By Georgina Clatworthy

Of the many elements of your wedding budget, wedding stationery is one area that can cost mega bucks.  Many bride’s can get carried away with inserts, linings, expensive printing techniques and hand finished details – all of which can carry a premium.

Time was when wedding stationery was simple and formal in appearance, today, however printing techniques, graphic design and the demands of the modern bride have made it one of the most complex and expensive elements of a wedding.

Wedding invitations alone can cost upwards of $3 each, add to that matching envelopes (yes you often have to pay separately for those), RSVP cards and matching name cards, wedding programs and menus and your stationery bill can be soaring towards several hundred dollars.

So how can you save money on your stationery without compromising on quality?

Firstly assess your needs.  Do you need fancy letterpress invitations with additional inserts?  Would a simple flat invitation without the additional RSVP card suffice?  Do you need fancy hand embellished invitations with bulky packaging – remember you will also need to pay for postage.

Inserts should be considered as they can save you a lot of time and stress in having to explain things like directions, accommodation details and the gift registry.  If you include RSVP cards you are more likely to get speedier responses.  You can cut the cost of inserts by having a wedding website onto which you can put all the details such as accommodation, maps, directions etc.  You could also set up an online RSVP service so your guests can respond via email rather than post.

When it comes to envelopes choose those that best meet your budget and requirements.  Coordinating lined envelopes look wonderful but you should remember that your guests are unlikely to give them a second glance as they throw them in the waste paper basket!

Name cards for your tables are simple tent folded cards that should always be hand written.  They serve no other purpose than to tell your guests where to sit.  Buy plain cards in coordinating colors and handwrite their names on them.  You can then spend extra on details such as your wedding favors which should far more fabulous than your name cards!

Table numbers can be printed at home on your computer and some venues will even provide them for you.  Menus are a nice touch to the tables but are not really necessary.  Place a copy of your menu on your website and one printed version on the table (two if your tables are particularly large).

Wedding programs do make nice keepsakes but don’t go overboard.  Some couples like to turn them into mini booklets complete with poems, songs, photographs and a brief account of how they met.  It isn’t necessary; a run down of the ceremony and a who’s who of the wedding party is really all that is required.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Throughout your wedding planning you will probably be told about how important paying attention to detail is & how it is the finishing touches that will make your wedding unique.  But much of the time you are not told exactly what these details or finishing touches are!

Colors & themes:  you will probably have begun thinking about your wedding colors without any prompting; it seems natural to most of us to use a combination of colors for almost everything we do.  Be it weddings or simply getting dressed in the morning!  What is important now is that every little detail & every finishing touch matches or coordinates with those colors.

Details actually lend themselves to providing accent colors, which are often very bold & which many would shy away from using in any great quantity.  Consider a scheme of pale pink & cream – a timeless wedding classic!  Adding details in chocolate brown or antique gold would bring this scheme to life & add interest.

With themes you need to coordinate your details with not only color in mind but theme as well.  Table centers arranged in Grecian urns would look odd in a Medieval wedding theme.  Likewise an Art Deco wedding theme would look strange presented in a color scheme of aqua blue & chocolate brown!  With wedding themes it pays to do some research & collect together a scrapbook of images showing various details which you could use.

Motifs, patterns & monograms: these will all be things you will consider primarily for your wedding stationery & then continue in smaller details at your wedding.  For instance, wedding monograms are popular on stationery, labels or tags on wedding favors & decoration on the wedding cake.

Patterns can not only be incorporated into your wedding stationery, but also into your table linens, napkins, wedding cake & wedding favors.

Motifs are another important element used in weddings.  Consider how bells & doves have become synonymous with weddings although these days many brides will choose something less traditional.  If you choose a motif for your wedding invitations continue it on your wedding programs, menus & other stationery items.  Also include it on your wedding favors either in printed labels, stickers or tags.

Flowers: Even if you don’t intend on using them for your table centers you will still have some floral elements such as your bouquet & bridesmaid posies.  Ensure your flowers coordinate with your wedding style & colors, for instance if your wedding has an Asian theme choose exotic flowers like orchids & other blooms like lilies, chrysanthemum’s & dahlias.  If your wedding is traditional in style then choose traditional flowers like roses, lilies & baby’s breath.

