| The look of the wedding invitations you send will | | | | houses are now able to offer this print option as |
| not only says a lotabout you and your | | | | well, but itis not done by hand. |
| husband-to-be they will also convey a fair amount | | | | Saying It with Words |
| ofinformation about your upcoming ceremony. So | | | | Today, there are so many different kinds of |
| it is important to plan thetype of wedding you will | | | | families--traditional,blended, divorced, etc.--that it's |
| have before you make any decisions aboutyour | | | | no wonder brides are often concernedabout how |
| invitations. | | | | to word their invitations without breaching any |
| Based upon the quality of the paper stock, | | | | rules ofetiquette. The stationer you will likely be |
| lettering, color and designyou select, recipients are | | | | visiting soon will have moresamples of wording |
| likely to make a determination about theformality | | | | than you will want to see. For now though, I'll let |
| or informality of the event, thus how they should | | | | youglance at a few of the more commonly used |
| dress. Thecolor of your invitations may suggest | | | | forms. These all fall underthe category "traditional." |
| the color scheme of your wedding. | | | | (Bride's parents are hosting) |
| The quality of the paper may indicate how | | | | Mr. and Mrs. David Hennesserequest the honor of |
| elaborate or simple youwedding will be. | | | | your presenceat the marriage of their daughter |
| Choosing Invitations | | | | Miss Ellen Marie Hennesseto |
| Stationery Stores--Most brides still go to a | | | | Mr. Mark Peter Brusteron Saturday, the ninth of |
| stationery store to selectinvitations. Once there, | | | | June |
| you can look at brochures and browse | | | | Two thousand and fiveat three o'clock in the |
| throughmanufacturers' catalogs. The catalogs | | | | afternoon |
| include samples invitations sothat you can feel the | | | | St. Mary's Church |
| paper stock, see the true color of the paper, | | | | Duluth, Minnesota |
| andcompare different print options. Knowledgeable | | | | (Both bride's and groom's parents are hosting) |
| clerks will be on hand tohelp you pick out the | | | | Mr. And Mrs. David Hennesseand |
| desired color and weight of the paper as well | | | | Mr. And Mrs. Clark Brusterrequest the honor of |
| asthe ink, style of script, and wording for your | | | | your presenceat the marriage of their children |
| invitations. The only thingremaining for you to do | | | | Ellen Marie Hennesseand |
| will be to provide the particulars. | | | | Mark Peter Brusteron Saturday, the ninth of June |
| There are only a few large manufacturers and | | | | Two thousand and fiveat three o'clock in the |
| they dominate thewedding invitation industry. As a | | | | afternoon |
| result, whichever stationery house yougo to you | | | | St. Mary's Church |
| are likely to see the exact same catalogs. Unlike | | | | Duluth, Minnesota |
| private printshops, because these companies | | | | (When the bride and groom host the wedding) |
| mass-produce their products they areable to | | | | Miss Ellen Marie Hennesseand |
| offer you greater variety at a lower price. | | | | Mr. Mark Peter Brusterrequest the honor of your |
| Online Shopping--There is virtually nothing you | | | | presenceat their marriageon Saturday, the ninth |
| can't buy onthe Internet, including your gown | | | | of June |
| (although I would not recommend anonline | | | | Two thousand and fiveat three o'clock in the |
| purchase for your wedding dress, which must be | | | | afternoon |
| properly sizedand fitted). | | | | St. Mary's Church |
| The Internet offers a huge number of sites selling | | | | Duluth, Minnesota |
| both traditional andunique invitations. If you are | | | | The old rule was that the word "honor" should |
| bargain shopping for invitations, the | | | | always be spelled |
| Internet is definitely the place to go. | | | | "honour." This rule is no longer firmly held. |
| Keep in mind that you are always taking a chance | | | | However, you should alwaysspell everything |
| when you choose thismethod. There is nothing like | | | | out--names, the date, the time and the location. |
| being able to feel the quality of the paperor the | | | | There are definite rules regarding the use of |
| raised lettering to ensure that you will get exactly | | | | initials. "Doctor" (medicalonly, otherwise the |
| what you want. | | | | professional title is not used) is written in full, |
| However, knowing how different weights of | | | | unlessthe name to follow is long. "Mr." is never |
| papers feel and about thedifferent methods of | | | | written "Mister," but "Jr." mayalso be written as |
| printing can help. | | | | "junior," although the first is preferred. |
| Private Printers--Because of the availability of | | | | It is acceptable to use numbers when writing the |
| mass producersand the tendency of many people | | | | address of the churchor synagogue, but avoid |
| to shop for bargains on the Internet,private shops | | | | doing so. Generally, the address (including |
| are now hard to find. If you have your heart set | | | | thestreet name) of the location where the |
| on trulypersonalized invitations, look around. You | | | | wedding will be held is omitted. |
| are almost sure to find onesomewhere. | | | | You may want to include it if not doing so would |
| Different Printing Methods | | | | be likely to cause yourguest frustration--when, for |
| There are essentially four common methods of | | | | example, you are getting married in a largecity |
| invitation printing, eachwith its own benefits. | | | | and guests would have to guess which of the |
| Handwritten--If you are planning a small wedding | | | | several churches withthe same name you mean. |
| (meaning 50people or fewer), it is perfectly | | | | If you do include the address and you are using a |
| acceptable to hand write your invitations. | | | | formal style ofwording, spell out numbers under |
| Of course, this will be hard work, but you will | | | | 100. Never abbreviate words such as |
| save a lot of money. | | | | "Street," "Avenue," and "Road," and do not include |
| Engraved--This is the ultimate in invitation printing. | | | | the zip code. |
| Withengraving, the printer stamps the back of the | | | | Saving Time and Money |
| paper using metal plates. | | | | If you are pressed for time, ask the stationer if |
| This raises the print up off of the paper so that | | | | you can have theenvelopes early. This way, while |
| you can actually feel thelettering. For most brides, | | | | you are waiting for your invitations tobe printed |
| engraved invitations are much to costly. | | | | you can address the envelopes. |
| Thermography--This is the most common form | | | | When it comes to deciding how many invitations |
| of invitationprinting. With this method, the ink is | | | | to order, you shoulddefinitely order slightly more |
| heated to create a raised-letter effectthat is | | | | than you think you will need. Chances areyou are |
| nearly indistinguishable from engraving. | | | | going to need more than you thought. It's a lot |
| Calligraphy--We all recognize this as another name | | | | more expensiveto place a second order than it is |
| for fancyformal script. This method is becoming | | | | to order extras. |
| more popular every year, Manyof the printing | | | | |