How to Choose Your Wedding Invitations

I advise you to put some thought into your wedding invitations’, because this is the first impression a guest will get about your wedding, yourself and your spouse to be. They will get your invitation and then decide if they will or will not attend. 

The choice of invitations’ goes far beyond the color or texture of your paper or the style font you choose.  It should show your personal taste and be descriptive to the viewer.  The wording needs to be appropriate and original.  You will want them to be as unique as you and your partner are.

Coordinate with the style and theme. Formal or not they should reflect this.  For example if you are having a beach wedding or getting married on the top of a mountain you would not want it to project high heels stain or tuxedos.

Font will be one of our first decisions.  You will want it to get the viewers attention without detracting from the important stuff like date, time and location.

Make sure your matches your significant others personality and style of your wedding.  If you are having a formal wedding cursive may not be the best choice, keep it simplistic.

Your next decision will be paper.  There are many thicknesses and styles available.  If you are planning on a tri-fold you don’t want the paper too thick.  If you are sending a one page invitation then ticker is appropriate.  There are single, bi-fold, and tri-fold as well as others.

Single fold is normally used for more casual verses a bi or tri fold for more fancy (formal) weddings. In the end it is simply your choice and preference.

You will have the option of including RSVP cards and/or stamped return envelopes for a more prompt reply. (Adds additional cost) It’s best to include a RSVP by date.  This will help on your planning for number attendance.  Guest count is crucial for the reception plans.  Your RSVP cards should match or be very close to your invitations’.

If you are having a local company print or online printer you should always get a proof before printing all of them.  Proof and proof again, and then have a friend proofread as well.  Most companies will charge for error changes after printed in bulk. They will ask you to sign off on a proof, and you pretty much own them after you do so. Typo’s are no fun, and can be very costly.  So just take a breath, read and re-read your invitation before final approval.  Note:  Double check your guest list to make sure you are not short or have too many left over invitations’.

It is recommended that you order the wedding invitations 3-4 months before your wedding day. Usually, the ideal time to send to out the wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before the day of the wedding. 

The History of the Wedding Invitation

The first step that you will take in planning your dream wedding is the wedding invitation.  You have the freedom to choose the designs, deciding who will be invited, and determining the overall turnout of the crowd at your wedding.  However, when and why was the tradition of the wedding invitation initiated?   

The first form of wedding invitations was announced by word-of-mouth.  These were the days before we had any type of printing press.  Sometime around the 12th century, town criers would announce weddings in the village square to anyone that would listen.  A town crier was actually a person who was paid to stand on the corner and announce important news.  This is similar to a news anchor that we have on television today.  Anyone in earshot of the crier was invited to the wedding.  This is surprising, considering how much we obsess over the total headcount of weddings today. 
 
The first written wedding invitation occurred during the Middle Ages in Europe.  They were commonly written by monks.  Due to the Black Plague, literacy rates dropped considerably.  Therefore, only the religious figures and those with noble blood were able to learn to read or write.  Wealthy members of the town who needed to announce the marriage of their children would pay large sums of money to the monks to hand-craft the wedding invitations.  Monks were educated in the art of calligraphy, which is the skill that the royalty admired.  After the wedding invitations were finished, a courier on horseback would deliver the invitations to the guests.   

Around the 1600s, the invention of the metal plate engraver was initiated.  This is the same type of printing process that we use today for a wedding invitation.  As a result, hand-written invitations became less popular and were replaced with elaborately engraved wedding invitations.  After the engraver would finish with a wedding invitation, a sheet of thin paper would be placed on top so that it would not smudge.  Hence the reason that you see the tissue left inside of invitations today.   

After the printing press became popular during the 18th century, wedding invitations were announced in newspapers.  This is also known as a wedding announcement today.  In Wales, letters were sent to people to let them know about upcoming weddings in the area.  The invitations printed in the papers differ from those today.  Typically, during this time period, all of the details would be listed such as the date and time.  However, a wedding announcement in the paper in our world today is printed after the ceremony has taken place.   

During the Age of Enlightenment time period, literacy rates increased.  Meaning that more people were able to read and write.  Many people started sending paper invitations for weddings again.  Shortly after, fine stationery became popular which helped in the paper invitation process.  The postal system was also created to help in delivering the invitations.  However, many people were wary of the postal system, and they would continue to use their personal couriers to deliver their mail.  This was one of the main reasons that the double envelope method was introduced with the wedding invitation.  It ensured the sender that it would not became damaged before the receiver was able to view the invitation.   

Today, engraving is still popular, as well as hand-written invitations.  However, many people use an easier and less expensive method by printing the invitations on their home printer system.  This enables the sender to personalize their wedding invitation, as well as add embellishments that they would not be able to get at other places.  The paper wedding invitation continues to be a personal preference of many couples, and remains a nice personal touch.

Hawaii Honeymoons

Hawaii is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations by newlyweds. Even though there are a lot of other exotic hot spots, Hawaii still comes up on top. The reasons why so many Americans flock to Hawaii for their honeymoon are numerous. Hawaii is one of the easiest tropical islands to visit. No passport is needed and no international hassles for a destination wedding! Plus, numerous amenities and the quality of the hotels is much higher than on many tropical islands. The weather is terrific year round, including sunny skies and cool trade breezes.

A honeymoon in Hawaii also includes white sand beaches, lush forests, volcanoes, and dramatic coastlines. This scenic variety, mixed with the rich, native Hawaiian culture, creates the perfect romantic honeymoon in Hawaii. Each island, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Hawaii, and Molokai, has unique beauty and charm.

