Your wedding invitations are a personal expression of your wedding style. Think about this ... your wedding invitation is the first impression your guests will have about your wedding.

LakeOzarkWeddingGuide.com is here to help you make that impression a good one and one that reflects your personal style and taste.

Purchase & Preview Your Invitations Online!
1. Beautiful Wedding Invitations by Carlson Crafts
2. Perfect Wedding Invitations by Checkerboard

Selecting Your Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitation and accessories set the tone for your special event by visually establishing your style and taste. It is the first official message about the event which a guest will receive from you. You want to make it memorable. Begin by deciding whether you want a formal, traditional or more contemporary style wedding and make your invitation selection accordingly.

The traditional invitation is elegantly simple usually in black ink printed on a heavy white or cream colored card. The card may be either flat or folded with the printing on the front. The formal couple who loves tradition will find a wide array of suitable papers, plain or variously paneled, and be able to distinguish their personal style through the large selection of beautiful typestyles.

If you choose a more contemporary invitation, you have an immense selection of possibilities. Many contemporary couples love the freedom modern invitations give to tailor the invitation uniquely to their personalities. If you have a theme or color scheme in mind (Garden Tulips, Red, Blue...), look for invitations that reflect this.

Lastly, determine your budget. Remember to include reception cards, response cards and thank-you notes (informals) in your budget calculations along with additional trousseau items like place cards, table cards, and menu cards.

Order Wedding Invitations Online from CheckerBoard

Information to Include in Your Invitations
What do your guests need to know?

Think about what your guests need to know to get to the ceremony and reception. Try putting yourself in the shoes of your guest ... Would you want a map to the church? Would you want to know how to RSVP?

Here's a basic list of things you should consider including:
- Wedding Date
- Ceremony Start Time
- Wedding Location & Address
- Reception Location
- Map to Wedding and Reception Locations
- RSVP Information

As tempting as it may be to print the addresses on your invitation envelopes using a laser or ink jet printer, we don't recommend it. Wedding etiquette dictates that wedding invitation envelopes should be hand addressed. If you don't have good handwriting, considering hiring a calligrapher or hand-addresing service. These services are more affordable than you might think and they save you a lot of time.

 

Don't Forget Your Save the Date Cards or Magnets!
Several styles and designs available online through the Checkerboard site.
CHECK THEM OUT HERE

 

 

Invitation Considerations

• Never assume you know how much the postage will be - take an invitation to the post office and have it weighed.
• All invitations should be mailed at the same time to avoid hurt feelings.
• Mail invitations four to six weeks before the event to ensure your guests have time to reply.
• Exception: If you have the majority of your family coming from out of town and most of your local friends are in town, you might consider two mailings. Mail earlier to your out of town guests to allow them time to plan the trip, then send your local invitations the typical 4-6 week prior.

 

Guest Etiquette
RSVP promptly and according to the instructions on the invitation, then live up to your RSVP. Since most receptions are a cost per head or table, once the final count is given (typically a few days before the event) the cost is set. This means the host will pay for food and drink even if you decide not to attend at the last minute. If you show up after declining the invitation, there may not be enough food. While you may think this is no problem, the bride and/or the host will probably feel guilty for not accounting for you.

Finally, if your children are not explicitly invited, you should not bring them to the wedding. You are likely to cost the host of the reception an average of $20-$100 extra, especially if a full meal is served. Many families and couples are on tight wedding budgets - imagine the additional cost if all the guests brought their children.