Monday, September 21, 2009

Cheap Wedding Invite

It is definitely worth thinking about reducing the numbers of your wedding guest list when you are sending your cheap wedding invite as over half of your wedding budget will probably be spent on your wedding reception.

The first thing to remember is don't get yourself in a panic about inviting everybody you have ever met or even everybody whose wedding you have ever been to. People do understand that weddings cost money.

Easy ways to reduce your potential wedding guest list are;

~ to only invite immediate family and close friends to the reception and then invite everybody else to an evening reception. This way you can keep your costs down and still see everyone.

~ when addressing single friends don't write "and guest" on the cheap wedding invite. You know your friends and family well enough to know if they have a partner, don't feel you have to invite their latest, remember it is your wedding and you should at least know everyone there!

~ only invite adults, then you won't have to pay for a meal for the children or possible entertainment. Sounds harsh and for some people having children at their wedding makes the day complete so again it is personal preference.

~ only send one cheap wedding invite per household, they don't all need their own invite and this will save you on printing costs.

~ elope!

Just kidding, although I know that at some stages in the planning process you think this is probably the way to go, and it would save a fortune. Just think about the possible consequences of this action before you jump into it!

If you feel that by not inviting people to your wedding you could lose friends, cause arguments or general chaos then it might be worth thinking about some water tight reasons before you send out your cheap wedding invite.

Here are some that I know have been used; the venue is only able to hold x number of people, or we are only able to have a late ceremony and didn't want you to upset your children's bedtime routine, or we know weddings can be boring for children or the honest answer of money.

Whatever reason you both decide to use make sure you all use the same answer and that includes the mother in laws! Again remember it is your big day, the day you have always dreamed of, just make sure the people you want there are there.

Tips For Your Wedding Invite Wording

Wedding invitations are one of the most important aspects in arranging a wedding. Not only in a design sense, but also from a content perspective. You and your soon to be husband or wife need to decide what wording will go in your wedding invites. Many newlyweds often decide to use poetry or meaningful excerpts in their invitations. Some take another route and decide to write their own thoughts. Finally, we have those hosting a more informal event, who use quirky and creative wording to give a more fun feel to their invite.

So where can you start drawing inspiration for your wedding invite? How about from you or your partners past experiences? If that idea doesn't appeal to you, you can also draw from where your wedding will be located or how it will be styled. There are literally hundreds of different things you can draw your inspiration from. The few we've mentioned above are just some ideas.

To give you a bit of a head start, we'd like to remind you that most invitations begin by directly addressing a particular guest and asking him or her to be present the wedding. Various wordings can be utilized for such a request. When addressing the person, you need to avoid using slang terms and try your best to use high diction. You really don't want to sound like an illiterate.

One thing you need to take into consideration when wording your invite is the caliber of your wedding. By caliber, I'm referring to whether your wedding is a formal or more casual wedding. In the case of the latter, you have more flexibility and can get away with a lot more things - such as using a more lax diction.

Once you've completed your invite, don't forget to mail it with the proper additions. Typical invites are mailed out with some sort of RSVP card. You can add some additional items, such as directions.

Cheap Wedding Invitations

Not everyone has a endless wedding budget but then again you don't really need one. There are many wedding invitations out there that will suit couples on a tighter budget.

Choosing a simple style such as a plain white card with black text can be cheaper that more intricate cards. However, simplicity adds a stylish, timeless feel that can make the card appear more expensive than it is.

Another option would be to choose a simple card and then add embellishments yourself such as ribbons, raffia, satin flowers or diamantés.

Some suppliers can supply their wedding stationery designs flat pack without inserts. This can reduce the cost significantly, sometimes up to 25% off the original price. All you need to do then is, using your home printer, print off the inserts and glue them to the inside of the card.

When choosing your stationery you can look at ways to cut down costs such as not sending a reply card with your wedding invitations. Instead include the RSVP address on the wedding invite along with your telephone or email. You might even want to set-up a wedding website and allow your guests to RSVP online.

When looking for your wedding invitations always make sure that you see a sample before ordering. This is especially important when ordering Cheap Wedding Invitations as some suppliers will use poorer quality materials. You might find that the invites are made out of very thin paper or card and the printing is not of a high standard. However, don't let this put you off. As mentioned before in this article simple designs are often cheaper. This is because they are easier to print and generally not due to the fact that low quality materials are used.

Other areas to consider reducing costs on is not providing menus. Although these can look nice on your reception tables they are not always needed. Most weddings have a fixed menu or if the guests have a choice it will have been made in advance.

Table plans are only necessary if you are having a large wedding. For smaller numbers consider just putting a place card out for each guest.

If, after looking around, you are still stuck on what invitations to buy then why not contact a few stationery designers. If you give them your budget they should be able to design something wonderful that doesn't cost a small fortune.

