Invitation Anatomy

Seating cards may be used to identify the proper spaces each guest should be seated at. These cards may be made for both the ceremony/formal event and reception. For weddings, ceremony cards are also known as? ew cards? whereas reception cards are considered? lace cards? There are many variations of seating cards. Some seating cards are simply number cards, while others may only discern? ride? side?and? room? side? or main auditorium, balcony level (for annual meetings), etc. Some seating cards can even state each guest? full name. Seating cards are usually small in size and may be folded horizontally. They usually match the invitation style exactly or coordinate with the theme and colours of the event or company logo (for corporate events). There are countless style options and variations available.

Thank You Cards

With respect to weddings, it is not only proper etiquette, but an expectation that the newlywed couple sends out Thank You cards. Your guests?wedding or shower gifts should be acknowledged in this form (even in addition to other personalized expressions of gratitude). Thank You cards have evolved over the years. The traditional card used to be a small book-fold card no bigger than 3? 5?containing a small handwritten expression of gratitude on one side, and a wallet-size wedding picture on the other side. Some modern alternatives include: Postcards that features a collage of wedding pictures on one side and a gratitude expression on the reverse; Cards that emulate the style and format of the invitation but contain the gratitude expression instead (picture may or may not be included); or the utilization of digital picture printing or even electronic Thank You cards.
Note: Electronic Thank You cards should always follow in conjunction with printed cards.
Nowadays, less couples are opting for the inclusion of photographs in their Thank You cards. Since the trend is towards smaller more intimate weddings, supplying photographs has become a permissible omission. Companies may also wish to send out? cknowledgement cards?to express appreciation to their guests for attending their event. I have seen the use of Acknowledgement cards/Thank You cards for smaller, more elite VIP events where guest lists may include diplomats, industry leaders, top company executives, politicians, and other dignitaries. Besides being a great reminder and advertising opportunity, it? also proper etiquette. Oftentimes, an appropriate gift accompanies the Acknowledgement/Thank You cards.

Residence Cards (or Change of Address Cards)

For the post-wedding couple: Residence cards (also called? t Home Cards? are an elegant way to communicate your new home or residence together to all your friends and family. These are small cards that may be sent with invitations or shortly after the wedding. They should include your names, your new home or residence address, phone number, and move-in date. For companies: Change of Address cards are critical to companies planning a major location change. Change of Address cards can stylishly inform your key business partners and clients of your new location. Address Cards have a better chance of getting noticed and acknowledged over common email, faxes, etc. They can easily save a lot of aggravation, time, and money - not to mention added exposure to clients and potential clients.

Website Cards

First, a bit of background: Many companies offer? ree web space?on the internet where you can design a website using some generic templates. Some companies are wedding-themed and offer couples an easy and? ow-tech?way of constructing a? edding website. ?The advantages of a? ed site?are numerous. You can personalize a space on the internet that is accessible by anyone in the world. You can update it with pictures, wedding details, gift registry information, quotations, letters, stories, and even solicit creative contributions from family and friends. Website cards are physical cards that can be included with your invitations directing your guests to your? ed site? Essentially the cards contain your names, and your email address(es). For companies: By now, most companies have websites (those that don? will surely get one to stay competitive). However, when companies first launch websites, a lot of money often gets thrown towards creative ways to market the website to the desired audience. Website cards? created much like miniature Announcement cards could be elegant and stylish and like Change of Address cards, they would get noticed. Nowadays, since most companies have a website and plaster it everywhere all over their letterheads, promotional items, and literatures, website cards have a role as a revived nostalgic marketing tool from the past.

Electronic Cards

Theoretically, any of these components? including invitations? can be created and sent electronically. While the possibility of exploring electronic alternatives to physical cards is a tempting one, it is not recommended. The dreams of a? aperless society?remain just that. What I mean is that nothing appropriately replaces stationery and physical invitations. Also, the proliferation of spam, unsolicited emails, virus email attachments, ad-ware, and spy-ware poses problems for the future of Electronic cards: 1) Filtering software may inadvertently delete an electronic card attachment or notice before its received, 2) Email is still not accepted as a? ormal?alternative to traditional invitations, 3) Given the? yber-battle?with spammers, email invitations suffer credibility and image problems, 4) Email screams frugality which undermines the nature of formal invitations. Weddings are still considered formal and traditional events. Even if every one of your guests is an active user of the internet, electronic cards and greetings (if sent) should always be sent in conjunction with traditional invitations. Acceptance of electronic cards as substitutes for invitations or invitation components is not yet a reality and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.

