| Having your wedding invitations professionally | | | | Next, if the marriage ceremony and wedding |
| printed can cost an arm and a leg these days and | | | | reception are being held at different venues, you |
| with more and more people using home | | | | should include a reception card. This should be in |
| computers, or at least having access to a friend's | | | | the same style as your wedding invitation and is, |
| computer, you can save a great deal of money | | | | in effect, a separate invitation to the reception. |
| by simply producing your own invitations at home. | | | | For guests who are traveling any distance to the |
| Do it yourself wedding invitations can look | | | | ceremony you may wish to include a map with |
| extremely professional these days and you'll find | | | | directions to both the ceremony and reception |
| that it is easy enough to get hold of the | | | | venues. Again these should be printed on card in |
| necessary blank stationery either through a local | | | | the same style as your wedding invitation. Where |
| store or online. You'll even get full instructions, | | | | the marriage ceremony and reception are at |
| including how to go about wording your invitations. | | | | different venues some couples prefer to have |
| Getting your do it yourself wedding invitations just | | | | maps to the reception available at the ceremony |
| right does however require a little bit of planning | | | | rather than to include them with the wedding |
| and, in particular, you will need to think carefully | | | | invitation, while other couples feel that guests |
| about just what you should include along with the | | | | might feel happier knowing the location of the |
| invitation card itself. | | | | reception in advance. |
| Your printed invitation card will normally be | | | | Finally, again for guests from out-of-town, you |
| wrapped in tissue and popped into an unsealed but | | | | might like to include accommodation cards with |
| addressed envelope. This in turn will be enclosed in | | | | details of suitable hotels and guest houses in the |
| a second envelope which will be sealed and | | | | area, together with their phone numbers and, |
| addressed for posting and which should include | | | | where available, website addresses. |
| your return address in case the postal service is | | | | At this point couples often ask if they should |
| unable to deliver it or the recipient is no longer | | | | include their list of suggested wedding presents |
| living at the address you have. | | | | with their invitations. The answer to this is a |
| So far so good and everything you need up to | | | | simple no! Your wedding invitation is simply that - |
| this point will be included in any standard wedding | | | | an invitation to join you and share in the pleasure |
| invitation kit that you buy from your local | | | | of your special day and you should not put your |
| stationer or purchase online. However, you will | | | | guests in the position of feeling obliged to give |
| need to think about a few other things that you | | | | you something in return for your hospitality. Of |
| should include. | | | | course your guests may ask if they can bring a |
| First you'll need to include a reply or response | | | | gift with them and may also ask if there is |
| card to give your guests a simply way to let you | | | | anything in particular that you would like. In those |
| know whether or not they will be attending. You | | | | circumstances it is quite acceptable to provide |
| should also include a stamped and self-addressed | | | | them some ideas - but not until they ask! |
| envelope for convenience. | | | | |