For the most part, the envelopes you see on our website are shown in various shades of white or cream.  Please don’t let this fool you though – we gladly offer colored envelopes as well.  We have several favorite manufacturers that we like to use, so please let us know if there is a color you are interested in and we will let you know what is available.  Typically when working with a client, we will send them samples of the color they are looking for.  This enables them to see their color options as well as feel the paper.  If requested, we will custom mix the ink so that it matches the selected envelopes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if interested in using colored envelopes:

• Currently we only offer letterpress printing.  Letterpress is well-suited to printing dark colors on light paper.  However, dark paper colors can have the tendency to show through the printed ink a little bit.  We can still print a light color on dark paper, but keep in mind that letterpress printing white ink  onto dark paper may not produce as crisp of a white as other printing methods.
• The US Postal Service prefers the use of white or pastel colored envelopes.  Using a dark ink on light paper insures optimum contrast which is ideal for use with their optical readers/scanners.  Basically, sticking to lighter colors makes their jobs a little easier.
• Consider using labels to dress up your dark envelopes.  Labels don’t have to be boring or ugly – we can design and print them for you so that they will coordinate with the rest of your stationery.
• Some envelope manufacturers offer different flap designs.  You may or may not have a choice with a particular color, but we will certainly let you know what the options are.

Need more information on available envelopes or recommended ink colors?  Please don’t hesitate to ask!

What you see: butterfly reply card in pearl white cotton paper, chocolate and lilac ink, lilac envelope

A common question around here is whether or not we offer wood table cards. Of course we do! We custom make all of our wood table cards to order. They can be engraved with a number or name, as well as a motif. As with any of our products, you can choose from the designs in our collection or request a full custom design.  Various styles and stands are available, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

By the way, we also offer table cards in paper that are letterpress printed with  a motif – leaving room for the numbers or names to be written by hand.  They’re a great way to show off some lovely calligraphy!

A few things to think about in regards to table cards:

• Be sure to place the cards so that they are easily spotted on the table.  If raised, make sure that they don’t block the view across the table.
• Table cards should be large enough to read from a distance.  Keep in mind that large numbers are more easily recognized from a distance, as opposed to small words.
• Using numbers is very common, though it is also popular to label tables using things such as song titles, names of significant locations, or movie titles.  As mentioned above, just make sure the words are large enough for your guests to read them from a distance.  If using long titles, you may want to consider giving the table a number as well.
• If you think that assigning individual seats is too time-consuming, you may want to consider assigning your guests to tables only. This will enable you to group together certain guests while still allowing them a little choice in the matter. It will also get everyone to their general location quickly so that when it is time to eat – everyone should already be seated.

Photo Credits – Clockwise from the top: small table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Brandon Scott Photography / close-up of  a table number in cherry by me /  large table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Cappy Hotchkiss

Wondering  whether or not you need to include a reception card with your invitations?  Well, in general, if your reception will be held at a different location than the ceremony, then it is a good idea to include a reception card.  This way, you will have plenty of room to list the significant details without overloading the invitation with too much information.

Once you have decided to include a reception card, make sure you include the proper details.  First, announce the occasion.  Simply stating “reception” at the top of the card will work, or you can be more specific with something like “cocktail reception” or “black tie reception” or simply “dinner and dancing.”  Such details will  clue  your guests in as to what to wear or what to plan on for food that day.  Secondly, state when the reception is being held.  Something like “immediately following ceremony” will work if there will not be a break between the two events.  If there will be a long break after the ceremony, make sure to list what time cocktails or dinner are to begin.  Lastly, don’t forget to include the name and location of the reception site.

A few things to remember:

• There is no need to send the reception card separately.  Simply include it with the invitation.
• You don’t need a separate reply card for the reception card.  Unless you are told otherwise, if someone lets you know they will be coming to the wedding, you should assume they will be at the reception.  If it is crucial that you get a head count for the reception, then you can leave a designated space on the invitation reply card for the reception.
• Make your invitation suite consistent.  If your invitation wording is formal, then keep the same level of formality  for the reception card.

So, what if your reception is being held at the same location as the ceremony?  In this case, you can mention the reception on the invitation.  Just include a line near the bottom that states something like “reception to follow” or as seen in the above photo, “dinner and dancing to follow.”

With all this said, whether or not to include a reception card is ultimately up to you.  If your reception and ceremony will be at two different locations, you can still list this information on the invite instead of using a separate card.  This is a good way to save on both material and cost.   Of course, the reverse is true as well – you can certainly use a reception card even if both the ceremony and reception will be in the same location.

