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Pretty Papers
By New Orleans Weddings Magazine
Whether traditional, elegant, extravagant, or colorful, the wedding invitation sets the tone for your wedding. A carefully chosen invitation is an accurate reflection of your own taste and style. With the diverse selection available today, choosing your own invitations in just the right design and price range may seem slightly daunting, but a basic understanding of a few common printing terms may make the task easier.
Printing Methods
Embossing: An imprinting technique that raises dimensional lettering, borders and artwork from the surface in relief without printing.
Engraving: As the most formal printing technique, engraving involves using a steel or copperplate die to "cut" letters into the paper. These letters look and feel raised from the surface of the paper, both front and back.
Offset printing: A printing technique that uses a rubber cylinder to transfer inked letters onto paper. It is an excellent option when time and budget are limited.
Thermography: Less expensive than engraving but rather similar, thermography is a process for producing raised lettering by application of a powder that is fused by heat to fresh ink. The letters are raised on the front but cannot be felt on the back.
The quality and complexity of the paper, quantity to be printed, printing method, number of lines to be printed, and color of ink all determine the cost of your invitations. Using good taste, fine paper, and traditional wording, a wonderful wedding invitation can be designed within any budget.
Addressing Invitations
Formal invitations come with single-fold or a double-fold invitation, tissue (originally used for engraved invitations to prevent smudging, now left in place on all invitations), and two envelopes (outer and inner). The outer envelope includes the guests’ full names and mailing address as well as a return address. The inner envelope contains the invitation and any enclosures or reply cards. Only the guests’ names are handwritten on the inner envelope.
Outer Envelopes
When addressing wedding invitations, proper etiquette requires use of the guests’ full names on the outer envelope. Abbreviations are never used except for Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., and Dr. Cities, states and streets are completely written out.
Children under 18 are not listed in the address on the outer envelope; however, they should be included under their parents’ names on the inner envelope. Children over the age of 18 but still living at home should receive a separate invitation.
Include your return address on the outer envelope flap so that invitations with incorrect or undeliverable addresses will be returned to you. Be sure to order extra envelopes to allow for mistakes as well.
Inner Envelopes
The ungummed and unsealed inner envelope is simply addressed with titles and last names (i.e., Mr. and Mrs. Smith). All family members should be included on this envelope; however, it is best not to use the words "and family." Instead, list all children’s names under their parents’ names in order of age. After the inner envelope is addressed, it is inserted along with all accompanying enclosure items into the outer envelope.
Assembling a Wedding Invitation
Guidelines for assembling a wedding invitation may be found in most wedding etiquette books or planners. While these guidelines may vary slightly, the following steps are the most common:
1. Fold the invitation along the score lines, if needed. If your invitation is a flat card, no folding is necessary.
2. Place tissue over invitation lettering.
3. If there are no enclosure cards, insert the invitation and tissue into the inner envelope with print facing the back of the envelope.
4. Place enclosure cards (such as reception and response cards and maps) on top of the tissue face up before inserting the invitation into the inner envelope.
5. Address inner envelope with name only and insert in outer envelope. The names on the inner envelope should face the back of the outer envelope (so that the names are visible when the outer envelope is opened).
And Finally
Remember that these tips are only guidelines of proper etiquette. Your wedding should reflect your own style, whether formal or informal, as should your wedding invitations.
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