The honor of your presence

by Glenda Roberts

It’s your big day, you’ve set a date, booked your venues and now it’s time to officially invite your family and friends. The wording can be traditional, a tender poem or a casual request - but whichever you choose remember to include all of the important details as well as proper spelling.

For the intimate but elegant wedding you may wish to add a personal touch, individually including the name of each guest on your handcrafted invitations and sealing with wax as was done by England’s aristocratic society dating back to the eighteenth century. If casual’s more your style, scan a favorite photo for use as a background and enhance it with beading and lace or create a scrapbook look and journal the ceremony details.

It may be more to your liking and timing to choose an engraved or embossed invitation which will increase your choices in typeface, paper such as rice, parchment or linen and can be as simple as words on paper or as elaborate as die-cutting paper for intertwining doves in a heart. Keep in mind when ordering, two very important details - 1) You need only send one invitation per family or couple. 2) You may need to re-write, correct or re-send so order some extras.

Whether you are having a formal black tie affair or a backyard barbeque you will want to know how many guests will be attending. Inclusion of a stamped response has managed this task over the years but your e-mail inbox will do just as well. Reception information and directions shall be included with the invitation and may be contained to one piece. Invitations should be sent out eight weeks in advance to give guests time to make arrangements to attend. Etiquette directs the invitation remain very simple. Specify whether your affair is proper dress or casual and once finished drop them off at the post office for delivery of the happy news.

Find everything you need in our Professional Wedding Directory.