Top ways to Save Money on Wedding Reception Costs

It seems that with each passing day, the cost of a throwing a wedding reception is rising exponentially. In truth, the costs are rising and in many cases, couples are forced to compromise on aspects of their wedding in order to be able to afford other aspects that they want more. Read more

Number Of Russian Weddings Increases Dramatically

Since 2000, the number of weddings in Russia has increased by 15 percent. Unfortunately, the number of registry offices has increased by 0 percent, leading some registry offices to report that they’re conducting as many as 60 weddings per day. Help for the strained system may be on the way in the form of a new “wedding palace” being planned for Moscow.

The new planned registry office will handle only weddings - the standard office also handles birth and death registries. Housed in a planned 48-story twisted tower, the 2,000-sq meter office will have scenic views of both the city and the Moscow River. According to the architect, the new office will be able to accommodate 100 weddings per day. Additionally, the city plans to re-convert an 18th century palace currently in use as a hospital, back to its original state, opening it to the public for wedding ceremonies.

Couples who opt for a registry office wedding typically wait in line for several hours to get a time slot. The weddings themselves are typically nothing more than paper-signing, after which the newly married couple is rushed out of the office to make room for the next ceremony. The government would like to change that by placing registry offices in more festive locations. In addition to the two offices - expected to be in operation by 2010 - the government also plans to open an additional 11 offices by 2025.

Foreigners, however, will not be able to take advantage of the new spaces. Russian law dictates that all non-Russians who wish to marry must do so at Wedding Palace #4, and there are no plans to change that.

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Trends For 2008 Weddings

If you plan to get married in 2008, the WeddingChannel.com has released its list of celebrity-inspired trends for 2008. According to the site, expect dresses to be ultra-feminine, with plenty of flowers and tiers. This move is inspired by last summer’s storybook wedding of actress Eva Longoria and NBA star Tony Parker. The WeddingChannel.com points to plenty of designs from the 2008 Spring runway shows that feature the feminine look.

Location, location, location! Brides continue to choose unique locations for their affairs, including historic train stations of all places!

Headliners at the reception continue to be big in 2008. In a trend spotted in 2007, brides are looking for name acts to spice up their receptions. Several talent firms now specialise in placing well-known artists at the wedding receptions of the well-to-do. Brides looking to make a celebrity splash with the menu instead are seeking top-drawer chefs to prepare a sumptuous meal for their guests.

Couples are also turning to charity registries instead of gift registries. Couples indicate which charities they’d like donations directed to and guests supply donations instead of gifts to the happy couple. If you plan to go the charity route, indicate your preferences on your wedding Web site, or ask your bridal party to spread the word.

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Marriage By Proxy

Sargeant Ryan Thompson and US Army Specialist Barbara Hines were married in the western US state of Montana on January 16. While there’s nothing unusual about that, neither Sgt. Thompson or Specialist Hines were actually there. Thompson is stationed in Iraq and Hines is currently posted to Afghanistan. Their wedding is the first known double-proxy wedding in the United States although the law that allows it dates back to the 19th century and was originally created for miners who married “mail-order” brides from the East Coast of the United States.

Only three US states allow marriage by proxy, but two require either the bride or the groom to be present. Montana is the only state that allows double-proxy weddings, as long as one member of the couple is a state resident or a member of the Armed Forces.

The Montana National Guard, which performed the ceremony, asked a married couple to stand in for Thompson and Hines and exchange vows on their behalf. After the wedding, Montana National Guard members in attendance shared a wedding cake to honor the newlyweds-in-absentia.

Thompson and Hines have each been married once before… to each other. The couple have a son, but divorced in 2003. According to a Montana National Guard spokesperson, Thompson and Hines married very young, and after their divorce remained in contact with each other. They feel they’ve matured a lot and want to give marriage a second chance.

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Should We Have a Prenuptial Agreement

The majority of couples do not have a prenuptial agreement, but it is always something that a couple should consider prior to getting married. Unfortunately, there is a certain stigma associated with the prenuptial agreement that the couple is distrustful of one another. This is definitely not always the case. A prenuptial agreement is meant to safeguard the assets of one or both people in case the couple chooses to divorce. No couple wants to think that they will someday divorce, but in this day and age, divorce does occur often. Should you have a prenuptial agreement?

The majority of couples do not have a prenuptial agreement because neither person is bringing a lot of assets into the marriage. Yes, one person may own a house or have money in the bank, but chances are that these assets are not enough to warrant signing a prenuptial agreement.

