I caught up with Sarah, from Sarah + Maude; an Oxfordshire wedding supplier who designs fine letterpress stationary, to find out more.
Why are invites so important?
The easy answer is that your wedding invitations let your lovely guests know all of the essential information they need to celebrate with you on your big day – the who, where and when. But there’s so much more to invites than just the details.
Your wedding invitations will usually be the very first part of your wedding that your guests will see and offer a little glimpse of what they can expect on your big day. Your invites can really set the tone of your wedding, whether it’s modern and minimal or romantic and rustic, and tie everything together (with a beautiful silk ribbon if that’s your style). And long after the confetti has blown away, your invites can become a treasured keepsake for your guests too.
What should we include in our wedding invitations?
Be sure to include all of the essential information your guests will need to plan ahead. This can include:
• Your names (a good start!)
• Your parents names (if you’re going traditional and they’re hosting)
• The wedding date (include the year!)
• The ceremony location
• The ceremony start time
• The reception location (if different from the ceremony)
• The reception start time
• RSVP details if you’re not including an RSVP card (more on that in a moment)
Do we need RSVP cards?
You definitely need to collect RSVPs so you know who can or can’t attend, and there are a couple of ways to do that. The easiest option is to accept RSVPs via email or through a wedding website. If you choose a digital RSVP remember to include the relevant email or web address on your invite. Far more fun, and more personal, is enclosing an RSVP card with your wedding invitations. This can be smaller than your main invite and can include:
• Space for guest names
• An RSVP date
• A tick box or similar to say yes or no (have fun with the wording here!)
• Space for special dietary needs / preferences.
• A return address for the RSVP, although it’s a nice touch to include an addressed return envelope
What about style and design?
You probably have an idea of the overall look you’d like for your wedding, and possibly a Pinterest board (or two) full of inspiration. Your invites are a perfect way to share hints of what’s to come, like the colour of your flowers or the groom’s statement socks, so feel free to take inspiration from those little details. If you’re working with a stationery designer be sure to share samples or colour swatches with them so they can incorporate them into your designs.
And don’t forget about the finishing touches! Your invitations are a perfect opportunity to add some lovely little details, from twine and ribbon on your invites to return addresses and wax seals on your envelopes. Just don’t get too carried away – remember that you’ll need to post your invites, so keep size and weight in mind when adding those extras!
There are lots of lists and guides out there on the internet with advice on what you should or shouldn’t include on your invite, but they all say different things and none of them know you. The most important thing to remember is to be yourself and have fun with your invites! Let your invites reflect who you are, because your wedding is ALL about you. To find out more about Sarah + Maude and her stunning services take a peek here www.sarahandmaude.com
For other local Oxford wedding suppliers, take a peek here – OXFORD WEDDING SUPPLIERS