Wedding Planning Quick Tips: Everything Invites

Tips and Tricks About your Wedding Invitations

When looking into your wedding invitations there's a lot of things to consider. Make sure to look at ideas you like by checking out magazines, paper companies, and wedding fairs.

DIY vs Kits

There's a lot of benefits to both but you need to look at what works best for you.

DIY - Making your invites yourself will give you the option to 100% customize them to what you want. You would be able to add features that you may not find in kits or from designers. Also, with a customized design it would be easier to tie in details that you plan to feature on your wedding day. The downside could be more work. It could mean more time assembling them or more materials that need to be bought, cut, or glued. You could always have a printing company do any parts that need words or a design and you can add the embellishments for a lower cost.

Kits - These are easy enough. You can buy them just about anywhere at Target, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby and come with at least 20 invitations per kit. These will include everything that you would need; invite cards, RSVP cards, info cards, mailing envelopes, seals, and matching RSVP envelopes. These do require assembling but everything will be included that you will need. You do have to print them yourself but they come with easy instructions. Some downsides include the price. Each kit averages around $40.00 or more. If you need 200+ invitations you're looking at 400-500 for just the invite kits. You can use coupons at some stores but you can only buy one kit at a time. Another downside is the inability to customize them. You can choose a kit close to your colors but you may lose out on the creative touch if that's what your looking for.

So What's The Verdict?
Easy, your time and money. If money is a concern DIY. It's an easy way to cut costs and put a personal touch into the details. If time is a concern stock up on kits! This will save you time assembling and getting them in the mail.

Either way remember people usually put them on their fridge for a while but that these aren't permanent. There's a lot of other things to put all your time and resources into!

Should You Include a Separate RSVP Card? 
Only recently have people turned away from the traditional idea of including an RSVP card in the invitations. This is because of the RSVP manager built into a lot of wedding websites. If you use any of the common sites like www.theknot.com, www.projectwedding.com, or www.weddingwire.com you will have the option to use this tool.

If you choose to not include an RSVP card you need to state somewhere in your invitation where you can RSVP whether it's online or for the older crowd to call you house. There needs to be another option than just an online option for anyone who doesn't have a computer.

Benefits - You will save money and time on printing, addressing, and stamps. You will also make tracking them easier doing it online. It's instant notification when someone RSVPs and they can even choose their meals.

Downfalls - People expect an RSVP card with their invitation. If you don't clearly state where they RSVP you may be tracking down yays and neighs up until the final moments.

How to Save on Postage
Between save the dates, invites, RSVP, and thank yous the postage can wrack up. An easy way to save a few stamps is to hand deliver to people you see often. No one is going to be offended that they didn't get your invite in the mail. This can save a few bucks that can be used else where. Another idea is what was listed above. Nix the RSVP return envelope or if you decide to include one there's no requirement you need to include a stamp. People won't think twice about mailing it back without a stamp!

What Should You Include in Your Invite?
Everyone needs the details in the invite but it's up to you where that information is. Some people have everything on the single page invite or you can have other cards that are included inside as well. It really depends on the design, amount of information, and layout you desire.

Where to RSVP - make sure to be very clear about this information. If people throw your envelope after pulling the invitation out they may miss other cards that are inside. Make sure they are either attached or very visible so there's no confusion

Hotel Information - It's important to state where you have block rooms rented. If you have decided to not block rooms off at least list a few hotels near your ceremony/reception for out-of-towners. *If you talk to a few local hotels when booking say you got a lower group rate at another hotel so you might go with them. You would be surprised how many will drop their prices for you.*

Map from Ceremony to Reception - If you don't have room inside your invites for a map let your guests know they can find it on your website. The more clear you are the easier it will be for your guests. They say you lose 10% of your guests from your ceremony to the reception so make sure to include as much information as possible!

Days Events - I decided to include this in our invitations and I got a lot of good feedback that it helped know where to be. If you don't decide to include it in your invitations you may want to add it onto your website. Just include the basics like ceremony start, dinner, and any other events like a photobooth or candy bar.

Where You're Registered - There are a few websites that say it's improper to include where your registry on your invitation. I think it's ridiculous to not include it. People not only expect it but are usually excited about purchasing you a gift! If you don't include any information then what would be the point of registering at all? If you choose to not include it in your invitations then have it somewhere on your website. If you don't include information you will receive duplicates, items you don't need or want, and usually something extremely bizarre and nonreturnable. To evade an awkward gift opening with the family remember to include your registry for your guests!

Below is what I did for my invites. I decided to DIY to save some money. I had a printer do the hefty work of the card stock at my local print shop (for a whomping 98.00 for 200 each of the invite cards, and double sided days events, maps, hotel, and RSVP cards) I chose to nix the returnable RSVP card and envelope for the online alternative. I included my home phone number and had very little problems getting RSVP back from everyone.

Here's our complete invitation layout. I stuck the smaller cards in the back of the invitation band and it all held together when you pulled it out of the envelope.

This is what I did for our "days activities" card. I included times for ceremony start, dinner, cocktail hour at our reception hall, dance start, hors d'oeuvres passed, and when the night ended. People actually brought this with to the wedding and there was zero confusion when/where things were going on. I highly recommend it! My other card was our hotel information. This was where we blocked rooms off and the date you had to reserve them by. I also included the hotel's address and phone number.

This is the back side of the cards above. The top was our RSVP information. I had what date to RSVP by, our website where you should, and also our home phone number in case you don't have a computer. Below that was our registry information and how to find our names online. Inside the mason jar is our future address so people who missed the wedding knew where we were living! The Map & Address card obviously has a map of how to get from the ceremony to the reception hall. I also included both places address in case my map was confusing.

The great thing about weddings is how many options you have. You are able to do whatever makes sense for your time and budget! Make sure to look into other ideas though! I would have never thought to print my own cards had I not seen these done for a different wedding!

Stay Crafty!

Rina