A prenuptial agreement is practically essential when either the bride or groom or both people are bringing significant assets into the marriage. These assets may include real estate, stocks, money, and other valuable items. In addition, a future inheritance may be included in the prenuptial agreement if either the bride or groom stands to inherit a significant amount of money or property.

Why should you have a prenuptial agreement? The prenuptial agreement is a form of protection. When a couple’s relationship ends in divorce, it may not end amicably. This can lead to either person vying for the other’s money and assets that were brought into the marriage. Unfortunately, some marriages are actually based on one party marrying just for the money. This can be devastating when a marriage ends. A prenuptial agreement can help to alleviate some of the legal matters and keep assets where they belong.

Essentially, you should have a prenuptial agreement if you have something that you want protected. For instance, you have inherited your grandmother’s home and you want to make sure it stays in the family. If you do end up divorced, your partner may be entitled to a portion of that home if you did not sign a prenuptial agreement. This can force you to have to pay them for their portion of the home or to sell the home in order to give them the money equivalent of their portion of the home. So, if you have assets that you want to protect in the event that you do end your marriage, then absolutely get a prenuptial agreement!

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Jenna Bush Ends Speculation About White House Wedding

Jenna Bush, best-selling author and daughter of US President George W. Bush, ended months of speculation about the possibility of a White House wedding in May. Ms. Bush announced that she and Henry Hager, a former White House aide, will be married at the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas.

According to a Bush family friend, the wedding will be small and private, with no media in attendance. So-called “Presidential weddings” are a true rarity, and garner a great deal of interest from the public, although most presidential family members choose to wed somewhere other than the White House. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr. and Ethel DuPont married in a private ceremony in Delaware, which attracted 650,000 spectators who lined the roads to the DuPont family compound. The crowd prompted the governor to call out the Delaware National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with logistics.

Dorothy Bush, daughter of President George HW Bush and sister of the current president, chose to marry at Camp David in 1992 in a ceremony so secret that the press found out about it only after it had happened. The last child of a sitting president to marry in the White House was Tricia Nixon. Sister Julie Nixon married Dwight David Eisenhower II in a private ceremony at the Marble Collegiate Chapel in New York City. Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of Lyndon Johnson, chose to marry in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

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Wedding Predictions for 2008

The editors of The Knot, an online wedding planning site, have compiled their predictions for wedding trends we’ll see in 2008. The editors predict that honeymoons will be longer and more luxurious than they have in years past, and brides will be going to great lengths to personalise and customise their wedding days.

The Knot predicts that jewellery rentals will come into their own, providing every bride with the opportunity to put on some very fancy hardware.

The Knot has also forecasted a change of scenery. Brides will be changing as many as three times during during the ceremony and reception!

YouTube makes its debut in wedding planning, as brides and grooms look for feedback on their plans, and in search of alternatives to traditional weddings.

Finally, according to The Knot, the 80’s cover band will be back as brides look to include live 80’s music in their receptions.

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A Gold Medal Wedding Cake

Mark Seaman, a baker from Chicago, Illinois in the United States has captured the top honor in an international wedding cake competition at the Oklahoma Sugar Arts Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The theme of the competition was “Hollywood Glamour” and Seaman’s entry paid homage to comedienne Lucille Ball. The six-tiered cake featured 500 individually crafted fondant feathers and 80 handmade orchid blossoms made from sugar gum paste. The cake took nearly 200 hours to make.

Seaman, 37, started out his career as a computer trainer for Dutch-based ABN bank, but he’d always loved baking, something he’d learned from his mother as a child. In 2002, he went back to school at The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, and also studied cake decorating at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating. He also did stints at the International Sugar Art Collection School of Confectionary Art and the French Pastry School before opening his own bakeries in Libertyville, IL and Chicago.

Seaman had earned the bronze and silver medals in earlier competitions, but this was his first gold medal.

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Actress Billie Piper And Laurence Fox Tie The Knot

British actress Billie Piper, whose best known role was Rose Tyler in the BBC programme Dr. Who, married fellow actor Lawrence Fox in a 50-minute ceremony at the Church of St. Mary’s in Easebourne, West Sussex on December 31, 2007. Guests included the couple’s families, and friends. David Tennant, who played Dr. Who opposite Ms. Piper attended the ceremony, as did Kevin Whately. James Fox and Edward Fox, Laurence’s father and uncle, also attended the ceremony. The bride wore a low-cut ivory dress. Her bridesmaids wore short purple dresses.

