfortable. Certainly, there should be every attempt made to keep everyone's comfort level high. There is no purpose served by putting people into awkward or uncomfortable situations. Many of those can be nipped in the bud, by early discussion. Usually it is the set of parents who raised the child (bride or groom) who will be most involved in planning the wedding. If both sets of parents raised the child, then the bride and all her parents will want to discuss and divide the responsibilities and coordinate who does what. Today's young couples often avoid this problem completely by taking charge of and planning their own weddings. Although this may, indeed, be less stressful, it seems a pity to keep parents out of the loving circle that wedding planning can be. The engagement announcement is usually made by the parents with whom the bride has lived most of her life.

The announcement can read as follows:

"Mrs. Joan Smith announces the engagement of her daughter Jennifer to . . . " In other cases, both the bride's parents are mentioned. The announcement can read as follows: "Mrs. Joan Smith of Kingston and Mr. Jim Baily of Hurley announce the engagement of her daughter Jennifer to . . . " The wording of wedding invitations becomes a bit tricky when there are multiple sets of parents. Again, there are several logical solutions. One way to avoid the debate about who announces the wedding on the invitation is for the couple to do it themselves.

The invitation can read as follows:

"Together with our parents, we request the honor of your presence at . . . " More often than not, however, the invitation will include both sets of parents' names or neither. Should both or either parent be remarried or unmarried, but the bride and groom do not wish to include stepparents in the invitation, it may read "Mrs. Joan Smith and Mr. Alex Jones request the honor of your presence at the wedding of their daughter . . ." If only one parent and stepparent are announcing the wedding, the wording suggested should indicate whose child is being married.

It may read:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence at the wedding of Mrs. Smith's daughter . . . " If both parents have remarried and are hosting the wedding jointly, then both names should be listed on the invitation, with the mother of the bride's name listed first. It may read: "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Katz request the honor of your presence at the wedding of their daughter Joan Katz to . . . " It is becoming more and more of a tradition that the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner, This, of course, presumes that the bride's parents are paying for the other wedding expenses. When there are divorced and remarried parents, it seems appropriate for both sets of the groom's parents to co-host this event.

The nature and tone of the relationship between "ex's" may be problematic at a rehearsal dinner. Special attention to seating arrangements can help ease the tension, Rather than seating guests at a dais or head table, round tables deflate the appearance of some hierarchy and may prevent one or the other parent from feeling slighted. If the rehearsal dinner is held in the home of a relative, the more informal, casual atmosphere may also help to diffuse any ill-feelings or tension that may arise over one parent not wishing to pay for an "ex" or his/her family members. In some unfortunate situations, family members may choose not to attend an intimate rehearsal dinner gathering. Brides and grooms should be understanding and accepting, using the "it's their loss" philosophy and plan "around" the scenario.

Planning the actual wedding ceremony again presents some awkward moments. The issue of who will walk the bride down the aisle has significance to every parent. If the differences can be set aside, divorced can both walk their daughter down the aisle. More and more brides are following Jewish tradition and choosing to have not only their dad, but also their mom escort them. Another alternative is having the bride's stepfather (or mother and stepfather) walk her half way down the aisle and her father (or father and stepmother) walk her down the rest of the way. Yet another option is to have one father (or one set of parents) precede and another follows the bride, as she walks down the aisle "alone." When there is a particularly strong animosity between divorced parents, couples have chosen other solutions. A bride may walk down the aisle one or two grandparents. She may walk down the aisle with a best friend, or a best friend couple. The same holds true for the groom if he is being escorted as well.

Once the couple has made it down the aisle, in a Jewish ceremony there is the additional problem of which and where the parents will stand under the chupah. There is a smorgasbord of choices here, with the decision based on the relationship of the couple to their respective parents and the parents and stepparents to one another. Cases vary so much from one another, that this aspect of the ceremony needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis by each bride and groom. Whatever decisions the bride and groom ultimately come to, the "no surprises" rule holds. Parents and relatives should be informed, well in advance of the wedding, as to the decisions that the couple has made. Choosing the officiant for the wedding can also become difficult with multi-parent families. Does the bride select the officiant from her father's or mother's or her church or synagogue? There are logistics that come into play, because the location of the wedding may eliminate one of the choices.