Wedding favors:  coordinate your choice of favor with your wedding style or theme & if there is a color choice coordinate that as well.  Do the same with your packaging, choosing color coordinated packaging &/or decorations such as ribbons, tags & stick on embellishments.

To finish here is a handy list of all the finishing touches & little details you need to consider:

• Colors
• Theme
• Motifs/monograms
• Patterns
• Flowers
• Table centers
• Wedding cake & topper
• Wedding stationery
• Wedding favors
• Your accessories
• Your attendants accessories
• Your table linens, crockery, cutlery & glassware
• Decorations for the venue
• Guestbook

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Custom made table plans from a wedding stationery store can actually be quite pricey, but you can save yourself money if you make your own.  Table plans are not difficult to make & you may actually find yourself enjoying the distraction from all the other wedding ’stuff’ that’s going on.

Whether you’re a nervous beginner or a crafty expert, our step by step guide will show you how to create a table plan you can be proud of!

Things you will need:

• Large piece of polyboard about 5mm thick about 60 x 38 cm
• Colored paper such as wrapping paper in your chosen wedding colors
• Thin white card
• Quality paper suitable for printing on
• Wide width ribbon or braid in your wedding colors
• Thin ribbon or cord
• Cutting board
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Spray adhesive
• Paper adhesive
• Colored marker pen
• Embellishments such as buttons, flowers, brooches etc

1. Cut your wrapping paper to 76 x 53 cm & using the spray adhesive, spray the wrong side of the paper.  Position the board onto the paper center & press down firmly.  Turn the edges of the paper over on to the back of the board, folding the corners in for a neat finish.  Use any extra adhesive as necessary.
2. Now you need to work out how your table plan will look.  Get some inspiration from the internet if you need to.  You can add a ribbon border all around the board or just along the top or bottom.  Make sure you measure the position of each band of ribbon accurately to ensure the design is symmetrical.
3. Next measure the central space of your board where you will position the cards that contain your guest’s names & table numbers.  Use a pencil to mark the position of each tag.  This design will have nine cards in a tag style which will appear to hang by ribbon.  This mark will denote where you will place the ‘hanger’ on which you cards will hang.  This hanger could be a button, brooch, flower or some other embellishment of your choosing.
4. Cut out your tags from the thin card to a size of 12 x 6cm.  On your computer, type out lists of six guests names, centered & in your chosen font.  Print them out on your quality paper & cut them out to a size of 12 x 6cm.  You need to ensure you have enough space at the bottom to write the table number.  Use the spray adhesive to attach the paper to the card tags.  When dry you can write the table number on the bottom of each using the marker pen.
5. Now you need to attach them to your board.  Use the glue to attach a 10cm piece of thin ribbon or cord in a loop to the back of the tag on the top edge.  You can add another embellishment to the top of the tag at the bottom of the loop if you like.  When the glue is dry hang them on the board in number order.
6. If you want to hang your table plan up attach a piece of ribbon to the back in a loop using glue & some double-sided tape.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding stationery & more importantly your wedding invitations will provide your guests with their first glimpse as to what style your wedding will take.   Today there are many choices available for the style of your stationery & your wedding invitations.

Your wedding stationery will cost a sizeable portion of your budget if you choose to have the expensive engraved type from a printer.  However, printing your own at home can produce equally as stylish results & save you a packet as well!

Here is a guide as to the various elements you will need for your wedding stationery:

Save-the-Date Cards: although technically not part of your wedding stationery, they do have an important role to play.  They are sent out as a precursor to the formal invitation & are intended to ensure your guests keep your wedding date free.

Lots of printers & online sites offer a wide range of designs to choose from.  You can also have them made into fridge magnets.  The design of your save-the-date cards does not have to match that of your other stationery.

Send these out as soon as you have set your wedding date & booked your venue.

Wedding Invitations: these are the first glimpse your guests will get of how formal, traditional or casual your wedding will be.  There is a whole lot of etiquette to follow with your wedding invitations, especially concerning who they should be from, reply cards & gift lists.

