Archive for 'Basics' Category
Creating an information pack to go with your invitations
20 August 2008An information pack is a great way to give your guests all the information they need about your wedding. Firstly decide what information you want to include; You may want to consider a map, directions, menu, dress code, gift list, nearby hotels, a plan of the day and perhaps things to do in the area if you have guests staying to enjoy your wedding venue for longer.
Type this information into a Word Processing document and decide how many pages you will need. This will depend on the style and size of invitation you have chosen and how much information you want to include. Ask someone to read this through for you before you start printing to make sure it is easy to understand and has all the information your guests will need.
A chequebook style invitation or a gatefold card with a flat insert can have extra pages added to it so that the information is all contained within the invitation. Print the extra pages at the same time as your invitation insert and attach in the same way.
A pocket invitation can have additional card inserts for the extra information. Make them in the same colours and papers as the original insert and place alongside the invitation card. A wallet style invitation is very flexible and can hold a separate removable information booklet or a single flat card, depending on how many pages you need.
For a larger information pack, consider making a booklet in the same way as you would make an Order of Service. You can embellish it to match the rest of your stationery. This would work well if you have a traditional invitation card and have lots of information you want your guests to have. Simply include your information pack with your invitation when you post them out.
However you choose to present the information to your guests you will be glad to have the days and weeks before your wedding making the final arrangements, instead of answering your guests questions about where to stay, when to arrive and what to wear!
What other items can I craft for my wedding?
11 January 2008As you are making your own invitations for your big day there are several other items you may want to think about crafting. First is a Save the Date, which is sent out well in advance to allow your guests to plan ahead. Usually a single flat card with basic details on, it can be in the style of your invitations or something completely different. Remember to keep a list of everyone who you have sent a Save the Date to as they will expect to be invited after being asked to keep the date free!
We have projects for favours and also for an Order of Service or Order of the Day, adapt these designs to suit your colours and theme, keeping to similar items as used in your invitations for a cohesive finish.
RSVP cards can be included with the invitations and are a useful way of reminding your guests to reply. They can be very simple, just a panel of text layered on card or paper that matches your invitation colours or you may wish to embellish them.
Menus are sometimes sent out in advance if you are allowing your guests a choice. In this case you may wish to make them yourself in a style which complements the rest of your wedding stationery and ask people to detail their choices on the RSVP.
If you have set dishes you may wish to have Menus on the tables, allow approximately one menu for 8 people. In order to make a freestanding Menu, fold a piece of A4 card in three and attach the edges together to make a triangular stand, add a printed panel to each side and embellish. Alternatively your venue may provide holders in which case borrow one and make them to fit.
A Table Plan it is extremely helpful for your guests to easily find out where they are sitting and you will find full instructions in the Projects section. Adapt the design to suit your style and theme, changing the colours and embellishments as you wish to match your invitations. If your venue has more than one wedding reception on the same day you may also wish to make signs with your names on, again in the same colours and style so your guests know where to go.
Table numbers can be made simply by printing onto card and decorating, your venue may have holders but check. Place cards will tell each guest exactly where their seat is and are normally small rectangles of card tent folded so they stand up on their own. Names can be computer printed or handwritten and an embellishment or a small piece of decorative paper from your original design is all they need to be very stylish and finish off your beautifully set tables.
Finally, Thank You cards are very important, adjust the text on your invitation design and you will have a perfectly coordinated card to show your gratitude. Remember to make extras for unexpected gifts given by people who aren’t necessarily coming to the wedding.
Order of Service - What to include
11 April 2007
An Order of Service is a schedule for your wedding ceremony. It may not be essential as your church will have hymn books available, but providing an Order of Service will inform your guests of what to expect during the ceremony, and makes wonderful keepsake to remind them of your special day. For a civil service, an Order of Service is called an Order of the Day.
Creating an Order of Service or Order of the Day is straightforward. It lists all parts of the ceremony and should be in the exact order that the service will take place. Your Vicar or Registrar will be able to help you with this. You may have the following in yours:
- The Bride and Groom’s names and the date
- The Vicar or Registrar’s name
- The music playing as the bride enters
- All hymns or songs in full with copyright where necessary
- The vows
- The title of any readings and the reader’s name
- The blessing
- The signing of the register
- Any other music played during the ceremony
It is important for your guests to able to read the text easily. A good guide is to use a text size of 12 point or thereabouts, and for a professional look, use one font throughout and bold text for headings.
Think carefully about the layout of your text. If you need to go to a new page half way through a hymn make sure it’s between verses, or you may find your guests stop singing because they’re all busy turning the page!
Order of Service - How to Make
11 April 2007For a normal Order of Service you will need one A5 card blank and one pre-cut insert to create a booklet with two pages inside. Print your wording onto the insert and fold it in half. It will now sit neatly inside the card cover like the pages of a hardback book. Next open your card cover and place a strip of double sided tape just to the left of the crease. Once you have decorated the front you can now attach your printed insert creating your booklet.
To attach multiple pages I recommend using a hole punch to make two small holes through all the layers of paper about an inch from the top and bottom of the card. You can then tie the booklet together with matching ribbon or cord. You can either let the ends hang long on the outside or tie them in a bow. This is also a lovely way to attach your pages if you are using a translucent paper like vellum for your inserts where glue or tape may show.
Another option is to use a long reach stapler but some people find this unsightly. If you’re good with a needle and thread you could also sew the pages together which will be almost invisible.
A final note of caution… make sure you get someone else to carefully proof read your text before you set them to print!
Planning and Timings - Invitations
4 December 2006You want to enjoy making your own wedding stationery, so make sure you allow plenty of time.
Traditionally, invitations are sent out 6 - 8 weeks before the wedding. With today’s busy lifestyles its a good idea to aim for at least 8 weeks for all but the most informal weddings.
Once you have decided on the date you want to send your invitations, make an estimate of the time you will need to make and prepare your stationery. Things to consider include:
- How many invitations are you sending?
- Will you be printing the guests names on the invitations/inserts/envelopes or handwriting them?
- Are your family/friends/fiance(e) helping or do you have to do it all yourself?
- How long does it take to make each invite? Can you save time by setting up a mini production line? Remember to allow for drying time if you are using PVA glue for any stage.
Now double your estimate!
Thing’s don’t always go to plan and if you have some contingency, you will not get stressed if your friends drop out of a crafting session, you need to order extra supplies or (fingers crossed) you have the chance of a romantic weekend away.
Next decide if you will be tackling everything in a few sessions or trying to do a little every other evening/weekend. You can then work out how long before your posting date you need to get started. Make sure you order your supplies well in advance of this date.
Its a good idea to schedule your crafting sessions into your diary and try to stick to them - but if this sounds too much like being a control freak, don’t worry. But DO be disciplined with yourself and be sure you make the time or you will be left with a last minute panic.
Here is a sample schedule for creating our white calla lily kit design using a number of short sessions:
Session 1 - Print “Wedding Invitation” onto each card using PC and printer
While watching TV in the evening - Curl all the calla lily stems
Session 2 - Attach mesh onto the invites
Session 3 - Stick lilies onto dried mesh
Session 4 - Glue bows to lily stems
Session 5 (one week before posting) - Finalise guest list and print inserts
Session 6 - Attach inserts, address envelopes and send.