There is more to wedding invitations than meets the eye

The first impressions guests have of a wedding comes before the event itself through the wedding invitations. So it should come as no surprise to most brides and grooms-to-be currently in throes of wedding planning just how important the invites are.

As such, getting them 100 per cent right is something that requires a lot of time, thought, attention and sometimes money. But where to begin?

When it comes to wedding invitations, having a clear idea of what direction to take is important. For example, do you want to send save the date cards with RSVP attachments or just the bog standard invites? It is after making that decision that the fun really begins as there is so much that can be done to invites to make them interesting.

Choosing the type of paper or card you want to use will be one of the first priorities, followed by whether you want to include embellishments and the kind of ink you would prefer.

Importantly, such details should be tailored to reflect the type of wedding you are planning to have or the theme. For example, if you are inviting guests to a Christmas wedding, why not make the cards festive?

If money is an issue, one fad that has become very popular over recent years is making your own. Not only is it cheaper to do so, but it also gives a more personal touch to the wedding and the guests.

Many brides and grooms-to-be have been known to purchase handcrafting or invitation kits and throw invitation making parties for their friends. Not only is this a good cost-cutting method, it also gives others the chance to join in with the excitement of wedding planning. 

When it comes to deciding on the style of wedding invitations, having photographs of the couple transformed into cards is a popular option. While some consider this to be cheesy, it can be a great way to save money in the long run. 

Finally, the most important thing about wedding invites is what is written inside, so deciding on the text is always worth taking time over. Couples should establish whether they want to include a short romantic verse or a poem to highlight the theme, or if they wish to print simply a straightforward invite along the lines of "You are honourably invited to …"

At the end of the day, the text should fall in line with the type of wedding the couple is planning, for example formal or informal, traditional or unconventional.