The Stationers Guild

A bride and grooms wedding invitations should not only be considered for practical purposes. They do more than announce your celebration and tell your guests when and where to show up. Invitations play the part of showing off your personal style to your guests and you can have much fun designing them.

Finding your style

If you are not quite sure what a suitable style is, there are a few steps that can help you out. The first stage of the process is to consider the kind of wedding dress you intend to purchase or have already tucked safely away in the cupboard. Where you have a traditional or very simple wedding dress you may decide that wedding invitations of the same ilk are appropriate. This would provide you with the chance to show off your classical or minimalistic style through your invite design. In contrast if your dress is bolder or unique then you have the option of choosing invitations that are a touch more edgy. A mix of intricate designs, dazzling colours and oddly shaped invites can provide the vehicle to make the style statement you have always dreamed of. Always bear in mind that it is important to ensure unity throughout the wedding by keeping colours and design similar between the dress and invites.

Considering themed weddings.

A themed wedding is a great opportunity for you to go a little crazy with your wedding invitations. Themed wedding ideas are limitless, from beach weddings to zombie weddings. The beauty of themed weddings is that they are truly unique and memorable days, just as your invitations ought to be. Design your invites to hint at the awesome twist your wedding will take.

What to write on your invitations

What you decide to write on your invitations says a lot about the style of your invites and of your wedding as a whole. If you are planning a classic or traditional theme then be sure to include the forename and surname of the couple. Rather than abbreviating dates and address to numbers, the full words should be used. If you are going for a more modern wedding then you can use initials, numbers and abbreviations wherever you like.

Julie Holcomb, one of the pioneers of fine letterpress printing, is offering a 15% sales promotion on wedding invitations and all wedding papers through February 29th. Julie Holcomb does not sell online and her stunning letterpress invitations on thick cotton paper can only be purchased through a limited number of leading retailers across the United States.

For close to three decades, Julie has been a trend-setter in fine letterpress printing. Her classic designs, edged borders and unrivalled attention to detail place her designs at the apex of letterpress printing. When bridal couples ask about letterpress, stationery dealers fortunate enough to carry her line will generally lead with Julie Holcomb.

Clients can now supply their own art which will be digitally enhanced and applied to the back of invitation to further increase the level of personalization. If you are considering letterpress, visit Julie Holcomb’s website to learn more about her environmentally-friendly letterpress printing and locate a store in your neighborhood that sells her beautiful line.

Internet based research is usually a handy and fast strategy for finding advice. However, the level of available information and facts are so sizable it is difficult to determine what information is beneficial. For instance you will find well over 25 million search records of the keyword phrase “wedding invitations” on Google. Precisely how many of these search records are appropriate? Can you truly determine if the content you get is informative or simply a sales hype?

Found below are a few uncomplicated tactics that you might wish to consider before buying your wedding invitations on the internet.

Online Wedding Invitations Suggestions to Save You Money and employ Your Time And Efforts Wisely

1. Narrow Your Online Search with Qualifiers: Instead of making use of a vast search term like “wedding invitations” have a shot at something which cuts down on the scope of the search. As an illustration, “engraved wedding invitations,” or “custom invitations” will drastically reduce the number of Google search results and possibly guide you toward better sources of choosing the wedding invitation of your hopes and dreams.
2. Use a Local Search Qualifier: There is a general idea that searching online will provide superior information and facts that may help you design your wedding invitation. This just isn’t the situation: search outcomes for an item as custom made as wedding invitations are manipulated in the direction of those internet promotion firms that do a more effective job optimizing their site for web search. The previous CEO of Google refers to the internet for being a “cesspool of information.” One technique for avoiding this unreliable information and facts are to introduce a local qualifier. As an example, if you live in the New York City area, enter in the search keyword phrase “New York wedding invitations” in the Internet search bar and you should find local stationery retail stores in your area specializing in letterpress stationery and personalized invitations.
3. Check for save the date invitations that are also sold through independently owned retailers: One strategy for soon determining whether you’re dealing with a respectable firm on the web is whether they also sell by way of recognized independent store dealers. Printing firms that distribute their products through independent dealers are more likely to have an established track record in the industry and offer their customers the opportunity to shop in your area or online. This is an unmistakable sign that you’re not dealing with a fly-by-night printer.

