Eleni Engaged: The Honor of Your Presence is Requested
Eleni and her mom tackle the wide world of invitations.
By
Eleni Garbis
Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008
On Sundays in fall, a lot of people think football (my fiancé included). But now I think weddings. So one Sunday afternoon last month, my mom and I decided to meet at Tysons for a day of wedding research. Our primary goal was to check out invitations at the Crane & Company store, but once we got there we of course got distracted and wandered around the mall. We ended up in the DeBeers store, where I proceeded to try on almost every wedding band they had (for fun, of course—just to get some ideas).
When we did manage to make it to the Crane store, we met with a sales associate, Marisa, who also happened to be engaged. We started by looking through three large sample books.
I didn’t realize how many elements there are to the invitation: ceremony invitation, inner envelope, outer envelope, reception card, RSVP card and envelope, and a card for directions. We’ll also need to include a brunch invitation, because we’re having a brunch the morning after the wedding at the Hay-Adams for our out-of-town guests (of whom there will be about 90). Don’t even get me started on the menu cards—let’s just say there are more options for those than the Hay-Adams offers for dinner choices.
I knew going in that I wanted a fairly traditional invitation. I think the invitation really sets the tone for the wedding, so I’d like it to be simple and elegant. When I first imagined my wedding, I envisioned everything in purple. After thinking about it, I realized that too much purple is probably not the best idea.
Many of the sample invitations were printed in purple ink, but my mom and I thought they didn’t look quite as formal as we wanted. Ron said that although he doesn’t really care what the invitations look like, he’d rather they not be purple. Point taken. The bridesmaid dresses are dark purple, so I think that’s probably enough, along with some purple accents (such as the favor boxes). I’m thinking about going with a simple white invitation printed in gold ink.
Next decision: printing. My mom and I learned quite a bit about the three types of printing that Crane offers:
1. Engraving: A metal die filled with ink is used to create a raised effect with indentations on the reverse of the invitation. You also get to keep the die used for the engraving.
2. Thermography printing: It’s a great alternative to engraving; it’s similar in appearance but considerably less expensive. In thermography, a special powder is added to the ink. The invitation is heated and the powder-and-ink mixture dries to form a raised effect on the paper.
3. Letterpress printing: Ink is applied to the raised portions of a metal or hard plastic printing plate, and the type is indented onto the invitation.
We spent an hour and a half with Marisa, who was incredibly helpful. She pointed out how the ink colors can vary with each printing type. For example, with engraving the gold ink was a darker metallic, but with thermography it looked lighter and shinier. Crane has a very handy book which shows each ink color printed in engraved, thermography, and letterpress, so you can see and feel how they differ.
We also learned that Marisa does calligraphy, so I put her card in my Martha Stewart Wedding Planner (I highly suggest it for any bride!), and we’ll probably be calling her when it comes time to address the invitations.
I still haven’t made any final decisions about the invitations, but we don’t need to order them until January, so there’s still plenty of time. Crane also has some really nice do-it-yourself ceremony programs that we’re considering.
There are just so many options out there! I’m also planning on going to the Dandelion Patch in Reston and looking at the invitations it carries, since I found a 15-percent-off coupon in one of the local wedding magazines. I’d highly recommend going to the Crane store, though, for a good look into the very detailed world of wedding invitations! Eleni, a local bride-to-be, writes every Wednesday about planning her wedding, which will be in Washington in the spring. To follow her adventures from the beginning, click here. To read the latest Bridal Party blog posts, click here.
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Comments
I’m working with a much smaller budget than Crane and Co. and found that a lot of smaller vendors in the area are really helpful, less expensive, and make beautiful invitations. I’m getting my invitations from Imagination Creations out in Ashburn. They are handmade and absolutely beautiful. Granted, they are printed and not engraved or done with thermography, but it’s a trade off as they are not nearly as expensive as many of the bigger companies.
Posted by: Erica, Nov 21, 2008 09:23:20 AM
Even if you want a traditional invitation, there are so many other options available than just Crane and Co. or another store brand. I agree that Paper-Source is a great resource, but there are tons of independent or smaller invitation design studios that can do a traditional invitation (and produce an absolutely beautiful product) for a much lower cost. I have featured many of these design studios on my blog: http://beautifulpaper.typepad.com (just look for the invitations category on the left sidebar).
