hipink invite timeline

Need more details? Check out our handy detailed timeline below:

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12 months before your wedding

Put together your guest list to determine the number of invitations you’ll need.
Start gathering photos, inspiration items, etc. to help clarify your personal style and your vision of your big day (if you haven’t already).
If you are sending out save the date cards, start to consider what type of save the date you’d like.

6-9 months before your wedding

Purchase and send out save the date cards, especially if you are having a wedding during the summer, or a holiday or destination wedding.
Start looking at invitation options to determine the type and style of invitation you are looking for.
If you’ve decided on custom-designed invitations, find a designer you’d like to work with and book them.
Start giving some thought as to the wording of your invitation, what additional inserts you may need (reception cards, accommodation cards, map/directions, itinerary, etc.).
Determine the day-of stationery you will require (menus, escort cards, programs, thank you cards, etc.).

4-6 months before your wedding

Finalize your guest list, and make sure you have full and correct names and addresses for all guests.
Determine your invitation style, additional inserts and wording, and place your invitation order.
Don’t forget to proofread!

3-4 months before your wedding

Begin addressing your envelopes if you are doing so by hand, or send them out for calligraphy.
Begin assembling all the parts of your invitations and stuffing them in the envelopes (keep them unsealed, just in case).
Order any day-of stationery if you haven’t already.

8-12 weeks before your wedding

Take one complete invitation to the post office to be weighed, and purchase postage.
Seal your envelopes, apply the postage, and take them to the post office to be mailed (ask for them to be hand-canceled, if possible).

3-4 weeks before your wedding

Keep a running tally of your RSVPs as they come in, making sure you keep track of both yes and no responses.
Mail any additional invitations for events surrounding your wedding (rehearsal dinner, day-after brunch, etc.).

2-3 weeks before your wedding

Follow up with any guests who have not yet replied to ensure you have an accurate headcount for your venue.

1-2 days before your wedding

Make sure you have all of your day-of stationery together, and determine who will take care of the items (ie. who will hand out programs, who will set up escort cards, etc.).

1-3 months after your wedding

Send out thank you cards to your guests.

beginnings wedding invitations

Celebrate new beginnings with an invitation that spreads wildflowers everywhere you send it. Guests plant the invitation, which is embedded with wildflower seeds and made with 100% post-consumer waste and grows wildflowers right out of the paper. Read more about how to plant the paper. Designed by Kal Barteski

Click for coordinating respond card and thank you card. Buy invitations, respond and thank you cards and get additional 15% off.

Size: 5 x 7 inches

Color choices: pink, blue, yellow, green, orange. Custom colors available for an additional charge

Envelope choices: cocoa brown, pink, blue, yellow, green, orange

So you want to make your own wedding invitations. What kind of wedding invitation software do you need?

If you have a word processing program, you probably have all the software you need. Basically you will just be putting text and clip art or photos on card stock. In order to get a nice wedding invitation you will want to add your own touches.

Creating a wedding announcement is not difficult. My advise would be to get the card stock cut to size before you print on it. This will allow you to just print them and they will be done or ready to add more touches to. The program that I use to make invites is Microsoft Works. It came with my computer.

You will want to learn some of the proper wedding invitation etiquette. This will allow you to use wording that will be appropriate for your situation. This can avoid hurt feelings.

You may also choose to make your own unique wedding wording. Today with so many theme weddings, it isn’t unusual to see wording that is somewhat humorous or catchy for a theme in progress.

Using a nice script font to put your wording in will make your card beautiful. You can use almost any size in a word processing program. Adding some nice wedding clip art will hep to set a mood for your wedding. Your wedding announcements may be the first impression many of your relatives will get about your big day. You can control this with nice invites.

The best part about using a good word processing program is that you can set up a data base. With your data base you can custom address your wedding invitation envelopes. This will really add to the appeal of your first impression. By using the same font and colors on your envelopes you will create a flow that will give a complete expensive look.

