Wedding invitations can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes, we show you here the more usual components that you may want to consider when ordering from us.
To go direct to the item you wish to read about select from list:-
Save the Date : Day Invitation : Evening Invitation : Reply Cards : Order of Service : Place Cards : Menu : Table Plan : Thank You : Announcements :
Save The Date
Depending on who is hosting the wedding, they would be sent either by the couple, or by the parents, as soon as you set the date for your wedding. They ensure that any important guests know well in advance when your wedding will be and avoids the chance of them making other arrangements.
These are really useful if you're getting married in the summer when guests may wish to book holidays, also for overseas guests or overseas weddings where there will be a need to plan the trip to your wedding. Ideally, they should match the rest of your wedding stationery, and should ideally be small and sent in an envelope
back to top
Day Invitation
The most basic requirement is the invitation itself. There are many formats for these, but a quality card single folded to A6 is ideal.
Traditionally, the lettering is in black, but a colour or a metallic gold is not unusual. The text is usually printed on a paper insert cut to fit the cards. The wording of the invitation, referred to as "copy", is dependent on your situation. Consider who is doing the inviting (traditionally the bride's parents), who are the recipients (their full names and titles), the kind of ceremony (church or civil ceremony, formal or informal), when, and where. An RSVP is usually requested and a reply card may be enclosed to facilitate this (see below). Click here for basic wording examples
back to top
Evening Invitation
Evening Invitations are used when there are additional guests invited to the evening reception. These are normally sent out at the same time as you send the invitations to give guests plenty of time to make arrangements and it will also avoid any confusion as to which part of the celebration the guests are invited.
Invitations can either be the same size as the day invitation or sometimes a smaller version. To an extent the size may be determined by the amount of text you need inside.
back to top
Reply cards
Reply cards are becoming more popular. They usually consist of a flat card with blanks for filling in name and response, and an envelope. The name and address of the wedding hosts can be printed on the front if required. You would need to ensure these together with their envelope fit inside the main invitation envelope. You may consider having the guests name printed on each reply card as sometimes the guest may inadvertently forget to write their name in the space required, which will leave you in a bit of a dilemma. Alternately you could pencil a number on the card to correspond with you guest list.are sent out with the invitations. They are supplied with their own envelopes, which may be stamped and addressed. This encourages the guests to reply quickly.
back to top
Order of Service
Typically these are made to match the invitations he text will usually need to be approved by your wedding official before printing. are given out to guests before the ceremony by the ushers. They state the order of the ceremony including entrance music, hymns, prayers, marriage and benediction. You should supply one for each guest and extra for the clergy and choir.
For longer services, additional inserts are used and glued, sewn or tied into the card cover to make a simple booklet
back to top
Place Cards
These are usually a freestanding, folded 'tent' card on which you write the guests name to their place at the table. They can also be designed to tie in with other stationery elements.
back to top
Menu
Can be used for either a sit down meal or buffet. They let the guests know what the food and drink arrangements are. Menus can be printed for each guest or randomly placed around the tables to share. One per table is usually adequate for smaller informal receptions.
back to top
Table Plan
These are to indicate the overall seating arrangements at the reception - printed with the bride and grooms names, date of the wedding and sometimes the venue. The seating arrangements are indicated by panels representing the individual tables (numbered or named) and the list of guests seated on each table. These are available in our popular A3 size. For very big weddings, a larger table plan may be required with an alphabetical list as well as a table plan to make it easier for guests to locate their name. Again, we can make these to tie-in with your colours and other stationery.
back to top
Thank You
After the wedding the couple (or traditionally, the bride) should send a personal thank you note expressing appreciation and to say thank you for any gifts received. Thank you cards can simply be the same as the invitation with a blank insert.
An alternative is flat card with your chosen design on one side and blank on the reverse ready for you to write your personal message.
back to top
Announcements
An announcement card is sent to inform family and friends who, for whatever reason, were not invited to your wedding. They are sent after the ceremony. They look very similar to an invitation with alternative wording inside.
Back to useful information