Whether you plan to shop locally or buy online, be sure you look at your choices very carefully. If you are looking for a totally unique wedding invitation, it’s best to buy with an expert stationer in your town.

Sheila May is a founding member of the Stationer Guild and writes routinely about wedding invitations and online wedding invitations.

William Arthur, in partnership with Vera Wang, has just announced the introduction of the new Vera Wang On Weddings collection of personalized wedding stationery. This volume abounds with tactile embellishments, playful proportions, and a palette that is both elegant and unexpected.  Found below are excerpts of the news release.

Inspired by Vera Wang’s bridal and ready-to-wear lines, Vera Wang On Weddings reflects the classic yet modern and sophisticated aesthetic that has made Vera Wang a fashion icon. Vera Wang On Weddings is available at select fine stationers nationwide, and online at www.williamarthur.com.

With over 35 unique wedding stationery trousseau’s, an incredible range of whimsy and elegance is captured on each page including:

• Gold Border:  This spectacular design features a broad band of gold foil on both the card edge and the envelope flap. The type is at once dramatic and delicate. Shown engraved, this chic invitation is sure to captivate.
• Black Paper:  This fall, Vera Wang enraptured the fashion world with her Spring 2012 collection of black bridal gowns. Here, the same drama and romance is reflected on paper. Gorgeously engraved in a proprietary calligraphic font, this invitation marries spirit and sophistication.
• Garden Lace Folder:  This sensational design is inspired by both Vera Wang’s Ready-to-Wear and bridal collections. A whimsical garden of flowers and a mesh of laser-cut lace cut away to reveal a vibrant range of background colors. From Raspberry, Peony and Saffron to Grass, Lapis and Indigo, this innovative and tactile invitation speaks to the refined detailing within Vera Wang’s collections.
• Letterpressed Heart:  Bold and contemporary, the wording for this charming invitation is nestled within the clutches of an over-sized heart. The playful cross-hatching on this design accentuates the tactile nature of letterpress printing, while the peony ink adds an overt femininity.
• Painted Edge:  New to Vera Wang On Weddings, Vera Wang will be offering heavy-weight card stock with custom-painted edges, in dozens of ink colors. A true statement of luxury, this design is engraved in Lapis and Gold. The unique monogrammed wreath gives a nod to tradition, while revealing a whimsical sensibility.

With a broad and versatile range of colors, textures and details to choose from, the new Vera Wang On Weddings collection of invitations and stationery suites perfectly captures the designer’s unique balance of sophistication and charm.

Today thru April 2nd, Crane & Co. is offering great cost savings on all custom-made stationery purchases and customized invitations. Purchase 75 or even more items from Crane and receive 25 free of cost.

Whether you are looking for new stationery or have just gotten engaged and should send out a save the date announcement or wedding invitations. Now is the occasion to purchase your stationery or invitations and avail yourself of this exceptional sale. Crane’s sale is made available to you through listed Crane retailers in retail outlets near you or at Crane’s online shop. Buy in your community with the help of an experienced stationer to see the extensive range of Crane’s customization choices and printing techniques or check out Crane on the internet.

Crane & Co. has been crafting exceptional stationery and custom wedding invitations for more than two centuries. This Dalton, MA company is best-known for its outstanding engraving, hand-painted borders and large selection of 100% cotton papers. At present thru April 2nd you can shop for Crane’s sophisticated stationery and save yourself money while doing so. Don’t hold back and visit a Crane store in your neighborhood or go shopping online. You will be thankful you did so.

William Arthur has been making great stationery and custom wedding invitations for more than three decades. This Kennebunk, Maine business is known for its extraordinary styles showcasing Vera Wang, Rita Renning and William Arthur’s own exclusive fashion styles. William Arthur’s wedding styles are most well-known with bridal couples and offer a selection of several printing and customization alternatives.