The choice of invitation style is very wide ranging, from traditional single sided flat cards, folded cards, pocket styles & styles with extra ‘pockets’ for important enclosures.

Choose a design & style that will reflect that of your wedding, particularly if you are having a themed wedding. 

Invitation Enclosures: traditionally only the invitation itself would have been sent but these days it has become the norm to send the invitation with a range of other informative enclosures as well.  The jury is still out on whether or not these conform to wedding etiquette but there can be little doubt that including as much information as possible can save you a lot of time & phone calls!  Typical enclosures include:

• RSVP card & envelope
• Menu
• Directions to ceremony/venue
• Travel information for those who are not local
• Accommodation information
• Gift list or registry details

Wedding Programs: these are designed as a schedule for your ceremony intended to let your guests know what will happen during the ceremony & in which order.  They are also known as Order of Service. 

Traditionally these were simple fold cards detailing hymns & readings, but like so many things to do with weddings, they are far more than that these days.  Some couples choose to turn them into mini books about themselves & include stories, poems & prose significant to them along with photographs of themselves.  The idea is to create keepsakes of the wedding for the guests.

Creative ideas for wedding programs include printing them on silk fans, making them into scrolls & even creating fans from them.

Other Stationery: this includes menus (if you haven’t included them with your invitations) which you can display on the tables or give one to each guest on their place setting. 

Place cards – etiquette says that these should be handwritten but I have seen plenty that are printed.  Traditionally a small folded card, creative brides have come to use pebbles, wedding favors & even cookies as alternatives.  You can also present your name cards using small frames or pretty holders which you guests can take home with them afterwards.  

Seating Plan – this is a large board displayed at the entrance to the reception room as an aid to helping guests find there tables & seats.  You can make these yourself or have one custom made with your wedding colors in the design.

Table numbers – strictly speaking not stationery but an important consideration none the less.  These are just cards which display your table numbers or names so your guests can find there tables.  If you have table numbers then you will need to have some kind of seating plan on display.

Guestbook – some online stationers will also offer a coordinating guestbook to match your wedding stationery, you may also be able to purchase a matching wedding album too.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Choosing your wedding invitations can be as involved & overwhelming as choosing your wedding dress!  The sheer choice of styles & designs alone is enough to send any brides head into a spin.

As with many things in this world, fashion can dictate our choices & wedding invitations are no exception.  It simply isn’t a matter of traditional over contemporary anymore; wedding invitations have to coordinate with styles, themes, color schemes & the latest trends.

Here are five trends for wedding invitations for 2009:

• 1. Incorporate the Seasons – A seasonal wedding theme was not a popular choice in the past, perhaps the only exception was for a fall wedding where brides would incorporate fall colors into their weddings. However, seasonal wedding themes are a big trend these days & wedding invitations are reflecting colors & motifs, patterns & designs relating to the fours seasons.

Typically, seasonal themes will look like this:

• Spring – pastel shades, daffodils, Easter motifs, birds, bees & butterflies
• Summer – vibrant shades & some pastels, roses, peonies, summer fruits, birds, butterflies & sunshine
• Fall – reds, oranges, golds, browns & yellows, leaves, pumpkins & harvest
• Winter – white, blue, silver, purple & festive holiday colors – red, green; holiday symbols, snow, ice, tarten, robins, snowmen & gingerbread.

