TIP:

It is CHEAPER to order 25 extra invitations NOW than to have to reorder 25 more later!

Basic Information Needed To Order Invitations:

1. Bride and Grooms Full Names

2. Parents Names (if wanted)

3. Day / Date / Time of Ceremony

4. Church / Facility Name and Address

Regarding Ordering Online:

Merchandise is portrayed as accurately as possible in your preview.
Actual card size, colors and imprint may vary slightly.
All text will be adjusted as needed to fit the card properly.
If spaces are requested between text lines, they will not appear in the preview,
but will be represented on the printed product.

Please proof your item carefully.

Once your order is placed, you agree that you have proofed your design, verified your
information and authorize printing.

If you are concerned about paper weight we recommend ordering a sample as card stocks vary in weight.

The Bride's Guide

to Ordering Wedding Stationery and
Generally Accepted Rules of Etiquette

Courtesy of Regency Thermographers:

Your Wedding Stationery...will be a reflection of your good taste and personal style.
The Bride's Guide is intended to show you beautiful wedding stationery with the socially correct usage.

Wedding Invitations
The Invitation is the most important part of your Wedding Invitation Ensemble. It shows who is getting married, the day, time, year and location and hosts. The Invitation is mailed approximately six to eight weeks before the ceremony. Invitations may be issued by the parents of the bride or by the bride and groom themselves. If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent may issue the invitation. If both parents are deceased, a guardian, a close relative or a family friend may serve as the sponsor and issue the invitation. Examples of these formats are provided below.

Invitation Envelopes
Traditionally, Wedding Invitations and Announcements have two envelopes, an inner and an outer. Plain ones are included at no additional charge. The Invitation is inserted into the inner envelope facing the back flap, with the names of those invited handwritten on the front. The inner envelope is addressed "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (first names omitted), without address. Avoid using the phrase "and family". All family members should be included, for example: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", "Julie and Andrew". After the inner envelope is properly addressed, place it in an outer envelope which is sealed and addressed. The inner envelope usually does not have a gummed flap and is often ordered with a colored lining. Colored envelope linings are made available to you at a slight additional charge. Select from the lining colors shown. The inner envelope is then inserted into the outer envelope, which is sealed and mailed. To assure that the invited guests receive your invitation, we recommend that you have your return address printed on the outer envelope flap. Envelopes should never be typed but should be written by hand.

Abbreviations of Courtesy Titles
The abbreviations for Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Dr. are used as proper titles. Always write out titles for clergy, judges and military officers.

Addresses
House numbers are expressed in figures except for the house number "One". No commas are used when separating digits in house numbers. Apartment numbers, suite numbers, box numbers and rural route numbers are expressed in figure form. Addresses of churches, clubs or public buildings are usually omitted because such addresses are public knowledge and generally well known. However, a street address may be shown below the name of the church or club if such an address is considered necessary for clear direction.

Free Addressing Guide
You will receive a free Envelope Addressing Guide with every invitation order, which also includes instructions for folding and inserting your invitations as our way of saying "Thank you".

Postage
Depending on the number of enclosures and the size and weight of your invitation, extra postage may be needed. Bring one of your invitation ensembles (including all enclosures) to your local Post Office so they can tell you how much postage is required. Be sure to ask to see their selection of decorative stamps for your invitation and
response envelopes.

Wedding Seals
Envelope Seals are placed on the outer envelope flap to give your invitation a more attractive appearance.

Reception Cards
This card is enclosed with the Invitation to show the time and place of the reception. The Reception Card is inserted with the Invitation into the inner envelope.

Response Cards with Printed Return Address Envelopes
This card is enclosed with the Invitation so that you can finalize reception arrangements and provide for all who plan to attend. It is a nice and convenient way for guests to reply. The Return Envelope is printed with the address of the person(s) issuing the invitation. The printed Return Envelope is included in the price of the Respond Cards.


Wedding Announcements
The Wedding Announcement is sent to those who have not been invited to the wedding. Announcements can be the same as your Invitations in terms of design, ink color and lettering (Just change the wording). Any Invitation  may be used as a Wedding Announcement. Announcements may be sent to friends or relatives who live far away, old friends who have been out of contact with the bride and groom, business associates and friends who cannot be included because of limited space or resources. Announcements are usually addressed beforehand and mailed immediately after the wedding.

Wedding Thank You and Informal Personal Notes
The Informal Personal Note may be personalized with the names of the Bride and Groom, the Bride's name only or a monogram. They are perfect for a personal thank you and for many other occasions when a brief correspondence is necessary. We can print the words "Thank You" on any Informal Personal Note, using the same elegant raised lettering and ink color as your invitation. Informal Personal Notes and Thank You Notes come with a matching envelope. Your return address may be printed on the envelope flap for a slight additional charge.


