An Inviting Place - How To

How to Address Wedding Invitations

2008-05-13T20:28:00Z

Addressing Wedding Invitations can seem overwhelming! Download our template and addressing guide to make it easier.

Addressing Wedding Invitations can seem overwhelming! Download our template and addressing guide to make it easier. You’ll find:

Tips on how to write your Guests’ Addresses
A template to write them in
Answers to frequently asked questions

Get started here

How To Word Your Wedding Invitation

2008-01-21T18:18:00Z

How to word your Wedding Invitation is easy. There actually is a formula!

There actually is a formula for how to word your wedding invitation. The following formula is your typical, traditional wedding invitation. If you want to beef it up, go to town! For everyone else, here’s the simple version.

Tips before you start:

Host=Person(s) paying for the wedding

Remember, all street abbreviations, times and dates should be spelled out.

Bride or Groom’s Parents Host

(Names of the Host(s))

request(s) the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter/son

(Daughter/Son First and Middle Names)

daughter/son of (Parents Names) (optional line as a courtesy)

(Day), the (Date) of (Month)

Two thousand and (Year)

(Time) in the (morning, afternoon, evening)

(Place)

(Address, optional)

(City, State) (Zip, optional)

Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Smith

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Suzanne Marie

Adam Michael

son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson

Saturday, the twelfth of October

two thousand and twelve

six-thirty in the evening

Cincinnati Wedding Chapel

123 Cincinnati Boulevard

Cincinnati, Ohio

Bride and Groom Host

(Bride)

and

(Groom)

request the honor of your presence

at their marriage…

Everyone is Hosting

Together with their parents

(Bride)

and

(Groom)

request the honor of your presence…

Tricky situations

What about situations such as divorced and/or remarried parents? The proper way to handle divorced parents, if they are both hosting, is to list them on separate lines without an “and” connecting them. If they are remarried, list their married names.

Divorced Unmarried Parents Example

Mr. Jonathan Smith

Ms. Julie Smith

request the honor…

Divorced Remarried Parents Example (mother remarried)

Mr. Jonathan Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Jones

request the honor…

Most Critical Part!

The best medicine is to use your head! Check with everyone involved to see how they would like to be listed on the invitation. It’s a costly mistake to make an assumption and then pay (monetarily and emotionally) for it later when someone does not approve. Ask us how we know this!

How to Print Your Invitation at Home

2006-12-07T21:37:00Z

Printing at home will be a bit tricky the first few times you try. Here are instructions to make it a bit easier….

Printing at home will be a bit tricky the first few times you try. Here are instructions to make it a bit easier. These instructions are for those using Microsoft Word and a printer that will adjust for small sizes.

1. Begin with a new document. The document will already be set to 8.5×11.

2. Change the document size.

Go to File at the top
Select “Page Setup” in the drop down box
Select the “Page” tab
Measure your page size in inches and enter the height and width

3. Change the margins

Go to File or stay there after changing the page size
Choose the “Margins” tab
Decide where you want printing on the page
Measure and enter the top, bottom and side margins in inches

4. Select Page Orientation

Go to File or stay there after changing the margins
Choose “Landscape” or “Portrait”
Select “Okay”

5. Begin typing!

Type your information
Change your font type, color and size by selecting “Format” at the tope, then “Font” in the drop down box

6. Practice!

Cut a piece of scrap paper to size
Trace any important lines or areas where you want (or don’t want) print
Hold it up to the screen to see if it will print in the correct areas
Go back and fix it if necessary

7. Print A Practice Sheet

Go to “File” at the top left of the screen
Select “Print”
Click on “Properties”
Every printer is different. Find the area where you can change the page size.
Enter the height and weight
Indicate what type of paper you’re using, typically “cardstock” or “heavy” for invitations
Choose landscape or portrait depending on how you would like the paper to feed through your printer. If it is a long horizontal page, go with landscape. Your document will feed and print sideways through your printer.
Click on “OK” at the bottom
Check your printers paper tray to determine whether you should lay your page face up or down
Slide your PRACTICE sheet into the printer’s tray
Adjust the arms to hold it in place
Click on “OK” at the main “Print” window

8. Check Your Work

Hold the practice sheet up to the real invitation
Assess whether changes need to be made
Go back to the above steps to find the answer Note: If your invitation printed in the wrong direction, try changing “Landscape” or “Portrait” in the Print Properties

9. Print!

If your practice sheet was perfect, go for it
Print just ONE
Still okay? Print them all!

If you still have questions…call us at 513-231-4060 for assistance.

Wedding Invitations...Where Do I Start?

2006-12-07T21:30:00Z

Many brides come into our store with absolutely no idea where to start. Here are some tips to get you going…

Many brides come into our store with absolutely no idea where to start. They see ideas they like in magazines and on the internet, but are not quite sure what is right for them. What is most important to remember is this…your wedding invitation or save-the-date card is a preview of your wedding. Be sure to convey the correct image by selecting an appropriate invitation. Here are some tips to get you started.

Start with STYLE

First ask yourself three questions…

1. Who is coming to my wedding?

2. Where are my wedding guests traveling from?

3. What will my wedding guests need to know?

A traditional wedding invitation will have the invitation and other necessary pieces stacked together in an inner and outer envelope. Today, with so many guests traveling in from out of state or out of the country, new styles have emerged. It is important to know whether you have a lot of out-of-towners coming and what will they need to know. If you want to give them a bunch of information such as directions, hotel accomodations, etc., you won’t want all of that stacked messily in one envelope. The chance of them losing something rises. Go with something well organized.