Share and Enjoy:

]]> http://www.oslopress.com/blog/2010/when-to-include-a-reception-card/feed/ 0 http://www.oslopress.com/blog/2010/reply-card-wording-and-unexpected-guests/ http://www.oslopress.com/blog/2010/reply-card-wording-and-unexpected-guests/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:24:59 +0000 Jen http://www.oslopress.com/blog/?p=269

Occasionally, we have clients who are concerned about the potential of uninvited or unaccounted for guests. Traditionally, the names of invited guests are written on the invitation envelope and it is assumed that only those invited will make an appearance at the wedding.   Yes, you heard me, it is assumed that people know the proper etiquette and would not think twice about bringing an uninvited guest without asking first.  Easy enough and makes sense in my opinion, but sometimes this is just not the case.   While some may not see a problem with showing up uninvited, it can cause quite a few issues.  In some cases, it can even create a financial problem.  Take for instance the issue of food.   It’s good to keep in mind that unexpected guests can equal an unexpected catering bill at the end of the evening for the newly married couple.  (Not exactly the sort of wedding gift anyone has in mind.)

If the threat of uninvited guests is a concern to you, there are ways to approach it without (hopefully) offending anyone.  As stated previously, the envelope is the place to list the names of those invited.  Don’t be afraid to be specific. When children are included, their names can be written below their parents’ names or if preferred, the term “and family” can be used.   If including an inner envelope, then list each name on it instead.  If inviting a single friend or relative and you wish for them to have the opportunity to bring someone along, then simply state “and guest” after their name.

To go a step further, some like to include very specific information on the reply card.  If you need to keep a tight rein on the head count, you can include something similar to the following:   “we have reserved ___ seats in your honor” or perhaps,  “___ seats have been reserved for you.”  In either  case, you would fill in the blank with the number of guests invited individually on each reply card.

Similarly, you can use something like this:   “___ of ___ guests will be attending.”  In this case, you fill in the second line ahead of time, and the guest fills in the first line before returning the card to you.  For example, upon completion by both parties, it would read something like this:   “1 of 2 guests will be attending.”

You can also be a little more direct in finding out how many guests will be attending with something along these lines: “There are ___  guests in our party that will be attending.”  Or you can write out several options and simply leave them a place to check by the appropriate number.

To find out the number attending the ceremony versus reception, try something like this:

“Number attending ceremony ___    Number attending reception ___”

Any of these suggestions can be mixed and matched or reworded to suit your specific needs.  While this sort of reply card wording  may be a little less traditional, it will hopefully help create a few less headaches down the road.

• Don’t go it alone:  Make sure to ask several other people to proofread for you.  They will often catch things that you might have overlooked.
• Have a hard copy in hand:  Make sure to print a copy out and take a break from the computer.
• Read it backwards:  This method keeps your brain from expecting to see what it has been used to looking at – in turn making it easier to catch mistakes.
• Read it out loud:  Yes, you heard me right.  Pretend you are back in school and reading to the class.  Again, this method will slow you down a bit and point out mistakes you may have otherwise overlooked.
• Take a break:  Sometimes it is best to leave something alone for a while.  Whether it’s for an hour or twenty-four hours – it should help you get a fresh perspective.
• Don’t depend on the spell-check feature:  Yes, use it.  Just realize it will not catch everything.  Will it realize that you accidentally listed your brother Mike as your sister?  Um… not so much.
• Beware of all-caps:  Look over text that is in all-caps more carefully as it may be harder to catch mistakes.
• Focus on specifics:  Proofread several times, each time focusing on a different thing such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.
• Be alert and minimize distractions:  Enough said.

Along with the above tips, here is a list of specific things you should double check while proofreading your invitations:

• Names:  Check the spelling of all names such as the Bride, Groom, Mothers, Fathers, Venues, etc.
• Times:  Check that all times are correctly listed and be sure the time is properly designated as a.m. or p.m.
• Dates:  Double check the date of the wedding, as well as the RSVP date.  Be sure the day of the week that is listed corresponds with the numerical date.
• Locations:  Again, check the spelling of the locations.  Also, be sure all directions and addresses are listed correctly.
• Abbreviations:  Make sure they are listed correctly and are followed by periods as needed.
• Consistency:  Pick a method and stick with it.  Be sure that all capitalization, punctuation, etc. is consistent throughout your invitation suite, or at least consistent on one item.
• Commonly confused words:  Be sure to check for these common mix-ups  – to/too, there/their/they’re, your/you’re, desert/dessert, etc.

For the record:

Number of typos discovered upon proofreading this entry: 7

Number of those typos discovered by spell-check:  3

Number of typos that will be discovered, and consequently edited after this entry is posted:  still to be determined

First of all, why Google Checkout? If you have dealt with us before, you know it is our preferred method of payment. Yes, we can take checks, but then you have to allow for the check to arrive to us and then wait for the check to clear. A process that can take just minutes with Checkout. So yes, it is a time saver, and when a last minute order is placed, we can certainly use all the extra time we can get.