Registry Cards

Not just for weddings anymore? gift registries can be made for baby showers, graduations, retirements, anniversaries, house-warming parties, etc. Many retail companies accustomed to registries print and offer their own special? egistry cards?that displays their logo. A registry card announces an active registry with a retailer.
NOTE OF INTEREST: There is still some controversy over whether information regarding gift registries is better communicated through word-of-mouth rather than through invitations. At present, gift registry cards are quite normal and ubiquitous in the wedding invitation world. Ultimately, it is a personal choice to make.
Again, the list could truly fill several more pages easily. New components are being created all the time to fill the need to communicate specific messages through an invitation method. Also, other factors such as religious and cultural traditions may be incorporated into these or additional component of your invitation. Remember, part of the uniqueness of custom invitations is the personalized elements that make your invitation? uniquely yours!Laura Paladino's work has been featured locally and nationally across print and television. Her public and commercial clients range from brides to wedding and event planners to celebrities in Canada and the United States. For additional articles and resources, information on Laura Paladino, her invitation design collections, or her select bridal boutique products and studio services

• Announcement-This card announces the marriage to those not invited to attend the ceremony or following a civil ceremony. It is usually printed using the same design, color and lettering you select for your invitations. Announcements are normally mailed immediately after the wedding, or upon the couple's return from the honeymoon.

• At Home Cards-A formal and traditional way for newly weds to inform guests and relatives of their new address as a married couple.

• Blind Embossed-A raised design that is pressed into the paper without foil or ink.

• Bright White-A crisp, pure white for that pristine, wedding-white look.

• Copy-The wording you have chosen for your invitations and enclosure cards

• Corner Copy-A footnote on the lower right or left hand corner of the invitation, where you can put information about the reception, alternate ceremony, information, etc. Not all invitations can be printed with a corner copy, so make ask before ordering.

• Debossed- A similar process where the image is pressed into the paper as opposed to be raised.

• Deckle Edge-An uneven, feathery edge on a piece of paper. This edge is most commonly found on parchment invitations; however, other papers may also have deckle edges.

• Die Cut- The process of using sharp metal rules to cut shapes and designs into paper. Includes cutout shapes and sculpted edges.

• Direction Card-A card enclosed with your invitation that gives directions to the wedding and/or reception. A must-have for out of town weddings or if you expect a lot of out of town guests.

• Ecru-Coordinates with an ivory color scheme.

• Embossed-A process of creating a raised, bas relief image on paper, or other substrates. It is accomplished by pressing the paper against a three-dimensional die, creating the raised image.

• Foil Stamp-The process of fusing foil to paper. It is accomplished by pressing a thin layer of foil between the paper and a heated die. The image on the die effectively cuts and heats the foil, binding it permanently to the paper. Also known as “stamping” or “hot-stamping”.

• Front Panel Copy-A term we use to indicate that the invitation you have chosen has a place on the front for the bride and groom's names and or a verse.

• Hard Copy-Your wording printed in the font style and size as it will appear on your invitation and accessory cards. Printed in black ink on plain paper, a hard copy can be mailed or faxed.

• Informal Note-A note card that features the bride’s name, the bride's monogram or the names of the newly married couple on the front. It is blank inside for your personal handwritten message. It can be used as a thank you note or for short correspondence.

• Lined Envelope-A colored lining on the invitation inner envelope.

• Middle Panel Copy-It is a term we use to indicate that the invitation you have chosen has a place on the middle panel for the bride and groom's names and or a verse.

• Paragraph form-An invitation wording style with indented paragraphs and even margins. It is not typically used on invitations with a border. This format is considered less formal.

• Place Card-A small card set at a table place setting designating seating for the reception.

• Proof-A sample of what your print order will look like, before it is printed. It allows you to "proofread" the printer's work before it goes to press. Traditionally, this has been accomplished by providing a "hard-copy."

• Reception Card-Enclosed with the invitation, it notifies guests of the time and place of your reception.

• Respond Card-The respond card is filled out by the guest and returned so that you will have an accurate count of how many will be attending the ceremony and reception.

• Respond Envelope Copy-Respond envelope copy is the name and address you want printed on your respond envelopes.

• Return Address on Back Flap of Envelope-Your return address printed on the back flap of the outer invitation envelope.

• Save the Date Card-A card sent out 12-8 months before your wedding, letting guests know of your upcoming event. If you plan to have your wedding close to a holiday, or at a destination site, Save The Date Cards will be a courtesy to your guests. This will give them plenty of time to make work and travel arrangements.

• Soft White-A rich, creamy vanilla-colored paper that has the look of timeless elegance.

• Thank You Card-A thank you note is handwritten and should mention the gift that was given. This will let them know your appreciation of their thoughtful gift.

• Thermography-The process of creating raised lettering by applying a powder to the freshly laid ink and fusing it to the paper through the application of heat.

• Vellum-A finish applied to paper in the paper making process. It is a toothy finish, applied to increase the absorption rate of ink. It is generally available in higher quality papers. It has nothing to do with a paper's weight, color or opacity.