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As we enter "invitation season" (typically invites go out 2-3 months before the wedding), we thought it may be a good idea to share some tips that we have learned over the past year when planning a wedding during these crazy times. We have created a list of tips below to help you navigate the process and connected with our local stationers, Dulce Press and Pink Polka Dot, to be sure you have the tools you need for a successful invitation!
Number One If it is time to order your invitations and you are not quite sure if you may have to postpone or not, be sure that the only piece of your suite that has a date on it is the invitation. That way if you do have to change the date for any reason, you only have to reprint the invite and not the whole suite!  Dulce Press Number Two If you had to downsize your wedding, it can feel like the worst thing you have to do! Unfortunately, you will have to let the guests that are no longer invited know. Take a peek at this sample from Dulce Press on how you can do that.  Dulce Press Number Three With so much unknown, even after the exciting news last week, it is still a good idea to include a note about your plans due to COVID. "I recommend including some COVID verbiage to your invitation suite (whether you add to an existing details card, or create a small additional insert). This lets your guests know you are taking the precautions seriously and also acknowledges that plans may have to change depending on current regulations. Most importantly, it will remind your guests to continue monitoring your website for updates!" Jen, Pink Polka Dot  Dulce Press  Pink Polka Dot Number Four Jen from Dulce Press recommends telling guests ahead of time that your celebration will be practicing social distancing. "If you will be supplying masks and asking them to wear them throughout the wedding let them know! Then they can make an educated decision beforehand rather than be unexpectedly confronted at the event. One of our favorites is sending a little note saying "we want you there but of course we will understand if you can’t or chose not to come". With the new announcement from the Governor last week, your plans may have changed, yet again. Be sure that you continue to check the Mass.gov website for updates!
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It is invitation time! This time of year, stationers are busy working on invitation suites for Cape Cod weddings. Designing invites is fun and can really set the look, feel and mood for your wedding. Whether print or digital, one of the key components of your invitation is your RSVP card and today we pull out this important part of your suite to make sure you cover all of your bases with this small, yet very important detail.  Who is Coming?
One of the biggest reasons you send an RSVP card is to see who is coming. Some of your guests may have horrible handwriting so we recommend that you discretely number the back of the rsvp card and match it with your guest name so you can easily figure out who sent it if you can't read it! Make sure this part is clear for your guests and that the date to RSVP is clear as well. Typically you will have your RSVP by date 1 month before the wedding. Meal Choices If you are having a plated meal with a choice, be sure to include a place for your guests to select their meal - beef, chicken, fish, vegetarian. You do not need to include the sides. If you are not having a choice, or even if you are, your caterer or venue will most likely want to know any allergies or dietary restrictions of your guests, so add a location for guests to note that. Return Envelope Now you will soon find out that not everyone is great at RSVPing, even with a self addressed stamped envelope, but you need to make it as easy as possible and be sure to include this important piece for your guests to get it back in the mail ASAP! Digital RSVPs Looking to save on the return envelope, include a small card to have your guests RSVP online. Your wedding website may allow for it or there are sites like eventbrite.com that allow for you to set-up a place for your guests to RSVP. Check out their free event planning tools that may come in handy! Other Activities Your RSVP card can be used for other activities that weekend as well. Having a welcome reception? Have your guests also note that they are coming on one RSVP card to save on paper and stamps! Have Fun! Get your guests excited for the wedding and have some fun with them on the RSVP card! Ask them for a song that would get them on the dance floor, ask them for a date night idea or what their favorite candy is for a candy station. Be Patient Like we mentioned earlier, not everyone RSVPs right away. You will most likely have to follow up with some guests after the RSVP by date to confirm if they are coming or not, so be prepared and be patient!  When it comes to your wedding, there can be a lot of different types of paper products you may need to get your guests the details they need and make sure everything goes smoothly. From the save the dates and invitations to the escort cards and thank you notes, the options are endless. If you are a paper and design person like myself, it can be even harder to make your selections and pick your favorites. Below we have come up with a list of the paper products you may, or may not, need for your wedding, but it is good to review the list and see if you want to add anything!
Save the Dates For a destination wedding, save the dates are usually sent out anywhere from a year to 6 months before the wedding date. I believe that it is better to get them out on the earlier side so that your guests have time to find hotels and decide on their plans. Save the dates can be anything from a postcard to magnets. The basic information your guests need would be the date, location and a link to your wedding website. Invitations - RSVP cards, Maps, Information The most important part of your wedding paper is most likely going to be your invitation suites. There are so many options when it comes to your invites! I highly recommend meeting with a stationer to go over options so that you can get a good idea on pricing and what fits your budget. Don’t forget to include an RSVP card and envelope, a map of the area if needed and an information card that may include things like other festivities taking place, lodging suggestions or your wedding website. Welcome Letters Welcome letters are what you would provide to your guests upon arrival to their hotel. Sometimes this letter comes along with a welcome bag of some sort, but if you want to skip the bag, you should atleast provide a letter. This can include things like a “thank you for coming” note, things to do in the area, reminder of event times (welcome party, ceremony, brunch), parking information, etc. If you are not sure where all of your guests are staying, you could also send this in an email the week leading up to your wedding. Ceremony Programs If you are having a church ceremony, you are most likely going to want to have a ceremony program. If you are having an outdoor ceremony, a program of the service is not required (especially if is rather basic), but it can be nice for your guests to have something to look at while they wait. You will want to include things like the bridal party and family names, order of service and maybe a thank you to your friends and family. Escort Cards & Place Cards What is the difference you ask? Escort cards are what the guests pick up and “escort” them to their seat. Place cards are what assign your “place” at the table. Most brides will do escort cards and not place cards, as it can be tedious to assign each seat at the table for your guests. There are many options for escort cards ranging from tented, seating charts, starfish, etc. Menu Cards If you are having a plated meal with or without a choice, it is always a good idea to include a menu card on the table. You can either do one per table or you can do one per place setting. If you are doing stations or buffet, a menu is not needed, but you may need catering cards to identify what each food is. Check with your caterer first to see if they provide them or not. Signage There are always places throughout your wedding where you will want to include some signage. Some examples of this would be for your signature drinks, directing guests to the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, guest book details, bride and groom signs, and more. Thank You Notes Don’t forget your thank you notes! You can talk to your stationer about having them match your invitation suite, or you can also talk with your photographer about doing a “Thank You” photo to use on your cards. Learn from the expert! Jen from Dulce Press in Mashpee says, “When choosing wedding invitations, be sure to go with something that sets the tone for the wedding. Whether it's casual, formal, backyard BBQ, your wedding invitation style will show your guests what you're planning. It doesn't mean that if it's a casual wedding, the invitations have to be flimsy! Just go with a fun, fresh design over a traditional format.” |
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