Set the mood for your once-in-a-lifetime affair from the very start – with unique, hip & modern invitations that reflect your personal style, yet still stay true to your wedding budget. 

The talented designers at Beach House Press® recommend sticking to the basics when choosing your invitation package.  Essentials are the invitation itself, the response card, and reception card if the reception is held at a different location than the ceremony, and finally the mailing envelopes.

Many couples opt for a wedding website, which eliminates the need for invitations extras such as accommodation cards, detailed maps and directions, travel arrangements in the case of destination weddings. Couples simply reference the web site’s address on one of your printed inserts.

Style – The wedding invitation is an announcement of your new life! Its character – formal, informal, elegant, or amusing – announces the couple’s style as well as the tone or theme of the ceremony & reception.  A custom motif such as your initials or monogram, a unique symbol or icon is a nice touch.  Designers offer endless selection and can create one-of-a-kind custom designs just for you.

Colour – The colour choices of couples today are bright and original. Whatever your main colour choice is, the trend is to pair it with damask, lace, or retro patterns or eco and nature themes, like branches, trees, flowers & blooms.   Bottom line: think eye-catching and unique!

Typeface – There are literally thousands of typefaces or fonts to choose from, and the right combination can really add to the overall look of your invitation.  Choose from formal script or try a less traditional font. Search online for a font style that you both like. Beware of “loopy” fonts if your invitation has several lines of text as it can make the invitation difficult to read; likewise if your invitation is in a second language or combines languages.

Printing – These days do-it-yourself invitation kits allow you to easily create professional results with your own home printer. However, if you’re uneasy, or pressed for time, several professional printing methods remain available, each with their own process and effect. Costs can vary depending on the method used, so it is best to ask your printer what option is best for the paper you are considering and get several quotes from various printers.

Invitation Enclosures

Reception cards – Whether to include enclosures with your invitations depends on a number of factors.  If the reception is held at a location different from that of the ceremony, it is best to include a reception card with the invitation.  If only some of the guests are invited to the reception or to the ceremony, it is mandatory to use separate invitations and reception cards.  If the reception doesn’t immediately follow the ceremony, be sure to mention the time.

Maps & Directions – Direction cards or maps can be printed I the same style of the invitation.  If additional information (travel arrangements, accommodations) is to be supplied, send it separately after the guest as responded to the initial invitation or include a reference to a website you have created for such details and information.

Reply cards – The last element, the reply card, is a recent invention. In these busy times, realists enclose a small card with a stamped, self-addressed envelope and hope for the best.  It is also acceptable to forgo the traditional response card and have guests call or email the couple with a reply. A nice touch if you choose a traditional response card is to leave a little room for guests to write a short note.

Other printed items

Although you don’t have to order them all at once, menus, place cards, table numbers, and seating cards & charts should come from the same source as the invitations, to ensure consistency of style and materials.  In the same regard, favor tags and thank you notes make especially lovely keepsakes for guests.

Save-the-Dates - are also going from understated to over the top and the more original the better.  The Save-the-Date gives guests advance notice of the upcoming event, which can be useful when the event is several months away or, in the case of destination weddings, may require guests to book time off, make travel arrangements, and plan ahead.  A save-the-date is a nice touch to get your guests excited about the wedding from the beginning, and personalized, ornate Save the Dates set the tone for the event itself. Incorporate a magnet into your save-the-date so guests have a reminder to stick on their fridge.

Whether the look you’re after is formal, classic, trendy, or vintage cool, Beach House Press® offers a sublime collection of custom and Do-It-Yourself wedding stationery. Our luxe, premium card stocks & pocket folds come in the latest fashionable colours & funkiest prints that appeal to today’s design conscious couples.

Beach House Press®    www.beachhousepress.ca