Tips for Invitations

Ordering Invitations
Organization is the key to making your event perfect. With regards to invitations, always order extra invitations and envelopes. No matter how well you plan, there's always the possibility that someone will be "in town" on the day of your wedding, and you want to invite them. Or, Aunt Sally might have invited someone herself; it's easier to send an invitation than to deal with family discord during this happy time in your life. You'll probably want an extra invitation for you and your family's wedding book. Breaking news: The calligrapher is human and sometimes makes mistakes! The ink can splatter, I can make a spelling error, or someone has moved and didn't let you know until they didn't receive your invitation. It costs a lot more money to re-order invitations after the original printing.

Tracking RSVP Cards
Some people forget to write their names on the RSVP cards. To help you figure out who is coming, assign each couple or person you're inviting a number from the address guide, and, very lightly, write that number in pencil on the back corner on the RSVP card or envelope. Brides who have used this technique themselves may joke with you, and answer: # 16 will be delighted to attend!

Address & Zip
Take the extra time to do your addresses completely. If you are uncertain about the zipcode, use the US Postal Service Zip+4 Look Up. Here you can find out not only the proper zip code, but whether the address is a "street" "drive", "road" or any other name. It really makes the invitation complete, and nicer.

Make Your Invitation Unique
Any invitation can become a truly unique, custom invitation. Here's how:

• Go to your favorite invitation store and choose the invitation you love. Remember to write down the measurements. Better yet, get a photo copy, make sure it's the exact size.
  
  
• I will then provide the calligraphy, in the style of your choice (i.e. contemporary, traditional, etc.) for your invitation. A draft of the calligraphic design will be used to establish the "look." Once approved by you:
  
  
• I will provide you with a final proof for your approval.
  
  
• Either you or I will send the camera-ready art work to the invitation company. (This is the terminology printers use to describe the way something to be printed must be presented to them.) They will print the calligraphy on your invitation from my artwork.

From simply adding the bride and groom's name in a beautifully hand flourished style, to an entire invitation with all insert cards (RSVP, directions, return address, etc.), your invitation can be a one-of-a-kind creation. The invitation company may have a minimal extra charge for this service. However, this is a much lower cost alternative to a totally custom designed invitation. E-mail, or call to discuss prices for this service.