Wedding Invitations are such an important part of a wedding. They are first thing your guests see and they really set the tone for the entire event. That being said, I was slightly overwhelmed by the thought of designing my invitations and I didn’t know where to start. There are so many to choose from and it’s such an important element of my big day. I chose to visit Mrs. Post Fine Stationery in Memphis, TN for my invitation needs. There are so many “DIY” options out there for invitations, but it’s such a daunting task getting them all together, especially if you are having a large wedding (which so many southern weddings are these days). I highly recommend using a stationary store, like Mrs. Post, to help guide you through the invitation process.
Before visiting the store, I set up an appointment with Lindsey Cross, owner of Mrs. Post, and she gave me three tips to think about before our meeting.
Tip No. 1
Get a clear picture in your mind of your dream wedding and of your personal taste and style. Is your dream wedding a black-tie affair, a less formal garden or beach wedding, or something in between? Is there a color palette or a particular motif or symbol you would like to use for your invitations or accessories? Write down at least five adjectives that best describe how you want your wedding day to look and feel. For example: traditional, romantic, lavish, minimalist, elegant, fun, etc.
Tip No. 2
Determine the number of invitations you will need to send and have a rough idea of your budget. Keep in mind when deciding the number of invitations that this is not the number of guests you would like to invite–this is the number of households to which invitations will be sent. For example, if you are inviting 200 people and three-quarters of them are married, the number of invitations you will need is closer to 125 or 150. Always order extra invitations. Guest lists have a way of creeping up, often at the last minute. Ordering more than you think you’ll need as part of your initial order is far, far less than the cost of order a small number of invitations at a later date. It is also a good idea to have a rough idea of your budget in mind before looking at invitations. Two invitations with the same design can vary greatly in price when printed using different methods. A great stationer will inform you about the varying costs of different printing methods, stocks, and add-ons and will work with you to create your perfect wedding invitation suite that is within your monetary comfort zone.
Tip No. 3
Understand the various invitation printing methods and choices in invitation stock. An experienced wedding stationer can explain each of the methods of printing and the differences between them. These methods include letterpress, engraving, embossing, thermography, and flat printing {including offset and digital}. Before your appointment, start to notice any mentions in bridal magazines about the various ways that featured invitations are printed. If you have a preference for one or more, let your stationer know what you like or don’t like about each style. It’s also great if you can bring in magazine pages or samples of invitation styles that you like.
Mrs. Post Fine Stationery is located in Memphis, TN but the boutique will be happy to cater to out of town clients. “Skype and emails are our best friend! We always mail paper and ink samples, too, so they can touch and feel the options. We have tons of photos of the invitations we offer on our WeddingWire page and our Instagram account.” – Lindsey Cross
