When
ordering invitations, there are some helpful tips and things you
should know and do to make sure everything goes smoothly. Use the
list below to help make your process easier and with less hassles.
Decide
what style your wedding is going
to be and have your invitations reflect that style by choosing papers,
inks, fonts, etc. that will correspond with your wedding day.
The
kind of invitation you pick will be determined by how
much information you need to convey to your guests. For
example: if you are having a simple wedding with the ceremony and
reception at the same location, you will only need the invitation,
reply card and return envelope. On the other hand, if you are having
a more extensive wedding with the ceremony and receptions and different
locations, with the possibility of other events going on related to
your event, you would need the invitation, reception card, reply card,
return envelope, map or directions - and the possibility of rehearsal
dinner invites or even post-wedding gift opening invites.
Remember
that the more enclosures and the heavier stock of paper you use, the
cost for mailing them will increase. Also remember that your invitations
must conform in size to U.S. Postal Service
Regulations.
If you
like color and unique style -
go for it. Don't feel that you have to keep it in the traditional
ecru paper with black ink. Incorporate your style in your wedding
invitations, programs, menus, thank you cards, etc.
If you
are wanting more of a custom made invitation
and don't want to do them yourselves, ask a wedding specialist
(at your local stationery store or where you are ordering invitations).
There are many different options for you including, handmade papers,
fabrics, gilding, variety of inks and fonts, floral add-ons, hand
painting, and so much more. Keep in mind, custom invitations will
cost more and will take more time, so place your order about 5-6 months
before you need to mail them out (or go by however much time they
tell you they will need - but always add some extra time for delays).
Be sure
to carefully check all the information
you will be submitting to the printers - BEFORE you give it to them.
Double check to make sure all
names, addresses, wordings and details are correct. Finding mistakes
after the printing has been done will not only cost you more time,
but more money, especially if the order has to be rushed.
Request
that the printing company fax, email or send
you the proofs before they are sent off for printing, so
you can check their work. Mistakes do happen so don't just expect
that since you had your information correct that they inputted in
correctly. Along with a couple friends or family members, go over
the proofs. Having more than one person checking them will be better
than one.
If you
are having them do any work that may not be included on the contract
already - get a written contract of the extra
work.
Verify
all charges
before placing the order to make sure you know all the charges up
front - NO HIDDEN CHARGES.
Always
ask to see paper and ink samples in person
before ordering your invitations. Colors and look may vary from that
of a picture, so you want to look at them yourself.
Invitations
should be ordered at least 3 months before
you need to mail them. Custom invitations will most likely take longer,
so those should be ordered even earlier.
Wedding
Invitations should be sent out 6 - 8 weeks
prior to the wedding date. For all out of town guests (in the country
or international travelers) send them out at
least 8 weeks weeks prior to the wedding date so they can
make their travel arrangements.
Overestimate
the amount of invitations you will need. On average, order about 10
extra invitations for last minute
invites and about 25 extra inner and outer envelopes to make up for
any mistakes when addressing them.
Different
Types of Printing Processes:
Conventional
Flat Printing (lithography) - This is the most commonly used form
of printing. It's the basic flat or offset printing (as done on letterheads
and envelopes). Most printers will, for an extra charge, match the
ink colors with your wedding colors (bring in a swatch of material
or a flower for them to have).
Letterpress
- Has a wonderful, handmade look. Definition:
Letterpress Printing can be described as "the process of using
a press for relief printing from metal type or raised surfaces formed
from wood, metal, or linoleum." Relief printing means that the
printing surface (the black areas of the print) is raised above the
non-printing surface (the white areas of the print) on the printing
plate, block, or type.
Traditional
Engraved
- This type of printing results in raised printing and a faint impression
on the back or reverse side of where the printing is done. The process
is done by using a copper plate that is imprinted on heavy paper.
This type of printing is where the sheer tissue came into play. They
would have a tissue overlay where the printing was done to prevent
it from smudging. Using the tissue overlay caught on and is now done
in most invitations, although mostly for aesthetic reasons instead
of prevention of the ink smudging. This process may also take longer,
so they should be ordered at least 2-3 months (8-12) weeks before
the invitations need to be sent out.
Thermography
- This
is a raised ink process that will have the same effect as the traditional
engraved printing - but costs much less than engraving. If you are
looking for a classic look, but are on a budget, this is a great form
of printing to choose.
Calligraphy:
Invitations
look more personal when they are hand addressed
- with nice penmanship. If you don't have nice writing, have a family
member or friend do them for you. You can also have a calligrapher
address them as well. Many printing companies
can print the envelopes using a calligraphy font. Another
option is to have a calligrapher hand do the invitation and anything
else that has to be printed multiple times (programs, menus, etc.).
You can take this to the printer and have them run off how ever many
you need to send to guests and to have to hand out to them. This way,
it is hand calligraphy - but reprinted. This will cut back on having
each one hand done by the calligrapher.
Having
the calligrapher hand print the
envelopes, place cards, etc. will give your wedding a truly unified
look, with a classic look.