At present through April 2nd you can shop for William Arthur’s stylish stationery and spend less money while doing so. Get 75 or even more units from William Arthur and get 25 totally free. Don’t wait and check out a William Arthur retailer in your community or see other online wedding invitation and stationery options. You will be happy you did so.

Maybe you are on the lookout for new stationery or have just gotten engaged and will want to mail a save the date announcement or wedding invitations. Today is the occasion to order your stationery or invitations and benefit of this fantastic deal. William Arthur offer is readily available to you through authorized William Arthur dealers in stores close to you or at William Arthur’s online shop. Shop in your community with the help of a seasoned stationer to check out the full-range of William Arthur’s customization options and printing methods or take a look at William Arthur online.

When planning a wedding event your wedding invitation should take the lead. Yet, several other wedding activities that typically demand a particular invitation. As an example, save the date announcements, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and bridesmaid teas commonly call out for their own invitation. If you are in need of inspiration or basically confused as to how to begin, the answer to your prayers has just arrived at top stationery and custom invitation boutiques all over the United States.

Crane & Co. has just delivered its new Social Occasions Album, a personalization album that contains plenty of samples of Crane’s marvelous designs that feature Crane’s traditional craftsmanship. This invitation collection signals a welcome change in focus at Crane simply because it comes back to its deep traditions of making fine stationery and custom invitations.

The new Social Occasions Album has samples of wedding invitations, save the date invitations, Bar Mitzvah invitations, wedding anniversary and company event invitations and a big assortment of reply cards, menu cards and personalized correspondence. Most of the samples are engraved, but Crane’s gifted artists and craftspeople are also adept with letterpress along with other kinds of printing.

For people arranging a wedding celebration, Crane’s Social Occasions Album is clearly worth a look. Even though certain invitations will not be created for your wedding day; the terminology and wording or your invitation, font styles and ink color styles can be adapted to reflect the themes for the wedding day.

With a little creative thinking, virtually all invitation samples for anniversaries or sweet sixteen celebrations can easily serve as a template design for a rehearsal dinner, groomsment party or almost every other wedding event. Making use of an informed stationer in your neighborhood who carries Crane’s new Social Occasions Album will help you design your own distinctive custom design.

Reaching directly into its roots during the American Revolution, Crane has produced a dazzling array of invitations and announcements, menu cards and engraved stationery that is breathtaking in its design and sophistication. Visit your local stationery store now or visit Crane & Co. at their online store.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about regional wedding invitation trends and the importance of save the date cards.

Internet research is usually a easy and fast approach to finding advice. Yet, the amount of available information and facts are so extensive it is not easy to evaluate what information and facts are important. For example you can find more than 20 million search results of the keyword phrase “wedding invitations” on the web. Exactly how many of these search results are useful? Can you truly determine if the content you’re getting is informative or simply a sales pitch?

Found below are a few very simple tactics that you may possibly wish to consider before purchasing your wedding invitations online.

Online Wedding Invitations Primer to help save You Money and use Your Time Wisely

1. Reduce Your Online Search with Qualifiers: Instead of using a vast key word phrase like “wedding invitations” attempt something that lowers the breadth of your search. As an example, “engraved wedding invitations,” or “custom invitations” will substantially limit the number of Google search results and possibly lead you toward better options for finding the wedding invitation of your dreams.
2. Use your local Search Qualifier: There really is a widespread perception that searching online will give you more desirable tips to assist you craft your wedding invitation. This just isn’t the way it is: search outcomes for something as custom made as wedding invitations are often skewed in the direction of those internet promotion companies that have done a far better job optimizing their internet site for search. The past CEO of Google refers to the internet to be the “cesspool of information.” One technique for countering this deceptive information is to introduce a zip code qualifier. For example, if you are living in the New York City area, enter the search keyword phrase “New York wedding invitations” in the Google search bar and you should find nearby stationery dealers in your area that specialize in letterpress stationery and customized invitations.
3. Check for save the date invitations which are also made available through independently owned retailers: One method of soon establishing whether you are dealing with a dependable firm online is if they also sell through recognized local store merchants. Printing firms that distribute their products through independent dealers tend to have an established reputation in the industry and provide their customers the opportunity to shop in your neighborhood or online. This is a clear sign that you’re not working with a johnny-come-lately printer.

