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For lots of women, the dream wedding has been a life-long
ambition, something she’s been thinking about ever
since she could remember. Whether she’s been putting
her thoughts into a scrapbook or binder or just scheming
on a general vision, when it comes time to actually put
this plan into gear, a few details are crucial for beginning
the process of preparation for that big day. One of them
is the wedding invitation. The invitation sets the stage
for a classy event. That’s why it pays to give some
attention to the process of selecting great cards and materials
and getting them on their way to guest mailboxes in style.
Yes, it’s just a piece of paper in an envelope but
thinking about your wedding invitation that way underestimates
its impact on guests. Making the right impression means
choosing well from the myriad designs available from many
printers and vendors. Stationary shops and vendors sell
these designs in shops, in department stores, at your favorite
book store, or online; buyers choose their favorite “buying
medium” or mix it up a little to see all of what’s
out there for finding the perfect invitation.
So what’s involved in choosing your invitation? Probably
the biggest issue for many couples is the budget. It’s
a good idea to crunch the numbers before browsing, multiplying
the number of guests by the maximum amount that you want
to spend on the invitation. Without this road map, things
can get pricey, especially if you’re looking at raised
designs or “engraved” cards with layered lettering
or designs. Even the paper can widely vary in price, with
marbled, high-manufactured designs boosting the dollar value
of a sheet.
Another idea to keep in mind is the message that you send
with your invitation. Many couples these days are choosing
to go with low-impact or recycled paper invitations to make
a statement about renewable resources and material waste
reduction. This new aspect of wedding planning has really
caught on in some communities and thinking about your options
will help you decide if this is an important element for
your invites.
When you’ve picked out the cards you want for invitations,
there’s still another task ahead: securing the perfect
postage. It would be a shame to send out classy, quality
invitation stationary with standard, clunky-looking stamps
or postage meter marks. Couples also need to look at how
much their invites weigh due to all of those little scraps
of paper they have stuffed into the envelope showing the
way to the reception garden or offering cheap hotel deals
near the venue. Don’t assume your full invite envelope
is under the standard for basic postage rates. Taking a
sample to the local post office is a very good investment
of your wedding planning time.
The above considerations will ensure that your guests will
have a nice introduction to the big day and above all, that
the newlyweds will look back on their planning without regrets
when that all-consuming event is finally over. |
