Wedding Invitation Printing Styles

Written with love, by The Bride List vendor Laurie Louis

Which Invitation Printing Style is Right for You?

There are many items to consider prior to sitting down with a wedding invitation company to design your invitations. The two biggest things to consider are budget and style and so, we are going to review the current most popular options when it comes to printing styles:

Digital/Flat Printing:

This is generally the best option if you are on a budget and perfect if you are in a hurry. The ink lies flat and generally works better on smooth paper. Because of the way it’s printed, the ink colors and designs are limitless.

Designed by The Bride List vendor Laurie Louis

Thermography:

Thermography is a middle of the road option similar to engraving, but less expensive. Thermography uses special ink mixed with a powder compound that is raised with heat. It produces a “glossy” look instead of the engraved “matte” look and is not as detailed as an engraved invitation, but it also works as a great alternative to the higher cost engraved invitation.

Designed by The Bride List Vendor Cordial Punch Press

Foil Stamping:

Foil Stamping is a process that includes heating foil to create dimension. Taking foil, heating it and stamping it onto the paper, creates the stamping and plates are generally created for each color to build the design. Because of the process, foil stamping tends to be costly but if you want gold or silver in your design, it tends to be the best option.

Designed by The Bride List Vendor Sizzle Cone Designs (custom order request)

Letterpress Printing:

Letterpress printing is the opposite of engraving in that the design is pressed into the paper instead of a raised design. Letterpress generally uses 100% cotton type paper and a plate is created for each color. Because of the detail of the design and cost, it is generally suggested to limit your colors to two or three.

Designed by The Bride List Vendor Cordial Punch Press

Engraving:

This is the most traditional and oldest form of printing. Lettering and designs are etched into a metal die, inked and then pressed against the paper. Unlike thermography, the lettering is sharp and intricate and the price is costly. If your wedding is one of elegance and sophistication and you can afford the price, you should consider engraving.

One final note to think about prior to sitting down and creating your design is to think about your wedding theme and colors. Do your due diligence prior to your meeting by looking at designs and inspiration boards. This way you have an idea of what you are looking for. Not all invitation designers offer all options but whether it's rustic, traditional, beach or formal, black and white, a hint of gold metallic or blue and navy, there is a printing process that is perfect for you!

What do I need to know before choosing my wedding invitations?

Written with love, by The Bride List Vendor Laurie Louis

Eight weeks before your wedding and your friends and family are opening a beautifully addressed envelope or box that holds the memorable invitation that announces your wedding.  As the first glimpse to what a wonderful day your wedding will be, you want to make sure that this invitation not only represents you and your spouse but it creates a future memory that everyone wants to be a part of.  Not only are they running to their calendars to put the day on hold but they are looking up hotel reservations and flight information so they can make sure they are there to attend your special day.

Although wedding invitations are not typically at the top of your “to do” list, there are a few things that you need to have answered before meeting with your stationer:

1.      What is your personal taste and style?

When you think about your wedding party and the guests sitting in the pews, are they in cocktail dresses and black tie, church dresses and suits, sundresses and khakis or something in-between? Is the event during the day or night? Is it in your hometown or a destination? Are you getting married in a church, a venue or the beach?  Think about these questions along with different adjectives that describe your perfect wedding so that your stationer can help to create your wedding suite.

2.      Define your color palette.

What color(s) are your bridesmaids’ dresses? What colors are in your flowers? What season is your wedding?  Also think about what colors look better in print. Dark and bright colors make statements, light colors tend to blend and fade.  If you have specific colors that you would like to include in your invitations or day of paper, try to find samples or swatches that you can take with you to your appointment.

3.      Do you want your wedding to have a theme or symbol?

Do you and your spouse love wine? Do you love the beach or to sail? Are you a fan of the rustic or industrial look? Are you having a destination wedding and want to use a palm tree or seashell?  Do you want to have your stationer create a logo or monogram that you can use throughout your invitations, day of paper, favors and accessories? 

4.      How many invitations with you need?

The number of guests that you invite does not equal the number of invitations.  For example, if you are inviting 200 people and everyone on the list is a couple or a guest plus one, your number of invitations is closer to 100 instead of 200. Guest lists tend to increase the closer you to get your wedding though, so it’s always good to order 10 to 15% more invitations than needed...and you want one as a keepsake for yourself too!  Keep in mind that the cost of your wedding suite is primarily based on the custom design, layout and initial set up of the printing, not the quantity of the invitations, so having to order another small quantity of extra invitations is far more costly than order extras to begin with.  Also, some stationers have minimums when ordering invitations or charge a design fee for small orders on top of the printing costs, so always ask about these charges.