Piper, 25 and Fox, 29 met a year ago when they were cast together in a stage performance of Christopher Hampton’s Treats. Piper became the first female to record a number one hit in 1998. Mr. Fox has been cast in television, stage and movie roles and is known for his portrayal of detective seargeant James Hathaway in the BBC programme Lewis. He was also cast as Prince Charles in the televisio movie “Whatever Love Means.” This is the first marriage for Fox, and the second for Piper. Previously, she was married to BBC Radio2 DJ Chris Evans.

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Important Questions to Ask when Choosing a Potential Wedding Photographer

The wedding photographer is likely going to be one of the biggest decisions made during wedding planning. This is not only because every couple wants to have the perfect pictures to remember their wedding day, but also because wedding photographers tend to be very expensive. Since these photographs are so important, it is necessary to be armed with these important questions to ask all potential wedding photographers.

Prior to even making an appointment with a potential wedding photographer, check out their web site and see their style of photography. Many photographers will be able to work within the style that the couple chooses, but some are limited by their equipment or experience. If there is no web site, then chances are that the photographer is not an experienced wedding photographer. This is an important consideration before spending the money on hiring a wedding photographer.

When the time comes to sit down and talk with a potential wedding photographer, it is important to ask about their experience. How long has he been in business? Approximately how many weddings has he photographed? Can he provide references from past clients? Of course, it is absolute necessity to ask every potential wedding photographer to view their portfolio. The portfolio will contain some of their best work and some photographers will even show an entire wedding from start to finish, whether the pictures are their best or not. It is important to remember that every single picture is not going to be worthy of framing and hanging on the wall.

The next set of questions to ask the potential wedding photographer is about the equipment they use when photographing a wedding. What format do they use? Is it still film, digital, or both? Can they provide for special requests such as black and white photographs, sepia toned photographs and special touch-ups for certain pictures? Does the photographer have his own lighting? Can the photographer retouch photographs to fix blemishes and other such small problems? It is important to ask these questions of every potential photographer in order to find the one that best suits your needs.

Finally, once these details have been figured out and the photographer meets your needs, it is time to discuss the contract. How much will the photographer charge? How many hours does that include on the day of your wedding? Does he include printed photographs within that price? Does he put together the wedding album? Will he retain the rights to the photographs or will he provide either the negatives or a disc in order for you to make your own copies? All of these questions are important to ask a potential wedding photographer to ensure that you have your needs met while still maintaining your budget.

Each and every one of these questions is important to ask a potential photographer. This is the one day you will have to remember for the rest of your life and it should be captured with photographs that fulfill your desires. There is too much money involved to end up hiring a photographer that does not meet your standards. So, be picky, and ask all potential wedding photographers these important questions!

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Looking For An Ultra-Exclusive Wedding Site

If you’ve got a big wedding budget and you’re planning an intimate ceremony, consider renting Necker Island. Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Necker Island was recently in the spotlight when Google billionaire Larry Page and Lucy Southworth entertained their guests there. Actor-comedian Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen also married there.

The island houses 26-28 guests and each guest house features food prepared by the island’s chefs. Necker Island is situated in the British Virgin Islands and is privately held. Guests access the island via boat from Virgin Gorda or Beef Island.

Couples can rent the entire island for a mere USD$47,000 per night. That includes accommodations for up to 28 persons, all meals and drinks, return transportation from Virgin Gorda or Beef Island, 50 staff members, two fresh water pools, two Jacuzzis, a beach pool, two lighted tennis courts, windsurfing and kite surfing equipment, a fully equipped gymnasium, sailing and speed boats, kayaks, water skiing equipment, snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, a local calypso band for one evening, extensive video, book, and music libraries, board games, a full-sized snooker table, laundry facilities, business facilities, wireless Internet access, phones and a seven-percent local tax.

There is a five-night minimum stay and the prices don’t include airfare for you or your guests. For more information about Necker Island, visit its web site at neckerisland.com.

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Borrowing For The Big Day

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” These days, more brides are finding that the “borrowed” item is money. Wedding loans are becoming more common as the cost of a formal wedding soars. Should you borrow to cover the cost of your big day?

Most experts say no. Borrowing should be reserved for big-ticket items that will leave you with some residual value. Borrowing for a home or for a college education? Good. Borrowing for a wedding or a vacation? Not so much.