Many brides are opting for a pocket style invitation such as those from Envelopments or Marsupial. This style allows the invitation and all of its “tag-a-longs” to stay in one organized location, the pocket. It also allows room for many additional pieces of information. Items typically included in the pocket are a reception card, response card, response envelope and directions. Some other additions can be hotel accommodations, a thank you card, or a post wedding brunch invitation.

In addition to the pocket is a booklet style. This style has the invitation on the front with the other necessary pieces directly behind it. They are all then kept together with a ribbon on one side. This style showcases the invitation while having the rest attached but not in plain sight.

One last style is the folded card style. For this style, a folded card has the invitation on the front. Opening the card reveals reception, direction and hotel information all printed inside in one organized place.

There are many ways to acheive the same concept. The idea is to keep all of your wedding information together and neat, rather than have papers flying everywhere. This concept is so attractive that it is being used whether there are many out-of-town guests or not!

Emphasize with COLOR

The color choices you use for your wedding invitation are important! Color can indicate a number of things including the time of year, location, theme and formality.

Time of Year Colors

This one is a no-brainer! Use colors of the season to indicate what time of year your wedding will be held.

Location and Themed Wedding Colors

Use colors to emphasize your special locale or theme. A beach wedding might have colors of the beach or ocean…blue, green, browns, etc. A Vegas wedding might have bright vibrant colors such as red, pink and gold. A wedding reception celebrating a couples alma mater, Ohio State for example, can be scarlet and grey, but not scream football.

Formal vs Informal Wedding Colors

White, ecru, black, silver and gold all say “black tie” if used appropriately. More festive colors such as orange, pink and lime green will send a more informal message. Show your guests what they can expect. Sending an invitation that is lime green with orange printing does not say wear a suit to my event. Be careful not to send the wrong message!

Accent with the FONT

Choosing a font can be daunting. There are thousands to choose from! Once again, keep in mind the mood of your wedding. Will it be formal, informal, contemporary or traditional? Font type will convey a message. Using a scripty font sends a more formal or traditional message. Square or straight lined fonts with all lower case letters is contemporary. For an informal wedding, use a bubbly or playful font type.

Font color is a fun way to add a little something to your invitation. There are several ways to use font color:

1. Use color ONLY in the font with a neutral background. This will add a color accent without overwhelming the invitation.

2. You’re a color freak? Use a colored font to accompany the colorful background. Make an impact!

3. Just black is nice and neat.

It’s Your Wedding!

Bottom line…it’s your wedding! Do what YOU want. But, remember what you are trying to pull off. Many brides want their wedding to be the event everyone is still talking about a year later. The first part of your event for your guests is the invitation. Think about what THEY will expect out of your event once they open that envelope.

Want some ideas right now? Check out some of our Wedding Invitation Lines….

Birchcraft (online ordering available)
Carlson Craft
Chase (online ordering available)
Checkerboard (online ordering available)
Crane
Elite (online ordering available)
Encore Studios
Envelopments
Janson (online ordering available)
Marsupial
McPhersons
Nu Art

How To Keep A Custom Wedding Invitation Within Your Budget

2006-12-07T21:27:00Z

Many brides believe a custom invitation is way out of their price range. A special design must be extra expensive, right? In some cases, that may be true. However, there are many ways to get something perfect at just the right price…

First start with the design. Read about how to get started in the “Wedding Invitations-Where to Start?” article in the How-To section. Once a design is in place, get started on cutting costs. Here’s how to do it…

Choose the Right Materials

What materials will you need? Cardstocks, envelopes, ribbon, adhesive, vellum? Think about each piece and what alternative can be used to save some $$$. Beware of using “cheap” looking replacements. You’re not going for the “cheap” look!

Use paper instead of cardstock. Use coordinating, high quality paper, not computer paper!
Use single faced satin instead of double if you’ll only see one side of the ribbon.
Use the ribbon to connect pieces instead of gluing them down as well.

Rethink The Setup

A great way to save is to rethink the invitation’s setup. The same look could be achieved with a few adjustments.

Combine two pieces. Print on both sides of a card or even better combine on one side.
Replace the response card and envelope with a postcard. Save on postage and materials.
Make it smaller. Save on postage possibly and save on materials.
Remove a layer. Layers = more material cost.

Assemble Yourself

Do a portion or all of the assembly yourself. Make it a party! But watch the wine! Can you say catastrophe? Be sure you can do it before committing to this saving technique.

Make sure the assembler has a steady hand. Crooked=amateur looking invitations.
Create an assembly line. One can glue, the steadier hand can lay the card straight.
Make sure you have the time. Getting them out on time is essential!

Print Yourself

Print at home or have a friend do it.

Make sure the printer can handle the material you want to go through it.
Watch your schedule. Do you have time to mess with that printer?
If all else fails, give up and bring it to An Inviting Place. We’ll save you.

Save on Design Fees

An Inviting Place Design Fees are $75/hour. The first hour is free. Save time and money by:

Arriving with your wording or at least all the details in hand.
Arriving with a design concept in mind.

Worst case scenario

If the invitation still isn’t in your budget, decide what details you really need and which were just nice. Remember, some details “make” the invitation. Be careful what you eliminate.

Baby Announcement Ideas

2006-10-24T04:40:00Z

Do you want your announcement to be different and memorable? Check out these ideas…

Here are some ideas for the perfect baby announcements

Use an announcement reflecting the theme of his/her new bedroom. For example, for a barnyard animal theme, select our announcement in the shape of a barn.

Send a photo of your newborn with your announcement. Choose a photo card or slide a photo in the envelope with the announcement.

Create something special! One way to be unique is to design something especially for your little one. Do it yourself or we can help! Check out Envelopments for some great ideas.