Most importantly though is the issue of security. Along with other security checks that Google has set-up to prevent fraud, we will never see your credit card number. We can simply tell if the payment was made and cancel it if need be. So, when you call us and ask if we can take your order over the phone. Well, the answer is no, not really. Meaning, we won’t take your credit card information over the phone. We can however take down your e-mail address, and then send you an invoice via Google Checkout. (But wait!? I have no affiliations with Google – how does this work? umm… I’m getting to that. Promise.)

This brings me to my next point. Google Checkout is convenient. (Here’s the part where I have no experience to speak from, but I’ve done some reading, so bare with me. ) Once you have used Google Checkout once, you can keep using your account at any site that offers it. So instead of filling out your personal information at every place you shop, you can just use your Google Checkout account as long as it is an available option. Simply sign in with your e-mail address and password.

So how does it work exactly? Well, for us, unless you are purchasing a sample, we will send you an invoice for the total amount due via e-mail. Once you open the e-mail, you will find a link labeled “Pay now through Google Checkout…”. Once you click on the link, you will be asked to either sign in to Google Checkout, or if it is your first time, sign up for Checkout. If you need to sign up, you will be asked to provide the standard information – name, e-mail address, and credit card information. Once you are logged in you can confirm your order and hit the box that states “place your order now” to make your purchase. At this time, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to us alerting us that an invoice has been paid. If you are purchasing a sample packet, the process is very similar. Except that instead of receiving an invoice, you just click the little blue “buy now” button on the website.

So, while we know it may be new and different to some of you, and new and different can equal strange and scary, we really don’t think there is anything to be worried about. Here are a few other things you might be interested in knowing:

- No, you don’t need to have a g-mail account to use it.

- No, you don’t even need to know what g-mail is for that matter.

- You can store as many credit cards as you would like in your account.

- You can choose to keep your e-mail address confidential. So, if we need to contact you, we will just send a message to an address that looks pretty much like jumbled letters followed by @checkout.google.com.

- It allows you to rate merchants.

- It allows you to track your orders from wherever you make purchases.

- And lastly, no, you will not be giving Google complete control over the world by using their services. (at least, I don’t think so…)

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is in no way affiliated with or promoted by Google or Google Checkout.

Bride’s parents are hosting:

In this case it is up to you whether or not to include the groom’s family in the wording.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them
in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson…

Or

Please share our joy
at the wedding of
Mary Ellen
daughter of Lisa and Johnathan Smith and
Michael Lee
son of Joy and Robert Anderson

Or the name of the host can follow at the end:

With joyful hearts
we ask you to be present
at the wedding ceremony of
Mary Ellen
and
Michael Lee
Date
Year
Time
Venue
Location

Lisa and Johnathan Smith

Both sets of parents are hosting:

Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson
request the honour of your presence
at the wedding ceremony of
Mary Ellen Smith
and
Michael Lee Anderson…

For parents with different last names:

Mrs. Lisa Johnson
and Mr. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them in a celebration of love
as their daughter, Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson…

Divorced and remarried parents:

Mr. and Mrs. Gordan Matterson
and Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Smith
invite you to join them in a celebration of love as
Mary Ellen
is united in marriage to
Mr. Michael Anderson…

When a parent is deceased:

In this case, the deceased parent can not be considered a host, so you can either use the name of the surviving parent only or you can word it such as this:

Mary Ellen
daughter of Lisa Smith and the late Johnathan Smith
and
Michael Lee
son of Joy and Robert Anderson
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage…

I will begin with a less traditional approach – the wedding not hosted by parents.

These first few start out with a simple introduction:

Example 1

Please join us
For a celebration
of love, friendship, and family as
Jolie Anne Thomas
and
Alexander Raymond Marshall
Join their hands in marriage
Saturday, the nineteenth of May
two thousand and seven
at seven o’clock in the evening
Maplewood Greens
Renton, Washington

Example 2

You are cordially invited
to celebrate the wedding of
Lena Karen Touvelle
and
Patrick Scott Donnelly
on Saturday, the first of July
two thousand six
at Saint Francis Catholic Church
Portland, Oregon
The celebration will continue
at the Sullivan Tavern

Example 3

With joy in our hearts, we,
Melissa Lee
and
Steven Taos
Request your presence
As we exchange marriage vows …etc…

Or perhaps a more straight-forward approach:

Example 4

Emma Elaine Monroe
and
Johnathan Manning Smith
request the pleasure of your company
in celebrating their marriage
on Saturday, the nineteenth of August
two thousand six
at five o’clock in the evening
Meadow Park Inn
Addison, Vermont
Dinner and dancing to follow

Maybe you want to acknowledge your parent or family involvement in a less traditional way:

Example 5

Together with their parents,
Anne Elizabeth Myers
and
Thomas Duncan Moore
request …etc…

or

Together with our parents…

or

Together with our families…

Each of the above examples can be altered to suit your individual needs. I will leave other issues, such as level of formality and capitalization, to another day… As you can see, this is really just the beginning.