There really is no need to have wedding invitation software. You can use a standard word processing program and add some wedding clip art with a nice script font and you will have the perfect announcements.

By taking control and printing your own invitations you will be able to add your own touches. Many brides will avoid the double envelopes, it saves money and is more environmentally friendly. We no longer have horseman delivering the invitations. This was the purpose of two envelopes. The outside got dirty, so it was removed and the inside was written to the recipient.

You may even choose a seal and send wedding cards. This is done with no envelopes. You simply use one sheet of card stock. Again you can do this without any special wedding invitation software. So if you don’t know how to make your own wedding announcements, learn, you will have fun with them.

Make your wedding invitations! If you are getting married, you need to know the proper wedding invitation etiquette. You can get this FREE ebook with the proper wording to use for your wedding invitations and envelope addressing. Go to http://www.makeyourweddinginvitations.com

Addressing your wedding invitations can be challenging, this FREE ebook will help answer some of your questions. It is full of information that will help any soon to be bride.

The inner envelope may be lined, is not gummed, and fits into the outer envelope.Chicago wedding invitations let you share a memorable first impression of your special day with loved ones and friends by truly capturing the spirit of your wedding day. The offer of Chicago wedding invitations are designs that range from clean and classic, to traditional, to cutting-edge and contemporary. You can convey the general tone of the wedding to your friends and family, whether it is formal, intimate, whimsical, spectacular, with  unique wedding invitations.

wedding_invitations

Choose from among the many original designs of wedding invitations along with some of the most popular wedding themes in a variety of unique and innovative treatments.Order your wedding invitations at least 4 months before the wedding.

Allow an additional month for engraved wedding invitations. wedding invitations are traditionally issued by the bride’s parents; but if the groom’s parents are assuming some of the wedding expenses, the wedding invitations should be in their names also. Mail all  wedding invitations at the same time, 6 – 8 weeks before the wedding. There are three types of wedding invitations: traditional/formal, contemporary, and informal.

Idea #1: Double Ribbon Embellishments

This unique idea frames your wedding invitations in two bands of ribbons. To get started, gather together the supplies listed below:

• Your Wedding Paper Divas wedding invitations. We used our Frosted Wonderland wedding invitations in Aloe
• A layered card in a matching hue
• Ribbon in a coordinating color
• Double-sided tape
• Craft scissors

Step One: Attach the Ribbon

Make sure there’s enough ribbon to wrap around the backside of the invitations so you can secure it tightly. Use the tape to keep it in place.

Step Two: Add Layered Card

Use the double-sided tape to attach the layered card to the back of the invitation, masking the spots where you attached the ribbon. Make sure to use plenty of tape—you wouldn’t want the back of your invites to slip off!

Step Three: Enjoy!

Aren’t they pretty? We love how the ribbon adds a subtle extra-special touch!

Idea #2: Ribbon Embellishments with Bow

This type of look is a little harder to pull off, so we recommend practicing on some scrap paper first. All you need to get started are the following supplies:

• Your Wedding Paper Divas wedding invitations. This time, we used the same Frosted Wonderland design in Sheer Lilac.
• A matching layered card
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors or a pen knife
• A craft cutting board

Step One: Measure and Cut Holes for the Ribbon

Carefully measure the middle of the card to establish where you’d like to place the bow. Use the cutting board or mat as backing as you slice into the cardstock, making little slits just big enough to fit the width of the ribbon through.

Step Two: Pull the Ribbon Through

To begin forming your bow, pull the ribbon through the front of the card so that the loose ends are in the back. In the front of the card, the ribbon should lie flat against the invitation between the two slits you cut.

Note: This image shows the back of the card.

Step Three: Wrap the Ribbon Around to Form a Bow

Pull each side of the ribbon back through the same slits in the card, allowing them to cross each other in the back. When you pull through the loose ends on either side, it will form a bow in the front of the card.

Tug the ends to make sure it’s tight, then trim any excess ribbon to the desired length.

Note: This image shows the back of the card.