Although a $30,000 - $40,000 price tag can be daunting, that cost will balloon when you consider the interest you’ll pay to finance your wedding. Instead, scale back your plans to fit what you can realistically afford. Look for ways to cut corners on the high-dollar expenses. This includes your wedding dress; food and alcohol at the reception; venues that require you to use in-house catering; bartending services or entertainment. Don’t feel pressured to have flowers at the wedding and reception if you can’t afford them. Likewise, don’t buy into “tradition” if it’s going to blow the budget.

The best approach is to prioritise the elements of your wedding. Determine the things that are most important to you and fund those first. Later, if you find you have leftover money, you can add elements that are lower on the list.

Weddings can be both beautiful and fun without being over-the-top in terms of cost. Your wedding is a celebration of your love for one another. It’s not a challenge to outdo the weddings you’ve attended in the past, and it’s not meant to set the bar for future events.

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Bridal Shop Owner Saves The Day By Saving A Gown

The owner of a bridal shop in Union, New Jersey in the US saved the day for one bride. In 1993, Gina Mignone chose a dress for her wedding, and paid for it. Before her final fitting, Mignone called the shop owner and told her that the wedding had been cancelled by Mignone’s fiancé. The broken-hearted bride never came in to pick up the dress.

Maria DiCarlo, who owns Hollywood Bridal Fashions, covered the gown in plastic and stuffed the bow and sleeves with newspaper to help the dress keep its shape. She stored the gown in the shop’s basement. Although it is her practice to give away gowns that go unclaimed after a cancelled wedding, DiCarlo held onto this particular dress.

Mignone found a new love and got engaged. She returned to the shop to pick out a new wedding dress and DiCarlo brought her first gown up from the storage room. Mignone still liked it, but the dress was too tight because Mignone had originally ordered the gown two sizes smaller than she wore - with a plan to lose weight before her first wedding.

Mignone went to work and lost 15 pounds in two weeks, just enough to allow her to wear the dress she’d picked out - and paid for - in 1993.

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What should happen at a Dress Rehearsal

The dress rehearsal before your wedding is very important and should be planned well in advance of the wedding day. While every wedding is going to be different, and every couple will need to run through different aspects of their wedding ceremony, the majority of couples will need to practice the same basics of the wedding ceremony. So, when planning the wedding dress rehearsal, make sure that all of the following items are attended to.

It is of the utmost importance that everyone taking part in the wedding ceremony is available for the dress rehearsal. During the dress rehearsal, each person will be directed where to go and where to stand as well as any other responsibilities they may have, such as the maid of honor taking the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony or the father of the bride giving away his daughter. In some cases, couples will include special songs or readings and those people will need to know where to stand and when they need to be there. This is all going to occur at every wedding dress rehearsal.

The most important part of the wedding ceremony dress rehearsal is the run through of the ceremony. In some cases, the officiant will read through the entire ceremony. Sometimes this is unnecessary. If the couple has written their own vows, then they may want to wait until the day of the wedding to share these vows. Running through the wedding ceremony is always a good idea because it may avoid some unexpected surprises such as the officiant having the wrong wedding vows! It has happened and it will happen again, but this can be avoided with a proper wedding ceremony dress rehearsal.

Ultimately, this is all that happens at a wedding ceremony dress rehearsal, but it is very important to ensure that the wedding ceremony runs smoothly. Many couples choose to hold a rehearsal dinner after the wedding ceremony dress rehearsal as a special thank you to all those involved in making their wedding ceremony a success. What you choose to do at your own wedding ceremony dress rehearsal is entirely your decision, but make sure that everyone involved is there to take part and that everyone fully understands what is expected of them on the day of the wedding.

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Actor-Comedian Jimmy Fallon Weds

Jimmy Fallon, 33, and his fiancée Nancy Junoven, 40, were married in a ceremony held on Necker Island in the Caribbean. The couple wedded in front of family and a few close friends on December 22. Necker Island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, and was the site of Google billionaire Larry Page and Lucy Southworth’s wedding event.

Fallon is a former cast member of the television programme Saturday Night Live. Fallon and Junoven met while Fallon was filming the 2005 comedy “Fever Pitch” which Junoven co-produced. He proposed to Junoven earlier this year at her family’s home in New Hampshire. Junoven co-owns Flower Films with actress Drew Barrymore.

It is the first marriage for both.

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Blending Families

Today, it is not uncommon for a bride, groom or both to have children from a previous relationship. In a wedding ceremony, these children are sometimes left out of the wedding, which may cause resentment and hurt feelings later. A new approach to ceremonies may help resolve some of those problems before they appear.