• 2. Straight Lines & Borders – Simple invitations are incorporating straight lines & think borders into their design. Some will have embossed borders, whilst more contemporary styles will have on thick line down one side, perhaps printed with the couples names or the words – ‘wedding invitation’.
• 3. Bright Colors - It seems that couples are being bold with color these days. Gone are the traditional pastel pinks & pale creams & instead couples are opting for muted shades of green, blue, red & orange. Whilst others are even bolder, choosing vibrant shades of aqua, hot pink, bright red & chartreuse. A combination of bright colors & exciting designs can lift a wedding invitation from ordinary to unique & will give your guests a real wow moment when they first open the envelope!
• 4. Unique Fonts - Experimenting with different fonts is a big trend this year. Instead of traditional script, couples are choosing more modern & contemporary fonts, perhaps incorporating two very different fonts into their invitations, maybe using larger letter sizes for the first letters of each word. Whilst traditional invitations will still use scripts & calligraphy styles, modern & contemporary invitations look more like slick advertisements than wedding invitations! Choose a font that will reflect your wedding style.
• 5. Re-wording – This means to play around with the wording of your wedding invitations to fit the style of your wedding. Most invitation templates will have wording for a formal, traditional wedding, probably hosted by the bride’s parents. However, these days it is far more common for the couple themselves to be the hosts & for the wedding to be a more relaxed affair. Personally, I think that as long as your invitation includes the guest’s names, your names, the time, date & location you can word however you want! My wedding invitations were written from our dog! It led to some very interesting reply cards from her canine friends!

It seems to be the case this year that anything goes when it comes to wedding invitations.  The traditional & somewhat stuffy invitations of old, complete with wedding motifs such as bells, doves & rings, are in the past.  Couples want bright colors, interesting designs, modern fonts & wording which reflects the style of their wedding.

By Georgina Clatworthy

As modern society has got busier & people are living increasingly frantic lives, then brides have realized the importance of sending out save-the-date cards prior to sending formal wedding invitations.

If you are not familiar with save-the-date cards, then let me explain.  Basically they are small cards which will inform your guests of your intended wedding date & to basically set that day aside, in other words -save-the-date.

They will come in several formats, with the most popular being postcards style & fridge magnets.  They don’t have to match your formal wedding stationery although some brides do like to keep the same design all the way through.

It is not written in to wedding etiquette law that you have to send save-the-date cards but it is probably only a matter of time!  Fact is with today’s busy lives many guests may have to turn down your wedding invitation because they accepted a prior engagement before your invitation landed at their door.  Sending out save-the-date cards 6 to 8 months before your wedding day can help to ensure no-one is missing from your special day.

Unlike your formal wedding invitations you will find that save-the-date cards or forms of, are not expensive & are easily affordable no matter how many guests you are inviting. 

If you are having a destination wedding then I would strongly recommend that you send out save-the-date cards to your guests.  You after all asking them to join you on holiday & they will need plenty of time to prepare, make bookings & possibly even save enough money to come.  The amount of preparation a guest will need for a destination wedding is much greater than that of a local or national wedding.  By informing them in advance of your wedding day you are more likely to get more acceptances.

They are also important for those guests who are traveling from out of town or even coming from overseas.  They too will need time to make their plans & arrangements & will appreciate the advanced notice.

So what do you put on your save-the-date cards?

Well they are really an advanced notice of the wedding date & notice that a formal wedding invitation will be sent at a later date.  You don’t need to include every detail, in fact at the time of sending them out you may not have all the details yet confirmed.

Include the wedding date & the location so that those who have to travel know where they need to book accommodation & make travel arrangements.  You can also include details of your wedding website if you are having one so they can log on & be kept informed of what is happening.

When it comes to the design of the cards themselves you will find several options.  Popular choices include photo cards perhaps with a picture of your engagement.  Fridge magnets are also popular as they will keep the date in the mind of your guest every time they go to the fridge! It is one sure way to make sure they don’t forget your wedding day.

Other choices include printed cards with a wide variety of designs, from traditional to modern, whimsical to contemporary.  As I mentioned before, they don’t need to match your wedding stationery so you can be as creative as you like.  One tip is to match the style of the cards to your wedding theme or style.  For instance, for a destination wedding on a beach, choose a beach theme design; for a fairytale wedding choose a Cinderella theme & for a contemporary style wedding choose one with contemporary graphics in your wedding colors.  This is a good way of introducing your wedding theme or style to your guests & will help them with decisions such as attire & gifts.

 By Georgina Clatworthy 

At the start of your wedding planning you will probably pick a style or theme for your wedding.  At the very least you will pick a color scheme.  Many brides will stick to plain colors afraid to take a bold step & include patterns, designs or motifs into their schemes.

