Let Your Wedding Invitations Reflect the Ceremony Itself

Wedding ceremonies these days are as varied as the couples who take that big step; from traditional church weddings to mid-air nuptials as the participants float underneath matching parachutes, the locations and modes of marrying are wonderfully diverse. Why not choose a wedding invitation which reflects the design and spirit of the occasion? Here are some considerations:

Where are you getting married? If you're having a traditional indoor wedding in a church, you may want to choose an equally traditional white embossed invitation with a religious theme. If your wedding is scheduled to take place in a sunny field surrounded by wildflowers, however, a more colorful invitation with a nature theme might be perfect.

What is the color scheme of the wedding? Many brides-to-be spend a lot of time and thought choosing bridesmaid's dresses, flowers, and other decorations for their wedding; why not let the wedding invitation reflect the chosen color scheme? A small, intimate evening wedding with deep burgundy bridesmaid gowns would benefit from beautifully decorative burgundy and gold engraved invitations with coordinating envelopes; an informal spring wedding could be reflected by cheerful pastel invitations.

Do you want to reflect a particular ethnic or religious background? Your family's cultural or religious history may include specific wedding traditions; why not reflect these in your wedding invitations? Traditional African designs, Greek or Russian Orthodox iconography, or simply elegant Asians designs could all be incorporated into unique wedding invitations. Pre-designed wedding invitations are becoming ever more diverse, but if you can't find an invitation that matches what you have in mind, you may be able to find a greeting card with a blank interior which you can adapt, or design one yourself.

Think about all your needs before you order your invitations.

For all wedding invitations, you need to include response cards and envelopes so your guests can RSVP. Also, decide whether it's okay for you to receive responses by email; if so, include your email address somewhere on the invitation or RSVP card. If you want the responses to arrive by snail mail, spend the extra money to put postage stamps on the return envelopes; it will increase your chances of getting responses, both yeses and no's, tremendously.

Are you having a pre-wedding supper for family and participants? If it's a formal affair, you may want place cards for the dinner. You may also want a wedding guest book and thank-you notes matching your invitations. Are you going to send announcements to people you don't plan to invite to the wedding? You might want to consider drafting them so they announce the wedding as having taken place, wait until after the ceremony to send them, and enclose a wedding photo as a small gift to the recipient.

Whatever your wedding plans, let your invitations and accessories reflect your plans for the ceremony itself. This small detail will help you define the day and make it even more memorable, for yourself and for all your guests.

Other articles by this author »
About Aldene Fredenburg

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire, who has written numerous articles for local and regional publications. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Using Seminars to Bump Up Sales

Many of my clients are turning to speaking at chambers and other networking organizations to generate business. This is a wonderful method of building credibility and gaining free advertising, especially when you are in a creative business that often needs examples and samples to get people to hire you.

Seminars are a great way for potential clients to "test drive" your services with out fully hiring you. Often, once a potential client sees you during a seminar, they are so impressed and convinced that you are the perfect person to hire, they can't wait to hand you a check.

Wedding Planners could do seminars for couples or brides on how to plan the perfect wedding.

Interior decorators could present a program on window treatments and decorating accessories.

Artists can do programs on painting murals in theme rooms for children.

Web designers could promote a seminar on creating websites that turning visitors into customers.

Graphic artists could present on branding for businesses.

Sadly, however, having a great topic and getting lots of people to your program isn't enough and many people don't utilize this golden opportunity well enough to actually turn attendees into clients.

Here are several ways to increase your attendee to client ratio after your next speaking engagement.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE MARKETING

Find out ahead of time how the organization plans to market the program and get involved with the marketing.

Other articles by this author »
About Kirstin Carey

Kirstin Carey is the author of "Starving Artist No More: Hearty Business Strategies for Creative Folks." Kirstin knows how much most creative people hate sales, contracts, and discussing money and she consults creative people on the business side of creativity so they make more money, get better clients, and still love what they do. She put together a resource full of proven strategies and insider secrets guaranteed to help creative types get the business help they need so they don't have to starve anymore! Go to www.MyCreativeBiz.com.