By Linda DiProperzio
Every couple looks forward to the day they mail out their invitations. But
when it comes to wedding stationery, your invites are just the tip of the
iceberg. “There are so many options out there, each one is a perfect
way to show off your personal style,” says Kristen Green, of Green
Bean Designs in Sandyston (973-948-8353; greenbeandesigns.com).
Save the dates Years ago, save the dates were primarily for couples planning
a destination wedding. Now, pretty much everyone is sending them out. And
why not? You want to spread the good news ASAP! Magnets in a variety of designs
(your theme colors, your engagement photo, etc.) are still a popular choice.
You can also go with luggage tags or faux plane tickets for a destination
theme, as well as a calendar with the big day circled. To save on paper—and
postage—ditch envelopes and send out a simple postcard that includes
the link to your wedding website.
Invitations Many couples are going with invites that are traditional with
a twist. The portfolio invitations have recently become popular. They include
a neatly organized folder, which can include information on hotel accommodations,
rehearsal-dinner details, special guest events, etc. Two things to skip:
double envelopes and tissue paper between each layer. They’re both
out of style and a waste of paper.
Programs Keep guests in the loop with a rundown of your ceremony, including
the names of your wedding party, readings, and even a special message from
the bride and groom. A pretty booklet tied with a sheer bow always looks
elegant. Or go simple with a one-page card stock style. Finally, paper fans
printed with your details serve a dual purpose for guests at an outdoor ceremony.
Place/Escort cards Guests need to know where they’re sitting at the
reception, but let’s face it: those little cards wind up getting tossed
onto the table once they find their seats. Instead, think about an oversized
museum matte frame that sits on an easel at the entrance to your reception
or cocktail hour. The board inside can list all of your guests’ names
and table numbers; then reuse the frame to showcase your favorite enlarged
wedding photo.
Menu cards The food is an important part of the party, and people like to
know what they’re getting before the plates arrive. You can print out
individual cards stating the evening’s menu in card-stock quality paper
with your monogram or wedding theme design, or go with a framed 8-by-11 in
the same design, framed for each table.
Favors Many couples are opting to give a charitable donation in lieu of
a traditional favor. It’s a great idea, so let your guests know with
a special message on colored paper (match it with your flowers) featuring
the charity’s logo. You can roll them into scrolls with ribbons in
complementary colors, or—like the menu cards—have just one oversized
letter framed on each table. You can even put them out at cocktail-hour
tables if you’re worried about overcrowding.
Thank-yous When it comes to this wedding staple, couples are still opting
for the popular thank-yous with a wedding photo either inside or on the cover
of the card. And skip those pre-printed thank-yous that you can design on
certain websites. A hand-written note is always in style.
Out of the Box
By Antoinette DeNise
It used to be the easiest decision a couple made when planning their wedding. After flipping through a catalog, they simply chose a design and a color. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? That is, up until a few years ago, when clients wanted custom designs in a three-dimensional package. Invitations have never been the same.
Named for the container in which it’s sent, “boxed invitations” are specially made and often ornate. These invitations are typically placed in a box filled with small trinkets. They can be expensive with prices usually ranging from $15 to $40 dollars a box, not including an average shipping fee of $2 per invite. But the cost doesn’t seem to deter brides and grooms.
“Boxed invitations are one of my biggest sellers,” says Kristen Green, owner of Greenbean Designs (973-948-8353; www.greenbeandesigns.com) in Sandyston. “Couples now are more inclined to spend a little extra money on invites, and boxed invitations are the best way to give guests a glimpse into the wedding while getting them excited about the event.”
Boxed invitations, according to Green, are extremely popular for destination weddings, be it in Bermuda or a local park. For a wedding in Hawaii, Green designed tropical-inspired invitations that sat on a pillow of netting and was surrounded by an assortment of small shells, a starfish, and a fabric orchid.
Another trend features custom, lavish detailing. “Many of my customers are requesting rhinestone, gem, and silk embellishments,” says Heather Baird Loya, owner of le Papertique (201-232-4502; www.lepapertique.com). “Invitations are being placed in a silk boxes or envelopes, and I’ve even had a request for invitations to be monogrammed in rhinestones.”
Everyone loves getting boxes in the mail, and according to Robin Kornett, owner of the Hamilton-based Robin K Design (609-689-9199; www.robinkdesign.com), couples want to “wow” their guests by content, not just packaging. “Boxed invitations are usually expensive; why not give something to your guests that they can treasure,” says Kornett. “Receiving a boxed invite is like getting a gift. I always encourage my couples to put something special in the box that can be reused, or to make the box itself a keepsake.”
