The saying “first impressions last” is true in almost every sense and every situation. None more so than weddings. For many of your guests, it’s the first they hear about your impending marriage, so it’s important to set the scene and expectations correctly.

As well as decorative considerations, there are also practical ones to think about. If you’re planning a wedding and are wrestling with invitations, this is the post for you!

1. Stick to style

Your wedding invitations should reflect your overall style. Are you going formal? Bo-ho? Vintage? Green? Traditional? Then reflect it in your invitation. Your guests will infer a lot from how the invitation looks and feels so consider the effect you want to create before going shopping.

2. Know your audience

At the same time, you need to know your audience if you want to communicate effectively with them. Combining a style of wedding invitation that complements your theme while also appealing to the guest you’re inviting is a useful tactic.

A good wedding invitation not only creates excitement, it will also resonate stronger than if it were a standard invite to a formal gathering. Families can find fault and take offence at the strangest things, so choosing a quality wedding invitation that is as inoffensive as possible will get your preparations off to the best start.

3. Do the numbers

It’s also vital that you know how many guests you’re inviting so you have an idea of overall cost. Sorting out your guest list nice and early means you can budget and plan for a given number of guests. It’s the single best way to make the numbers work.

It’s also important to get your dates right too. While it may seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised at how many couples get it wrong. Getting the dates right also means giving your guests as much notice as practical to ensure they can take time off work or make arrangements to come. At least a couple of months is usual.

4. Dare to differ

If you think your style and your guests are up for it, don’t be scared to play a little with your wedding invitations. Try shaped ones, different materials, colours, themes, eras and other artistic touches. As long as they can be posted and can carry the amount of information you need to communicate, don’t be afraid to experiment.

Consider making your own invitations if you have a mind to. If you’re handy with the card and scissors, making your own wedding invitations is an excellent way to express yourself creatively while saving money at the same time.

5. Half an eye to practicality

While offering huge scope for experimentation and expression, you have to remember the practicalities too. A good wedding invite has to contain essential information in a readable font and colour. Your creations may look amazing, but if you can’t read them they are no good to anyone.

Also consider their size and weight if you’re sending them by post. Everything is costed by size and weight now, so make sure they won’t cost you a fortune to send!

6. Give them what they need

The purpose of a wedding invitation is to communicate the good news and express your wishes. It also has to contain the information necessary to allow the guest to make a decision as to whether to accept or not. Essentially it’s the “who, what, when, where” questions you need to answer.

As long as your wedding invite answers these questions, you’re all good. If you want to contain extra information then go ahead as long as you keep it simple. Some couples choose to include removable RSVP sections of the invite and inserts offering local maps, hotel information and anything else pertinent.

Add a RSVP card or section and a respond by date to ensure a timely reply. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to make responding as easy as possible.

7. Add the personal touch

It’s perfectly okay to order wedding invitations printed by a stationer. It’s okay to print them yourself too, but don’t’ forget to add that personal touch. If you’re buying your invites, hand write details and the envelope. If you’re printing all the details, make doubly sure you hand write the envelope.

Not only does it show your care and attention, it also makes a great first impression!