Planning an informal wedding does not mean that there should be any less attention paid to major elements of the day, such as choosing the right invitation. In fact, brides and grooms need to put careful thought into choosing an invitation that will reflect their personalities, as well as the tone and style of the wedding day.
Creative Wedding Ideas
For a more casual affair, the wedding invitation can be fun, creative and lighthearted. Many invitation companies offer informal styles. For those who want to make their own invitations, there are lots of ideas available online and in craft stores. Websites like Martha Stewart Weddings show how homemade invitations can be made to highlight personal touches while still looking professional.
Creative brides and grooms may want to take a basic, inexpensive invitation and personalize it to make it their own. Here are a couple of examples that brides and grooms may want to include in their invitations:
- Stamps: Buy stamps (or have stamps made) that reflect a shared interest. For example, a sailboat for boating enthusiasts, or a pair of puppies for dog lovers. Buy ink in personalized colors and use the stamps on all sorts of wedding stationery.
- Envelope Liners: Follow these instructions to make envelope liners. Using interesting, whimsical patterns and bright colors will offer visual interest when guests first open the invitation.
- DVD: Techies might want to create a DVD. The DVD may hold all of the wedding information, or it may be enclosed with the main invite. When mailing the discs, deep in mind that not all guests will have access to a computer, so review the guest list prior to creating an invitation like this one.
- Additional Ideas: If the wedding is held at an outdoor location, on a golf course, at the beach, on the desert or in a grassy field, a line in the invitation or save-the-date card might mention "don't forget the bug spray," or include a sample-sized packet of sunscreen.
Wedding Invitation Wording
The most important thing to remember when writing an invitation is to be very specific on the details. The wording should be clear and concise. Based on the invitation, guests need to be able to discern the exact details of where and when the wedding will be hosted, what to expect in terms of food and beverage and what they should wear.
There is room for creativity and fun in the wordings. Here are some examples from David's Bridal Invitations:
- Out of wind and prairie dust, / a cactus flower stands: / tribute to our love so true / are elements it will withstand.
- Friends forever we will be, whether walking on the beach, or sailing on the sea . . .
- We've decided on forever, and forever begins when we . . .
Invitation Etiquette
Casual weddings and receptions are usually not held at formal venues. So, if for example the wedding is being hosted at someone's home, or at a favorite restaurant, the guest list will likely be small. Brides and grooms should not invite casual acquaintances to their small, intimate weddings. With an informal wedding there may be a temptation to invite lots of people, but couples should review carefully the guest list to avoid overcrowding a smaller venue.
Wedding Planning
A little research and preparation will help couples to find the perfect invitation. When the right invitation is found, couples should feel great about the stationery they have chosen and confident that that have provided a good medium to share information with their guests.
Marie MacDonald - Marie MacDonald is based in London, UK. She joined Suite101 in January, 2010.
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