Yesterday, Heidi Kallett of the Dandelion Patch answered your questions about handling divorced parents on your invitations, calligraphy, and ceremony programs. Today, she’ll solve your queries about everything from matching your save-the-dates and invitations to DIY-ing.
A PERFECT MATCH?
Question: Do my save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, thank-yous, and other printed items all need to match? Do I have to decide on the style, colors, and theme immediately so the save-the-dates will match everything else?
Kallett says: “While it is nice to have continuity between all your pieces it is certainly not required. Often times, save-the-dates tend to be a bit more fun and casual than the formal invitation. If you have your wedding colors selected, it is nice to use those in some capacity on your save-the-date, invitation and other pieces such as your program. If, however, you are unsure what colors you’re using, more neutral palette is totally acceptable. If you’ve finalized a theme or you have a particular motif you’d like to use, that can also be a nice element to tie all of your pieces together but it is certainly not a must-have.”
“Don’t delay getting your save-the-dates out just so you can have them coordinate with your invitations—what’s more important is that your guests have enough notice so that they can join you on your special day.”
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INVITATION ETIQUETTE
Question: What’s the etiquette on wording different financial arrangements, for example, if the couple is financing alone versus if one set of parents is paying entirely versus if it’s a joint effort by all parties (couple and both sets of parents)?
Kallett says: “There are two options if a couple is paying for the wedding themselves. The most formal way to indicate that the bride and groom are hosting the event themselves would be to omit the host line all together.”
The honour of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Miss Rebecca Ann Smith
to
Mr. John Douglas Jacobs
“There is an alternative and less formal option as well.”
The pleasure of your company
is requested at the wedding of
Miss Rebecca Ann Smith
and
Mr. John Douglas Jacobs
“If everyone (the bride and groom, the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents) is contributing to the wedding the most appropriate and all-encompassing way to issue the invitation would be wording you may have seen.”
Together with their families
Rebecca Ann Smith
and
John Douglas Jacobs
request the pleasure of your company
at the celebration of their marriage
“Another option is to issue the invitation from both sets of parents, as both are equally responsible for hosting the event.”
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Jacobs
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Rebecca Ann Smith
and
John Douglas Jacobs
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DIY DO’S AND DON’TS
Question: I don’t want to DIY my invitations entirely, but what are some things I can do myself to help bring down the cost?
Kallett says: “We are certainly sensitive to the fact that everyone has a different budget, particularly in this economic climate. While it is tempting to take on the printing of your invitations and day-of materials, please be advised that it is definitely not as easy as it looks! Additionally, as the bride, you have enough on your plate without having to worry about designing, printing, and assembling your own wedding invitations.”
“That being said, if you’re really looking to cut costs there are several things you can do yourself. Addressing envelopes yourself instead of using a calligrapher or printer would definitely help cut costs. If your invitation has a ribbon, assembling the ribbons yourself can save a bit of money. You might also think about printing your own day-of materials, items such as programs, menu cards, and table numbers. If you’re comfortable doing something simple these items can be relatively easy to print. I would say though, if you’re looking for something more complex leave that to the experts!”
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Visit the Dandelion Patch’s Web site for more information. And don’t forget to send in your questions for next week’s Q&A with makeup artist Leah McKay by emailing vendorchats@washingtonian.com.
