Ideas for Unique Wedding Invitations
  • Include something that will sprinkle out when your guests open the invitation, such as confetti, paper hearts, foil hearts, rose petals, etc.
  • Make your invitation a puzzle piece that the guest has to assemble to form the complete invitation. Keep the number of pieces small, though, so it doesn't get too confusing
  • On the front cover of the invitation, spell out the word "love" with the letter O cut out and insert a picture of you and your fiance behind it
  • On your reply card, ask the guest to list three songs they would like to heard played at the reception. Give the cards to the DJ and ask him to play one of the songs, or make a list of all songs requested on the cards and make your playlist from there
  • Make your invitations resemble tickets to an invent. The guest could even bring the ticket to the reception and receive a stub back to remember the special day
  • On the front of the invitation, include the lyrics to your favorite song or a special poem
  • Seal the envelope with a hot wax stamp or a decorative embossed seal
  • Make the reply card unique by changing up the words: i.e. Mr. Jones
    ___Cannot wait to attend and is counting the days ___Unfortunately cannot attend and will regret it the rest of their life 
  • Lightly spray each invitation or envelope with perfume to leave a lasting impression
Tips & Etiquette for Writing Your Invitation
 Select the invitations three to six months in advance to allow for proofing, addressing, etc. Invitations for a summer wedding should be mailed eight weeks prior to the wedding date. Key things to remember when writing your invitations:
  • Traditional British spelling is used for the words honour and favour
  • Full names are used
  • Dates, times and addresses are spelled out in full
  • Titles such as Mr., Mrs., and Miss are always used.
  • A priest or reverand is called The Reverend, a judge is referred to as The Honorable, and Rabbis do not require a 'the' before the title
  • Half hours are written as half after the hour, not half past the hour
  • The title Ms. should only be used in business correspondance and should never be used on a wedding invitation
  • Place a number on the back of the response card to correspond with a guest's name on the master list. That way if the guest forgets to fill in their name, you can match the card to the guest
  • Any guest over the age of eighteen should receive an invitation
  • A reception card should be included when the reception is being held at a location different than the ceremony
  • This information should be included: who, what (ceremony/reception), when, and where and directions or a map to the locations
Making Your Own Wedding Invitation                                    
 The invitation is the first hint to the guest of what the style and tone of your wedding will be like, as well as an indication of you and your fiancee's personality. Keep that in mind when selecting a design. Here are some things to keep in mind or use as guidelines or tips.
Paper:
  • The most commonly used invitation stock is Single Panel Baronial in either White or Ecru. Next is a multipanel which has both embossing or debossing
  • Make sure the paper stock selected will run through the printer without jamming or running ink
  • At minimum, the paper should have the weight of business cards
  • You could use flat-printed papers, which include some artwork with no texture, embossing or debossing
  • If you select a paper that is embossed, keep in mind that laser jet printers can crush the embossing and that an ink jet printer can leave marks on the raised areas
The Components:
  • Invitation
  • Announcements: sent out just after the wedding to those you know could not come 
  • Response Cards: small card with preaddressed and stamped envelope to be returned to you indicating whether or not the guest will be attending
  • Pew Cards: These are sent to members of the immediate family and are handed to the usher to indicate that the guest should be seated in a family pew
  • Place Cards: Indicates what table the guest will be seated at during the reception (usually placed on a table just outside the reception room)
  • Direction Cards: Provides directions to the ceremony and reception sites. Included with the invitation
  • Thank You's: Small folded cards to be mailed after the event to thank guests for attending and for their gift
  • At home cards: small cards with your new address
  • Wedding Program
Not all of these are needed, or even used that much anymore. The basics are the invitation, response cards, place cards, direction cards, thank you notes, and wedding program

Wording: See below
Envelope Addressing: Pay attention to proper etiquette. See above and below
Typesetting:  The three things you need to know: Font, Font Size, Spacing between lines
  • Font: How do you determine a good font vs. a cheap font? A quality font, when enlarged, still has round edges. A cheap font, for example, of the letter O will  be made of discrete lines when enlarged
  • Font size: Most invitations are printed between 18 and 22 points. However, you should test every font at at various sizes to see exactly how they will look
  • Line Spacing: Professionally printed invitations are processed so that the number of lines in the wording along with the longest line cause the font size to adjust for best legibility. For the non-professional, this becomes a matter of hit or miss and requires experimenting. The best bet would  be to use a point size between 18 and 22 and set line spacing at one and half
Addressing the Outer Envelope                                    
 This can cause a headache... The thing to remember, however, is that most people barely pay attention to the outer envelope, let alone how it's worded. Base the wording on your instinct on how the guest would like to be addressed as, or follow this guideline I found from a bride who experienced the said headache and created her own system...
  • Grandparents, Conservative friends or younger relatives: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
  • Younger guests and older guests of a more liberal constitution: Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith
  • A woman who has kept her own name or hyphenated it: Mr. and Mrs.John Smith and Jane Jones, or you could list the couple on two separate lines
  • If the man is a Junior or III or so on, tradition calls for this: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith III
  • If the man uses a suffix and you want to include the woman's first name, list it separately or on another line: Mr. John Smith III and Mrs. Jane Smith
  • If either guest is a doctor: Dr. and Mrs. John Smith or Dr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith or Mr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith
  • To roomates, couple or not - each name gets its own line: Mr. John Smith, Miss Jane Jones
  • For families: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and family or, to make the kids in the family feel included, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Joe, Jeff, and Jenny  Smith
  • On the inner envelope, use the word 'and' to imply a couple relationship.For anyone not part of a couple, or for children, move down to a new line: Uncle John and Aunt Jane, Joe, Jeff, and Jenny or Mr. Smith, Miss Jones (on two separate lines)
Invitation Inserts                                            
You want your guests to show up on time, at the correct place, hassle free, right? Here are some tips to create an invitation that provides for this.
  • Make the invitation guest-friendly in size- make it postcard size or make sure it fits exactly into the envelope. This way, guests can easily throw the invitation into a purse or bag for reference. Make sure the invitation is on cardstock or a heavier paper so that damage won't occur
  • Make sure to provide directions to each location your guest will need to drive. To ensure accurate directions, call the venues for exact directions, or drive the route yourself and make notes. 
    • Always number the directions rather than using bullets to separate steps or lumping them into one paragraph- this makes the directions that much more easy to follow
    • After each step, provide the mileage the guest will drive-. e.g. proceed on Odell Avenue for 2 miles.
    • Include steps from multiple directions, from the north, south, etc. 
  • Provide detailed hotel information, including the name of the hotel, address, e-mail, website, and per-night price. 
    • If you are reserving a block of rooms, provide the name the rooms are reserved under (i.e. Fiori/Horan wedding) and the deadline the guests must reserve the rooms by
    • Provide directions to the hotel from your reception and ceremony sites so that guests can gauge driving time, etc.
  • Provide a local contact number for the guests to contact for wedding information and help. It doesn't have to be you or your future spouse, but can be a family member or friend who is willing to help out
  • Create an attraction list- list two or three attractions near the ceremony or reception location for out-of-town guests to pass time at if they are spending a couple of days in the area. Ideas include zoos, museums, etc. 
Wording Examples
  A life of sharing, caring
A love of endless giving together
Mr. and Mrs. ________ Fiori
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Gabriella _______ Fiori
to
Charles Victor Horan
on Tuesday, the first of January
Two thousand and two
at one o'clock in the afternoon

