Wedding Invitations. There are so many different options out there, mainly going with either custom or a stock set that you customize your name and info on. Obviously the word, “Custom” puts a bit of fear in most of our budget friendly hearts as we believe that means our entire wedding budget will be spent on just the invitations. But fortunately that isn’t the case. Of course, you can spend a ton of money on custom wedding invitations and it’ll be worth it in my opinion since it’s the first thing your guest will see and it’ll set the tone for your whole wedding. But you also have the ability to be open with your invitation designer and setting a budget with them. You probably know Christine, she’s one of my second shooters but fun fact, she also has her own business, Silver Orchard Creative, where she designs custom wedding invitations. I asked her answer some frequently asked questions about Understanding the Basics of Wedding Invitations and so without further ado, I’ll hand the blog over to Christine.

Understanding the Basics of Wedding Invitations

WHY ARE INVITATIONS IMPORTANT?

Invitations will be the first experience your guests will have of your day and thus sets the tone for the event, not to mention provide important details.

WHEN SHOULD WE START THE PROCESS?

As soon as the date and ceremony location are set, the process begins. Generally, couples start with a Save-the Date card, followed by the Invitation. The more lead time, the more customizing is possible.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOM SUITES?

Custom suites give you exactly what you want, in your budget. It is rare that an online template can be customized to meet all your needs. Customizing may include, fonts, color, stylistic details, embellishments you want (or don’t want), and quality printing all within your budget. 

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PIECES IN AN INVITATION SUITE?

A Save-the-Date card, the invitation, RSVP card, details card, and thank you card. Seating charts, shower invitations, and menus are the next most common items.

WHAT DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS ENTAIL?

We will sit down to talk about your wedding, budget, and priorities; those factors guide the design process. Some couples desire ten items in their suite and have 200 guests, so they might opt for simpler finishes. While other couples with the same budget might prioritize gold foiling, and therefore select a five-piece suite. After getting a sense of your day, I will design a few options from which to pick. Once we have a direction, I will build the entire suite and coordinate with a local, professional printing company. 

WHAT EMBELLISHMENTS DO YOU RECOMMEND?

While I love the understated elegance of letterpress, every couple should have their envelopes addressed. If you have 150 guests and choose a Save-the-Date, invitation, RSVP card, and thank you card, that is 600 envelopes you need to address! Save your hands; have the printers do the work!

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