Destination Wedding Packages

Everyone dreams of a perfect wedding, and one of the basic elements in planning and preparing for a wedding is to find a perfect location to “tie the know.” If you have been dreaming of having your wedding in a nature park or exotic tropical island then start planning, because your wedding is something that you will cherish forever and look back to with fond memories. Destinnation wedding packages include everything you need.

If planning seems to overwhelming for you, and you can’t seem to get your thoughts together to organize such a special event, you can contact a wedding coordinator and ask about the many destination wedding packages that are available. These wedding packages will help you make your wedding something truly special – a far cry from the usual hotel wedding or church ceremony. Destination wedding packages are designed to give you less to think about, so that you can be stress free and ready for your “special day.” Every single detail regarding your wedding will be taken care of from the venue, to the decorations, food, accommodations for you and your guests, travel tips, etc. It all comes with the package.

The only thing difficult about destination wedding packages is choosing the one that is best suited for you. There are so many fabulous places to choose from at prices that range from economy to luxurious – it depends on what you want and what you can afford. Whatever package you choose, the chances are you will remember it forever.

Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding

If you have been recently engaged, you might find yourself looking at the list of things to-do to prepare for your wedding and dreading the whole thing. When it comes to planning a wedding there are many, many things to plan and prepare for. Choosing the reception site, choosing a caterer and picking out a menu are just a few of the items that you will need to consider. The list of things to be done can seem endless at times, making you wish that you had simply eloped instead. Nowadays the way to get around all of the stress of planning a wedding is with a destination wedding.

Destination weddings are great because they are much simpler to plan. If you want to get married on a beautiful sunny beach, all you need to do is make some general inquires into Caribbean weddings. Once you find out how easy it is to plan your destination you will be more than pleased. All you really need to do is choose where you want to have your wedding and then select the date. The local wedding planner will take care of the rest. This obviously makes sense since you are so far away. They take care of everything from the flowers to music to food.

Another great thing about a destination wedding is that once you get married you are immediately on your honeymoon! You don't have to worry about making your flight for your honeymoon the day after your wedding on time. You also won't have to worry about whether your flight will be delayed or if your luggage will get lost. You will already be setup for your all inclusive honeymoon; if that is the type of resort you chose to get married at. This way, you and your bride or groom can simply enjoy the relaxing pleasure of each other's company on the first day of your marriage rather than spending it with strangers cramped on an airplane.

If you do choose to have a destination wedding, you should definitely not overlook the resorts' luxury spa packages. There is nothing more relaxing than getting a massage with your new spouse right there on the beach itself. A nice soothing massage is a great way to get your marriage started on the right foot. With a destination wedding you will also have fewer guests to tend to. So those people who do attend your wedding are most likely those who mean the most to you. A spa package for them as well can be a great gift idea to say thank you for flying all this way for our wedding.

Destination Wedding Right for You

What exactly does 'destination wedding' mean? Well, this is the term used for a wedding which takes place in a desired location which is away from the bride and grooms' home town. The wedding ceremony and reception is held in a location where everyone (including all guests) has to travel to get to the wedding.

Choosing a destination for your wedding is probably the most important wedding planning decision you will have to make. After all, the location of your wedding will dictate many factors of your wedding, including the cost. For example, many people are now opting for a more tropical and exotic location to get married, and if you have to travel to the other side of the world to get to your dream wedding destination, then that can be pretty expensive.

Destination weddings are certainly growing in popularity. While there are still many couples who go down the traditional route of getting married in a church followed by a reception in a banquet hall, there is no doubt that a destination wedding is a new and upcoming trend with couples wanting to tie the knot.

Why are destination weddings so popular?

Well, one good reason is that they mean a vacation for everyone involved in the wedding and not just a honeymoon for the bride and groom. Some people keep it small and quiet with just immediate family and friends, while other couples have a huge wedding party traveling with them - it all depends on what you want. A destination wedding is also popular with people getting married for the second or even third time. They don't want all the fuss and formality of a traditional marriage, they simply want to 'get away' and get married.

Things to consider when planning a destination wedding:

• If wanting a tropical wedding, remember that it will be very hot and you and your partner could feel very uncomfortable in your wedding attire

• Do you want only close family/friends to come with you, or a larger wedding party?

• Can all of your guests afford the travelling expenses?

• Can you afford to pay for your guests to travel?

• Do you want to hold a second reception back home for friends and family that couldn't travel with you?

• Is privacy important to you? You will be surrounded by your guests for the whole duration of your wedding / honeymoon.

Remember that you will be inviting the guests to travel with you. Most likely, the guests will be paying their own way and are essentially planning their entire vacation around your wedding. Therefore, you will have to give considerable thought in what both you and your guests want to do before and after the wedding.

In summary, destination weddings are becoming very popular and because of this there are many travel agents who now specialize in these types of weddings. Make a decision on how large you want your traveling party to be and if your guests can afford it. Make sure to have some kind of understanding with your guests if you want a few days of privacy.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Wedding Invitation Phrases

Choosing wedding invitation phrases can be tricky, families are more diverse than ever before, so it isn't surprising that the traditional format for your invitation is not going to work. Below are some examples of the correct wedding invitation phrases to use in a wide range of circumstances. Hopefully, these examples will make your task a little bit easier.

