Pastel hues
Photo courtesy of The WeddingCard Shop - Chan Brothers Printing

The invitation card is the bearer of good news, announcing the nuptials of a couple very much in love. Couples today have an array of options open to them when selecting their wedding invitations. Perhaps the first step in narrowing down the possibilities would be to visit specialty printers. Here, one would have the opportunity to view samples of proposed designs as well as cards that have been ordered by other couples in the past. Catering to all ethnic groups and religions in our multicultural society, the catalogue of invites will allow the bride and groom to make comparisons between traditional and contemporary designs, see the effect of different colour combinations, feel the texture of the many types of paper quality and study the appropriate wording to be used. A professional wedding stationery specialist will very often offer one-to-one consultations, spending time explaining the various possibilities, the current trends, lead time required and of course the all important cost estimates.

The different treatments of the double-happiness character
Photo courtesy of The WeddingCard Shop - Chan Brothers Printing

Some issues to consider when choosing wedding invitations include :

Cost - taking into account the number of cards required, set a budget and stick to it. This will enable you to narrow down what is possible and what is beyond reach.

Print run - it is wise to print an overrun of between 10 to 15 percent. These additional cards may come in handy should you decide to increase your guest list. To do small volume reprints after the initial print run would be costly.

Lead time - better early than late. Certain times of the year require a longer lead time than others. Also, do make sure there is sufficient time allocated to write and mail the cards as well as for guests to respond.

A contemporary design
Photo courtesy of The WeddingCard Shop - Chan Brothers Printing

Design - traditional, contemporary or quirky? A reproduction of an existing design may be less expensive as compared to a customised one.

Colour - is there an overall theme that should be adhered to?

Paper quality - although many feel that invitations may ultimately be discarded by recipients, it is still good to use paper of reasonable quality. Afterall, invites set the tone of your wedding at the onset.

Wording - being politically correct is important to ensure that all parties concerned are happy with the outcome i.e. the bride and groom and their parents.

Contrasting textures
Photo courtesy of The WeddingCard Shop - Chan Brothers Printing

Tip : Compile addresses of your intended guests in advance.