ONCE THE MOST important details of the day are decided - the venue, the date, the groom - the sooner you tell your friends and family the better!
DO carry out some research...
Look into all your options but try not to get overwhelmed by the thousands of designs available!
Try: magazines, stationers and the internet for inspiration.
DO investigate all your options...
You can order your stationery from printers, mail order and internet based companies, stationers and stationery designers - ask for samples from each if you can't decide. Producing your own stationery may be the best idea if you're on a budget but consider whether you have both the time and patience to do it all yourself.
Try: roping friends or family in to help out if you're making your own stationery.
DO think creatively...
There is a definite trend towards personalisation of stationery, so you could incorporate a photo of your venue or your favourite snap of you and your fiancé, or perhaps something that represents or hints at your wedding theme. Alternatively use strong colours, fabric, tracing paper or stick-ons such as flowers to create an impression. Or finish it off nicely with a personalised stamp.
Try: considering options that fall outside the classic formats and materials used for wedding stationery. Why not try a pop-up design?
DO consider using a designer...
Looking for something really individual? Consider a stationery designer. If you go down this road then try to meet up with the designer at least six months before the wedding; the best ones are booked well in advance.
Try: asking about bespoke designs. The price may not be much different.
DON'T blow your budget...
Try and find a happy medium for your stationery budget and if cash is really tight you could always send your guests a link to an online invitation.
Try: cutting costs on non-essential items such as envelopes.
DON'T buy stationery you don't really need...
The list of possible stationery items is a long one: as well as save the date cards you have reply/RSVP cards, cake boxes, place cards, napkins, menus, favour boxes, table plans, guest books, and thank you cards. Save cash by getting the most important things, like the invitations and orders of service, produced by professionals and go down the DIY route for the items you consider less critical.
Try: asking your venue how much they would charge for printing menus.
DO ask wedding stationers for advice on wording...
This can seem like an easy job until you actually sit down and try to come up with something, especially if the scenario is complicated by divorced parents or two sets of parents co-hosting the event. If in doubt, ask the experts.
Try: consulting any members of the family who are involved with the wedding for their opinion on wording to avoid any upset.
DO make it clear who you're inviting...
If you don't want children there politely say so on the invitation so that friends can make childcare arrangements. If you do want their children at the wedding include their names (or 'and family' if you can't remember) so that there's no confusion; do make it obvious because if you don't people might feel awkward about asking you.
Try: keeping a stack of spare invitations on standby for anyone you may have forgotten about, or any new friends you make before the wedding.
DO encourage communication through your invitations...
By including RSVP cards and envelopes with your address on you're making it easy for guests to get back to you quickly. It's very common now to give details of your gift list along with the invitation itself, as it saves each and every guest having to ask you about it. For your own sake include a phone number to RSVP to, otherwise it may be months before people get round to replying in writing.
Try: including an email address for guests to RSVP to.
DON'T make silly typos...
Be very thorough about checking spellings of names and places before invitations are printed, even the really obvious things like the date of the wedding. It's worth asking two or three people to read over the proofs too and remember to check that you have included all the relevant information that keeps guests in the loop, such as directions to the venue, dress code information, requests for specific dietary requirements, and details of nearby accommodation options.
Try: asking your minister or celebrant to look over the proofs too.
TOP TIP
Usually invitations are sent out anywhere from three months to six weeks before the wedding, but to ensure everybody you want there can make it, send save the date cards up to six months in advance.
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