But using patterns, designs or motifs in your wedding scheme can make for a unique & individual look.  Here are a few to consider.

Polka Dots – These are a big look for weddings at the moment.  Polka dots give a vintage 1950’s feel & can be used on everything from the wedding invitations to the table cloths.  Don’t go overboard though!  Use polka dots of various sizes to create interest & stick to one color.  Try pink polka dots with plain white for a cute country look.

Gingham – This little check pattern is a common sight at country themed weddings & is usually present in red & white.  Yellow gingham is lovely for a sunny spring look, whilst blue gingham is a nice addition to a beach theme.

Checks – Gingham’s big brother is seldom seen at weddings, but is great for casual affairs.  Red checks are great for a summer wedding, think picnic baskets & table cloths.  For a more formal wedding use check fabrics with a very subtle check in similar colors for your table linens. 

Stripes – Another popular trend & one which currently can be seen teamed up with polka dots in wedding stationery. Choose blue & white stripes for a beach wedding, or vibrant color stripes for a summer carnival style.

Tartan – You don’t need Scottish heritage to use tartan & it is a popular look for winter weddings, particularly during the holiday season.  The most popular color tartans are the green & red Macdonald & blue & green Black Watch.  But there is a wealth of tartan designs available.  Combine plain colors with coordinating tartan for a unified look.

Florals – Ranging from the abstract to the ditsy prints, there is a huge range of floral patterns & designs available.  The use of florals really comes down to personal choice but don’t be afraid to go for something bold, which can break up an otherwise very plain scheme. 

Motifs – You may choose a simple motif to add to your wedding stationery.  This could be a traditional dove or wedding rings or you may go for something different such as shells, starfish or seahorses for a beach wedding, Rococo style flourishes, Damask motifs or simple florals.  Whatever you choose try to coordinate it with the other elements of your wedding décor.  Get stickers printed with your motif on for your wedding favors, include the same motif on your wedding cake & make sure it appears on all your wedding stationery, from the invitations to the table numbers.

 The Printing Process

By Georgina Clatworthy

Now you have decided on the style & shape of your wedding invitations it is time to decide on how they will be printed.  Here are the main styles of printing you will find available.

Engraving

This is by far the oldest method for printing your invitations.  It comprises of depressing your lettering into the paper with a mold or stamp & then pouring the ink into the indentations & leaving it to dry.  Because this is an intensive & time consuming process, engraving is the most expensive option.  It can also take several weeks to complete an order, so if this is your choice you should order in plenty of time.  It is the most popular choice for formal wedding invitations.

Thermography

A popular & less expensive alternative to engraving, Thermography is the process of applying an adhesive based solution to the card to set the design.  A fine powder or dust, mixed with ink, is then poured over the solution & heated to form a raised finish.  Thermography creates very attractive & elegant invitations.

Printed

Possibly the most cost effective method of printing your invitations.  Professional printers will be able to print in a wide variety of styles, designs & colors, as well as being able to offer a faster turnaround time & lower price than other alternatives.

Calligraphy

You will probably see calligraphy artists advertising in your bridal magazines.  They offer a hand writing service which produces text with an old fashioned look, similar to this – calligraphy or this – calligraphy. It requires special training to be able to produce this style of hand writing & different calligraphers will have different styles, so ask to see samples before you hire one. It is a time consuming process & can cost more than other methods.  An alternative is to get your names written calligraphy after the other text has been printed.  Note that calligraphy ink is not always waterproof & can smudge with moisture.

Hand Colored

Exactly as it sounds, your invitations will have extra color applied by hand to give them a special finishing touch.  This is something you could do yourself or someone you know who is artistic.  Enhancing your invitations with some hand coloring gives them a special & unique feel, making them perfect for intimate weddings.

Invitation Kits

Essentially a boxed set containing everything you will need to create your own wedding invitations.  They are basically a blank canvas enabling you to finish & print them as you want.

A Guide to Choosing Your Style of Wedding Invitation 

By Georgina Clatworthy

The world of wedding invitations is a diverse & eclectic one.  Invitations come in a range of sizes, shapes & finishes, from hand made to professionally printed.  So how do you know what you are looking at & what is the right invitations for you?  Here is a quick guide.

