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You’ve got a Pinterest board filled with ideas for invitation styles, you’ve seen all the latest trends, and you’ve read every advice blog you could find, but something’s still missing. If you want your invitations to be great, then you need to understand these invitation secrets the trends won’t tell you!
Your Invitation Is Your Guests’ First Impression
…so make it a good one! Your invitation can create a connection between you and your guests: Think of your invitation as a preview of your celebration. The quality of the invite says so much. Your guests probably aren’t print experts, but there are lots of little things that they subconsciously pick up on. If the paper feels cheap, the printing is smudged, the cuts aren’t straight, the cards aren’t flat, the pictures are jaggy, or you have typos, then you’ll give the wrong impression.
After all, if it looks like you don’t care about your wedding, then why should your guests? (Ouch!)
A Great Invitation Shows That You Care
Personal touches go a long way to connecting you to your guests. You may not be able to hand-write a note for each one (unless you want to!), but there are choices you can make to give the design a more personal feel. For example, some designs let you print the guest’s name on the invitation itself, others have room for photos or personal messages.
When it comes to wording, ask yourself how YOU would say it. Don’t feel like you have to hold to strict tradition or hide behind a trend. For example, on your RSVP’s, what about “So excited to attend!” and “Sorry to miss out!” instead of “ACCEPT” or “DECLINE”?
Even if you want to hold to strict etiquette for your wording, you can use the illustrated portions of your design to add your personal touch. Perhaps you and your future spouse love travel, flowers, or a particular piece of architecture. Whatever it is, there is probably a way to incorporate it!
A Great Invitation Says It Your Way
Building on the previous idea, consider this: You and your future spouse are not a template, so why should your invitation be one? Your wedding is a celebration of the unique way love is shared between you two. In the immortal words of Donna and Tom from Parks and Rec, “Treat Yourself!”
Pick a design that tells your story and reflects your personalities. What are the memories and stories that you’ve shared as a couple? When your friends talk about you, how do they describe you? Use those ideas as a starting point for your design choice, and consider the option of custom invitation design.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive or Complicated
The classic 5×7 card is inexpensive, but it is so versatile. The familiar size and format automatically lends a little elegance to the piece, and the right design can make it pop. While complex laser-cut designs are beautiful, and non-traditional geeky or vintage-style ones are cool, a great 5×7 does its own kind of magic for couples on tighter budgets.
If you’re the DIY type, just remember: DIY doesn’t mean “Go it alone!” Get lots of advice, watch YouTube videos, read blogs, and equip yourself for the task. When it comes to the actual design and production, though, partner with an expert. They have access to papers, experience, and techniques that you don’t, and they can help you avoid costly mistakes.
We serve hundreds of couples every year who decide to do their own DIY assembly work on invitations that we design and print. It’s a great way to get the best of both by adding your own personal touch to the assembly of something that you know was created professionally.
A Great Invitation Makes a Moment
If nothing else, remember this: Your invitation is all about connection. Imagine if you were able to invite all of your guests in person, to share a cup of coffee and talk about how excited you are to spend the rest of your life with your future spouse. Wouldn’t that be special? Happy tears are a good thing!
We’ve had customers send us notes after sending the invitations, sharing with us the love they’re getting from their guests. It’s something you have to experience to really believe. When you put so much of yourself into the invitation, it’s more than just the paper, wax, and ribbon. Your guests – your friends and your families – are reminded of the good times you’ve shared and they get excited about the happiness that is to come.
As important as it is to have a good looking invitation, your relationships are even more important. Keep those priorities in the right order, and you’ll go a long way to understanding the invitation secrets the trends won’t tell you.
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