 We invite you to be with us
as we begin our new life together
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois
If you are unable to attend,
we ask your presence
in thought and in prayer

Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp

     Love fills a lifetime
and a lifetime begins this hour
when the two of us
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
begin a new life together
We invite you to share
this day of happiness
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
have chosen the first day
of their new life together
as Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
You are invited to share in their joy
as they exchange marriage vows
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 With joyous hearts
we invite you to attend
our wedding
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp

 As
Jennifer Cathryn
and Jason Fredrick
enter into their new life together
their parents
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes
and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth John Capp
invite you to share in the joy
when their children unite in marriage
on Saturday, fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Because you have shared in our lives
by your friendship and love, we
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
together with our parents
invite you to share
the beginning of our new life together
when we exchange marriage vows
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 A gala event,
with love as the reason
for the celebration . . .
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
request the honour of your presence
as they exchange vows of marriage
at a festive celebration of love
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Each hour, each day, each year
We grow as two, yet as one,
We grow apart, yet together
Forming an eternal love
We, Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and Jason Fredrick Capp
together with our parents
invite you to share in the celebration
of our marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 Each day begins fresh and new,
knowing I'll be spending it with you
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to join the celebration
as they tie the knot
on Saturday, the fourth of August
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 We will walk side-by-side
hand-in-hand . . . forever
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Cathryn
to
Jason Fredrick Capp
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Each of us a half . . . incomplete
together we are as one . . .
in this there shall be joy
We, Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to share this joy
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
when we will exchange marriage vows
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 Time has changed so many things
one thousand years of the past
but it never touched the power
of a true love meant to last
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 Happily we two
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
have chosen the first day
of our new life together
as Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
You are invited to share in our joy
as we exchange marriage vows
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

It is our moment to celebrate
the love that unites us
Together with our parents, we
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to share with us
this joyous celebration of love
at our marriage
on Saturday, fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 How beautiful is the day
that is touched by love
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Cathryn
to
Jason Fredrick Capp
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 Life can be beautiful, shared by two . . .
A world filled with love, ever old, ever new . . .
Life can be beautiful, shared with each other
Two happy people who love one another!
We, Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to share in celebrating
our wedding
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Love was meant to be shared
with parents, family and friends
Jennifer Cathryn and Jason Fredrick
have found love in each other
Because you have shared in their lives
by your friendship and love
we invite you to celebrate with us
the marriage of our children
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth John Capp

 The miracle of love is
that love is given to us
to give to one another . . .
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to share
a day of happiness
as they begin a life of love
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two thousand and one
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 This day I will marry my best friend,
the one I laugh with, live for, love
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth John Capp
hope that you will join in this celebration
on Saturday, fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

To everything there is a season
a time and a purpose
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
invite you to share with them
a day of happy beginnings
when they will be united in marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street

 With each believing the other to be
a giver of love, a sharer of sorrow
a bringer of joy and a reason for life
Jennifer Cathryn
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
will be joined together in holy union
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois
We joyfully ask you to share
in this celebration of life

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hughes

 A life of sharing, caring
A love of endless giving together
Jennifer and Jason Capp
cordially invite you
to witness the reaffirmation
of their wedding vows
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

Once upon a time
stars crossed and we met
Join us on our day of romance
when we, Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and Jason Fredrick Capp
exchange marriage vows
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

 With a love and respect
for the completeness
we shall gain as a couple
and with the blessings of our parents
we will be joined in marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
Springfield, Illinois
You are invited to share
this day of happy beginnings

Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp

 Love fills the moment
and the moment begins eternity.
We invite you,
our family and friends,
to share in this celebration of love as we,
Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and
Jason Fredrick Capp
extend the bonds of friendship
to include the vows of marriage
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois

A fresh new day and it is ours,
a day of happy beginnings
when we, Jennifer Cathryn Hughes
and Jason Fredrick Capp
pledge our love as one
on Saturday, the fourth of August
Two Thousand and One
at four o'clock in the afternoon
St. Paul's Church
10 West Oak Street
Springfield, Illinois


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