Purple Wedding Invitations from Occasions In Print

What can I say about the color purple?  First, I don't think I know anyone that doesn't like some shade of it.  Second, it can be dressed up or dressed down with either a deep rich color for winter or a light periwinkle for a hot summer day.  Last and of course, what I consider the most important given my line of work, it is an absolutely perfect color for any season of wedding.  Purple Wedding Invitations are the way to set the tone for your wedding. And even better, a Purple Save the Date Card sent out 6 to 9 months ahead of your wedding!  Here are a few of our favorites in all different shades of this royal color. And if you're looking for more inspiration, visit our Purple Wedding Ideas board on Pinterest.

Purple Save the Date Cards

Purple Save the Date Magnets

Purple Wedding Invitations

Purple Wedding Invitations

Purple Wedding Invitations

Purple Wedding Invitations

Purple Wedding Invitations

Purple Wedding Invitations

Summer Wedding Inspiration Board from Occasions In Print

Summer is the perfect time for a wedding! The warm summer breeze and the fun atmosphere of that special day is completed by the details that represent summer.  One of our favorite ideas is flower or vegetable seeds as a party favor. You can just feel the warmth and emotion in the air.   Occasions In Print has put together a fabulous Summer Inspiration Board that has all the touches of summer that you will need - from the cake to the dress and of course the Wedding Invitations!  Here is a sneak peek......

www.theknot.com

www.marthastewartweddings.com

Summer Wedding Invitations

www.weddings-splendor.com

www.marthastewartweddings.com

Summer Wedding Invitations

www.ifood.tv

Summer Wedding Invitations

Five Easy Ways to Stay Within Your Wedding Budget

There is no doubt that a wedding today can be more expensive than a down payment on a new house.  Between the cost of the venue and the cost of the food, an entire wedding budget can be chewed up leaving little left for all the other important details that will make your day a grand event.  If you don’t want to settle on location or the sit down dinner you have wanted as part of your reception since you were 12, there are a few other steps you can take to help you reign in your budget and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Consider a Videographer instead of Photographer.  Most videographers today are about half of the cost of a photographer.  So, if you find a photography package for around $3000, you are likely to find a videographer for about $1500.  But don’t think you will miss out on the captured image of photography.  The key is to find a videographer that has the capability and technology to capture images within the video and turn them into pictures.  This is not a complicated or really unique process, it is just important to determine if the videographer has the computer setup to accomplish it.  Or, if you do research and find that once you have the video, you can do it yourself, even better.

Consider a Second Hand Dress.  Second hand dress doesn’t mean that you would lose any elegance, style or compromise on the condition of the dress.  There are thousands of brides who have elected to sell their gowns after the wedding.  And remember, these are dresses that for the most part have only been worn for less than 24 hours.  E-Bay is a great resource for gently used wedding dresses as well as Craig’s List.  Wedding Dresses can be compared to cars – a new car the minute you drive it off the lot losing a huge amount of its value, but is still in pristine condition.  So it is with a wedding dress.  

Order Flowers Based on the Season.  When planning your wedding consider the time of year and what flowers are going to be in season.  Florists will always have the seasonal flowers readily available and at a lower price than those that are out of season.  Be sure to do your research ahead of time and plan accordingly.  This will greatly reduce the cost of flowers.

Consider a Smaller Bridal Party.  Most couples want to share their big day with as many close friends and family as possible standing in their wedding party.  A large bridal party makes for a great photo and of course, great bachelorette and bachelor parties, however, the bigger the party, the bigger the expense.  Each bridesmaid will need a bouquet and each groomsman will need a boutonniere.   This can increase the flower cost dramatically.  There is also the traditional bridal party gift that is given to each attendant and the rehearsal dinner cost.  Electing to have only one or two attendants will decrease your overall costs and allow you take those dollars and put them towards the more expensive elements of the wedding like the venue and food. 