Mother and Father LIVING
Use Conventional Invitation Format as Follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
on Saturday, the eighth of June
two thousand and five
at four o'clock in the afternoon
Saint Ann Church
Richmond, Virginia

If the Wedding is held at the Home of a friend,
substitute in place of Church
the following wording:
...at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carl Powell
875 Baker Street
Richmond, Virginia


Mother or Father DECEASED
and Living Parent has NOT REMARRIED

MOTHER Issuing Invitation:
Mrs. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann
to Mr. Paul David Brooks

FATHER Issuing Invitation:
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to Mr. Paul David Brooks


Mother or Father DECEASED
and Living Parent has REMARRIED

MOTHER REMARRIED Issuing Invitation
using her Present Husband's name:
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Spencer
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann Williams
to Mr. Paul David Brooks

FATHER REMARRIED Issuing Invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks

(In either of these cases, if the Bride is close
to her stepparent, the phrase
"at the marriage of their daughter" is acceptable.)


Mother and Father DECEASED
and Brother or Sister issues Invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his sister
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks
or
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kelley
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her sister
Kimberly Ann Williams
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks


BRIDE'S Parents and GROOM'S
Parents issuing Invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
and
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Kimberly Ann
and Paul David


BRIDE and GROOM issuing
OWN Invitation

Miss Kimberly Ann Williams
and
Mr. Paul David Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at their marriage

The word "Ms." may be substituted for "Miss".


DIVORCED Parents issuing Invitation

DIVORCED Mother's Invitation:
Mrs. Stephanie Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks

DIVORCED Father's Invitation:
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks

DIVORCED Parents Both Issuing Invitation:
Mrs. Stephanie Williams
and
Mr. Brian Williams
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
to
Mr. Paul David Brooks


SECOND MARRIAGES

Invitations to the marriage of a young divorcee or
widow do not differ from those of a first marriage
except that the Bride's married name and her title may be used:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Ms. Kimberly Ann Williams Smith
to Mr. Paul David Brooks

GROOM'S FAMILY Issuing Invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brooks
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Kimberly Ann Williams
to their son
Mr. Paul David Brooks

Either "Miss" or "Ms." are used when the
sponsors of the wedding are not relatives.


DOUBLE WEDDINGS

When Brides are SISTERS:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Kimberly Ann
to Mr. Paul David Brooks
and
Jenna Elaine
to
Dr. Timothy Lee Andrews

When Brides are NOT SISTERS:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moreland
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughters
Kimberly Ann Williams
to Mr. Paul David Brooks
and
Lauren Renee Moreland
to
Mr. Christian Robert Stewart


RECEPTION Invitation
Issued when Ceremony is PRIVATE:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding reception of their daughter
Kimberly Ann
and
Mr. Paul David Brooks
Saturday, the eighth of June
two thousand and five
at six o'clock in the evening
The Riverside Inn
Richmond, Virginia


Correct Use of Military Rank on Wedding Invitations

NAVY

ENSIGN and HIGHER RANK:
to
Paul David Brooks
Ensign, United States Navy

PETTY OFFICER and SEAMEN:
to
Paul David Brooks
United States Navy


ARMY, AIR FORCE AND MARINES

CAPTAIN or HIGHER RANK:
to
Captain Paul David Brooks
United States Army

LIEUTENANT:
to
Paul David Brooks
Lieutenant, United States Army

NON-COMS and PRIVATES:
to
Paul David Brooks
United States Army

Assembling Invitations

Here are the pieces of your invitation order:

Invitations: Sheets containing printed copy.

Tissues: Traditional sheet used to cover printing.

Enclosures: Reception card, at home card, map card, respond card and envelope.

Inside(Inner) Envelopes: Slightly smaller envelope with no glue on flap. Color liners optional.

Outside Envelopes: Larger envelope with glue on the flap. These are the ones that you can choose to have the return address printed on the back flap.

1. Fold your invitations

There are single fold or a French fold (requiring two folds). Some styles of invitations will have a cover design, then the invitation will be folded so that the printed copy appears on the inside. If there is no design, the printed copy will appear on the front after it is folded.

2. Assemble the parts of your invitations

After the invitation is folded. the tissue is placed over the printed copy. The tissues are furnished with most invitations. The tissues will adhere to each other, so separate carefully - if you run short, do not worry. They are not necessary as they are an old custom dating back to when the printing ink did not dry. Then the invitation, along with the accompanying cards, (the enclosures are placed face down on top of the tissue) is placed in the inside envelope when inserted.

3. The INSIDE envelope is addressed as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Brock - - First names are omitted

With Children:

Mr. and Mrs. Brock

John, Sue and Tim

Children are in order of age. Children over the age of sixteen should receive a separate invitation. (Omitting the children's names infers they are not invited)

4. The OUTSIDE envelope is handwritten and addressed with formal name and complete mailing address.

The inside envelope is placed into the larger outside envelope with the name of the guest facing the back. The outside envelope is then sealed. If you did not have the return address printed on the envelope, you should write out your return address on the back flap of the envelope. Address label stickers are not a good idea.

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