Etiquette

as a busy working mom of two boys, invitations & ink has been my one and only spot for every family photo christmas card for past 4 years! all I have to do is choose my picture, pick out my card and all the assembly, addressing, mailing is done for me, which saves me so much time during the busy holiday season! i've lost count of how many personalized name cubes, stationery and invitations i have purchased for both professional & personal gift giving. invitations & ink's attention to detail is impeccable that it why i give them a big "woo-hoo!!"

- suzanne

he popped the question, and you said yes! below is a helpful reference guide for all of your wedding stationery needs:

save the date cards
we recommend mailing out save-the-dates 6 to 12 months prior to the wedding, depending on the type of wedding you're planning. the cards should include only the basic important information: the name of the bride and groom, the date or dates of the event, and the location. and don't forget to introduce your theme with your save the date cards; as the first formal wedding announcement your guests will receive, it should be consistent with everything you're planning for the invitations and the celebration.

bridal shower invitations
generally, shower invitations should be mailed out 4 to 6 weeks prior to the wedding shower. remember, this is also a great time to order personalized thank you notes.

rehearsal dinner invitations
traditionally, the parents of the groom hosts the rehearsal dinner. invitations for the rehearsal dinner should be sent out just after the wedding invitations have been placed in the mail, typically 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding.

wedding invitations
the options for wedding invitations, like parties themselves, run the spectrum from fun to formal, from traditional to unconventional. because your invitations will undoubtedly set the tone for your wedding or special event, it's important that they convey what you want them to. no matter the season, style, theme or budget for your occasion, you'll want to make sure your invitations provide all the necessary information your guests will need while setting the scene for your special day.

whether you are looking to adhere to the type of traditional invitation etiquette that has been followed for generations, or want to implement your own take on tradition, please contact us for etiquette tips and guidelines to help you send your message with style.

six to twelve months in advance…
begin invitation planning! to prepare for your order, you'll need to know:

the number of invitations you need. couples and families receive only one, but if an adult child (think 18 and older) still lives at home, you may wish to send him or her an individual invite
the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception
who is hosting, and how they would like their names to appear
where the rsvps should be sent - that is you if you're organizing and managing the guest list
your wedding theme or color palette. if you'd like the save the dates to match, this needs to be selected as well
whether you'll be providing a map, directions or accomodations card. if so, begin to gather this information
your budget

tip: give yourself breathing room by ordering extra invitations. having at least 10 additional invitations is wise.

four to six months in advance...
schedule an appointment to order your wedding invitations. this process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. while the order is in motion, begin organizing your guest list. typically, we prefer the list to be in alphabetical order in a microsoft word document or in an excel spreadsheet. remember to triple-check the list, returned mail and reprints due to misspelled names are never fun.

two to four months in advance…
send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. if it's a destination wedding, mail them 10 to 12 weeks in advance. keep in mind, once you have a finished invitation, having it weighed at the post office is your next step. never assume it will qualify for standard postage since inserts, decorations, and heavier paper stocks add to the weight.

one to two months in advance...
order your ceremomy programs, menus, place cards, personalized napkins and favors for your wedding. remember we can coordinate all of these components with your invitations to complete your wedding theme or color palette!