Invitation Poll

LaFemmeRousse

Hi ladies- it's time to get serious about invitations, so I'm having a selfish poll

Did you or do you plan to...

*use both an inner and outer envelope?
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing?
*do meal choices or not?
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery?

KimWard

Did you or do you plan to...

*use both an inner and outer envelope? Nope
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? No again- only had the RVSP card. I had the accomodations listed on a regular piece of paper.
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? I didn't do a wedding website, so N/A for me. But I'd list it on the same card/paper as your accomodations.
*do meal choices or not? No meal choices, since we had a buffet.
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) Nope- just used the forever stamps.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? No calligrapher- I just hand-wrote all of the addresses myself. I used address labels for the return address! *gasp*
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Didn't do a reception menu, and the ceremony programs and invitations were completely different. They did fit into my overall spring theme though.

I'm not the best person to ask on this though, since I went pretty economical on invites. I just didn't see the use in spending a lot of money on them.

Er/jer

*use both an inner and outer envelope? Just outer
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes I did, but I don't think it necessary
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? No - and I think it's appropriate as long as you know people have website access.  I knew most of his family doesn't, so it wouldn't have worked for me.
*do meal choices or not?  No - we had a buffet
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)  I think I had whatever nicer stamps for the outer envelope.  For the RSVP envelope I ended up using forever stamps
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? No - I printed labels (GASP!!) And I used labels for the return address as well.
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Yes, it was easy though, since I designed it all.

gmc22

*use both an inner and outer envelope? Hopefully, Yes - depending on which invites I choose.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Not yet sure if I'm going to add cards in the invitation, or just give them the link to my wedding website where they can find all of the info. Depends on the price I guess - may do both.

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? I'm definitely adding my wedding website, and I think it is appropriate to do so. I'm just not sure if I will do both, or one or the other. For me, I am including the wedding website b/c there are going to be a lot of OOT guests and I don't want to add accomodations cards, etc. to the invites for my Pittsburgh guests, as they wont need them.
 
*do meal choices or not? I hope to, but I haven't yet talked with the catering co. about options. The wedding coord. that the museum provides told me that most couples have either one meal or two meals on one plate. To be honest, I prefer to let the guests choose which plate they would like b/c everyone has different likes/dislikes.

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) YES! I definitley want to do this! I also saw somewhere that you can get custom made stamps... I thought that was a fun idea!!

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? Again, I'm hoping to - I just have to see how much etc. I have not yet REALLY looked into a calligrapher, but saw some options on Etsy

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Yes - I love photoshop, and was planning on DIY'ing the programs, reception menu, table #'s, and escort cards - I am hoping to 'match' everything to the invites... 

CLW102409

*use both an inner and outer envelope? just an outer - inner was totally unnecessary
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? yes, I did pocketfolds with separate everything, since most of our guests were from OOT.
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? No wedding website was included - since most of guest were older and probably not too computer savvy, I didn't want to confuse them by adding a website to the mix.
*do meal choices or not? I did meal choices and personalize RSVP cards so that our guest new who was invited and I didn't have to go through the +1 fiasco
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) the typical PO "wedding stamp" was sold out at the 4th Ave post office but they had these cute king & queen of hearts stamps that I ended up using - our stamp cost was .88 per envelope so it was cute putting both the king & queen on each envelope, plus the also had gold in the stamp that matched our gold envelope.  Corny, I know!
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? I had my mom write the envelopes (her handwriting is so beautiful), I created an ink stamp for my return address - LMM or LLM (not sure of the correct name) caligraphers is a good choice I was going to use her services - found her on Craigslist.
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? my programs were the Heinz Chapel program, I used their inner paper for our info, used the chocolate brown font color and the font we used throughout invitation to keep everything looking the same.  I did not use a menu since I find them to be uncessary!

duqcheer04

use both an inner and outer envelope? No.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes, I'm using pocketfolds.

*include your wedding website address?  Yes, it will be on the accommodations insert, for more informaiton about hotels.

Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? Yes!

*do meal choices or not? Haven't decided yet.  We are probably going to go with a sit down, which would require meal choices.

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors).  I'm going to be cheap and go with whatever they have.  In the end, it will be in the trash!

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? Not doing calligraphy, between myself and BMs enough have really nice hand writing. 

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? For me, ivory is my "go to" color.  I'm accenting with pink and blue.  So, yes they will match!

dreamalotmp

*use both an inner and outer envelope? - Only an inner envelope included for the RSVP. No others.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Nope.

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? Didn't have a website.  We decided not to since Mike has a lot of older relatives that don't use computers. It depends on your guests, I think.

*do meal choices or not? We had a buffet.

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)  Yeah. We did Love ones. I like that idea to use vintage ones!

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?  I handwrote everything all neat and pretty.

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? No matching except for colors and a general winter theme.

skybluejen

*use both an inner and outer envelope? Yes

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes. We had pocketfolds, so we included cards for accomodations, RSVP, reception, and directions

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? No, we didn't have a wedding website. I think websites are good for STDs, but not necessarily for the invitation. It seems that website + invitation would be repetitive...isn't it the same info?