Traditional

Before we look at some of the non-traditional wedding invitation phrases, here's how you would word the invitation if the bride's parents were paying for the ceremony and were still married.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Acme

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

at the Missouri Botanical Gardens

Saturday, the Thirtieth of June

Five o'clock in the evening

Typically, whoever is paying the bills will be considered the host of the event. As you'll see in some of the other samples that can get confusing when the couple is paying or when the entire family is sharing the expenses.

One note about the above sample: if the groom's parents were paying for the ceremony instead of the bride's then you would simply exchange the parents' names.

Non-Traditional Hosting

As mentioned above, crediting the hosts can be hard with your wedding invitation phrases. Let's look at how to handle the wording for some specific situations. Incidentally, we'll only be changing the portion of the phrasing that deals with the names. The lower half including the details of the event can remain the same, regardless of how the hosts need to be handled.

Both Parents Sharing Costs

When the parents are sharing hosting duties, you would use wording as below:

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Acme

and

Mr. and Mrs. David Smith

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their children

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

As far as which parents' names go first, you could choose to list the parents who are spending the most first. Typically, however, the brides' parents would be named first. Discuss your decision in advance with the parents so no one gets their feelings hurt.

Couple Paying for the Wedding

Many couples today are footing the bill for their own celebration either because they are waiting longer to get married, they want more control over the planning, or because their families are not in the financial position to pay for a wedding. When the couple is hosting their own event, the wedding invitation phrases would look like the following example:

You are cordially invite

to celebrate the wedding of

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

Notice in the example the parents names are not mentioned. If you do want to acknowledge them, you could choose the following alternative:

Together with their parents,

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

invite you to attend their wedding

Additionally, if you have children, you might not want to leave them out of the invitation either. Parents sometimes add "together with their children" to the invitation or use their child's name as the host of the event.

Parental Relationships

Assuming you are going to add your parents to the invitations, you may end up facing another non-traditional problem: divorce and/or remarriage. To be fair to your parents, you want to make their relationship as clear as possible in the wedding invitation phrases. You may also want to include the stepparents in the invitation, especially if they are helping to pay for the expenses. Below are some examples to illustrate how to handle these situations tactfully.

Divorced Parents/No Stepparents

In this case, the parents' names are separated. If only one parent is paying for the wedding, the other parent's name can be omitted.

Mr. Joe Acme

and

Ms. Josephine Acme

request your presence at the wedding of

their daughter,

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

Divorce with Remarriage

If the remarried couple is covering the expenses, the first sample wedding invitation phrases would be appropriate. If both parents are sharing the costs, they should be treated as hosts as shown in the second example below.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Acme

invite you to the wedding of

Jane Elizabeth Acme,

the daughter of

Mr. Joe Acme and Ms. Josephine Acme,

to

John Robert Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Acme

and

Ms. Josephine Acme

request your presence at the wedding of

their daughter

Jane Elizabeth Acme

to

John Robert Smith

Deceased Parent

Unfortunately, both parents are not always going to have the honor of sharing this special day with their children. However, they can still be remembered on the invitation. The sample below provides an example of the wedding invitation phrases that would work in this case.

Mr. Joe Acme and the late Josephine Acme

invites you to the wedding of

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

Other Examples

While the above scenarios tend to cause the most trouble for couples deciding on wedding invitation phrases, the following examples can also pose their own challenges.

Informal Invitation

Not everyone wants to have a formal wedding. Informal invites can be wording more casually to reflect the difference in tone for the event.

Jane and John

would be delighted

if you would join them

for their wedding

at the Missouri Botanical Garden

on Saturday, June 30th

at 5:00 pm

A reception will follow

Destination Wedding

Even though you only a small portion of your guest list will be able to attend a destination wedding, sending invitations is still important. Make sure to include reception information on the invite, too. This is when most of your guests will be able to celebrate your special event.

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

invite you to attend their wedding

in Venice, Italy

Saturday, the Thirtieth of June

Five o'clock in the evening

A reception will be held

to honor the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Friday, the Sixth of July

Four o'clock in the evening

at

Fiesta Hotel

Reception Only

Some couples choose not to have a formal ceremony. Instead, they invest their wedding ceremony expenses into having an even more wonderful reception their friends and family members can enjoy. Below is an example of the wedding invitation phrases for such an event.

Jane Elizabeth Acme

and

John Robert Smith

Will become Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith

In a private ceremony

On Saturday, June 30th

At noon

Celebrate this event with them at an evening reception

On June 30th at six o'clock in the evening

At

Fiesta Hotel

although there are many challenges to putting together the appropriate wording for your invitations, the samples above should help in selecting the right wedding invitation phrases for your needs so you can concentrate on other parts of your planning.