Save the Dates?
There are a few scenarios where save-the-date cards are particularly helpful and allow guests to make plans accordingly:
- Guests are travelling from out-of-town and moreso, out-of-country.
- Guests who may need extra time to make arrangements.
- Destination weddings.
There are various options for save-the-dates, including cards, postcards, or magnets. Key information that should be on every save-the-date is: the date, the location, and an indication that a formal invitation is to come.
The Look
The invitation is the first taste that guests will have of your wedding. Invites are a great way to start incorporating the theme, colour scheme or other important components of your wedding. With wedding invitations, you can be as hands on or as hands off as you desire (or have time for!).
- There are many companies that help you create personalized cards or postcards, such as Wedding Paper Divas (based in California) or Six. modern paper goods (based in Almonte).
- Check out theknot.com's 25 Unexpected Invite Ideas You'll Love for some alternative invite inspiration.
- Use a designer to create an image or design that reflects you and yours.
- Select paper and envelopes that reflect you and yours; recycled paper, handmade paper, plantable seeded paper...there are many options!
- Visit local stationery stores such as the Papery (850 Bank St) or the Paper Papier (18 Clarence St) to see stationery options if you're interested in making your invites from scratch.
Online Presence
One key thing to keep in mind as you prepare your invitations is to not include too much information. Nowadays, it's quite popular and convenient to have a wedding website that will give your guests all of the information that you want to share with them but couldn't include on your paper invites. There are many free wedding websites such as theknot.com, many premium wedding websites, or free blogs that can double as wedding websites. See here for ideas on content for your wedding website.
The Content
No matter what type of celebration you're planning, there are a few key details that should be included in any invitation:
- The date and location of venue(s) (if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, it may be helpful to include a map of the area)'
- Basic overview of times: for the ceremony, cocktails, receptions, tea ceremony, apres-wedding lunch, etc. (if people are expected to be somewhere at a certain time, include it).
- Any RSVP information that you need for coordinating the logistics of the day such as the number of guests and meal choices, as well as a RSVP deadline.
Some things to consider when you're thinking about the wording and content of your invites:
- Here is some info on wedding invitation wording and an invitation wording wizard tool to select something to reflect your family situation.
- Proofread your invite for grammar, spelling, and typos.
- There are different ways to word your response card. See here, here, and here for ideas.
For response cards, make it easy for your guests by pre-addressing and stamping the return envelope, including your contact information should they have any questions, and making it clear what information you need. Small details can really help you out, as Danielle of Six Modern Paper Goods points out:
Write numbers on the back of your RSVPs and keep track of who you sent each number to - It's amazing how many people forget to write their names on the reply card!
From Here to There
Typically, the outer envelope is addressed formally; see here for some examples. You can use a personalized seal or sticker on the back of the envelope for a nice finishing touch. A great tip from Vincent of Everlovin' Press:
For a special touch, get your own personalized stamps made for mailing those invites out.
You can also create personalized postcards with Canada Post; their pricing includes printed postcards and delivery anywhere in the world.
If you'll be mailing your invitations, don't find yourself underpaying on the postage, just thinking that a standard stamp will cover the cost; your envelopes could be returned to you up to several weeks later with an 'insufficient postage' stamp on it...probably not the look you were going for!
To avoid this, take one stuffed envelope to Canada Post and have it weighed so that you know how much it'll cost; currently with Canada Post, the standard postage is for letters up to 30g. There are also size requirements for standard letters. Rectangular envelopes are cheaper to send than square ones. Thick envelopes may cost more to send. If you'd likely to specially select the stamp design without having personalized stamps made, Canada Post has a wide variety of stamps available for sale.
Keeping Track
Having a spreadsheet to keep track of information such as who you've invited, what number their invitation has, who has responded, and what their meal choices are will help you determine things like who you need to follow up with. A spreadsheet is also more easily searchable than a text-based document.