Whether or not you want to shop locally or order online, make sure that you think about your choices carefully. If you want a totally special wedding invitation, it’s best to buy with an experienced stationer where you live.

Sheila May is a founding member of the Stationer Guild and writes often about save the date card trends and online wedding invitations.

Wedding etiquette specialists of late have experienced renewed controversy on whether or not the gift registry information may be printed on a wedding invitation. The easy and proper response is: “Of course not!” One seasoned stationer who alleges to have worked with countless young couples to make custom wedding invitations asserts that “not one has chosen to add a bridal gift registry or website on their wedding invitation. It’s tacky, offensive and simply poor etiquette.”

Proposing a gift item or financial contribution in your wedding invitation diminishes the importance of the celebration. Although many believe that it is “convenient” to provide bridal registry information on the wedding invitation, convenience is no substitute for proper etiquette and good taste. Why don’t you just pick-up the telephone, call the parents of the bride or the bridal pair and extend your best wishes then simply ask where they’re registered. It is simple, quite personal and it has worked effectively for many years.

In a great many instances, bridal couples will send a save the date announcement which might include things like travel and lodging suggestions. If you plan to create a wedding website, it is now thought to be suitable to add the website address within the save the date card or within the supportive wedding papers.

Many will argue that this protocol or etiquette is old-fashioned. Quite the opposite, good manners is never out of place. When we continue to stress “convenience” and “efficiency” in orchestrating our interpersonal relationships, we strip the enjoyment and majesty from these milestone occasions within our lives.

To put it briefly, including gift registry details in your wedding invitation isn’t recommended and, indeed, numerous guests are likely to consider doing it vulgar and inappropriate. There are plenty of ways to bypass that problem with good planning.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations in the New York Metro area and Save the Date Cards.

Engaged couples browsing for wedding invitations often tend to assume that paper quality is probably the most substantial price consideration when searching for an online wedding invitation. While the fine quality of the paper is very important, other things to consider like the printing method, amount of ink colors and additional touches frequently play a much more significant role in determining the end pricing of your personalized wedding invitations.

Many quality printers utilize cotton fibers, high-grade wood fiber that’s been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council or a combination of both cotton and wood-based fibers. Even though these papers tend to be of a superior quality than re-cycled papers that a great many promote as “tree-free, these high-quality papers frequently cost a tad bit more but are certainly worth the nominal premium. In addition, these papers are typically far more “environmentally-friendly” and substantial than most papers sold online that claim to be “green” or “tree-free.”

Factors that tend to increase the price tag of printed wedding invitations are paper weight, colored papers and the number of ink colors used in printing the invitations.

Paper weight: Lots of wedding papers offered on the net are printed by commercial printers. Generally speaking, paper with a weight beyond 120 pounds can’t be sent by way of a commercial printer or ink-jet printer. Consequently, a weighty wedding invitation can only be printed using engraving, letterpress or, in some circumstances, with thermographic inks. This old fashioned printing method is likely to increase overall costs, but will generate a substantially more beautiful invitation.

Paper Color: Nearly all wedding invitations are printed on white or ecru colored papers making sure that ink colors resonate. Having said that, there is a movement in the direction of bold-colored papers. In these cases, only using a higher priced printing procedure like engraving seems to work to acquire the proper resolution between ink colors and darkly-colored papers.

Ink Colors: Whilst flat-printing, lithography and digital printing is effective with papers less than 120 pounds in weight, more old-fashioned printing procedures are necessary for more substantial papers. In such cases, each color needs to be applied in a separate press run, thus escalating prices.

When browsing locally for wedding invitations, it really is best to confer with an experienced stationer who will help you select the finest wedding invitation styles and papers for your expense plan.