*do meal choices or not? Yes

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) We used the 61 cent wedding cake stamps. I thought the personalized ones were really cute, but I couldn't bring myself to spend so much extra $$ on stamps.

*have the address info done in calligraphy? No. I printed each envelope using my home computer. I used a fancy caligraphy font, and it actually looked like someone wrote it Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  Yes, once again printed these on my home computer. I printed our return address on the envelope flap in a nice font. How did you find your calligrapher if so?  We didn't use one, but there were a few at a bridal show I went to.

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Yes, I matched it all. I DIY'ed my invitations, so I ordered extra blue paper from the same place and used it to make everything including table numbers and seating cards.

brivb10

*use both an inner and outer envelope?  I used an inner "tag" and an outer envelope.  I think this is a very important step.
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? had reception and rsvp cards but no accomodations.  I listed our wedding website on the reception card.
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? MUCH cheaper than all the inserts and the cost of postage so yes I did
*do meal choices or not? no, had buffet
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) yes, mine wer $1.22 to mail so used 61 cent wedding cake and 44 cent rings
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?  YES!!!  one of my favorite splurges.  She did the inner tag, outer envelope (spelled out all the states, etc) and did my escort cards in addition to several signs.  I found her on craigslist, and she was a great vendor.  I;d be happy to share her name!  Very reasonanable
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? 

yes, I matched invitations, programs, escort cards, thank you notes, etc.  They weren't spot on matches, but verrrry close

kat112

*use both an inner and outer envelope?
We did pocket invites, so I used that as the "inner" envelope, with invited guests names, and mailed it in an outter envelope
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?
Our pockets only came with two inserts - one for RSVP and one additional one so we combined the "Accomodations and Reception" into one card.
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing?
We listed on the bottom of the reception card " for accomodation information, pleave visit www.kimandmikexoxox.com
*do meal choices or not?
We did a dual plated entree, so it included both beef and chicken on one dish, so no meal choices for me
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)
With the square pocket invites, it cost 1.06 to mail each one, so we used a wedding cake .62 cent stamp and a wedding ring .44... it worked out. I wouldn't have thought twice about NOT using "wedding stamps". I don't think they're a big deal and don't notice them on other's invites.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?
We had our return address pre-printed on the outer envelopes. I hand wrote the addresses of our guests in a nice cursive. 
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery?
We didn't... I did match the program and the menu paper because I had bought a ton of it so DIYed both of it myself.

elishanb

*use both an inner and outer envelope? The only inner envelope will be for the RSVP card. Nothing else seems nessicary for me.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?  Will have seperate cards for accomodations, but not for reception since it's at the same location, I don't see a point.

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? No wedding website so nothing to add.
 
*do meal choices or not? Yes we will have meal choices on the RSVP cards because we are having a sit down meal. Also have decided to have personalized RSVp cards to eliminate the +1 confusion. I like that

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) Stamps are stamps.

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? I took a calligraphy class a few years ago so I can handle it for the addesses. but I'm not too concerned about it really as long as it's legible.

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Not having programs. and I haven't thught about menus, but since everything is in black and white it shouldn't be hard.

king26

I'm glad you posted this because I'm at the same point-time to get serious!
DId you use both an inner and outer envelope?  Inner envelop for RSVP card only.
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?Yes I'm having 3 different sized enclosure cards.
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing?  I think I'm listing the website on the accomodations card because there is a lot of hotel info on my site.
*do meal choices or not? No-not having meal choices-everyone's plate is the same.
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)  I want to use a wedding stamp.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?I saw a girl on the DIY board who printed the envelops in calligraphy very lightly (like in a light gray) and traced over them so they looked like she free handed them-I tried this last night and it looks awesome!  SO I'll do the "calligraphy" myself....I'm using special wedding address labels for the return address (vistaprint)
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Nope-my menu and programs will probobly be different.

brivb10

math fail - my invites were $1.05 to mail.  And for our RSVP envelopes, those were thermographically printed by the company that printed our invitations.  Our outer envelopes also had thermographically printed return address on the back flaps.  PIcs in bio of outer envelopes etc.

kbielak17

*use both an inner and outer envelope?

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? I had one insert that had basic reception info, hotel info, and Web site on it

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? Yes, as mentioned above I put a lot of detail online (info about the shuttle to the reception, parking at the chapel, etc) that I didn't want to clutter the invitation up with

*do meal choices or not? N/A had buffet

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) Used 2 of the 44 cent wedding rings stamps

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? DIY calligraphy, I think the pens cost something like $2 each EDIT: forgot the rest of the question....we did labels for the return address, picked clear ones with a calligraphy font

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? no, our programs ended up being a lighter shade of blue so that they were easier to read....I honestly don't know if anyone would even realize if they matched

daveys_baby

I'm trying my best to remember haha.
*use both an inner and outer envelope? Yes
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Reception and Directions (the directions card had hotel block info and our website, we didn't have many OOT guests invited)
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? I think so, if you have older guests who might not access the internet, I might put a little card in there that had the info you want to convey, no need for super fancy paper though IMO
*do meal choices or not? Yes, we had a sit down
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) No, we did postcard replies, so we got away with a $.42 stamp on the outer envelope since it was so light.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? No calligraphy, we had the invite company put the return address on the back of the outer invite.  Handwrote the inner envelope, but I was lazy and used address stickers.
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? No, the programs didn't match the invites, we didn't have a menu either...oops.