All things being the same, what's most important is that the wedding officiator knows the bride and, if possible, the groom, as well. So first choice goes to whomever the couple know best and are most comfortable with. The reception will go more smoothly if serious attention is paid to the seating arrangements. There is no percentage in seating divorced parents (and their respective families) close to one another. Avoiding a head table and seating parents at separate tables best deals with the problem. In some unfortunate cases, bad feelings run so deep that two separate receptions may be a good option. This second reception is usually held after the couple returns from their honeymoon, as a sort of welcome home party. In some cases, one set of parents may attend the ceremony and leave. The second set then attends the reception only. The tradition of the bride dancing with her father becomes a bit complicated when there are a father and a stepfather. One option is to select, for the first dance, the father who did not escort the bride down the aisle. The other is to have two dances, one with each dad.

Any announcements which involve parents or stepparents should be carefully and thoroughly discussed with the emcee, so that the wording is just right. Feelings and sensitivity levels run high at weddings, so preplanning and forethought can go a long way. Money and who pays for what is a touchy subject under the best of circumstances and with the best relationships. Traditionally the bride's family pays for most or all of the wedding expenses. For couples where divorce and/or remarriage are involved this becomes somewhat more complicated. What couples need to try to avoid is the development of a power play between parents. Once again communication is a key factor. Couples should talk to each set of parents (not an altogether pleasant task) and ask straight-out what each is prepared to pay for. Couples should also make it clear from the beginning that as the bride and groom, they reserve the right of veto power.

If parents can remain reasonable and cooperative, they can opt to share the cost of the wedding. Expenses may be split in half, or in quarters, or even fifth (if the bride and groom are also contributing). Another option is for the bride and groom to assign various expenses (taking economic, location and other issues into consideration) amongst their parents. Yet another solution is for each parent set to pay for their number of invited guests. This last solution also resolves the "how many can we invite issue." There is, however, no formula or magic solution that will make this aspect of wedding planning evolve perfectly. Time, patience, consideration, and sensitivity must all be employed to have a happy ending. In some cases couples choose to avoid the money and parents issue altogether, by paying for their own weddings.

The new, non-traditional composition of the family unit does usually pose additional problems in wedding planning. Everyone involved needs to be reminded often that the objective is to rejoice and celebrate with the bride and groom. Keeping focused (and refocus when necessary) on this objective will help to make solutions more easily forthcoming.

By Judy Lewis
HudsonValleyWeddings.com

What you should know before you order your invitations

If you are planning to have a calligrapher address your envelopes your choice of invitation can affect the cost and appearance of the hand lettering.

Quality paper such as Crane's stock will not lead you astray. Papers that are too glossy/slick or too rough (calligraphers call it 'tooth') may present problems. Ink/paint may bleed or run and the calligrapher may have to take extra steps to treat the paper beforehand in order to write on it. These extra steps may prove either costly or affect the finished product. When shopping for your invitations, take a fountain pen with you. Ask to sample an envelope---if the ink bleeds on the envelope or it is difficult to write on, the calligrapher may face the same problem.

Color of the envelope itself may increase the potential problems. If you choose a dark/opaque envelope, the calligrapher will not be able to use a light box to see the liner he/she uses to guide the writing --- each envelope will have to be 'lined' separately and then the guidelines erased...another potential glitch. Even those calligraphers who use a 'phantom liner' to project guidelines onto their project may be stymied by a very dark paper. Color of the writing itself can vary. Calligraphers use inks and paints to letter, depending on your choice of color schemes in your invitation. You can request basic black --- flat or glossy --- or a color can be mixed to coordinate with your invitation. If you want a 'total look; before you place your order with your printer, you can ask the calligrapher to write out your return address for the back flap, thus having it match the envelope when the calligrapher does each address.

