Invitations come with so many pieces and parts. Which ones do your
really need?
When you purchase your invitations, whether online
from us or from a local printer, you are going to have several decisions
to make. Here is your definitive guide through all those parts, which ones
you need, and which ones you don't.
1. Invitation
The actual invitation itself is a must. Invitations not only inform
your guests of the date, time, location and hosts of the wedding,
they set the tone for your entire celebration. Your wedding invitation
may also include the time and location of
the reception.
2. Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps
This is nothing more than a return address on the back flap
of the envelope. Having the return address is important because
it will ensure that undeliverable invitations are returned to
you. It will also ensure that those guests who want to send cards
and gifts directly to your home will have the correct address. If your budget allows, you can have the printer print your return
address on every envelope. If you want to save money, rather than
having the printer do it you can write the return address yourself.
3. Invitation Liner Envelopes
You can choose a lined inner envelope to enhance the beauty
of your invitation. A variety of colors are available to choose
from for the perfect look for a slight additional charge. If you're looking for a place to save money, you can definitely
do it here. Sure it looks nice, but would anyone really notice
if you didn't have that extra layer of envelope? I doubt it.
4. Reception Cards
If you are having a reception, it's probably a good idea to
order the reception cards. Reception cards are used to inform guests
of the location of the wedding reception and or dance. Since reception cards are enclosed in with your invitation, mailing
envelopes are not necessary.
5. Respond Cards
Respond cards are used to help determine how many guests plan
to attend your wedding. An accurate count is vital for preparing
enough food, seating and other accommodations so ordering respond
cards can actually save you money. When you are assembling your invitations, the response cards are
included and returned by guests by the date indicated on the card
(usually two weeks before the wedding.) Today, many cards are printed
to allow guests to select an entree as well as indicate if they
will be attending your celebration. Tip: Respond envelopes are
typically included free with your respond cards. They should be
printed (or written) with the address of whoever will be tallying
the guest count. As a convenience for your guests, be sure to
include a stamp on each envelope.
6. Note Cards
One option you will have when ordering your invitations is
to order informal notes. Informal notes may be personalized with
your names and used as thank you notes, gift enclosures, or for
other correspondence long after the wedding. These are items you probably need, but they don't necessarily
need to be ordered with your invitations. You can get generic
note cards anywhere. If you do order your notes from your invitation
printer, they should single mailing envelopes at no extra charge.
7. Note Envelope Flaps
This is the same as the invitation envelope flap, only for your
note cards instead. You can save time by having your note envelope
flaps printed with a return address for a slight additional charge. You can also save money in this area by doing
it yourself.
8. Thank you notes
Many printers offer the blank notes we talked about above, plus
they offer actual thank-you notes. What's the difference? Well,
the price for one. Plus the thank-you notes typically say "Thank-You"
on them, where are the plain notes are ... plain.
Again, ordering these from your invitation printer is entirely
up to you. Some brides want their thank-you notes to match the
invitation. Others prefer to save money in this area, or design
their own for a more personal touch.
9. Tissue Paper Insert
This is one of those things that you definitely don't need if
you are looking to save money. The tissue paper lining came from the old days when the ink in
the invitation would bleed over to the other side of the invitation.
The tissue lining would prevent it from bleeding over to the other
side. Of course, modern day printing does not have that problem,
making the tissue paper liner completely unnecessary.
Bottom line, you need the invitation itself and possibly the
reception card. There are lots of extras to choose from, and some
of them may certainly be right for you. But for the budget minded
bride, don't be led to believe you need all the extras!
