Selecting your Invitations

Here are a few samples of tasteful wording:
 

Your presence is requested
at the commitment service
of
Jane Patricia Carson
to
Rhonda Rae Ashe
on Sunday, the eight of July
Two Thousand and Two
on this day we join together
and pledge our love to each other
Hawk Valley Wildlife Preserve
49 RT 17 South
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Todd Andrew Spiegal
and
Stephen Lloyd Kearns
invite you to witness
as they exchange vows
on Saturday, the fourteenth of June
Two Thousand and Two
at four o'clock in the afternoon
Blossom Gardens Chapel
4 Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Shira Nancy Fox
and
Joy Faith Cummings
request the honor of your presence
at a commitment ceremony
on Sunday, the thirtieth of November
Two Thousand and Two
at six o'clock in the evening
Jonathan's Caterers
14 Pixie Hill Lane
San Francisco, California

If one family was to host a commitment ceremony, here is an appropriate way to word the invitations:

Mr. and Mrs. John Harrington
request the honor of your presence
at a commitment ceremony
as their daughter
Rebecca Susan
exchanges vows with
Dawn Marie Collins
on Sunday, the eleventh of July
Two Thousand and Two
at six o'clock in the evening
Jonathan's Caterers
14 Pixie Hill Lane
San Francisco, California

If both families were to host the ceremony:

Mr. and Mrs. John Harrington
and
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Collins
request the honor of your presence
at a commitment ceremony
as their children
Rebecca Susan
and
Dawn Marie
exchange vows
on Sunday, the eleventh of July
Two Thousand and Two
at six o'clock in the evening
Jonathan's Caterers
14 Pixie Hill Lane
San Francisco, California

It is extremely important to order the correct quantity.  It is especially important not to order less than you need.  A big part of the initial cost to print invitations is in type setting and preparing the press for printing.  Thus, ordering the correct quantity of invitations is far more cost effective than having to reorder.

The published prices in our catalog clearly reflect this.  A very small increase in pricing occurs when quantities increase from 50 to 75 to 100.  The price for additional quantities of 25 after 100 is costlier.  However, the price of ordering a new set of invitations after printing the first batch is far greater because all the setup charges are back in effect.

Wait until you have definite times and sites for your ceremony and reception before submitting the wording.  Also, reevaluate your guest list.  You will have the opportunity to increase or decrease the initial quantity and have the price adjusted.

If possible, input your wording on a computer that has a spell check function and print it out.  This will drastically decrease the incidence of error.

You can request a proof at a slight additional charge for peace of mind.  A proof will increase the turnaround time of the order.  Also factor in extra time if you have a calligrapher address your envelopes.  Encore Invitations offers the option of calligraphy in any matching typeface without delaying the turn-around time.

Typically, mail the invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony and request a response date of two to four weeks.

Many invitations serve multiple purposes.  So even if an invitation looks like it is set up for a wedding ceremony, don't write it off - it could look perfect once your names are on it.

Also see The Wedding Guide for more advise for planning the perfect ceremony.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at StationerySource@aol.com.