Envelope liners will present an extra challenge for the calligrapher as the liner must be gently pulled out, the guidelines inserted in the envelope, and then the liner must be gently replaced. This extra handling will increase the cost of each envelope addressed. If you like a lined envelope, there are lovely choices of tissue or pale liners that will not make the envelope too opaque to work with. Not certain? Try placing a dark lined index card in the envelope and holding up to the light; if you can see the lines, then the calligrapher can too.

Fonts Vs Hands. Your computer and printer use fonts to present text ---calligraphers have various 'hands' that they write in. If you wish to have your invitation and envelopes to be coordinated, choose several 'fonts' that you like at the printer and show them to your calligrapher. Not every calligrapher can match or write in every font a printer can use… it may be easier to match your printer's font to the calligrapher's hand than trying to find a calligrapher that can do a very specific hand --- or finding yourself having to pay additional calligraphy fees to do so.

Calligraphy means the art of beautiful writing. You have spent time and money choosing your invitations; adding lovely hand addresses to them is the special, personal touch that will turn your invitations into keepsakes for your guests.

by Nan DeLuca
Calligraphically yours
deluca212@aol.com
New York City

How to Address, Assemble, and Mail Wedding Invitations

Now that you have your beautiful wedding invitation – what is the proper way to address them? Here are traditional formal guidelines to help you put your address list together properly. Although theses are the traditional guidelines in addressing wedding invitations, they are just that - guidelines, so feel free to deviate from these if you prefer to make your invitations more personal or more casual.

Type of Guest	Outer Envelope	Inner Envelope
Single Guests
Unmarried female	Miss (or Ms.) Susan Walters	Miss (or Ms.) Walters (and Guest)
Divorced female, uses married name	Mrs. Victoria Franklin	Mrs. Franklin (and Guest)
Divorced female, uses maiden name	Miss (or Ms.) Shannon Ford	Miss (or Ms.) Ford (and Guest)
Unmarried male	Mr. Thomas Lynx	Mr. Lynx (and Guest)
Couples
Married Couples	Mr. and Mrs. Paul Freedman	Mr. and Mrs. Freedman
Married Couple - woman kept maiden name	Mrs. Lisa Morris Mr. Greg Morgan	Mrs. Morris Mr. Morgan
Unmarried couples who do not live together - send to the closest friend	Miss (or Ms.) Michelle Wright	Miss (or Ms.) Wright Mr. Lewis
Unmarried couples who live together - alphabetical by last name	Miss (or Ms.) Rose Abbott Mr. Timothy Cochran	Miss (or Ms.) Abbott Mr. Cochran
Same gender couples - alphabetical by last name	Mr. Bradley Davidson Mr. David McDonald	Mr. Davidson Mr. McDonald
Children
Child under age 18	Nothing on outer envelope	David, Alexis, and Sarah (first names only, oldest to youngest)
Children over 18 - should receive their own invitation, even if still at home	Miss Abigail Bishop or Mr. Kyle Smith	Miss Bishop (and Guest) or Mr. Smith (and Guest)
Miscellaneous
Judge	The Honorable and Mrs. Al Root	Judge and Mrs. Root
Clergy	The Reverend Donald Pinker	The Reverend Pinker
Doctor (medical)	Doctor Benjamin Fry	Doctor Fry (and Guest)
Doctor (PhD)	Dr. Benjamin Fry	Dr. Fry (and Guest)
Married Woman Doctor	Doctor Susan Goodman Mr. Scott Goodman	Doctor Goodman Mr. Goodman
Married Couple, Both Doctors	Doctors Robert and Laurie Stephens	The Doctors Stephens
Officer - Man (active or retired)	Colonel and Mrs. Jeremy Scott	Colonel and Mrs. Scott
Officer - Woman	Lieutenant Beth Adams, U.S. Navy Mr. Christopher Adams	Lieutenant Adams Mr. Adams

General Information / Addresses & Zip Codes
There is nothing more frustrating than having a beautifully addressed invitation be returned to sender with postage markings all over it because of an incorrect address. These are guidelines to help you put your address list together properly. Although these are the traditional formal guidelines in addressing wedding invitations, they are just that ~ guidelines. Feel free to add your own style.