5.      What different pieces do you need for your invitation suite? 

Along with the wedding invitation (generally 5x7 or 5x5) and an RSVP card or post card, you may want to think about information card for out-of-town guests, a rehearsal dinner invitation or a separate reception card. Also think about your day of wedding paper needs and whether or not your stationer can create those as well -- your menu cards, favors, programs, etc. Although it is not necessary, it always works better to use the same person to create your wedding suite and day of wedding paper if possible.  That way you know that the fonts match and the general theme is cohesive.

6.      What is your budget?

This probably should have been #1 on the list but I started with the fun stuff first.  There are several different types of printing for invitations and they range from cost effective to very costly and not all stationers can print in all mediums.  Custom designs tend to be more expensive than on-line stationery companies.  Some create designs specifically for the couple and some have templates that can be altered and colors changed.  Most on-line stationery companies have set templates and only offer certain color palettes.

If you are more of a DIY bride, some stationers will charge a design fee to create a suite for you (generally charged by the hour) and then provide you with PDF files that you can take to a local printer or print at home.

7.      Decide on the wording of the invitation.

Do you want formal writing or more casual? In the traditional past, the bride’s parents have issued the wedding invitation.  More and more couples are now including the couples of both the parents or just the couple themselves.  Your stationer can help you with wording or there are different sources online that you can reference for help in getting started.

8.      How do you want your envelopes addressed?

Do you want your envelopes to be formal or fun? Do you want to have a party and have your bridal party help you address them? Do you want a calligrapher to hand address them or to do you want them computer addressed? There are also lots of fun labels or borders around your invitations to jazz up the front of the invitation.  Just remember that there is almost always an additional cost for the stationer to computer address them or have a calligrapher hand address them.  Similar to ordering extra invitations, it is always good to order extra envelopes for misspellings, etc.

Now that you have read all these points, try not to be overwhelmed.  Take a deep breath and break them down one by one.  Any stationer that you work with should be glad to help educate you and help you to make an informed decision.

How to Word Your Wedding Invitations

We get a lot of questions regarding wedding invitations and "How do I word my wedding invitations?" is probably the top question couples need help with. And so, we've asked for some help from The Bride List vendor Laurie Louis to help you out with that!

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Written with love, by Laurie Louis

THE HOST LINE

The first line of the invitation is where you list who is hosting the wedding. In past traditions, the bride’s family has always hosted the wedding.  Today, you are finding more and more that both sets of parents are included in the host line or in some cases, the wedding couple hosts the wedding, themselves

 

THE INVITATION LINE

This is where you actually invite people. Traditionally, “the honor of your presence” is used to denote a religious service while “the pleasure of your company” is used in a secular one, but you can use whatever works best for you.  This is where your stationer can come into play with help on wording or you can check out different websites on Google for examples for different wording.

THE ACTION LINE

What are you inviting people to do? Traditionally, with the bride’s parent’s hosting, this line may read “at the wedding of their daughter.”   In some cases, it may also say “as we celebrate the marriage of.”

THE NAMES

This line explains itself…the couple.  But whose name goes first?  Traditionally, the bride's name goes first. If there are two brides or two grooms, you can put them in any order you would like.  If you are including last names, you may want to go in alphabetical order or you can put them on the same line.  In the past, invitations have listed the first, middle and last name of the bride and groom.  More and more invitations are only listing the first names, especially if both parents are the hosts and their last names are listed.  You can also be less formal and only list the first and last name.

THE INFORMATION

This is the line of the invitation that generally is the same for each invitation.  It needs to include the time, date and location. The address doesn’t have to be listed if it’s easy to find or a known landmark.

THE PARTY LINE

What happens after the wedding ceremony, if anything? Use this line to help fill your guests in on what to expect.  Will there only be cake and punch, will the need to eat beforehand, or will you provide dinner and dancing.  If your reception is not at the same place as the wedding, please think about including the address in your party line or on a separate card. Your party line is also the place to have fun. You can be as serious or as whimsical as you want.

Now that I have totally overwhelmed you with all the different parts to an invitation, please remember that these are just guidelines and your wedding invitation is your own.  Talk it over with your family, your spouse and your stationer so that you can come up with the wording that fits you and your spouse perfectly.