Order Wedding Invitations Online.  Wedding Invitations can also be a big expense within the wedding budget.  Custom wedding invitations can run in the thousands of dollars. In addition, brick and mortar stationery stores mark up their products in consideration of their store overhead costs.  Ordering your wedding invitations on line is a great way to save money and get the exact same quality and often the exact same product anywhere from 50% to 70% cheaper.  Online stores do not have the overhead expenses and consequently can pass along the savings to customers.  Most fine stationery stores carry the beautiful stationery company Carlson Craft.  These invitations can also be found online at a greatly reduced price and they are exactly the same.

Silver Wedding Inspiration Board from Occasions In Print

There is nothing more dreamy or dramatic than a Silver Wedding.  We have found inspiration this week in all things silver.  This theme is great for any season and lends itself to creating charm and elegance for the wedding of your dreams.  From the cake to the bridesmaid dresses, decor and of course the Wedding Invitations, Occasions In Print has truly put together a Silver Wedding Inspiration Board that will spark the wedding planning and ease the stress of finding the perfect touches.  Here are a few of our favorites, but find it all on our Pinterest board.

www.bridalguide.com

www.montrealweddingdress.com

Silver Wedding Invitation

www.brides.com

Silver Wedding Invitation

www.ibsdesign.com

Silver Wedding Invitation

www.onewed.com

How to Prepare and Mail Your Wedding Invitations

So, you've found your ideal Wedding Invitations! Now what do you do? There are most likely numerous questions you have in relation to how many to order, addressing the invitations and who gets an invite. Considering that the Wedding Invitations will set the tone for your upcoming wedding, it is important to remember the recognized etiquette of a wedding while ordering and mailing out your invitations.

1. Who gets an Invitation? Of course all your guests that you wish to invite should get an invitation. In addition, your wedding party should also get an invitation as well as clergy and parents. The wedding party understands they are invited, but this gives you the opportunity to formally invite a spouse or provide the option for a guest to attend with a single attendant. This holds true for any clergy you wish to invite.
   
2. How many invitations do I order? Once you have compiled your guest list, it is always best to add on at least an additional 25 invitations. If you have the option to just order additional envelopes, this is advised as well just in case errors are made during the address writing. Having additional wedding invitations on hand is ideal for keepsake purposes as well as return mailed and the last minute invites you may want to send.
   
3. When are Send the Date Cards mailed? Send the Date Cards can be mailed anywhere from six to nine months before the wedding. These are still considered optional in terms of etiquette, but about 90% of couples today are choosing to send them in order to ensure family and friends across the country and world are able to attend. If you are planning a destination wedding, these really are a must as travel and hotels will need to be booked.
   
4. When are Wedding Invitations mailed? Traditionally, wedding invitations are mailed six to eight weeks prior to the day. However, if you are having a destination wedding, you may elect to send out the invitations eight to ten weeks ahead in order to ensure that all accommodations can be made by your guests.
   
5. Do I really need a Reception Card? A Reception Card isn't necessary, if the reception is immediately following the ceremony and if it is at the same location. A Reception Card is proper etiquette, if the reception is at a different location. The Reception Card is also the appropriate way to communicate what type of party you are hosting. For example, if you are hosting an "Adult Only" reception, the card is the avenue to communicate this important information. Directions should also be provided or at least the address of the reception.
   
6. Do I really need a Respond Card? A Respond Card is the most traditional way for your guests to acknowledge the invitation and advise as to whether or not they will be attending. Although some couples are electing to print a website on the invitation itself for guests to RSVP online, this is not the proper way to solicit a response and it does take away from the invitation which is typically a keepsake considering the personalized verse and wedding details.
   
7. How do I provide the reception menu options? The Respond Card is the perfect place to outline to your guests what meal choices they will have at your reception. Selecting a meal is the indication they will be attending. Another line is then provided below the meal options for those who regretfully cannot attend.
   
8. How long should I give guests to RSVP? Your final number of guests is typically due to your venue about one to two weeks prior to your wedding. With this in mind, asking for the RSVP two to three weeks in advance will provide ample time for you to evaluate who has responded, call those who haven't and contact the venue with your final count. If you are planning a destination wedding and accommodations are a factor, asking for a response four weeks in advance is perfectly acceptable.
   
