Your London Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 66)

Whatever your choice, do bear in mind that your invitation’s primary purpose is to convey information so legibility is key. “Care needs to be taken when selecting your fonts, especially with ornate calligraphy styles or script, which although beautiful, are not always easy to read,” warns Vaishali. “Also, you need to check that the colour combinations you’ve chosen will print well – for example, blush can be too pale against a white background or gold does not always show up clearly against certain colours or on select paper stocks.” IT’S ONLY WORDS – OR IS IT? Your wedding style will also influence your invitation’s tone of voice. Whether you opt for the traditional wording (with the bride’s parents named as the hosts) or a less formal adaptation, the key to nailing it is to keep it simple. “Don’t be tempted to overcrowd your invitation, simplicity is key,” says Alpa. “Include your names, the names of the hosts (if different) and the date, time and place of your wedding. All additional information can be added on a separate paper or insert.” And once you’ve come up with your ideal wording, don’t forget to check for errors. After all, as we’ve already discussed, this is not a Facebook post – if you make grammatical errors or typos on your invitation, they will be preserved for posterity. With that in mind, if proof-reading isn’t your forte, then draft in a friend or family member to help you go over the details. Our top tips include printing out a copy or requesting a physical proof (also a good opportunity to feel the weight and quality of the card), leaving a good amount of time between your first draft and final check as it’s more difficult to spot mistakes immediately after you’ve finished typing, and looking for one thing at a time. For example, first, verify the details – is the date correct? Are your names spelt properly? Next, read over for sense, which is where you could spot any grammatical errors or awkward phrasing. Common mistakes will include unnecessary apostrophes and mixing up ‘their’ and ‘there’ – FYI, it’s ‘together with their families’ not ‘together with there families’. And last, look at layout – are there any awkward floating words or is one line a little too close to the margin for comfort? YOU DO THE MATH There’s no denying, of course, that in the digital versus print argument, the former has one big advantage – and that’s budget. While digital communication is rarely free – you do need to pay for those electronic devices, your internet and mobile service and often, indirectly, for the websites and email services you use in the form of cookies, ads, constant spam etc – it’s undeniably cheaper to send out a WhatsApp than a printed invitation. However, there are some common mistakes couples make when budgeting that could help you save some pennies on print. For example, don’t forget that the number of invitations you require does not equate to the number of people you’re expecting to attend. “You don’t need to send a card to everyone on your guestlist,” confirms Alpa. “Here’s how you can work it out: you will need one invitation per family, with the exception of children who live on their own. Couples should get one envelope with both their names on it.” “As a general rule, you’ll probably only need invitations for 60 to 65 per cent of your overall guestlist,” suggests Vaishali. “When placing your order, it’s always a good idea to allow for a few extra (we advise 10 per cent) to account for last-minute additions to the guestlist, personal keepsakes and any mistakes during addressing and assembly.” The weight or the size of the card you choose can also increase or reduce postage costs, so that’s something to bear ananyacards.com ananyacards.com papier.com papier.com dapperandbride.com 72