One of the factors that you should consider when choosing your wedding invitations is your location. Your location can have a significant impact on the style and design of your invitations, as well as the mood and tone that you want to convey to your guests. For example, if you are planning to get married at The Old Hall Ely, a remarkable and grand country wedding venue near the historic town of Ely in Cambridgeshire, you may want to reflect the elegance and charm of this beautiful Jacobean manor house in your invitations. You may want to use imagery that showcases the well-groomed grounds, the romantic lakes, and the awe-inspiring views of the Ely Cathedral that surround this venue. You may also want to use colours and fonts that match the luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere of this exclusive wedding venue, script or serif fonts. You can also add some personal touches to your invitations, such as a monogram, a wax seal, or a ribbon, to make them more unique and memorable. By choosing your wedding invitations based on your location, you can create a cohesive and harmonious theme for your big day that will impress your guests and make them excited for your celebration.
How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Invitations for Your Big Day
Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding style and theme. They set the tone for the whole event, from the colours and fonts to the wording and etiquette. But with so many options and details to consider, how do you choose the perfect wedding invitations for your big day? Here are some tips and advice to help you out.
Pick Your Shape and Dimensions
The standard size and shape for wedding invitations is a 4.5-inch-by-6.25-inch rectangular card. However, you can also opt for more creative shapes and sizes, such as circular, scalloped, or square invitations. Just keep in mind that unconventional shapes and sizes may cost more to print and mail, and may not fit in standard envelopes. You can also choose between single-sided or double-sided cards, depending on how much information you need to include.
Consider Your Location
Choosing Romantic Fonts
One of the aspects that can affect the appearance and impression of your invitations is the choice of fonts. Fonts are not only a way of displaying text, but also a way of expressing the personality and mood of your wedding. You want to choose fonts that are clear and easy to read, but also match the style and theme of your wedding. For example, if you are going for a romantic and classic style, you may want to use script or calligraphy fonts that resemble handwriting. These fonts can create a sense of elegance and sophistication, as well as convey your love and emotion. Some examples of script or calligraphy fonts are Alex Brush, Great Vibes, or Parisienne.
On the other hand, if you are going for a more modern and minimalist style, you may want to use sans serif or geometric fonts that have clean and simple lines. These fonts can create a sense of freshness and simplicity, as well as convey your confidence and clarity. Some examples of sans serif or geometric fonts are Montserrat, Raleway, or Futura.
You can also mix and match different fonts to create contrast and hierarchy in your text. For instance, you can use a script font for your names and a sans serif font for the rest of the information. Or you can use a bold font for the headings and a lighter font for the body text. You can also use different sizes, colours, or alignments to emphasize certain words or phrases.
If you are planning to get married at The Old Hall Ely, you may want to take inspiration from our logo and website font. Our logo uses a script font that is elegant and graceful, while their website uses a sans serif font that is modern and sleek. You can use similar fonts for your invitations, or find ones that complement them. For example, you can use Dancing Script or Sacramento for your script font, and Lato or Roboto for your sans serif font. By using fonts that are inspired by The Old Hall Ely, you can create a consistent and harmonious theme for your wedding that reflects the beauty and charm of our venue.
Think About Your Imagery
Another way to add some personality and flair to your invitations is to use imagery that complements your theme and style. You can use photos of yourselves, illustrations of your venue or location, or patterns and motifs that match your colour scheme. You can also use icons or symbols to represent different aspects of your wedding, such as rings, hearts, flowers, or champagne glasses. Just make sure that your imagery is not too busy or distracting from the main information.
Think Outside the Box
If you want to make your invitations stand out from the crowd, you can think outside the box and try something different. For example, you can use unconventional materials or textures for your invitations, such as wood, fabric, metal, or leather. You can also use embellishments or accessories to add some sparkle or dimension to your invitations, such as ribbons, lace, beads, or wax seals. You can also experiment with different printing techniques or finishes, such as letterpress, foil stamping, embossing, or laser cutting.
Choose Your Colours
Your colour choice is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to your invitations. Your colours should reflect your personality and taste, but also coordinate with your wedding theme and season. For example, if you’re having a spring wedding, you may want to choose pastel colours that evoke freshness and lightness. If you’re having a fall wedding, you may want to opt for warm colours that evoke cosiness and richness. You can also use contrasting colours to create drama and excitement in your invitations.
Write Your Wording
The wording of your invitations is not only informative but also expressive. You want to make sure that you include all the essential details that your guests need to know, such as who’s hosting, who’s getting married, when and where the ceremony and reception will take place, how to RSVP, what the dress code is, and any other special instructions or requests. You also want to make sure that your wording is consistent with your tone and etiquette. For example, if you’re having a formal wedding, you may want to use more traditional and formal language. If you’re having a casual wedding, you may want to use more casual and conversational language.
Proofread Your Invitations
Before you send out your invitations, you want to make sure that they are error-free and flawless. You don’t want to have any spelling mistakes, grammar errors, typos, or incorrect information on your invitations that could confuse or offend your guests. You also want to check that your layout is balanced and harmonious, that your fonts are legible and appropriate, that your colors are consistent and pleasing, and that your imagery is clear and relevant. You can ask someone else to proofread your invitations for you or use an online tool like Grammarly to help you catch any mistakes.
Order Your Invitations
Once you’re happy with your design and wording of your invitations, it’s time to order them from a reputable and reliable stationer or printer. You want to order your invitations about four to five months before your wedding, so that you have enough time to print them, address them, and mail them. You also want to order some extra invitations in case you need to invite more guests, resend some invitations, or keep some as souvenirs. You can also order matching stationery for your wedding, such as save-the-dates, thank-you cards, menus, programs, and place cards.
Mail Your Invitations
The last but not the least step is to mail your invitations to your guests. This is the moment when your invitations will finally reach their destination and make an impression on your invitees. You want to mail your invitations well in advance of your wedding date, so that your guests have enough time to plan and prepare for your celebration. The general rule of thumb is to mail your invitations about eight to ten weeks before your wedding, or even earlier if you’re having a destination wedding or getting married over the holidays. These situations may require more travel arrangements and accommodations for your guests, so you want to give them as much notice as possible.
You also want to make sure that you use the correct postage and address for each envelope, and that you include any additional enclosures or inserts that your guests may need, such as maps, directions, accommodation information, or registry details. You can also use a calligrapher or a label maker to make your envelopes look more professional and elegant.
Conclusion
Your wedding invitations are one of the most important aspects of your wedding planning. They are the first impression that your guests will have of your big day, and they can set the mood and tone for the whole event. By following these tips and advice, you can choose the perfect wedding invitations for your big day that reflect your personality, style, and theme. You can also use online tools like Canva or Minted to help you design and customize your invitations with ease and convenience. Happy planning!