9. Where do I put my Return Address? Your return address should be printed in two places. The first is on the back of the outer envelope. This will ensure that any invitations that are not deliverable will be returned to you. This can be printed by your invitation vendor. The second place is on the front of the respond card envelope. This can also be printed by your invitation vendor and is typically printed at no additional charge. Be sure to place a postage stamp on the respond card envelope as well.
   
10. How should the invitations be addressed? The outer envelope can be mailed to a family just by indicating Mr. and Mrs. The outer envelope for a single person can just be addressed to that person. The inner envelope traditionally is the indication of who is actually being extended the invitation. If you are hosting a family oriented wedding where kids can attend the ceremony and reception, the invitation should be to the adults and "family." If you are just inviting the adults of the household, "family" should be left off. If you are inviting a single person who can bring a guest, the invitation should indicate the person's name and the word "guest." If you are just inviting the single person, it should only state his or her name.
    
11. Do the envelopes for the Wedding Invitations need to be handwritten? The return addresses can be printed for the invitations. However, everything else should be handwritten. This is, after all, a personal and intimate invitation.

How to Enjoy Your Wedding Reception

Your wedding reception will most likely be a whirlwind event that is over before you know it.  It will be filled with friends and family as well as food and dancing.  Yes, this is a party to celebrate the ceremony the preceded and it is a time to celebrate you and your new spouse as a couple.  Making sure you enjoy the reception is critical. Believe it or not, things can get overwhelming and chaotic if you don't plan ahead.  Occasions In Print has a few suggestions on how to ensure you enjoy your reception.
  
1. Visit Each Table.  If you don't have a receiving line then you and your spouse must have a plan to visit each table.  Typically the easiest time to do this is right after people are done eating.  This will give you the opportunity to thank everyone for coming and make sure that you spoke with everyone.  Take your camera man around with you so that he can get shots of you with your various guests.  There will come a day when you forget who attended your wedding and photos are a great way to keep those memories alive.

2. Family Pictures.  Be sure to get pictures at the reception of all your family members.  Sometimes relatives will get lost in the crowd and your photographer may not know who is related to you.  This is especially critical if you have family members who won't be out on the dance floor.  Photographers tend to drift towards where the action is in order to capture the candid moments of your reception.  If you have family who aren't likely to be in the midst of the action, be sure to let you photographer know ahead of time.

3. Take a quiet moment.  There is a ton of action and traditional events that occur at wedding receptions.  From the bouquet toss to the line dancing, the reception will be filled with activity.  Be sure and take a few quiet moments with your new spouse to remember that you are now married and that the party is for the wonderful life you are beginning. Don't let the reception go by and then remember that you haven't even had a moment of piece just to gaze into each other's eyes.

4. Eat! Eat! Eat!  This maybe one of the most critical items on this list.  It is so important that you eat at your reception.  Yes, you may have a lot of people to say hello to and yes, you may feel that you need to get the party started by being out on the dance floor, but none of that will be truly enjoyed unless you have a full stomach and a clear head.  The stress of the day and the cocktails of the night will catch up to you quickly if you don't take the time to eat.  And let's face it,  you have paid good money for the food, so be sure and partake.

5. Gift and Flower Plan.  It is really important to have a gift and flower plan prior to the day of your wedding and reception.  Have a designated person or persons who will be responsible for getting all your gifts either back to your house or to wherever you plan to open them.  The flowers also need to be assigned to someone.  These make great decorations for the morning after brunch or select a place that takes flower donations.  Don't leave this decision until the last few minutes of the reception and end the night by scrambling to find someone who has a vehicle large enough, knows where to go and is willing, possibly late at night, to deliver these items for  you.

At Occasions In Print, we are all about helping create the first impression with the elegance and distinction that reflects your style and sensibility. Our Wedding Invitations, Birth Announcements and Stationery are of the highest quality and greatest value. Each can be personalized and previewed. We offer fine stationery store quality, but with low online prices
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