Things to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Invitation
Wedding invitations are your guests' first impression of your wedding. They're not just simple pieces of paper that announce the wedding location and time. They inform your guests about the kind of wedding they're attending and, if you choose the right invitation, can even inspire excitement. So, what will your wedding invitations be like? Which invitation styles match your wedding theme? What should you consider when choosing your wedding invitation?
At first glance, choosing invitations might seem like a fun, refreshing experience during your wedding planning process. However, if you're a couple who doesn't have a few ideas in mind and is struggling to make a decision, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the invitation catalogs. To avoid this, it's best to take things step by step.
Decide on Your Wedding Theme and Guest Number
Make sure your wedding invitations match the theme of your wedding. If you're getting married in a luxury hotel ballroom, choose a classic invitation to convey the message that your guests should dress formally and elegantly. If you're getting married in a more casual setting, such as a countryside or beach wedding, it's perfectly fine for your invitation to be colorful, fun, and perhaps even a touch humorous. In addition to the theme, you can also highlight the season of your wedding. For example, if you're getting married in the fall, you can choose invitations in coffee or orange tones. Similarly, for a summer wedding, you can incorporate colorful flowers into your invitations.
Another factor that will make your invitation selection easier is the number of guests you'll invite. Because the number of guests is directly related to your budget, it helps you narrow down your options. Once you've decided on the number of guests, it might be a good idea to order more than that. Mistakes can happen with the invitations, or people you've thought of at the last minute, so having extra invitations will be a lifesaver in these situations. Family members can be overlooked during this process because they'll be attending without needing an invitation. However, they might want to keep your wedding invitation as a keepsake, so you can use the extra invitations here.
When and How to Send Invitations?
You've decided on your wedding invitations, and now it's time to deliver them. But you're unsure when to send them. The key here is to send them neither too early nor too late. If you send them too early, the invitation might get lost somewhere, and the wedding might be forgotten. If you send them too late, other plans might be made that are difficult to cancel. The high number of weddings and vacation plans, especially during the summer months, makes this even more crucial. Sending invitations at least a month in advance can minimize these problems. You can adjust this timeframe according to your plans. For example, if you're planning a wedding where you need to receive RSVPs (Please Respond), you can increase this timeframe. Don't forget to consider the shipping time when sending invitations to out-of-town guests.
Hand-delivering invitations is an old and beautiful tradition. However, this may not be possible in today's environment. If you don't have the time, you can send them by courier. Alternatively, you can create e-invitations and invite your guests to your wedding through social media. For older guests who are difficult to reach via e-invitation, you can enlist the help of relatives. Your parents can volunteer. They'll also appreciate being a part of your wedding planning process.
There may be events where the wedding ceremony and the wedding invitations are held separately, and the guests are different. In such cases, two separate invitations can be printed. One contains the wedding information and is sent only to those invited to the wedding. Invitations with content appropriate for the wedding invitations can also be sent to the relevant individuals. Couples who prefer not to use this method can use small cards. By including small cards with the wedding venue information within the wedding invitations, they invite their guests to both ceremonies.
