Tips & Etiquette

Save the Dates
A fun and exciting way to start with your wedding stationery to spread the news of your upcoming nuptials. With an emphasis on fun. We recommend sending save-the-date cards to everyone on your guest list. Everyone who receives a save-the-date notice must also receive an invitation to your wedding. The cards should be mailed as soon as your wedding date is official and ceremony and reception locations secured. This will give guests time to clear their calendars and make travel arrangements.

Invitations
The news about your wedding is out …now your friends and relatives are just waiting to receive your invitation. Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before the ceremony to allow guests plenty of time to make plans for attending you big day.

Have fun! Choose an invitation design that coordinates with your wedding theme, and select an ink color, lettering style and wording that mirror the formality of the event and your personality. Remember that these etiquette tips are traditional suggestions. Always feel free to follow your hearts and your personal style when choosing and wording your invitations. Your wedding should be an expression of you!

To avoid confusion, keep in mind that everyone invited should receive a printed invitation. For instance, avoid placing an invitation on the bulletin board at work; this opens you up to every single coworker and their spouses and perhaps children attending, and could lead to an impossible situation when trying to arrive at an accurate guest count. Who needs this stress one week prior to your wedding. Also, be sure to send an invitation to your parents, grandparents and bridal party members.

Reception
There is so much information about your day guests will need to know. Don't try to fit it all onto your invitation. Reception cards are enclosed with your invitations so additional mailings aren't necessary.

Perhaps:
• you're hosting a dinner after the ceremony, followed by a dance
• the wedding reception is for adults only
• the wedding is very casual or very formal and you want to tell guests how to dress
• there's a brunch for special guests the morning of the wedding
• your wedding is outdoors, and you need to inform guests of alternate location
in case of inclement weather

At Home
Make sure everyone knows how to keep in touch with you after the wedding! "At Home" cards are a great way to let your guests know where you'll be living after the wedding and inspire them to keep in contact with you.

Respond Cards
An accurate guest count is vital when planning your reception, and response cards are an easy way to tabulate responses - and save you money and embarrassment. Asking your guests to reply by a date is a completely legitimate and understandable request. We recommend setting your "reply by" date at least two weeks prior to your wedding day. This allows you plenty of time to tally a total guest count and inform your caterer of the final attendance number.

Use your respond cards to gather reception dinner information too! Gathering the information here saves you money. If you will be serving more than one entree at your wedding dinner, list the choices directly on the respond card. Guests simply mark the number of each meal preferred. There you have it - all the information you need sent right back to you!