Step Four: Add Layered Card

Attach the layered card to the back of the invitation, hiding the backside of your bow, using double-sided tape.

Step Five: Enjoy!

Your finished DIY wedding invitations with ribbon embellishments are ready to be mailed!

Make your wedding invitations to match your wedding theme perfectly.

Planning a wedding is a daunting and extensive task. There are literally hundreds of things for a bride to worry about. If you happen to be the kind of bride who cannot afford to buy invitations, or you just want to make them yourself, it it can actually be quite simple. You will find that your homemade invitations are far more affordable and can even be far more beautiful than the standard package at your local printer with some simple steps.

Oh, and one more picture of the ID part of the passport wedding invitation…

Santa Rosa, CA, July 28, 2010 –(PR.com)– Updating their letterpress wedding invitation gallery designs to reflect the growing diversity of 21st century brides, Invitations by Ajalon has announced that they have created a new bilingual letterpress wedding invitation style. Providing wedding invitation printing services for families of diverse backgrounds, Invitations by Ajalon is one of the only letterpress wedding invitation printers that offers bilingual invitation designs.

Invitations by Ajalon has long been at the forefront of custom making letterpress wedding invitations. While they specialize in Indian and South Asian inspired wedding invitation cards, Invitations by Ajalon has the ability to make any design into a bilingual wedding invitation. Employing custom wording techniques, professional graphic artists and artisan letterpress printers, Invitations by Ajalon translates each invitation individually into the desired language.

“Many of our brides have guests that do not speak English,” notes owner David Walrath. “If your wedding party consists of guests that cannot speak or read English, it really makes sense to pursue the options of having bilingual wedding invitations.”

Families living in America have increasingly diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds which make ordering bilingual wedding invitations an important part of your wedding preparations. To ensure that all of your guests understand the details, directions and RSVP information, think about the options of ordering bilingual wedding invitations.

Invitations by Ajalon is a letterpress wedding invitation subsidiary of Ajalon Printing and Design and has been operating in northern California’s beautiful Sonoma County wine country for over 50 years. They are featured on several different online publications and recently exhibited their work in the Dulhania Bazaar South Asian and Indian Wedding Expo in Phoenix. For additional information relating to bilingual wedding invitations or Invitations by Ajalon, please call 707-528-0288 or visit www.invitationsbyajalon.com

Trish Jackson
Marketing Director
ajalon@ajalon.com

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Idea #1: Use non-traditional, bold colors.

White has always been a traditional wedding color, and many brides also use gold and silver, pastel colors, and off-white shades in conjunction with stark white. Instead of these classic bridal colors, consider using bold colors with the same bridal motifs. You do not have to go with hot pink, but think about how the traditional invitations you are viewing would look in plum, hunter green or red. Modern invitations do not have to be soft colors. Let your personality shine through! Right now, steel blue, brown, and yellow are all popular, trendy wedding colors, and you can send cards in colors that match the season. You do not even have to match your wedding invitation colors with your wedding colors, just do what feels right to you. If you are worried about using bright colors, consider at least an accent color. Stick to a white invitation that includes just a burst of color.

Idea #2: Go “green” with your wedding invitations.

Today, you can make eco-friendly choices with everything from your clothing to your food – why not your wedding invitations too? “Green” wedding invitations are made from recycled paper, and for the best option for the environment, look for paper made with as much post-manufactured recycled product as possible. Try to avoid pre-manufactured product, which comes from mill scraps. You can also find companies that plant trees for every product ordered, and you can choose to include a note on the back asking your guests to RSVP via email or phone and recycle the invitation after the wedding. “Green” wedding invitations are not just modern; they are a simple way for you to make this world a better place.

Idea #3: Send a message in a bottle.

