Extra, Extra – Write All About It
Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP
My previous article dealt with wedding invitations and covered their styles, papers, and printing techniques, as well as appropriate etiquette for wording. While the invitation is an important element of the wedding, several other types of written materials commonly used for weddings that should not be overlooked.
Saving the day
According to traditional rules of etiquette, wedding invitations are to be sent to guests eight weeks prior to the wedding. However, in our fast-paced 21st century, many people make weekend plans even further in advance than that. Thus, to minimize the possibility of guests missing a wedding due to prior commitments, the “Save the Date” card was born.
Wording on the “Save the Date” card is always informal, even whimsical – couples often tell a little story about how they met or became engaged. If you decide to send a “Save the Date” to your guests, it is best to do it soon after you have set your wedding date.
Invitation accompaniments
Along with the “official” wedding invitation, a number of printed products are customarily mailed to guests:
The Reception Card
If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, there is no need for a reception card. However, if the reception is at a different venue, you will need a reception card that tells the location and time of the reception. You can also include other significant information such as “Black Tie,” “Valet Parking” or “Evening Wrap Suggested.”
Response cards (also known as R.S.V.P. Cards)
These cards are still the social norm, although many high-tech couples now request responses by e-mail. If you are having a sit-down dinner at your reception and are offering a choice of entrées, the Response Card should allow your guests to indicate their desired menu selection.
Direction Cards
Printed directions to the ceremony and reception are a thoughtful courtesy to your guests, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area where your wedding is taking place.
Other printed products
Most invitation suppliers also offer additional printed items. I recommend having these items printed in a similar style and color as your invitation to keep a consistent theme or motif running throughout your entire wedding.
Escort cards
Also known as table-seating cards, these are used if you are serving a seated meal. The escort card informs the guests where they should sit.
Place cards
Positioned at the table near each place setting, place cards show guests which seat is theirs. If you are offering multiple entrée choices, you can use different colors of ink on the place cards for each choice. That way, the wait staff will not need to ask your guests what they are having for dinner.
Menus
A printed menu at each place setting provides an elegant touch and gives guests a memento of the special day.
Programs
Having a printed program provides guests with useful information about what’s going to happen during the ceremony and who your attendants are. It also can be a keepsake for your guests.
Pew cards
These cards direct guests to a seat at the ceremony. Ushers will able to seat guests quicker if you have pre-assigned seating.
Top trends
According to Jill Ondercin, assistant manager at the Union Street Papery in San Francisco, couples are forgoing the traditional double envelopes with their invitations, but “pocket fold-overs” are increasingly popular. Couples are sending blank response cards so guests can write personal messages back to them. Couples also are opting for postcard responses. Today’s most popular papers include Fabriano papers from Italy , as well as Somerset papers for letterpress printing.
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