But either way I think it is a good idea to look around, particularly on wedding blogs, to get an idea of your options before making a decision. You might fall in love with something unexpected!
Posted by: beautifulpaper, Nov 21, 2008 08:55:50 AM
Even if you want a traditional invitation, there are so many other options available than just Crane and Co. or another store brand. I agree that Paper-Source is a great resource, but there are tons of independent or smaller invitation design studios that can do a traditional invitation (and produce an absolutely beautiful product) for a much lower cost. I have featured many of these design studios on my blog: http://beautifulpaper.typepad.com (just look for the invitations category on the left sidebar).
But either way I think it is a good idea to look around, particularly on wedding blogs, to get an idea of your options before making a decision. You might fall in love with something unexpected!
Posted by: beautifulpaper, Nov 21, 2008 08:55:26 AM
Even if you want a traditional invitation, there are so many other options available than just Crane and Co. or another store brand. I agree that Paper-Source is a great resource, but there are tons of independent or smaller invitation design studios that can do a traditional invitation (and produce an absolutely beautiful product) for a much lower cost. I have featured many of these design studios on my blog: http://beautifulpaper.typepad.com (just look for the invitations category on the left sidebar).
But either way I think it is a good idea to look around, particularly on wedding blogs, to get an idea of your options before making a decision. You might fall in love with something unexpected!
Posted by: beautifulpaper, Nov 21, 2008 08:01:16 AM
Nick and I went to Paper Source in Old Town...they had tons and tons of books and suggestions...way overwhelming to both of us the first time we went. They had everything from what looked like 5th grade craft projects to Vera Wang invitations. However, I loved some of their kits that are do-it-yourself, but still can be completely personalized. We haven’t decided exactly which way to go yet, but I definitely like your choice, simple and elegant.
Posted by: Melissa M., Oct 25, 2008 12:36:20 AM
Great blog, as usual!
Posted by: Nav, Oct 23, 2008 11:46:05 AM
I hear Evite has some great wedding invitation templates. No? Ok. Fine. I love your decision to go simple and elegant!
I also love reading about the wedding plans - thanks for letting us all be a part of it. Holler!
Posted by: Shaniqua, Oct 23, 2008 08:03:07 AM
even if you consider a more formal invitation you may want to add your own stamp of individuality on it,by adding special touches in the form of custom artwork.I am a consultant/contractor for the Papyrus store in Tucson which means that if a customer chooses a book invitation they can also add custom art that I do(we are doing a peony on a Wm.Arthur formal invitation as an example)Often there is no charge-sent via files.Or you can go to a variety of sites which offer custom designed invitations.Many businesses such as mine,work with the same papers that the larger books carry and also do the same printing.
Posted by: invitation imagination, Oct 23, 2008 06:24:34 AM
even if you consider a more formal invitation you may want to add your own stamp of individuality on it,by adding special touches in the form of custom artwork.I am a consultant/contractor for the Papyrus store in Tucson which means that if a customer chooses a book invitation they can also add custom art that I do(we are doing a peony on a Wm.Arthur formal invitation as an example)Often there is no charge-sent via files.Or you can go to a variety of sites which offer custom designed invitations.Many businesses such as mine,work with the same papers that the larger books carry and also do the same printing.
Posted by: invitation imagination, Oct 23, 2008 06:22:30 AM
Hi Eleni!
I think you’ll really enjoy your time at the Dandelion Patch. Don’t forget to make an appointment if you’re going to the store on a weekend or a peak hour (weekday evenings). They have a TON of selection and really know their stuff. They also have an in-house calligrapher with relatively affordable rates.
Have fun,
Laura
Wish Special Events
Posted by: WishLaura, Oct 22, 2008 02:48:00 PM
There are so many details in planning a wedding that you never think about. You have to make a decision on each and everyone. Your head must spin sometimes.
Posted by: Jillian , Oct 22, 2008 11:25:59 AM
I ordered lovely spring green invitations from Wedding Paper Divas online:
http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/
Check it out and compare the prices before you order from one of those stores. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Posted by: Sarah, Oct 22, 2008 09:23:40 AM
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