Flat Cards

Simple, one sided cards available in a variety of sizes.  They can be square or rectangular & sometimes come with rounded corners for a professional looking finish.  This style suits a formal wedding best but can be used for any occasion.  Easy to produce yourself at home on your computer.  Try using a decorative corner punch for added detail.

Folded Cards

The most familiar style of card.  This type of card is folded in two & comes in a variety of sizes & can be used in either landscape or portrait formats.  You will also find tri-fold cards but these aren’t so common for wedding invitations.  Tri-fold cards often come with an aperture cut to the front so you can insert something behind it like decoupage, a painting or drawing or dried flowers.  Again folded cards are easy to print yourself at home or hand finish with stickers or other embellishments. 

Gatefold Cards

These cards have a front cover which is split down the middle.  Popular with invitation designers who can finish the card with a large ribbon bow on the front which ties the card shut.  They make a stylish way to present your wedding invitations & you can include other inclusions such as an RSVP card neatly inside.

Envelopments^TM

The daddy of all wedding invitations.  These super stylish invitations have been around for a few years now & are becoming increasingly popular.  They have the appearance of a folded card, but once opened they reveal not only the invitation but a pocket or pockets in which to neatly place inclusions such as RSVP, menu, directions & gift registry details.  They come in a wide range of shapes & sizes & you can have them with or without the extra pockets.

Prices for any style of invitation are likely to be comparable within a given shape or size.  However given the design of the Envelopments^TM  they are more expensive.  The card weight & finish will also affect the price of your chosen style.

Other styles of invitation include the pocket type which consists of a flat card inserted into a pocket style envelope.  These are usually long & tall in design with the pocket often being made in decorative papers.  Scrolls are another popular style & are mailed in special scroll boxes.  

Next – Inviting Style – Part 2 The Printing Process

Photos: Einvite – www.einvite.com

By Georgina Clatworthy

If you are bored of the usual seashell/palm tree affairs of common beach themed wedding invitations, then it is time to get your creative head on & design your own beautiful beach style wedding invitations.  Designing your own will not only give you a sense of satisfaction at a job well done, but will delight your guests at your skill & the uniqueness of your design.

Experiment with different graphics, motifs, papers & backgrounds.  Try different layouts, fonts & text placement.  If you are not all computer savvy & wouldn’t know where to start with a desk top publishing program, then you can either ask a friend to help you or make them the old fashioned way with some glue & colored papers!

Choose some good quality cardstock for your wedding invitations or you can search online or in craft stores for some card kits which will include everything you need to get started.  Another alternative is to save a copy of your design to CD-rom & take it to a local printers.  They will print it out for you & although this will cost you more, you can be assured of a good quality printing. 

Here are some great ideas for designing your own beach wedding invites:

• Make you invitations in the shape of scallop shells, starfish or conch shells.  Print them with shell motifs & stick to seaside colors such as blue, coral & white.
• Make up a ‘message in a bottle’ style invitation.  Print your invitations on parchment paper, roll them up & secure with apiece of raffia.  Then place them in a glass bottle with a cork stopper, which are available from craft or dollar stores or search online.  Make sure you mail them in secure mailing tubes or boxes to prevent breakages.
• For a casual wedding how about writing your invitation on a beach ball?  Inflate the ball & write your invite on it in permanent marker pen.  Deflate it & then mail.
• Give your guests a CD invitations with some additional music tracks.  Save you invitation on to the disc along with a choice of of 3 or 4 tracks.  Print the CD labels & cover in a corresponding design & mail in CD mailers.  Not only will your guests get a unique invitation but they will also have something to listen too as they get ready for your wedding!
• If your wedding is actually taking place on a beach & you are able to get to it beforehand (meaning the beach is local & you are not having a destination wedding) visit it on a nice day & take some photographs from different angles of the beach.  Use these as a background for your invitations.  They are particularly effect on flat single cards with the wording printed over the top.
• Use fine sand paper or real sand particles, sprinkled over wet glue, to embellish the front of your card.