Once you have set the date, time and degree of formality of your wedding, ask the groom’s mother to give you an invitation list. Consult with her about a fair division of guests between the two families. Combine her list with that of your mother’s, your fiancé’s and yours to get a revised list and your final count. Record the revised list either on your computer or in a card file system and keep it in alphabetical order.
In addition to choosing your invitations, you must also select the cards to enclose with them. One of the most used enclosures is the reception card which indicates the time and location of the reception. Response cards provide a convenient way for your guest to respond to your invitation, thus helping you get a final count for the caterer. Printed reply envelopes, pre-stamped, are enclosed with the response card to ensure fast and easy responses.
For the bride who desires the ultimate manner of expression, there is no substitute for the engraved invitation. If your budget does not allow for genuine engraved invitations, quality processed lettering invitations – known as thermography – on a high-grade paper, is a good choice and is socially correct.
For a less formal wedding, pastel papers, floral borders, colored inks, quotations, initials, and personal wording are all available. Some brides choose to color-coordinate the invitations and ink with their color scheme, which is fine for informal weddings.