Nicknames or abbreviations should be avoided when possible except for Mr., Mrs., Jr., etc.. You may use an initial if you do not know the full name, or if the person never uses his given name. Cities, states and numbered streets are written out in full (with the exception of D.C.). In regards to addresses, the only optional abbreviations are for Saint (St.) or Mount (Mt.), which can be written either way.

Making sure you have the correct address is paramount. There is nothing more frustrating than having a beautifully addressed invitation returned to sender with postage markings all over it because of an incorrect address or insufficient postage. To check zip codes go on the Internet to http://www.usps.com/zip4 .

Assembling your invitations
The best way to assemble your invitation is to set everything up on a cleared table, in an assembly line fashion - placing them in the order in which they go. No more than two people should be assembling the invitations at the same time (one on each side of the table), because it creates too much confusion. It also makes it easier if you place stamps on all of your response envelopes before you start assembling.

If your invitations are single fold and the wording is on the outside only, insertions are placed on top. If your invitations are multi-fold and/or the wording is inside the fold then insertions are placed inside the first fold.

The insertions go in the following order (from bottom to top):

• tissue paper
• reception card
• map
• response envelope
• response card (tucked under the flap of the response envelope)

This is all placed inside the inner envelope, printed side facing the flap. The inner envelope is then placed inside the outer envelope, flap side facing the front of the outer envelope.

Make sure before you begin that every stack has the exact same count. For instance, if you are starting with a stack of 100 invitations, make sure you have a stack of 100 of everything else (tissue paper, reception card, maps, respond envelopes, and respond cards). Start assembling your invitations one at a time, but do not seal the outer envelope. When you are finished, make sure your counts are still even. If you have 4 invitations left, make sure you have 4 of everything else left. This is why you don't seal the envelopes - if your counts aren't the same, then you can check the invitations to see which one is either missing an insertion, or has an extra insertion, and still correct it. Once everything is correct, then you can seal your envelopes!

Here's another great tip - number your guest list, and then number the response cards somewhere inconspicuously (on the back or inside if they are folded) in pencil with numbers that correspond to your guest list. If you receive a response in the mail that is blank (believe it or not, people forget to write their name in all the time), you will know exactly who it is from by cross referencing the number to your guest list!

When should I send out my Invitations?
Invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before your wedding date. If you have a large number of out of town guests, we suggest eight weeks to give your guests the courtesy of making reservations and securing travel arrangements more economically.

Mailing Your Invitations
When you first receive your invitations, assemble one complete invitation (including the tissue paper, any maps or additional insertions, and the stamp on the return response envelope) and take it to your local Post Office for weight and measurement. Sometimes it's the size and not the weight which may require more postage than one first class stamp, so we encourage you to take it to the window and have a postal worker weigh and measure it for you. This step can save a lot of aggravation later. Ask to see their selection of wedding stamps and see if they are available as self-stick stamps.

When it is time to mail your invitations, if you hand deliver them to your local post office window, you can request that they be hand canceled with a rubber stamp, instead of by a machine. It makes the front of the envelope look a lot more attractive without the large ugly black postal markings all over it. At our local post office they use a nice maroon colored ink for hand canceling.

That’s it! Enjoy putting your list together and thinking of the close friends and family that will be a part of your special day. Congratulations & Best Wishes!

Victoria A. Colcombe, Owner
Victorian Elegance
Email: Victoria@victorian-elegance.net
866-299-0704

Wedding Invitations - There's More to Invitations Than You Might Think

Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the other terms and items that are associated with them.  Below are explanations of some of the more common terms and items that you’ll probably encounter while shopping for your invitations.  