More frequently, couples with children from previous relationships are holding “family medallion” ceremonies as part of the wedding ceremony. A “family medallion” ceremony allows the entire family to acknowledge their commitments to each other, and to enable the bride or groom to take on the new role of step-parent publicly.

After the bride and groom exchange rings, the children are asked to come forward. The celebrant says a few words about the importance of family. The couple then exchange “vows” with the children, promising to love and support them as they grow up. Each child is presented with a “family medallion” in the form of a necklace, pin or ring made of gold or silver that features three symbolic rings. The “family medallion” ceremony takes about five minutes and is non-denominational. It can also be included as part of a civil ceremony.

Jewellers are beginning to craft jewellery for just such an occasion. If you’re planning a wedding and are looking for a way to include your children or those of your spouse-to-be, consider a family medallion ceremony or something similar as part of your wedding plans.

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Top ways to Save Money on Wedding Reception Costs

It seems that with each passing day, the cost of a throwing a wedding reception is rising exponentially. In truth, the costs are rising and in many cases, couples are forced to compromise on aspects of their wedding in order to be able to afford other aspects that they want more. Many couples or their parents will use credit cards or take out a loan in order to pay for a wedding, but this can leave a couple with high debt as they begin their new life together. While there is no way to ensure that every couple gets the wedding they dream of within their budget, there are ways to save money on wedding reception costs to avoid debt while still having the wedding they truly want.

Many couples want to have a wedding outside during the warm weather. This is considered primetime for the wedding season and so costs for both the ceremony and reception are going to be higher than during the off-season. Additionally, Saturday is the biggest day for weddings, so costs are also going to be higher. If a couple is willing to compromise on the season and/or day they get married, it is possible to save a lot of money on wedding reception costs. In addition to the wedding venue, all wedding vendors are going to be willing to give a discount on their services in order to make some money during their off-season.

Another way to save money on wedding reception costs is to make some of those essential wedding reception items rather than purchasing them from a vendor. Those couples that are crafty and creative can make their own wedding invitations, floral arrangements, place cards, wedding favors, and centerpieces. The only limit is the imagination. By purchasing just the materials for these items, the couple saves money on their wedding reception costs and only has to contribute some of their own time.

One of the easiest ways to save money on wedding reception costs is to have a small wedding cake. When the couple orders their wedding cake, they can order a small cake that will serve as the cake they cut together. In addition, they can order simple sheet cakes that can be sliced to serve their guests. Since decorating extravagant wedding cakes takes time, the bakery must charge for their labor accordingly. By cutting down on the amount of decorating and simplifying the bakery order, the bride and groom can cut down on this cost.

While there are many ways for a couple to save a little money on many of their wedding needs, the most valuable advice is to take the time to interview several different vendors and find the least expensive options while maintaining the level of quality that they are looking for. While this may take more time, it is worth it in the end to save money on wedding reception costs!

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Actor Comedian Eddie Murphy Weds

Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy, whose most recent work includes the voice of Donkey in the Shrek move series, married his fiancée Tracey Edmonds on January 1 in a private ceremony before about two dozen family members and friends. The couple wed on a private island off Bora Bora.

The bride wore an off-white dress designed by Sugia Nazel and Jill Baracci that featured beaded French lace and a silk tafetta train. Actress Nicole Avant was Edmonds’ maid of honour. R & B singer Johnny Gill was Murphy’s best man.

Edmonds is a film producer and has produced Who’s Your Caddy? and Good Luck Chuck. She was previously married to Kenneth Edmonds. They divorced in 2006. Murphy was previously married to Nicole Mitchell, whom he divorced in 2006.

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Katherine Heigl Marries Josh Kelley

Grey’s Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl, 29, wed her fiancé, musician Josh Kelley, 27, in a ceremony in Park City, Utah on December 23. The pair married in a 30-minuteceremony before a small number of friends and family, using vows they wrote together. The ceremony also featured music written by Kelley, and performed by other musicians. Kelley planned a special serenade to his bride at the reception.

Heigl’s dress, a silhouette, was reminiscent of the one she wore to the 2007 Emmy Awards earlier this year. Her bridesmaids wore red. The couple met when Heigl appeared in one of Kelley’s music videos. They will honeymoon at an undisclosed beach location. Kelley is expected to release a new album in February. Heigl will release a new movie, 27 Dresses, January 11, 2008.