A recent couple Kornett designed for used pink leather heart-shaped boxes to house their invitations. For a wedding in Bermuda, she designed custom starfish brooches that the invitation requested guests to wear to the ceremony.
“Every detail of a boxed invitation can be customized,” says Stephanie Somodi, owner of Designs by Stephanie (609-812-1383; www.sdesigns.biz) in Little Egg Harbor. “Bride and grooms love that they can be designed to reflect their own personality and the style of the wedding. It’s a trend that both couples and guests can enjoy.”
Shower Invites
By Patricia Koch
Let’s celebrate the bride’s happiness. Let’s equip her kitchen. Let’s have fun, fun, fun. Looking for new ways to squeeze all this and party essentials onto one tiny invite? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s what to include: who it’s for, who’s hosting, where and when— plus rsvp, phone, e-mail and deadline. If there’s a theme—linens, lingerie, wine—explain, and maybe add where she’s registered. If it’s a surprise, say so prominently, so no one spills the beans. But what will make your invite memorable is its presentation.
Go ahead and indulge your whimsical, feminine side when designing shower invitations. Chris Murphy, owner of The Front Porch in Pennington (609-737-0071; www.thefrontporchnj.com), tells us, “Bright pink, lime green, and turquoise are hot, often sprinkled with polka dots or daisies to up the fun quotient.”
“Showers themselves are getting bigger—50 to 125 guests—and more elaborate, featuring luncheons at fine restaurants,” explains Patricia Stewart of The Bag Lady in West Windsor (609-426-4001). “So your invitations should be equally upscale.”
Stewart offers embellished cards to suit the season or location. She might add a die-cut snowflake for a mid-winter shower, a sprig of dried lavender for a spring event, or a starfish for a seaside shower. These 3D invites get opened and instantly jotted on the calendar, but also require hand-canceling at the post office.
Prefer to do it yourself? Choose an invitation kit from a stationery store, and get busy. For best results, make sure the paper and your printer are top-quality. We found adorable, affordable shower invites on www.myexpression.com and www.paperaffair.com to custom print or print yourself. Your invitation’s personal touches show guests that this event will be special. After all, your ultimate goal is an invite that says, “Don’t even THINK of missing this party!”
Save-the-Date Cards
By Patricia Koch
What’s a wedding without friends and family? You’d do anything to make sure they’re all there when you say your “I dos.” Luckily, one little card is pretty much all it takes. “The pre-invite started as advance notice of destination, holiday, and summertime weddings, so guests could make travel arrangements,” says Mary Lou Brandhorst of Papyrus in Marlton. “Now they’re used across the board. The trick is to make sure yours gets noticed.”
Kira Hands of the Blue Tulip in Marlton agrees. “A clever save-the-date will be more likely to stick in people’s heads. For instance, a lottery-style card where you scratch off the date does the trick.”
Wedding planner JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions in Denville recommends sending a save-the-date card six to nine months ahead if wedding guests will be coming long distance. Include your wedding date, dates of related events, and your wedding website for details. To avoid confusion, note that a formal invite will follow.
You can get the news out instantly to a computer-friendly crowd without spending a penny via www.sendomatic.com. Dress up your message with music and motion if you wish. Or send a handwritten note to guests, namely Grandma, who may not be internet savvy. Another cost-cutting move is to combine save-the-dates with your engagement announcement. You’ll answer everyone’s very first question and avoid mailing the same people twice.
There are only three reasons to skip sending save-the-dates: If your budget doesn’t stretch, your timetable is too short (less than six months), or if all your guests are local.
So what might this save-the-date look like? Wedding planner Samantha Goldberg of Gold Events in Bridgewater tells us that “magnet save-the-dates are so been there, done that. Why not be a little different?” So here are some outside-the-box save-the-ideas:
- Mail your message in a plastic bottle with a dash of sand, shells, or confetti. See www.capeimages.com or www.bottlemeamessage.com.
- Send a mock boarding pass for your destination wedding.
- Share a taste of what’s ahead: a morsel of your wedding cake inside its own tiny box. Ask your baker to create one, or bake your own.
- Send a heart-shaped monogrammed cookie. Visit www.rollingpinproductions.com or www.cookiesbydesign.com.
“Because it’s often so fanciful, the save-the-date sometimes gets more raves than the invite itself,” says Gregoli.
And Goldberg offers another piece of advice: “Just keep in mind that if you wow your guests with a big-budget save-the-date, they’ll expect an even more elaborate invitation.”