Seal n Send Invitations:  This type of invitation is mailed to guests as a single-folded piece (without an envelope) having the respond postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal.  Since the respond piece is a postcard, you will save on postage for the return mailing.  Prices for this product normally include seals along with a printed return address on both the back flap when initially mailing the invitation and on the perforated respond postcard.

Announcements:  For those who won’t be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card.  They can be printed on the same paper as your invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place.

Reception Cards:  If there isn’t enough room on your invitation for listing the details of your reception or if not all guests will be invited to attend the reception, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert.  Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.

Respond Cards:  These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations.  The respond card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your invitation.  Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also have a mailing address already printed on it so all your guests have to do is fill out the card and mail it back by the date you have printed on it. 

Map Cards:  These direction cards would be included as a convenience for any guests who might not be familiar with the location of the church and/or reception.    

Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps:  This option of having your return address printed on the outside envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable invitations are returned to you.  There is a small cost involved but it also gives an address to those who might not be able to attend but still want to send you a card or gift.

Lined Inner Envelopes:  For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your invitation ensemble.  Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose.

Envelope Seals:  These self-adhesive labels add just the right finishing touch.  They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.

Informal Notes:  These are used separately from your invitations but should be included with your original order since they are usually printed on matching paper and this will save you on shipping costs.  They are personalized with either your names or monogram on the front with the inside being blank for writing your thank you notes.  Any leftovers can be used long after the wedding for other purposes.  Blank mailing envelopes are included with them.

Not all of the above items are necessary to make your wedding invitations complete.   Remember, this is your special day, so it’s your decision as to which ones you would like to include as part of your invitation ensemble.

By:  Sara Haese
Printed Creations Wedding Store
Sara@printedcreationsweddingstore.com

When To Order and Send Your Invitations

Invitations should be ordered when you have all the details of your wedding set... place and time of ceremony and reception as well as your guest list. Plan to place your invitation order at least 3-4 months in advance. Especially if you are ordering custom made invitations or handmade invitations.

Ideally invitations are sent 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding. It is best to send out-of -town guests their invitations 8 weeks in advance, this will allow for making travel arrangements.
Consider sending out-of-town guests save the date cards earlier, with information on hotels, flights and car rental.

Keep in mind that you will need time to address your invitations or send them to a calligrapher. Also consider the factor of possible errors and changes in your design.

Even though selecting your invitations may seem like a daunting task with all the possibilities available, giving yourself enough time will prove beneficial and a money saver.

It is never too early to start shopping around!
Edna Renskers
Edna's Sweet Announcements - Handmade Wedding Invitations and Favors

Etiquette: Everything You Need To Know

Save the Date Cards, what are they, do I need them, how do I word them, and when do I send them? I'll answer these questions and more, to help you make an knowledgeable decision.

Save the Date Cards are announcements that inform your guests of your future wedding in order to keep your special day free. They are essential in the following situations: if many of your guests are traveling to your wedding, your wedding takes place on or around a holiday, you are planning a faraway destination wedding, or your wedding will take place in a seasonally busy or tourist locale, where the flights and hotels perhaps book up early.

They are generally sent at least 4-6 months prior to your wedding but, if you are planning a destination wedding, for example Hawaii it is strongly recommended that you send them 12 months in advance if not longer. For seasonally busy and tourist locales or on or around a holiday it is best to send them 9-12 months in advance. Your guests will then have ample time to make all the necessary arrangements needed to be a part of your special celebration and may even extend it into a vacation of their own.

Use your imagination, Save the Date Cards are not meant to be formal. There are many design options available. You can have them match your wedding invitations, magnets, brochure style, post card size, multiple layers, booklet style, you can add a picture of you and your fiancé, or embellishments to add a personal touch.

Here are some guidelines on what your cards should state, your names, date of wedding, city or town and state of where wedding will take place. Also, because Save the date Cards are a recent trend and many that have not attended a wedding recently may mistaken them for the actual invitation be sure to include something along the lines of, "Invitation to follow", "Invitation and details to follow", "Invitation will follow" this is usually placed at the bottom of the card. For more wording suggestions visit www.verseit.com. If you have a wedding website don't forget to include the address for your guests to view.