JennyBee1018

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_invitation-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:60e92a8f-ed16-43d2-b08b-f006b1b624b6Post:d8f24f9c-4a84-45a7-adbf-495f66d0b9c4">Invitation Poll</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi ladies- it's time to get serious about invitations, so I'm having a selfish poll :)

Did you or do you plan to... *use both an inner and outer envelope? No inner envelope - my invitation was a strange size.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? I had a separate card for accommodations.

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? * My wedding website was on the accomodation card, not the invite.  It was also on the STD.

do meal choices or not? Nope, we had a buffet.

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) We used a nice love stamps for the invites, but a forever stamps for the RSVP.

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?  I handwrote every address and return address.

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Actually we did - since we used plaid for both the invite and programs. Let me know if you want to see a picture :-P

Posted by LaFemmeRousse[/QUOTE]

mosli

*use both an inner and outer envelope?
only an outer envelope
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?
nope - the info for that will be on the website
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing?
yes - i think its perfectly acceptable. nearly everyone has the internet, and they can check the site as often as they like
*do meal choices or not?
not sure yet - one possible location is buffet, the other is served. if we go with the 2nd, i'll put meal choise on the rsvp postcard or webiste
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)
nope
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?
nah - making my own and running them all through the printer
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery?
would be nice, but as long as i use the same font, i'm not too worried about this

kwynn

Did you or do you plan to...

*use both an inner and outer envelope? No, I did pocketfolds, so the folder was sort of the inner. It has a bellyband on it.
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes, I loved how my cards stacked up nice and neatly in the folder with the headings at the top. I did Accommodations, Parking, RSVP, and Directions. My reception
info was printed on my actual invite
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? I had it very small on one of the cards. I think it is fine, but many of my guests were not internet-savvy. 
*do meal choices or not? I had stations, so it was n/a for me.
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) Wanted to, but mine cost $1 to mail, so I just did a stamp that matched in color.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? No, I used *gasp* labels as well. But they went with my theme/invite graphically, so I think it worked.
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? They all matched with font and monogram/color, but they were not all exactly the same.

KRMac

I PPH wedding invitations!  
*use both an inner and outer envelope?

Yep, we used the double lined envelopes from LCI paper.

*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc?

Yes, we had a reception card, an accommodations card, a directions card and the RSVP card - we did pocketfold invites.

*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing?

We included our wedding mapper site address on the directions card.  I like getting the actual cards because I usually bring the invite with me to the wedding for the addresses, etc vs. mapquesting beforehand.   But it really depends on your guest list.

*do meal choices or not?

No, we had a duet plating, so no meal choices for us.  I actually hate picking what to eat that far in advance/before you can see the food, lol!  Where DH is from, no one does meal choices...they just ask you what you want when they start to serve, plus use menu cards on the tables.  IMO, this should be the norm!

*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors)

The post office stamps that year matched our wedding colors pretty well!  Pink, double heart design.

*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so?

My mom and I hand wrote our addresses, no calligraphy, but they all came out nicely.  I printed the return address on the back of the envelopes with my Gocco.

*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery?

They were not an EXACT match, but they all corresponded nicely...if I do say so myself.   

slm13

*use both an inner and outer envelope? Yes
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes
*include your wedding website address?  Do you think it's at all appropriate to do this instead of including cards for every separate thing? No, we had put it on the STDs, but not the invites
*do meal choices or not? Yes.  Our venue had three choices, so we did personalized RSVPs for each person with their choices listed.
*use special stamps?  (I've seen people use matching vintage ones in the wedding colors) No.  
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? No, yes (on the back center), I used a very nice font on the computer and printed all of the addresses with it
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery? Yep.  Since I DIYd the invites, I used the same paper for programs, escort cards, to go bags, and favors (we didn't do menus since the meal choices had already been made).

[Deleted User]

*use both an inner and outer envelope? YeS
*Include separate cards for reception, accomodations, etc? Yes
*include your wedding website address? yes, But  I better get a move on it.
*use special stamps? I havent decided yet.  The love stamp, but I heard that it was gone.
*have the address info done in calligraphy?  Did you have a return address on the outer envelope too?  How did you find your calligrapher if so? Yes.  We found a girl on craislist that was mentioned above.  (LMM Calligraphy) we just got a sample and price list from her and I am planning to book her.  She is really going to fit into my budget.  My sister used her too and was very pleased.  She has a blog too if you are interested in her info ask.
*match your ceremony programs and/or reception menu to your invitation stationery?  I Am not planning on haveing menu cards so, No