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Wedding Rings Support Salvation Army Kettle Drive

One donor in the annual Salvation Army holiday “kettle drive” gave more than spare change for the needy in New Oxford, Pennsylvania in the US. At some point on December 8, an anonymous donor slipped two gold wedding bands into the Salvos’ kettle. When the proceeds from the charitable drive were being counted, the rings were discovered. They were taken to a local jeweller and appraised at about USD$75 (AUD$86). The rings were sold and the proceeds were added to the collection. The collection will be used to alleviate hunger in the area and to help people meet their basic needs.

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What to Expect from a Wedding Florist

It is very important to choose a wedding florist that meets your expectations. Every couple will have different needs and desires from their chosen florist, so it is important to meet with several potential florists prior to signing a contract. These are the basics that you can expect from any decent wedding florist.

You can expect to meet with a wedding florist and discuss designs and view a portfolio. A portfolio should be made available to see exactly what the florist is capable of creating. You will need to have some information prepared prior to your meeting. This should include the number of bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and any other floral decorations needed for the ceremony and reception space. You should also have an idea of what your budget will allow for your flowers.

In addition, you can expect your wedding florist to work within your budget and provide an estimate for all of your floral needs. This will be based on the size of the floral arrangements as well as the specific flowers that are used. In season flowers are going to be much less expensive than those that need to be flown in. It should be expected that the wedding florist will accurately price all arrangements at a fair price. It should also be expected that the wedding florist will want a deposit prior to beginning any work or ordering flowers.

The day of the wedding brings a whole new set of expectations from the wedding florist. The couple can expect that the wedding florist will deliver all of the floral arrangements to the proper places. This means delivering flowers to the ceremony and reception sites. The florist should also deliver the bouquets and boutonnieres to wherever the bride and groom will have their pictures taken before the wedding.

Above all else, the bride and groom should expect excellent service from their wedding florist. Wedding planning is a long process and the couple should feel comfortable with their chosen wedding vendors. This can be accomplished by having reasonable expectations for your vendors. This means that you can reasonably expect your wedding florist to provide a portfolio, offer design suggestions, give detailed pricing, and offer delivery service on the day of the wedding!

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The One That Got Away

Beth Jameson, of Farmington, New Mexico in the US, thought she’d been saving her wedding dress for the past 29 years. Her daughter, Kelly is planning a wedding for May 2008 and Kelly was interested in wearing her mother’s dress. Beth pulled out the box and opened it, only to find that the dress inside was not her wedding dress at all, but another dress that looks nothing like her gown.

Jameson’s mother had her gown preserved, but neither woman had any particular reason to open the dress box once it was returned from the cleaner’s after the wedding. The women surmise that the dress was accidentally switched with another dress at the dry cleaner’s shop and Jameson’s dress may be residing with another woman who may be similarly unaware of the switch.

The dry cleaner is still in business but has no information about what happened to the dress or any other dresses in the store at that time. Jameson is still hopeful that the dress can be found, even though she knows it’s a long shot.

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Choosing Wedding Invitations And Stationery

In the past, brides chose wedding invitations by looking at massive catalogues of invitations. These days, most brides choose invitations after having researched them on the Internet. When choosing wedding invitations online, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

First, you’ll want to choose a stationer whom you can reach by telephone to ask questions, clarify pricing, ordering information and delivery timetables. Look for a stationer whose hours of operation are compatible with yours. If you’re ordering online, look for a printer who offers customer service amenities like live chat for quick questions, and an email address. Also look for a stationer who is responsive to questions, and provides quick replies.

Many online stationers offer the ability to “see” your invitation. While this is helpful for design purposes, it’s also nice to have a sample printed up. Look for stationers who offer you the ability to print a sample invitation. You should expect to pay for a sample, but the cost should be reasonable. This allows you to see the quality of the invitation, the printing and the overall presentation of invitations you’re considering for purchase.

Look for stationers who offer a wide selection of invitations, fonts, and a range of pricing options. Also look for invitation lines that include matching Save-the-Date, RSVP and Thank You cards.

If you have no particular expertise in invitation wording, look for a site with an etiquette guide to help you choose the correct wording for your invitation.

Many invitation printers also offer do-it-yourself kits that allow you to print your own invitations at a reduced cost using your own computer and printer. DIY invitations can save money, however they may not have a professional look or feel about them, and they’ll be only as good as the printer you use.

Kardella offers complete lines of pre-printed, custom and do-it-yourself wedding invitations, sample invitation packs, and unparalleled customer support. Please visit our Web site to see our catalogue of invitations and other wedding supplies.

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