(Article by Wedding Journalist: Mva Higan)
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A lot of things have to be sorted when it comes to organising a wedding but you can get away with having one or two things go pear shaped. For instance, if the bride gets stuck in traffic en route, it's not the end of the world - it's just tradition with a twist; unlike their real-life counterparts, the plastic bride and groom at the top of the cake can go walkabout and the ceremony will still continue. But one thing that is a must for most brides and grooms is that their friends and family are there to join them in celebrating their big day. With this in mind, getting your wedding stationary in order is a very important part of the pre-nuptial preparations. We get the low-down on all the guest notes you will need, the various types and styles and most importantly, how to go about finding the right ones for you…
Cards for all occasions
Think wedding stationary and you probably just think invitations. In reality, there are various types of cards you will need to have to get your guests in order. "Wedding invitations are the first thing you consider when it comes to organizing your wedding guests", says Alice Kennedy, Irish stationary designer. "They are the most important cards because they are the main way to ensure all the friends and family you wish to attend the wedding can and do."While invitations may be the number one thing to consider, the first thing you should send out to your hopeful guests is a save-the-date card. Basically a note to friends and family to notify them of the wedding date in advance, save-the-date cards ensure as many guests can make it as possible. Because they are generally distributed many months before the wedding itself, potential guests are less likely to have made commitments for that date and are thus more likely to be able to attend your wedding. A month or so after distributing the save-the-date cards and now it's time to send out the invitations themselves. According to Amy Cram, marketing supervisor for stationary company Carlson Craft, the importance of the wedding invitation is not just to get the guests in order but also to create a first impression. "Your wedding invitation is the first thing your potential guests will see of your wedding and it's important that you choose your invitations so that they properly reflect what kind of a wedding it will be", she says. "Guests should know from your invitation what type of wedding to expect, such as will it be formal and religious and more modern. Your invitation should also reflect the them of the wedding, if any. For instance, if you're having a beach wedding, you could choose an invitation reflecting a seaside image."
You will also need to attach to your invitations a response or RSVP card. This is important as it lets you know who can and can't make it and allows you to proceed with venue arrangements with a definite number of guests in mind. While last minute cancellations happen, you can now estimate more accurately the number of seats you will need at the reception venue which will in turn help estimate the cost of things, from the venue to the favors.
Last but certainly not least are the thank-you cards. These cards, obviously being sent out after the big day, are almost as significant as the invitations as they offer you the chance to thank your guests for coming to your wedding which undoubtedly wouldn't have been as enjoyable without them. And, of course, for the presents! "Thank-you cards are not just a polite token for your guests but they have come to be expected and are the norm these days", says Alice. "It just provides a nice touch to the whole thing."
Style a Plenty
Not only are there many different types of cards to have when planning your wedding, there are also a lot of different types and styles of each card to choose from. In order to choose the right stationary for you, it's important to know what style of card you want. "There are a wide range of styles to choose today. There are the traditional cards, which are the plain white/ivory ones depicting a classical image such as the joining of hands which is popular for traditional Church ceremonies", says Alice. "Then there are the elegant, high end ones which are generally more detailed in design, maybe with a raised image. Some companies also do humorous cards which tend to be more popular with younger couples." Another aspect to decide on is the material used for the cards. While cheap paper will never look as good as the more high end variety, it can be used for more casual ceremonies and won't look out of place. "Some weddings are a really relaxed affair and, as I said, your choice of invitation should reflect the type of wedding you're having", says Alice. "But for a more elegant, formal wedding, I would recommend couples choose a higher quality type of paper to reflect the elegance of the day. 100% cotton is the most popular of the quality paper options but there are many others on offer, from the very popular vellum to linen and even parchment."While it's important to have an idea of what you want, Amy believes couples should go about their search with an open mind. "Wedding stationary companies have a huge range of styles on offer today so it's important not to limit yourself completely to one style as you may be missing out on something better", she says. "While it's good to have an idea in mind as a starting point, don't rule everything else out. This way, you open yourself up to more choice."
