Invitations: Some Advice.
Weddings come with a lot of unwritten rules about etiquette, tradition and protocol. So do wedding invitations: who gets them, what to send, when to send, how to send. It’s all enough to send any bride-to-be running for the hills.
As such, we cornered Meredith Kurosko, founder and designer of chic Brooklyn-based stationary line Regas, and asked her to shed some light on the issue. Lucky for us, she obliged.
Choosing invitations can be a daunting task. How should a bride approach this process? For starters, don’t overlook the invitation as an important part of your event. Remember that it is the first glimpse of your big day that the guests will see. Think about the kind of wedding you’d like to have, and do your best to represent the feel of the wedding with your invitations. My favorite invitations are the ones that have the element of personality. And don’t forget: Details matter.
Something to keep in mind throughout the process: Save the date cards should be mailed six to eight months prior to the wedding, and invitations six to eight weeks prior.
Invitations can be expensive. What are some ways to cut costs without sacrificing style or substance? If you include the rehearsal dinner invitation and any other weekend event invitations in the wedding set, both families can contribute to the cost. Furthermore, the guest will appreciate receiving one mailing with a complete idea of what to expect for the weekend so that he/she can plan accordingly.
Another way to save is to be prepared with all the pieces you will need for your wedding weekend, including menus, ceremony programs, table numbers, escort cards, favor tags, welcome notes and personal stationery. Discounts are often available on the printing of certain pieces if all printed at the same time.
Is there any one thing a bride should NOT do when it comes to invitations? I’m still amazed when I see the registry information included in the invitation. There is a place for everything, and the registry is happiest on your website.
Anything else a bride should keep in mind during this process? Details, details, details. A few specific pointers:
Don’t forget the envelope. You’ve put time into selecting the perfect EVERYTHING, then the invitation arrives in your guests’ hands with thick black tracks across the envelope. To avoid this, have your invitations hand-canceled at the post office; for a nominal fee, each one is stamped individually with the date of your mailing.
Also, stamps. Vintage stamps, particularly, make a lasting impression. (Keep in mind you’ll need to buy more of them to total the current postage rate.) One of my clients personally selected the various stamps for each guest’s envelope. A St. Louis-born friend that attended a NYC art school received an envelope with stamps featuring a foundation for the arts, the famous St. Louis arch, and the flower from her birth year. Needless to say, she saved the envelope!
(Above, a sampling of Regas invitations. Prices start at $13 each for 100 sets [invitation, reply card, reply envelope and outer envelope]. For more information, visit regasny.com or email Meredith at meredith@regasny.com.)
