Your Guide to Planning the Perfect Wedding Invitations
Planning your wedding invitations can be both exciting and, at times, overwhelming. Over the years, many couples have reached out with questions about the process and etiquette of wedding invitations while searching for the perfect suite for their special day. I hope this blog helps answer those questions and guides future brides and grooms in finding a wedding invitation suite that truly reflects their celebration.
Author - SB Design Studio
LET'S GET STARTED ..
Wedding invitations should be a top priority once your date, venue, and guest list are confirmed. A well-planned wedding invitation plays a major role in setting the tone for your wedding day as it gives your guest an in-sight into the type of event they would be attending whilst providing important details on dress codes, theme/colours and decor style. It can also be a hub for important information regarding the event that your guests would need to for attending such as ; hosts, important dates, accommodations, locations/maps to venue/s, times, menu details and much more..
To start the process of designing a wedding invitation, there are a few things that you would need to know in order to get your quotations from your Designer.
These are;
1 - The quantity of invitations you will need based on the amount of guests being invited.
2 - The time-frame you are looking at for distributing.
( some people need this information months before the wedding to plan catering and other accommodations)
3 - The theme, colours and design concept of other wedding invitations you that suits your taste.
( Gather some inspiration pictures of design styles you prefer, this can be very helpful to the Designer in figuring out the theme and your preferences.)
4- Know Your Budget and Get Guidance from Our Designer – A consultation can help you explore ways to stay within your budget while still creating a beautiful invitation suite that reflects your theme and preferences. We can suggest alternative printing and material options without compromising your overall style. Best of all, our consultations are free—so why not take advantage of the opportunity?
Components that make up an Invitation Suite
Many clients aren't always familiar with the different terms used to describe the various parts and accessories that make up an invitation suite. To help with understanding, the image on the right highlights some of the key components. These pieces can be made from a variety of materials and styles, all customized to create a unique suite tailored to each client's vision for their special day.
How many Wedding Invitations should i order ?
Couples can often miscalculate the number of wedding invitations needed, leading to overspending on excess prints. To help you avoid this common error and ensure you order the correct quantity, consider the following points for accurately calculate the amount of invitations you need for your event ;
ONE INVITATION PER HOUSEHOLD
You can send a single invitation to guests living in the same household and specify the number of attendees from that household by using your RSVP cards or address the outer envelope with each person's name.
Example 1
The Singh Family
Mr. Jeremy and Mrs. Elizabeth Singh
Timmy, Pricilla and Harriet.
Example 2
The Singh Family ( Outer Envelope )
RSVP CARD
We have reserved (5) seats for you and your family .
A favour of response is needed by
12th August 2024
ONE INVITATIONS FOR SINGLES / ONE PER COUPLE
Single guests should receive their own invitation. If they are permitted to bring a plus one, this should be noted on the RSVP card. Couples should receive a single invitation addressed to both individuals.
For Example
Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Doe / Mr. John and Jane Doe
ONE INVITATION FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Wedding invitations are beautiful keepsakes that can be preserved along with other elements of your special day. I often recommend that clients provide at least one invitation for their photographer or videographer to capture and include in their wedding album or video.
FIVE TO TEN ( 5-10 ) EXTRA INVITATIONS
During wedding planning, it's common for clients to realize they've forgotten someone on their guest list or wish to include a new friend. Having a few extra invitations on hand can be very helpful for these unexpected situations.
When should I place my order for my Wedding Invitations ?
Planning, manufacturing, and assembling invitation suites can be very time-consuming.
From my experience designing invitations, I've found that many clients underestimate the time required for even the simplest suites. The process of designing, printing, cutting, and assembling can take anywhere from 5 - 6 weeks, depending on the size of your order, the timing of your order, your invitation style, print methods, and other custom options.
To ensure your invitations are ready in time, it's advisable to place your order at least 6 to 8 weeks before your distribution date, not wedding date. While we strive to accommodate all clients and fulfil their desires for their wedding day, sometimes it’s simply not possible to meet every request.
Ordering early will help guarantee that your invitations are ready on schedule and provide ample time for any necessary corrections due to unforeseen issues. Despite our best efforts to avoid delays, unexpected circumstances can arise,
Refer to the table on the right to determine the best time to place your order.
What information do I need to send my designer ?
INFORMATION NEEDED TO START THE DESIGN PROCESS
- Wording/ Details
- Names of soon to be Bride and Groom
- Name of Parents/ Hosts (If you wish to include)
- Dates
- Times
- Name and Address for the Venue
- RSVP Detail for response and Deadline
- Gift Registry / Monetary Account Information
- Accommodations for Guests (If any)
- Other Details (If any )
- A few inspirational pictures of themes you like for your event.
This can help the designer determine the style of invitation design for your event
This information can be sent to us via email at sbdesignstudio.tt@gmail.com
KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Designing & Manufacturing Invitation Suites can be very costly depending on the materials, printing techniques and accessories being used to customise the suite.
At SB Design Studio we try our best to source the highest quality materials in order to maintain a high standard of products for our clients.
Prices of invitation suites are calculated based on quantity and customization options with the larger quantities being lesser in cost compared to smaller quantities.
For many invitation styles, the Designer will have a minimum order quantities set up in order to control pricing while covering their overhead costs to manufacture and purchase materials ... it is wise to find out the minimum quantity on whichever style of invitation you would like to purchase.
- Basic Suites - Minimum Order Quantity >30
- Mid-Luxury Suites - Minimum Order Quantity >50
- Complete Luxury Custom Suites - Minimum Order Quantity > 100
Be sure to let the Designer know what budget you are working with so they can properly guide you in determining what style and design specification fits your budget.
