The Organized Bride by Sol Oreña

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Invitation & Guest List Tips Invitation Tips Nothing is a more regal proclamation of your love than an elegant wedding invitation. It’s also the first glimpse guests will have into your wedding style or theme. Keep the following tips in mind as you choose every element of your wedding stationery. Spell out words such as Doctor, Junior and Avenue on your invitation, as well as middle names. Use the joining words “and” on a line by itself, only when joining the bride’s and groom’s names. Send a save the date card if you would like your guests to reserve your wedding date far in advance. Create a wedding website with information on your engagement, the bridal party, directions, accommodations, registry information, and photos. It is a fun way for your guests to be more involved before the wedding.

Use the phrase “honour of your presence” when your ceremony is to be held in a house of worship. Otherwise, use “pleasure of your company.” Include a name on your invitation (such as a stepparent) when in doubt. You won’t regret being gracious. Keep in mind that the lettering size depends on the number of lines you request and the amount of space available per your wedding invitation style. Limit the copy in your footer to one line of text. If needed, choose a separate card to provide more information to your guests.

Spell out the date and the time, as in “fifth of July” rather than “July 5”. Use “half after six” rather than “6:30”.

For help on invitation wording please visit www.ExclusivelyWeddings.com

Guest List Tips While certainly there are fixed wedding expenses such as music, reception venue, etc., there also are lots of variable costs that are determined by how many guests attend. When compiling your guest list, there are people that you “must-invite.” They include your close friends and family whom you cannot imagine having a wedding without, your bridal party and their spouses/significant others, the person officiating your ceremony and his/her spouse/partner, and parents of your flower girl and ring bearer.

Suggestions for reducing your guest list: Dates: If you are on a budget, only invite “dates” if the couple is married, living together or engaged to be married. Any other “plus ones” should be omitted from the list.

Co-workers: Inviting co-workers can cause hurt feelings if you only invite some. So, to save money and to save friendships, it may be best to leave all co-workers off the guest list.

Attendants’ Dates: If you have several bridesmaids and your groom has several groomsmen, this could mean double digits of additional guests. If you are on a strict budget, you may want to follow the same rule as above and only invite dates for attendants if they are engaged, living together or married.

Relatives: Consider limiting relatives to a particular generation, such as inviting those no farther down the family tree than first-cousins. Children: Leave children off the guest list except any children of your own and those in the wedding party.