If you need to keep your guest list to a minimum, make a list of close family and friends whom you want to make sure will be able to attend and mail them a Save the Date Card, you do not need to send Save the Date Cards to everyone you are inviting but, every guest that receives a Save the Date Card must also receive an invitation.

We recommend providing your guests with additional information to help facilitate their planning such as airline, car rental, hotel, information on things to see and do in the area and surrounding areas, special events, theatrical shows etc. Go the extra mile and acquire group discounts by calling specific companies and seeing if they offer group discounts.

Have fun planning your special day!

Article courtesy of Edna Renskers from Edna's Sweet Announcements
Edna is a professional wedding invitation designer.
www.EdnasSweetAnnouncements.com
info@ednassweetannouncements.com

Thank You Card etiquette

The word "calligraphy" literally means "beautiful writing" and is commonly know as "the art of the written word." It traditionally has been used in the holy scriptures, royal correspondence, works of art and many other significant events. It only makes sense for the discerning bride to consider using a calligrapher to help with her overall wedding scheme and design.

"Why choose a calligrapher?" you might ask. Your wedding invitation is the first thing your guests will see about your wedding. It sets the tone for your whole day. Many calligraphers can help you achieve the impressive look you desire by writing is a style that can fit in with any theme, from modern to traditional. As the bride, you decide what is the impression you want to make and then you go from there. The calligraphy on the envelope helps set the mood for your wedding. A beautifully addressed envelope or handwritten calligraphy placecards tells your guests "I thought about you today". They know the extra work went into making a special impression and many keep the artwork as a souvenir of the time they had at your wedding.

When choosing a calligrapher, it is important to keep in mind several things. The first of these is cost. It may be more economical to hire a calligrapher to design one copy of your invitation or menus to be printed rather than having each handwritten. Or you may choose a calligrapher to do just your placecards while you handwrite the addresses on your invitations yourself (or have a friend help out!). Your budget will dictate how much you are able to do. The cost is only the first thing to take into consideration.

The second thing to keep in mind if you are interested in using a calligrapher is the time involved in completing your project whether it be invitations, placecards, menus or everything for your wedding day; as with any art form, calligraphy takes time so it is important to take that into consideration when choosing your invitations or even earlier. Wedding invitations should be mailed at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding and the calligraphy itself may take anywhere from 1 week per 100 invitations or more (especially from January to May and again from July to September, in particular) depending on the calligrapher. Many calligraphers may be booked up and unable to accommodate you if you wait until the last minute to book them (or charge rush fees that will increase all of your overall costs!). The best advice is to start to look for a calligrapher at least as early as you start to look at invitations (not waiting until you actually order them!).

The third thing to keep in mind when choosing a calligrapher is to know what you want and be sure to ask for samples from everyone. It is tragic when you hire someone to address the envelopes that you so carefully chose to set the tone for your whole day only to realize once they were complete that they were not anything at all like you expected! This, in part, goes back to the cost. A cheaper calligrapher who is does not have pretty handwriting or uses pens other that what you expected may end up costing you more in the long run if you have to re-order all new envelopes because the writing was not at all what you expected! Look at their portfolio, ask how they got started in the business, how long they have been doing calligraphy and discuss your vision and be sure the person is on the same page as you. Some calligraphers may only be proficient in a few styles, none of which fit your specific needs while others may be able to scribe in a wide enough variety of styles to design a custom style for your whole wedding.

How do you find this calligrapher that is right for you? Ask from referrals from your wedding consultant, paper and invitation retailers, or from other brides who have used calligraphers. In addition to this, many bridal websites have links pages which will take you directly to calligrapher websites. It is important to make informed decisions and get the calligrapher that is right for you. When talking about adding the special touches that make your day memorable, not only to you but to all of your guests, the calligrapher you choose is someone you want to be able to trust to make your dream day a dream come true!

By Dreamweaver Calligraphy, www.dreamweavercalligraphy.com