At The Paper Garden, we know that planning your special event can be an overwhelming experience. There are many details to consider. For those of you who may be planning a wedding, below are just a few helpful hints to guide you in the right direction. 

"Save the Date" Announcements 
When your guest lists consists of family and friends who are spread out over several states, you may wish to send "save the date" announcements 5-6 months prior to sending out your wedding invitations. If you’re planning a destination wedding, your "save the date" mailing should go out about 9-12 months prior to the wedding. This will provide ample time for guests to make travel arrangements and to plan to take extra time off from work if they want to stretch your wedding into a vacation of their own.

Ordering wedding invitations
If possible, you will want to think about your invitations 6-8 months in advance, and order invitations at least 4-6 months prior to you wedding date, as most vendors need 3-6 weeks to prepare your order after your final proof approval. This will allow sufficient time for assembling, addressing and stamping the invitations. It is also wise to order an additional 25-50 envelopes to cover any mistakes made in addressing as well as 10-15 additional invitations for any guests you may have forgotten.

Mailing the invitations
Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks prior to the wedding. Be sure to verify questionable zip codes and to weigh a completely assembled invitation at the post office to determine the correct postage needed.

Finding a calligrapher
Be sure to ask your stationer for calligrapher references. Let’s say you go to the calligrapher’s studio and love the work. Ask yourself: How good is the calligrapher’s work when she says she can finish in less than two weeks? Ask for names and numbers of clients and call them to ask if they were happy with the results.

Honoring loved ones
Any parent or important loved one not mentioned on the invitation -- either because they were not officially hosting or there was not enough space to include them -- can, and should, be recognized in writing within the ceremony program or by a special toast at the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception.

Wedding programs 
You don’t have to have someone hand out your wedding programs. Other ideas? Put two beautiful baskets, tin pails, or antique trays (whatever works with your wedding style) containing all the programs at the entrance to the ceremony site so that guests can grab one as they arrive; or lay the programs flat on each chair under pieces of colored sea glass (so that the programs won’t blow away).

Personalized stationery
Order a set of personalized stationery to reflect your newly married status and use it for your thank-you notes.

Mailing thank-you notes
When to send those nagging thank-you cards? The rule is that you’re supposed to get thank-yous out for gifts received before the wedding within two weeks after they arrive; after the wedding, within a month after you return from the honeymoon.

To learn more helpful hints and have many of your questions answered, please schedule an appointment to visit The Paper Garden. Upon visiting us, you will also receive our specialized planning guide for your wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or any other special event you may be planning.