We usually think of invitations as a flat piece of paper, but that does not have to be the case. One especially innovative idea, especially if you are going to have a destination wedding, is to send a message in a bottle. Instead of a sending a flat invitation, choose a scroll style and put it inside of a bottle. You can actually find companies that have kits to help you prepare these bottle invitations. You may end up spending more on postage, but the effect is very unique. If messages in a bottle do not match up with your wedding theme, you can instead consider other kinds of 3-dimensional cards. You can also choose destination-wedding invitations that feature designs like seashells and sandcastles if you do not want to spend the extra money on postage.

Idea #4: Use your picture on your invitation.

Your wedding invitation serves as an announcement for some people. To make it really special, consider printing a picture of you and your groom on the front. You can use your announcement photo or take a special one specifically for your invitations. Instead of throwing away your invitations, your guests can frame them, keep then as keepsakes, or otherwise display them. A picture also helps make the invitation more personal. You can choose black and white or color for printing, depending on your budget.

Idea #5: Design your own invitation.

Modern invitations are not always just about a modern look, they are also about a modern concept. Today’s invitations can be personalized more than you may realize. Many websites offer custom design services and you pick everything from the design and overall style to the font color to even the ink color to the envelopes. You can then add ribbons, monograms, and more to really make them personal. As a bonus, creating your wedding invitations with your future husband can be fun.

Modern wedding invitations can include other accessories and add-ons in beautiful accent colors and designs. Consider some pocket-style jackets for your invitations, colorful organza bows that can be tied around them, designed seals that stick on the envelope, or sheer stickers. All of these small touches can help your invitations look great.

Choosing the perfect wedding invitations can be a difficult task. When searching for that right style, do not be afraid to consider modern options. With the right colors and accessories, your modern invitations should be just as beautiful as you have always imagined. If you are planning a destination wedding there are other creative options to consider such a message in a bottle or an image of yourself at the destination.

The history of social invitations
The trend of using invitations to invite select people to elitist social events began somewhere just before the 18th century. High society and aristocracy in England and France – including Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, and Ladies – would invite peers to their social events with written announcements on cards. These cards were written by their ‘people’, such as the wife, butler or the secretary. Paper was an expensive resource, and the ability to write was seen as a prestigious sign of education. The use of studied calligraphy and penmanship was a work of art by today’s standards, and even after the invention and inception of the mass market printing press it was still deemed socially ‘correct’ to hand write the invitation.

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording
Traditional wording on invitations was actually very similar to the wording which is commonly used today. Everything was spelled out:

* Place
* Date
* Time
* Venue
* Venue address
* Hosts/ Hostess names
* Bride/ groom full names
* Contact details for the bride/ groom, or host/ hostess
* RSVP
* The name of the guest.

The main difference in modern wedding invitations compared to traditional is that the invited persons name is not usually printed on initially – it is usually written on later.

Presentation

Envelopes
In the 18th century the invitation would be placed in a handmade envelope and sealed with hot wax imprinted with the family crest. Servants were then made to deliver the letters as there was no postal service. Now because this task was completed on horseback in all weathers, there became a need for an ‘outer envelope’. This not only protected the invitation, but was used to write directions for the servants. For example ‘Travel one day north to Newcastle. There, cross the stone bridge and proceed past three farms until you see the stone entrance marked ‘Williamson’. Remove this covering, and give the invitation to the doorman. Wait there for a response and make a note of same’.

Tissue paper
The use of tissue within the presentation of an invitation links to the printing process in the 13th century. Because ink took time to dry, sheets of protective tissue were laid between the paper to protect it from smudging. The printing press was taking off into popularity with the upper echelons of European society, and so the tissue paper was also put into the envelope to show that they had been using the latest fascinating technology. The inclusion continues to this day.

Engraving and calligraphy
Because the mass market conveniences of the printing press quickly became distasteful to the aristocracy and upper classes, a new printing process was necessary. Lithography produced sharp and distinctive inking, where as engraving very much emulated hand writing because copper plates are made by hand. To this day the engraved invitation is still the most prestigious form of writing on an invitation, although the technical printing process has obviously developed since then!
To get the finest effect possible, you must hire a calligrapher to hand write each invitation and address envelopes. This is sheer indulgence in its most luxurious form.