Busy Bride Wedding Guide Blog

You said yes to the wedding proposal, chose a venue and narrowed down the guest list to a manageable number. Now it’s time to send out invitations, but where do you start? Since wedding invitations can number well into the hundreds, and you’ll most likely spend hours choosing the perfect design and colour scheme, it’s important to get organized before you start. Here are a few tips to help you on your way to choosing the wedding stationery to let everyone know you’re getting married.

Engagement Announcements/Invitations
We’re engaged! Some couples decide to send announcements about their engagement, even if the wedding is a year and a half away. Photo engagement announcements are popular, and the couple can be creative with details of the proposal. An engagement party is the perfect way to introduce your spouse-to-be to all of your family and friends. Include the date, time, place, city, state and what attire your guests should wear. Remember, only invite people to the engagement party that you are planning on inviting to the wedding.

Save the Date Cards
A save the date card is a way for the bride and groom to let their loved ones know their wedding date and to “save the date.” This allows family and friends to keep the day open, and is especially useful if the wedding is farther ahead in the future. The general rule for save the date cards is to send them anywhere between 6-12 months before the wedding. If you have your wedding colors, you can incorporate them into your save the date cards, but if you don’t, you’re free to choose any design or color you wish. Many couples make their save the date cards in the form of a magnet or clip to hold the actual invitation when it comes later. Since many couples don’t have all the wedding particulars sorted out yet, it’s fine to just list the date and place where the wedding is being held. However, if you have additional information such as times, hotels, and directions, do include them with the save the date card.

Bridal Shower Invitations
The bridal shower invitation usually lets guests know the theme of the party, as well as the date, time and location. If the bridal shower is at a restaurant or other public place, be sure to include directions and parking instructions with the invite. It’s common for bridal shower invitations to have small “memories” cards in them that are filled out by her friends and given to her on the day of the shower.

Bridesmaids’/Groomsmen Day Invitations
Although not overly common, some brides and grooms host a party to thank their bridesmaids and groomsmen for their friendship and help during the wedding planning. The groomsmen could play a round of golf, while the bridesmaids visit a local spa or hairdresser for some pre-wedding pampering. Nowadays, many couples host a co-ed barbecue or lunch with both the bridesmaids and groomsmen in attendance. Include the date, time, place and any instructions for special attire or equipment.

Bachelorette Party Invitations
You’ve got one more chance to party like a single girl! Bridal Shower Invitations vary a great deal - some are humorous and poke fun at the bride, while others are more formal and refined. It depends on the theme of the party - if you’re having a quiet dinner at a nice restaurant, a more elegant invitation design is fitting. However, if you’re planning on dancing at your favorite club or hiring a stripper, let your invitations be fun and lighthearted. The bride will most likely keep her invitation as a souvenir, so let the theme of the party show in the invitations so she has a great memory of her special night. Apart from date, time and place, include any other instructions such as hotel, instructions for the night’s festivities, etc.

Wedding Planning Thank You Notes
: It’s a nice gesture for the bride to send out thank you notes to her friends and family who have given her gifts, organized her shower or bachelorette party, or helped with planning or wedding shopping. The bride uses her maiden name, and these cards can be funky and vivid, or more subdued and classic.

Wedding Invitations
: There are several components to wedding invitations. Typically sent 6-10 weeks before the wedding, they usually feature the wedding theme and colors. It gives guests information on the date (including year), time and place the wedding will be held, and commonly has the names of the bride and/or groom’s parents if they are hosting the wedding. How the couple words the invitation is up to them, and depends on how formal or informal the wedding will be.

Reception info is printed at the bottom, so be specific with what type of celebration you will be having. “Reception to follow” tells guests you will be serving a full meal, so if you are just planning on cocktails and hors d’ouevres, ensure that the wedding invitation says that. For single people, it’s customary to add “plus guest” to the invitation envelope. Never include gift or registry information on an invitation.

Reception Card
If the ceremony and reception aren’t on the same day, or if the guests have to travel to another location. It gives reception details such as time and place, as well as any additional details about the itinerary or party (cocktail hour, midnight buffet, dancing).

Travel/Accomodation Card
Travel information gives your out of town guests taxi information and directions to hotels from the airport. Offer your recommendations for hotels and motels in the area, and choose one or two higher end hotels for your guests who prefer that, as well as some cheaper accomodations for guests on a budget.

Response Card.
This can be a simple card with an empty spot for names, number of guests and a checkbox for will or will not be attending. Or, if you are having a sit-down dinner, questions about entrees will be listed on this card. Expect a few people to forget to send back the response card, if you are missing someone give them a call a few days before.

Thank You Card
: This is a chance for the couple to thank guests for their attendance and gifts during the wedding. If you have received wedding pictures, you can include one in the envelope with the card.