Many types of activities are available for those who want to relax to the more active or adventurous couples. A great way to see the islands of Hawaii is by helicopter. Pass over the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” or the dramatic lava fields for breathtaking views. When it comes to water activities, Hawaii has almost anything imaginable. These include swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, windsailing, jet skiing, outrigger canoeing, and kayaking. For those who need to get out on the town, spend some time in Honolulu for fun nightlife.

Hawaii has outstanding luxury hotels and resorts. For couples on a budget, many affordable accommodations are also available. Some of the best restaurants in the world are scattered among the islands. Local Hawaiian cuisine, including fresh fish, succulent fruit and locally grown coffee, is popular, but there are many varieties of restaurants. Hawaii offers everything couples could want for the perfect tropical honeymoon.

Maui Honeymoons

Maui is truly one of the world’s preferred honeymoon destinations. Fragrant flowers, gentle trade winds and abundance of natural beauty also makes Maui a favorite for destination weddings. Once you are settled into one of Maui’s exclusive resorts or a secluded bed and breakfast, you will want to explore this marvelous island.

Deeply imbedded in geological and Hawaiian history, a Maui tour will captivate you with its native charms and extraordinary beauty. You might want to rent a car to take full advantage of the sites. Hidden beaches with contrasting hues of snow white to black sand are one of the many reasons so many couples travel to Maui. Spending a perfect relaxing day lying on Maui’s many enticing beaches is not like any other. With its crystal clear waters, sunbathing is an enjoyable way to pass the day.

Although Maui has an abundance of water activities, whale and dolphin sightseeing are especially unique opportunities. The best time to go is July and August, although viewing can happen throughout the year. For romantic evenings, sundowner cruises are popular from just cocktails to full course dinner trips. Maui also has an active nightlife, including bars, clubs, and other entertainment such as the renowned Slack Key Guitar concert series.

Romantic Things to do in Maui

1. Oheo Gulch Paihi Bridge takes visitors to Hana to discover the pools of Oheo Gulch where you can relax in paradise.

1. Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm Located on the slopes of Haleakala, walk hand-in-hand through the beautiful lavender fields.
2. Haleakala National Park Land adventures include a trip to Haleakala National Park or the 11-mile summit drive around Kilauea Volcano via Crater Rim Drive. In addition to encircling the summit caldera, this scenic drive will take you by the Ka`u Desert and through a tropical rain forest. If you hike, take your boots since access to trails is available. Rent a mountain bike and take a breathtaking ride down the side of Haleakala volcano all the way to the sea.
3. Romantic Maui LuauA luau is the perfect place to go for lovers. There is a lot of food, great music and dance, plus, you may be brought up on stage to participate! There are many different shows to choose from in Maui.
4. Wai’anapanapa State Park Take a dip at the stunning black-sand beach or in the cave pool where an ancient princess once hid.

Romantic Dining in Maui

1. Capische Located in Wailea at the Diamond Hawaii Resort & Spa, Capische is a small, romantic Italian restaurant. Dine on the terrace, overlooking a Japanese rock garden and the Pacific Ocean. Or for a unique dining experience with your personal chef preparing your food tableside at Il Teatro. Set among lush gardens, this will be a memorable honeymoon evening.
2. Gerard’s Great dining for extraordinary French cruise that incorporates Maui’s island flavors. Gerard’s, at The Plantation Inn, resembles a French countryside restaurant. Their garden patio is an ideal enjoy a romantic evening or relax in the air-conditioned dining room. For wine lovers, sample wine from Gerard’s award winning wine list.
3. Pacific’O Enjoy outstanding ocean views, tiki torches and gentle waves lapping on the shore while dining at Pacific’O. Using mostly produce grown in their personal garden and locally caught fish, this seafood restaurant offers some of Maui’s most succelent cuisine. They also specialize in catering weddings including all necessary amenities, such as tables, chairs, photograher, flowers, and more.
4. Son’z Maui at Swan Court Nothing could be more romantic than swans swimming nearby your table. Son’z Maui offers the perfect, romantic backdrop with open-air dining among waterfalls. With the largest wine cellar in Hawaii and remarkable European/Hawaiian cuisine, Son’z Maui will create the ideal honeymoon evening.
5. Spago Situated in the Four Seasons Resort Maui, this 4-star restaurant offers a relaxed, contemporary setting. There are great ocean views and striking murals of sea anemones with seating either inside or on the exterior lanai.

St. Lucia Honeymoons

When thinking of St. Lucia, most people picture the Pitons, the two volcanic cones that rise high above the island. The lush vegetation coving the mountainous island is the perfect backdrop for an island vacation. The volcano activity also created several places on the island to enjoy bathing in hot, volcanic water, which is said to have therapeutic qualities. The waters around the island must be salutary as well, since marine life is abundant, making St. Lucia the perfect diving location.

Scuba diving isn’t the only draw to St. Lucia, there are plenty of other watersports to keep visitors busy, including: snorkeling, boat charter, deep-sea fishing, waterskiing and parasailing. When ready to relax, the fine white sand beaches are the perfect place to pass the day. While lying on the beach, you are surrounded by verdant mountains and crystal blue waters. You can explore the mountains on one of the many hiking trails. And besides enjoying the thousands of acres of rainforest on hiking trail, you can also enjoy one of the three golf courses on the island.

With so much natural beauty, St. Lucia is an idyllic honeymoon destination. Just pick one of the many luxury resorts on the island to spend the day, and you will enjoy every minute.