First impressions really do count, especially when it comes to your wedding stationery.
Your Save the Date or Invitation are your guests' first glimpse into your wedding event. They make a statement and set the tone for your special occasion. Once you've set your wedding date and have booked your ceremony and reception venue, start planning your wedding stationery that includes details that reflect your style, unique personality, your wedding colours and formality. Stylish Moments Invitation Studio will help guide you in the design process to make a great first impression with these top 10 tips when planning your wedding stationery.
1. Plan Early
There is a design process when custom designing your wedding invitation. An experienced stationery designer will take you through production details and schedules so you know when decisions need to be made and when your Save the Date or Invitations need to be mailed.
2. What is your style?
If you have a particular theme for your special event, research wedding invitations styles of interest. Save these ideas and share them with your stationery designer so you can discuss in detail what you like and don't want incorporated in your invitation design. This will help your designer start to create a unique style that reflects your personality, theme and tell your love story.
3. Track your RSVP
Some guests may forget to add their name to the RSVP card. By adding a small numbered system to the back corner of the insert, will help track your responses.
4. Mailing Dates
Save the Date cards should be mailed 6-8 months before your wedding. This will allow guests to mark their calendars and give your out-of-town guests plenty of time to plan vacation dates, and travel plans. For your wedding invitations, mail them out 10-12 weeks and ask for their replies approximately 1 month before.
5. Don't Forget Extras
It's important to include extra invitations in your order. As a rule of thumb, consider at least 10 extra sets incase you need to resend an invitation that got lost in the mail or for any guests on your plan B list if there are any declines, a set for your photographer to photograph and any keepsakes. It is more expensive to order more invitations after the fact.
6. Postage
Be sure to take your wedding invitations to your the post office to get properly weighed for postage. You don't want your invitations to be returned due to insufficient postage. This would result in an additional expense to you on new envelopes, printed guest addressing and postage.
Pretty Stamps: postage stamps add a design element to your envelopes. You can purchase lovely designs on Canada Post's website that may compliment the esthetic design of your envelope. Be sure to still properly weigh your invitations at the post office for local, USA and International mailing destinations before placing an order.
Custom Stamps: your stationery designer can design custom stamps that match the style and look of your wedding invitations. Custom stamp orders are available through Canada Post's website (Create Custom Stamps). They cost a bit and may take a few extra days for delivery.
7. Snap a Photo!
Don't forget to have your wedding invitation suite photographed. You'll want your photographer to capture every detail of your special event including your stationery.
Your invitation makes the perfect backdrop for your jewelry, and wedding rings!
8. Day-of-Stationery
It does not stop at your wedding invitations, your day-of-stationery is important too! As you plan your event, think about how you'll want to incorporate your wedding design at the ceremony and reception. At Stylish Moments Invitation Studio we will design stationery accessories such as programs, welcome sign, menus, table numbers, seating plan, place cards, gift tags etc. using details from your initial design for a cohesive branded look.
9. Thank You Cards
Include thank you cards as part of your stationery package with guest addressing. Once you receive teaser images from your photographer after your event, you may want to use a couple for your thank you cards. Arrange to have your photographer send you a high resolution (print quality) image file of your favourites to send to your stationery designer. Receiving your thank you card order within a couple months after your wedding will allow you to personalize each one and send them out quickly to guests.
10. Change of Date
COVID-19 has forced many couples to make changes to their wedding plans. There may be continued uncertainty ahead. Check with your stationery designer what are your options should you need to postpone or split your event (ceremony now, reception later). At Stylish Moments Invitation Studio, we offer guidance and provide options should you need to make changes to your wedding event. We are here to support all couples during these uncertain times.