Here’s How to Do This Effectively
When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of little details that make a huge difference in making your nuptials a memorable one. The wedding invitations are one of the key things that should not be taken lightly if you want your friends and family to be present for the celebrations.
But sending out invites is not as simple as you may think. It requires creative brainstorming to get the design right, extensive planning to have the invitations printed without any hiccups, and even some sleuthing work to ensure they are delivered to your guests at the right address. From making certain your favorite aunt turns up in your wedding theme colors to using her property ownership details to double-check her postal address, we unravel everything you should know to send out your wedding invitations so you could plan your big day, avoiding any nasty surprises.
Let’s get started!
Nailing the Invitation Content
The date, time, and venue of the ceremony and reception are just the basic details to include in a wedding invitation.
Here’s what else to start thinking about when crafting the content of your invites.
Dress Code
Would you like your guests to match their attire to your wedding theme? Then, mentioning the dress code is essential so they can be part of the celebrations without feeling out of place.
RSVP
To get an idea about the final headcount, you need a confirmation of attendance from the invitees in advance. So, decide by what date you want them to get back to you and how you want to be informed, and mention it in the invitation.
Directions
Not all your guests might be familiar with the ceremony and reception venues. Therefore, adding a map and some guidance on parking would be a nice gesture to help them find their way to your wedding on time.
Accommodation
Are you hosting the wedding out of town? Then, most of your invitees may need to book a place to stay overnight. So, give them a few tips on nearby hotels and motels. If you are providing accommodation, you can mention that, too.
In addition, state any specific details you want your guests to know before their arrival, such as whether they are allowed a plus one or children are invited.
Preparing the Invitee List
Who would you want to be there at your wedding? Consider your immediate and extended family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. This might require some deliberation since you don’t want to miss anyone important.
In a spreadsheet, make a note of the first and last names of invitees with appropriate name titles.
Pay attention to how names are written to avoid offending your guests.
If unsure, you can easily find the correct way to spell each person’s name in their email addresses, email signatures, business cards, social media profiles, personal websites, and similar places.
You must also jot down the guests’ postal addresses at this point. It will make the dispatching process faster once the invitations are printed.
But what if you don’t have the invitees’ residential addresses or think the ones you have may be outdated? If you don’t want to call and ask the guests directly, try searching their names on Google.
People search directories could also help find accurate addresses by uncovering property ownership and residence details. You can search their records by address, too, and check whether what you have is correct.
Getting the Invitations Ready
The time taken to design and print the invitations is often based on how you handle things.
Here are the key areas to focus on to make this process seamless.
Budget
A wedding invitation can cost $5 or even $50. It all depends on how much you want to spend. The materials, components, and print techniques can all affect your total cost. You must factor in designing fees and postage as well.
Design
The invitation colors, fonts, and overall look and feel should match your wedding theme. For instance, the invite design for a beach wedding would be entirely different from that of a rustic-themed event.
Components
In addition to the outer and inner envelopes and the main invitation, consider adding an RSVP card with a postage-paid envelope. You can also include extra material like a map and a handwritten message
Production
From foil stamps and wax seals to recycled paper and embellishments, there are countless options available to make your wedding invitation pop. However, you must take into account the event theme and budget when determining the level of customization.
Vendors
Speak to several vendors ahead of time to discuss design and production options, cost, and delivery timelines. Asking around for a few recommendations on reliable invitation suppliers is always best.
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Sending the Wedding Invitations
If you want all your loved ones to be there for your nuptials, inviting them as early as possible is a must.
We recommend sending a save-the-date card at least six months ahead. It doesn’t need to be as elegant or over-the-top as your invitation. A simple note with the date and venue should do for your friends and family to block their calendars.
The actual wedding invitation should be dispatched a minimum of six weeks before the event. This would allow your guests to schedule time off, decide what to wear, buy a gift, book flights and accommodation, and make other arrangements.
Sending invitations early has other advantages, too.
For instance, it will give your invitees adequate time to confirm their attendance so you can get an accurate headcount and plan the event accordingly.
Besides, if an invite doesn’t get delivered for whatever reason, you will have ample time to re-check the address and dispatch it again without delay.
Therefore, ensure you post or courier the invitations as soon as they are ready.
Add a return address on the back to have the invites returned to you in case they can’t be delivered.
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A Few Final Thoughts
Planning a wedding involves considerable work. So, remember to get help from your loved ones to avoid taking on more than you can handle.
For instance, you might need an extra hand to prepare the guest list, follow up with the invitation vendor, and manage RSVPs. By delegating effectively, you can ease much of this workload.
And if your budget is limited, find creative ways to keep costs low without compromising quality. You could opt for a free RSVP app instead of a printed RSVP card and envelope or use a standard invitation with a few customizations in place of a fully personalized design.
As long as you start planning early, you can explore your options, experiment, and get creative to make your dream wedding a reality.
