If you're reading this, then you're probably already in the midst of wedding planning madness. It can be so overwhelming with the number of suppliers and vendors out there, all offering a range of services and products. This post should hopefully answer a few questions you may have about ordering wedding invitations.
Your wedding stationery is the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding. The invitations will set the tone, show off who you are as a couple and give guests clues about what to wear and even what presents to get you. There is a whole world of wedding stationery out there and while it’s such fun picking what you want, it can be quite stressful. So, I’ve laid out the basics to help you along the way.
1. Know your style
Whether you are planning a rustic affair in the countryside, or a chic soiree in the centre of the city, your invitations should reflect that. Your invitations can help work out your style and colours in one swoop. While cream, white or ivory paper with gold or black ink is the traditional option; you can add the pop of colour you’re keen to include on the day. This will give all of your wedding stationery a cohesive look.
TOP TIP
You can choose any paper or ink colour that you like, however, keep readability in mind! Dark ink is hard to read on dark paper and the same goes for light shades.
2. Printing options
Different types of printing can massively affect the price of your wedding invitations. No idea about your options?
Let’s break it down for you;
There is the standard print, which is basically just good old ink on paper. This is the most cost effective option but certainly not the least popular. Over 70% of all my orders are done without any special finishes.
Then there is foiling which is quite popular and all the rave on pinterest. Foiling is a technique whereby a thin film of foil is impressed onto an invite using a die or stamp. It creates an elegant and eye-catching shiny metallic effect that simply cannot be replicated using standard printing. The prices for foiling depends on how much or how little you chose to have.
Laser cut printing has been quite popular too. This process involves cutting out patterns and shapes using a laser (hence why it's called laser) to create the most intricate designs.
Acrylic printing is also a really effective and produces a unique look. This involves printing on to clear glass/plastic to create a lovely transparent invite.
Embossing is also another finish, it has however been less popular recently. Embossing involves creating a stamp which transfers on to your invitation creating a raised effect.
There are so many more options but I've just highlighted the ones that have been most requested in the last year or two.
Go and see real life samples to work out the type of finish you want (bearing in mind your budget). Every couple will like something different, so make an afternoon of it followed by some bubbly and cake!
3. Pocket fold vs Belly Band
I will do a more in-depth post about this as its one of the most asked questions I get. What is a pocket fold and a belly band I hear you ask? Good question, it is a question I asked myself when I was getting married and shopping around for invitations. If like me, you have multiple events or just extra information for your guests that you want printed on a different card then you will probably need one of these.
Pocket folds are an actual pocket which will hold your invitation and other inserts together. However; a belly band ultimately does the same thing but it just wraps around your inserts to hold them together - confusing I know! The beauty about both these styles is that they can be fully customised and really bring your invites together.
They both have different cost options too, with belly bands being the more cost effective option without compromising on style. So if you're a budget savvy bride, I'd go with a belly band!
4. The content
This is probably the part that needs a lot of thought! The vital information that needs to be inside your invitation is the date, time and place of your wedding. Wording is all-important here, and there is a traditional layout most invitations follow. You will also want to make sure that you use the correct titles for all of your guests! I will put together another post all about content and provide different examples for all the types of events - so watch this space!
As soon as you have the essential information down, don’t be tempted to overcrowd the invitation. Include a separate insert with links to your wedding website and all the other useful information, leaving the invitation elegant and simple.
TOP TIP
I can't stress this enough(!) Proofread everything, and ask at least two other people (even three) to proofread for you. I would advise you try reading the text using a ruler underneath each line, in order to be SURE that there are no mistakes.
5. Timelines
Last but certainly not least, and probably the most important thing to consider before ordering is how long the process can take. I would HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with the stationer of your choice as soon as you can. I only take a certain number of bookings a month as I still work in a corporate job. I tend to get very busy in the run up to the summer and to avoid disappointment you can always book in design time well in advance. You don't need to have all your details sorted. I'm already taking bookings for 2020 now! The process for invitations can take anything from 6-8 weeks for a bespoke design and 3-4 weeks for something from my studio collection. To read more about how this process works click here.
For on the day stationery, I would usually advise to get in touch 3-4 weeks to get booked in and your final guest names, table names, etc. sent to me 2 weeks before you need your final stationery.
I am a one woman band and therefore, I do the admin, drawing, designing, ordering and packaging. So, it can be hard to meet tight deadlines if you don’t get in touch early enough!
Check back here for more blog posts. I'm going to be putting together a few more including: budgeting for stationery; a break down of my bespoke design process showcasing a real invitation suite I created for my bestie; different paper/card options; a guide to invitation wording/content and more hints and tips.
If there is anything you'd like to quiz me on, then get in touch here or feel free to comment below :)
Happy Planning!
Sona xx