Ceremony programs are printed documents showing the sequence of events during the ceremony. These programs add a personal touch to your wedding and are a convenient way of letting guests know who your attendants, officiant, and ceremony musicians are.
Options: Ceremony programs can be handed out to guests by the ushers, or they can be placed at the back of the church for guests to take as they enter.
ANNOUNCEMENTSAnnouncements are not obligatory but serve a useful purpose. They may be sent to friends who are not invited to the wedding because the number of guests must be limited, or because they live too far away. They may also be sent to acquaintances who, while not particularly close to the family, might still wish to know of the marriage.
Announcements are also appropriate for friends and acquaintances who are not expected to attend and for whom you do not want to give an obligation of sending a gift. They should include the day, month, year, city, and state where the ceremony took place.
Things To Consider: Announcements should never be sent to anyone who has received an invitation to the ceremony or the reception. They are printed on the same paper and in the same style as the invitations. They should be addressed before the wedding and mailed the day of or the day after the ceremony.
THANK-YOU NOTESRegardless of whether the bride has thanked the donor in person or not, she must write a thank-you note for every gift received.
Things To Consider: Order thank-you notes along with your other stationery at least four months before your wedding. You should order some with your maiden initials for thank-you notes sent before the ceremony, and the rest with your married initials for notes sent after the wedding and for future use. Send thank-you notes within two weeks of receiving a gift that arrives before the wedding, and within two months after the honeymoon for gifts received on or after your wedding day. Be sure to mention the gift you received in the body of the note and let the person know how much you like it and what you plan to do with it.
STAMPS Don't forget to budget stamps for response cards as well as for invitations!
Things To Consider: Don't order stamps until you have had the post office weigh your completed invitation. It may exceed the size and weight for one stamp. Order commemorative stamps that fit the occasion.
CALLIGRAPHY Calligraphy is a form of elegant handwriting often used to address invitations for formal occasions. Traditional wedding invitations should be addressed in black or blue fountain pen.
Options: You may address the invitations yourself, hire a professional calligrapher, or have your invitations addressed using calligraphy by computer. Make sure you use the same method or person to address both the inner and outer envelopes.
NAPKINS AND MATCHBOOKS Napkins and matchbooks may also be ordered from your stationer. These are placed around the reception room as decorative items and mementos of the event.
Things To Consider: Napkins and matchbooks can be printed in your wedding colors or white with gold or silver lettering. Include both of your names and the wedding date. You may consider including a phrase or thought, or a small graphic design above your names.
QUESTIONS TO ASK STATIONER • What is the name & phone number of the stationery provider?
• What is the address of the stationery provider?
• How many years of experience do you have?
• What lines of stationery do you carry?
• What types of printing process do you offer?
• How soon in advance does the order have to be placed?
• What is the turn around time?
• What is the cost of the desired invitation? Announcement?
• What is the cost of the desired response card? Reception card?
• What is the cost of the desired thank-you note?
• What is the cost of the desired party favors? cards?, Pew Cards?
• What is the cost of the desired wedding program?
• What is the cost of addressing the envelopes in calligraphy?
• What is your payment policy?
• What is your cancellation policy
By Alex A. Lluch, author of over three million books sold and President of
Weddingsolutions.com,
WedReviews.com, and
UltimateGiftRegistry.com.
Find the largest selection of Wedding Invitations at www.WeddingSolutions.com WeddingSolutions.com also features a huge selection of Wedding Gifts and Favors. Create a gift registry for any occasion at www.UltimateGiftRegistry.com