Tips for Brides

GENERAL TIPS FOR WEDDING INVITATIONS

• When choosing invitations, keep the theme of your wedding in mind
• If you want to order invitations, do so at least five months before your wedding
• Children who still live with their parents but are 18 years or older should receive their own invitations
• Put the full names of the main invited guests on the envelope; don't use nicknames.
• If you are not inviting the children, don't put their names on the wedding invitation
• Your parents and your future parents-in-law should also get invitations
• If you don't want someone at your wedding, don't invite them
• Invitations should be sent out at least six weeks before your wedding and not later than four weeks
• Make sure that there are no spelling mistakes on any of the invitations or envelopes
• And that people's names and surnames are spelled correctly
• Put appropriate postage on envelopes (the square 16x16cm envelopes require two standard postage stamps).

TIMELY FASHION

Invitations are usually sent out about two months before the wedding. If you are being married at a popular holiday time, for example Easter, Christmas, or during a long weekend, you will need to send them out earlier. Alternatively a simple Save-the-Date card, can prove quite helpful informing your invited guests to save, reserve and book the date of your wedding.

PROOFREAD

Here is a quick checklist of what to look for when proofreading your invitation:

• Are all names spelled correctly with the proper titles?
• Is the date and time right? • Does the day of the week correspond with the date?
• Are the address and name of the wedding site correct?
• Have you double-checked phone numbers?
• Are words capitalized that are supposed to be?
• Are footnotes (such as attire suggestions) included?
• Are the maps/driving directions correct?

PLEASE CHECK YOUR FINAL PROOF VERY CAREFULLY. ELSJE DESIGNS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS, AND WILL NOT INCUR THE COSTS OF REPRINTING ORDERDS, NOR WILL WE REFUND YOU.

Please note that our website address will appear on each of your wedding invitations in 6pt font: www.elsje.co.za

ENVELOPES

At an additional fee I can print the addresses in the exact style (font and colour) you had your invitations printed in. The address list must be submitted in a digital format – only as an Excel or Word document. Please see to it that your addresses are correct and complete with postal codes etc. Important: note that a R250 additional fee will be charged if the address list is not supplied as a list with names and addresses supplied all below one another, eg:

Mr & Mrs F Gerber
P O Box 1
Town
9809

Mr P du Toit
Church Street
Town
7898
etc

Please group the hand delivered envelopes together and the envelopes that you would like to mail (with addresses) together.

If all family members are be included, it is best not to use the words "and family." Instead, list all guests' names, keeping in mind those names of children may be spelled out, for example: "Molly and Tristan," and written below the parents' names in order of age.

Address close relatives informally, i.e. "Aunt Alice."

If you are including an invitation for an escort whose name you do not know, you will need to ask for the escort's name.

REPRINTS

We advise you to order extra quantities of all printed materials.
Should you require more, the cost of reprinting is much higher than the cost of initially ordering extras.

OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY

A3 table seating plan; Contemporary Seating Ideas; Order of Service; Menu’s(eg menus printed as serviette bands); Favor/Gift Ideas; Thank you cards (using your favourite wedding photographs);

PLEASE NOTE: IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO BOOK STUDIO TIME WHEN ORDERING ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED ITEMS. THE BOOKING HAS TO BE MADE AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE AND THE COMPLETED ITEMS SHOULD BE COLLECTED FROM MY STUDIO AT LEAST THREE WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

The decision as to the guests' dress rests with the host. If the invitation contains no indication in this regard, lounge suit is assumed to be appropriate. In the case of a dinner or a reception given after 6:00 p.m., it is advisable to indicate the type of dress required.

“In a tuxedo, I’m a star. In regular clothes, I’m nobody.”
Dean Martin

INFORMAL WEAR:

Lounge suit and afternoon dress is usually indicated for receptions held after 6:00 p.m. This attire may be also worn for morning coffee parties, luncheons, afternoon tea and receptions, sherry parties, garden parties, evening outdoor receptions, and evening receptions.
Men: Suit and tie. The more important the ceremony, the darker the suit.
Ladies: Afternoon dress or suit for luncheons and afternoon activities.

FORMAL WEAR:

Indicated for receptions during the day.
Men: Morning coat
Ladies: Afternoon dress

Indicated for dinners and evening functions, but never worn during the day.

Men: Dinner jacket (black tie)
Ladies: Dinner dress

Indicated for evening functions, balls, dinners, receptions and weddings; never worn during the day.

Both partners should be in evening dress:
Men: White tie or "tails"
Ladies: Long evening gown

CASUAL DRESS:

Men: Slacks and open-necked shirt; jacket (if one is worn, may be removed on arrival).
Ladies: Comfortable, practical attire appropriate to the occasion.

BRIDAL REGISTRY
GIFTS FOR THE BRIDAL COUPLE

IF YOU DO NOT WANT GIFTS:

Briefly state that gifts are not wanted or needed.
Explain that their presence is the only gift you need.

IF YOU WOULD PREFER CASH INSTEAD OF GIFTS:

You don't print this normally in your invitation,
but you can enlist your network of attendants, friends, and family to tell
guests via word of mouth about your preference—if and when they're asked.
In any case, some people will still want to mark the occasion with an actual gift,
so registering for at least a few items is a good idea.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AT THE WEDDING

Make sure parents know if their children are welcome. If you prefer that the children NOT attend, contact the parents to make sure they have made arrangements for a sitter. If anyone asks about children, you can say something along the lines of, "We're really sorry we won't be able to include them, but it's really very formal (if it is), We won't have anything to keep them busy, and we don't want them to be bored" - and your guests should get the hint."

If the parents are traveling from out-of-town, have a list of sitters available. If they're already paying for plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc., finding and hiring a babysitter might be a real strain and/ or inconvenience. Be as helpful as possible. Also, be aware that most parents will not trust "just anyone" with their kids.

Offer an on-site nursery. "An on-site babysitter is loads easier for parents to deal with, in comparison with one at their own house, since they can drop in and check on the kid(s) frequently, and there's no problem with leaving the kid alone for long with an unfamiliar babysitter out of state."

NO CHILDREN: WORDING THAT SENDS A CLEAR BUT KIND MESSAGE

Print one of the following notations on the invitation:

Adult reception following

Adult Occasion

No Children Please

An Occasion for Adults

Adults only

Due to limitations, we are unable to have the pleasure of children's company.

While Carol and Jeff adore children, unfortunately the reception site cannot accommodate them.
We are very sorry if this is an inconvenience to you.

We respectfully request that only children over the age of ____ attend our wedding,
since the length and nature of the ceremony will be a burden for younger ones.
Thank you for your understanding.

Since the wedding festivities are adults only, contact your hotel, or Jason & Lucy, if you need help finding a babysitter.

Children may be dropped off at the home of Donna Atwood (inc. address), at 6 o'clock, where plenty of fun, food, games (and supervision) will be provided! We want everyone to have a great time celebrating our wedding and reception!

If you would not want children at the wedding, the next wording might be considered:
Our goal for our celebration is for you to come and enjoy our party, to relax and have fun. We love children and know what a huge responsibility they are, requiring supervision and attention. We would like our ‘parent’ guests to ‘take the day off’ and have fun with us. Therefore, we are asking that only the ‘big kids’ come and leave the ‘little ones’ with someone they love, hoping that you all will be able to relax and have fun!”