Invitations Time :)

Happy Saturday!!

I know we all welcome the weekend and the rain we've had the past week!  

But just because it's been raining, doesn't mean any wedding planning has stopped!  How about a nice rainy day to help keep us inside, writing out the invitations for the big day! :) 

No one ever realizes how much it would cost to send out all of the invitations, until you're actually having to do it, and then all you want is something you can procrastinate with.  Whether that procrastination be your dog, or a good book, or even cooking!  But we all know it's something you're going to have to do eventually, and it's something you're not going to want to pay for.  So how about some ways to save a little bit, so it doesn't feel like such an inconvenience?

Don't look at just one place for your stationary.  Look around at many different places, including Costco and Kinkos.  You'd be surprised at the cute cards and envelopes they have!  The more places you look, the more options you have, and the more you know how little, or how much you will need to spend.  If you check into a place like this, and it's just not something you're wanting, keep looking!  But keep in mind a few things to stay away from.  

For instance, you don't want something that is going to be very large; most people think that as long as your letter doesn't weigh more than one ounce, you're set!  But that's not necessarily true, and usually your envelopes won't be less than an ounce anyway.  The size of your envelope makes a difference in the price.  A good rule of thumb that I learned from doing a little research, is if the length divided by the width is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5, you will be paying more.  Whether or not there is something sticking off of it and if it makes a bump in the envelope also has an effect.  All the cute little extras are cute, yes, but will end up costing you so much more in the end.  If you do them yourself, you have to buy a million little trinkets, then keep track of them, then glue them, then pay for those heavy, bumpy envelopes to be sent!  If you order them online and they have all the little extras, then you're paying someone else to do it; and everybody knows you'll pay more if someone else has to do the minuscule details.  You can make your invitations cute without having to add on a bunch of small items.  Get some cute stamps, cut and paste a couple of pictures on to the paper, and get creative!! 

Here is a beautiful, yet simple invitation a couple did themselves.

Another way to save a lot of money is not to have a separate card for your reception location.  Here at the Orion, we have a ceremony space along with the ballroom, so you don't need to go anywhere!  There would be no point in sending a separate invitation for the reception, when you can just say, "Reception to follow".  

Send you're RSVP in the same envelope as your invite or save the date, and save on extra shipping, and you don't have to worry about anything getting lost.  Look!  "Reception to Follow"!  No need for a extra envelopes!

Proofreading is something that you would think would be a no-brainer, but no body wants to send or receive an invite to your wedding, with something spelled wrong, especially their name.  And to go along with typos, order extra cards and envelopes.  I know you're thinking that this is a little bit contradictory, but in the end it will save you a lot of time, stress, and money.  You wouldn't have to be sitting there pulling out your hair or paying to have anything rushed to you, all you'd have to do is simply go get another one.  :)

Another simply beautiful invite.  Also keep in mind to order your 'Thank You' set from the same people.  They should give you a package deal!

Take a look around.  Look at obvious stores, like Michael's or a cute craft shop you know of.  Look at not-so-obvious stores like Staples or Sam's.  Look online and see if you can find something cute and inexpensive.  The wedding invitation is important, yes, but after your wedding, that won't be what everyone remembers, they'll remember how beautiful the evening was and the fact that they got to share an amazing moment with you.  

Brooklyn Hicken

Special Events Coordinator

The Orion Ballroom