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The Artful Invitation
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Photo by
Hull Grenier Studios
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By
Melissa Reddington, Owner,
Party Partz
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After finding a reception
site, selecting the perfect wedding invitation is sometimes
the biggest challenge couples have. White or Ivory? Single
or double envelopes? Black ink or colored? Type of script?
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The Rules:
I tell people the only rules are to select something you like.
Your invitation sets the tone for your wedding.
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Old:
Invitations used to be an ivory fold over with black ink and sent
by the bride's parents. Well, that just does not work in today's
world.
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New:
It is perfectly acceptable for a bride and groom to issue an
invitation. Or, for one (or both) set of parents plus the bride
and groom. It all depends upon your family politics.
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Square shapes are more contemporary. Bright white with a raised
border is becoming the new classic.
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Embossed designs let you create something personal.
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Navy ink is also very popular. It shows more imagination
than basic black.
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Coordinated thank you notes are almost a given. Order menu
and place cards for a polished, sophisticated look.
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Letter press is the ultimate way to create a unique
invitation. Hand made papers offer wonderful possibilities for
invitations, ceremony programs, welcome letters and more.
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Use a Save the Date card to give your guests more time to
plan.
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Basics You Need to Know:
Create one list of names and addresses (telephone numbers, too).
This will tell you how many invitations you need.
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Write your invitation wording out.
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Rule of thumb: 150 attendees = 100 to 125 invitations. It is
incredibly expensive to order an extra 25 invitations later.
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Select your response date. Three weeks prior to you wedding day
is standard.
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Your invitations should be mailed 6-8 weeks before the wedding.
You should order your invitations 23 months before your mailing
date. Give yourself enough time to order, address and assemble your
invitations. Example: June 1st weddings = February order; early
April mailing; mid May response date.
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Hint - addressing and assembling is more work than you think. If
you can afford to have this done professionally do it. As you get
closer to your wedding your stress levels increase.
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Most invitation ensembles are made up of:
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Invitation with envelope and printed back flap
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Reception card
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Black ink
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Response set (card & envelope)
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Selection of scripts
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A good starting price for the above is $250 for 100 ensembles.
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Other options to think about:
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Monograms
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Colored inks
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Two types of script
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Driving directions
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Place cards
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Menu cards
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Final Thoughts:
Discuss in advance the style, wording and budget for your
invitations.
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When you get your invitations handle them with clean dry
hands and no nail polish. Invitation paper is incredibly
sensitive.
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Use the least amount of water possible to seal envelopes.
Don't stack freshly sealed envelopes one behind the other.
Ridges belong on potato chips! Spread the envelopes out flat to
dry for a few hours.
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Above all --- take one ready to mail completed invitation to
the post office. Have them tell you the correct postage before
you buy all of your stamps!
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Find a
Rhode Island wedding stationer.
Find a
Rhode Island Calligrapher.
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