A Bride-To-Be's Guide To Wedding Invitations: Get Them Right The First Time

They may only be small pieces of card and paper, but wedding invitations are one of the most crucial parts of your wedding day.

Not only do they give your guests the details they need, but they also offer a glimpse at the kind of day you are planning. Something as simple as opening an invitation can fill all involved with joy and encourages them to share in your excitement. One of the most common wedding planning blunders is not checking your invites before they get sent out. There are plenty of other ways your invites could be ruined and make or break your big day. This guide will tell you how to get your invites right the first time to make the entire process as easy as possible!

Invitation styles you need to avoid:

Before advising you on how to choose your perfect wedding invitations, it’s good to know which styles you need to avoid. Even though we are all obsessed with modern technology, an emailed or Facebook wedding invitation is not something you should do. While they can save you money and are often more convenient, they will not do you any favours. Your guests may not see or receive them and they don’t have the same impact as beautiful wedding cards. They can leave your guests feeling underwhelmed and gives the impression of a lack of care and attention to detail. It’s also worth mentioning that Facebook event groups can be taken advantage of. Your wedding details can quickly circulate around social media and strangers may turn up to your big day. This is naturally something you don’t want on the biggest day of your life. So while it may be tempting to invite your guests via email or social media, always stick to the traditional (and physical) invitation styles instead.

Choosing a theme:

To start choosing a theme for your wedding invitations, it’s always beneficial to consider what kind of wedding you would like. Are you going for a traditional style of wedding? Or something more contemporary or fun? Talk to your partner about this thoroughly as your decision will influence the choices you make throughout. To make this easier, start looking online and in magazines for themes that you are both drawn to. This should include invitation designs, styles, and colors. Compile a scrapbook or start a Pinterest board to keep all the images you like in one place. It shouldn’t take long for a possible theme to present itself. This is a fantastic starting point that will help you start looking for your perfect invitations design. But don’t let it restrict you too much, as you may find that you need to be more flexible in your approach and that your initial theme ideas are not what you actually want.

Remember that there needs to be cohesion between your invites and your wedding day, or it may be confusing for your guests. For instance, if you want to create a vintage style wedding then your invitations need to reflect this in some way. This will make it clear to everybody the kind of day they can expect to attend. Whereas if you send out modern and simplistic invites for your vintage-themed wedding, your guests will be surprised when your big day arrives. There is no right or wrong theme for your invitations - just ensure there is a clear connection and that it suits your tastes and needs.

Pricing of invitations:

As they are such an important aspect of a wedding, it’s hardly surprising that wedding invitations can be expensive. The prices will vary from place to place, so it’s good to shop around before committing to a particular design. Some companies will charge per card which includes everything from the inserts to the personalisation, while others will have a price per card, then charge you for additional extras on top. Always find out an approximate price that includes everything you need to help you budget more efficiently. You should be able to find this out on company websites or by contacting the supplier directly.

If you’re eager to save as much money as possible, why not try making your own DIY invitations. This has become hugely popular in recent years as more couples strive to keep their wedding costs down. You can buy the items you need such as envelopes, decorative touches and card from craft stores. You can also find invitations online that you can assemble yourself for a flat rate. All you have to do is choose the design and give them your wedding details and they will then send you the materials and instructions you need. This is a wonderful way of getting creative with your partner or bridesmaids and it adds a more personal touch to your invitations.

The wording of your invitations:

While you obviously want your invitations to look good and stand out, it’s important to keep in mind their primary function. Never choose style over function or you may regret it. Once you’ve chosen a theme and design, always make sure the details are clear and legible. It’s always beneficial to create your own practise invitation using a notepad and pen. Write down all of the details required including names, dates, time and the venue. Also include your contact information and any other requirements you deem necessary. Then triple check everything to make sure it is correct! Take your time doing this as mistakes can easily be made when you are rushing. If your guests cannot easily read invitations, they may get the date or location wrong, causing unwanted upheaval. Only once these details are 100% correct should you send them out. This should ideally be 2-3 months before your wedding day to give your guest substantial time to RSVP.

Take what you have learned from this guide to help you create and choose your own wedding invitations. This will save you valuable time and money that you could probably put to far better use. Getting your invitations right the first time takes a huge weight off your shoulders and you can relax knowing that an integral part has been accomplished successfully!

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1st image credit: La Candella Weddings (as featured here).