Cyber Shop
Speaking of trends, what's big in the world of wedding cards? Well, small is big, for one. "Currently we have found that the pocket style cards are very popular", says Amy. "They are smaller than traditional invitations and combine creativity with elegance. At Carlson Craft, they come in a range of colours."And there's never been a better time to buy wedding stationary than during the internet age. While many companies sell in shops, shopping online for your cards has become extremely popular, offering you more options than ever before. "The internet is a great source as it's so vast and convenient", says Alice. "You can browse hundreds sample invitations online for example, all from the comfort of your home. This saves a huge amount of time. Online companies are also more likely to ship internationally. This widens your range of choice. You no longer have to restrict yourself to companies based in your own country and ordering online is becoming the trend."
Noting Trends
What colors are most in demand? "White and ivory are traditional colors used in invitations and are still very popular today", she says. "When it comes to color trends, fuchsia paired with black is proving a popular choice. Many couples are also opting for mocha teamed with light pink or aqua which go very well together.""I find gold filigree is popular with couples looking for an extra splash of elegance. It works well on white or ivory paper", says Alice. "Red pocket floral designs teamed with black ink is another combination in demand. This is very striking, guaranteeing a truly unique and sophisticated look for your celebration."
Getting the Message
Of course, as with true love, it's what's inside that really counts and your wedding invitations are no different. The message inside your wedding invitations and other stationary is very important. It should reflect your love for your fiancéé and should be worded in a way with which you are comfortable. For this reason, most wedding stationary companies offer couples the option to write their own internal message. "Usually, couples will find companies to be flexible when it comes to the verse on the invitation", says Amy. "This allows couples to put their own unique stamp on their wedding and makes it feel more personal to them on their big day."However, for couples less eloquent, you can opt to play it safe by choosing from a selection of the companies readymade verses. "Some couples worry that they will write the wrong thing or won't adequately convey their feelings for their other half on paper and this is where pre-determined verses are invaluable", says Alice. "It allows the couple to relax a bit and keeps their worries to a minimum in that respect."
Infinite Invites
A concern on the up however, is eco-friendly weddings and wedding stationary naturally has the potential to be very damaging to the environment. With the average couple sending out 100 of each type of card, from the save-the-date to the thank-you's, it's a very eco-unfriendly business indeed. But it doesn't have to be. In fact, most wedding stationary couples now offer a wide range of cards made from recycled paper in a bid to save the planet. "We have definitely noticed an increase in the number of couples seeking out eco-friendly products", affirms Amy. It's in response to this demand that companies are now following suit. "Most companies now offer couples the option of recyclable cards. It's now possible to have beautiful wedding cards but it no longer has to be at the expense of the environment."
The Cost Card
One thing that will always suffer from wedding celebrations on the other hand, is your wallet and the cost of your wedding stationary, as with every other aspect of the planning, must be factored into your budget, particularly in these trying times. "Invitations can cost anything between $70 per 100 cards all the way up to $500 per 100", says Amy. "The cost will vary depending largely on the style of cards, the brand and the amount of customization couples choose for their cards. Additional pieces to the ensemble would be an added cost."So shopping around, sticking to the simple things and keeping your expensive taste at bay can all help keep costs down. Another thing, of course, is to be on the alert for package deals which, much to the delight of the recession-ravaged bride. Many companies offer packages where the various cards you will need for your wedding, both in the planning stages and on the day itself (if you wish to have reception cards), are included in a set price.
"This often works out cheaper than buying the cards separately", says Alice. "Companies want to reward customers who buy all of their cards form them so you will find that a lot of wedding card companies do advertise deals on their website encompassing all the necessary stationary you will need for your wedding. This can save you big time. Naturally, deals generally tend to exclude products from the high end of the spectrum as these are more expensive to make. But you can find amazing cards that are just as nice as what you would buy separately so considering a package deal can be a real bargain."
About the Author: Mva HiganEva is a freelance journalist in Ireland. Having done some casual work for bridal magazine ‘Confetti', Eva's interest in writing wedding-related articles grew. A feature writer at heart, Eva writes articles offering tips, advice and basic information on tying the knot. Eva's only marriage plans involve a beach, a cocktail party and a certain Mr Depp.
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