The Process of Making Your Own Bridal Shower Invitations
There was a time when a prospective bride was expected to send out very formal and boring shower invitations. The other choice was those “fill in your own information on the blank spaces” cards that came 10 to a pack. Now more and more brides to be are longing for creativity and uniqueness in their bridal shower invitations. They do not necessarily want the most expensive or the flashiest. Something different that everyone will remember fits the bill. If you subscribe to this way of thinking and strive to make your own bridal shower invitations, then I can help give you a few pointers.
The first step is to brainstorm. Draw everything out on paper or do it on your computer, if you prefer. Picture your guests receiving your bridal shower invitations and how the invitations will be situated in their envelopes. Put together a list of items needed for the ideas you like the most. Try to calculate the tab for delivery of the invitations. Often, it is easy to weed out certain ideas because the materials will just cost too much. Work on the wording of your invitation once you decide on the winning idea. Do this before you buy the materials, so you know what size paper you will need and how much room for embellishment you will have.
Once you have your concept and a solid list of the supplies you need and what size invitations you are going to make, you can head to the store. Make sure to order envelopes that correspond with your invitations. Your bridal shower invitations themselves do not have to be color coordinated with your envelopes, but they need to be of equal card stock and fashion. If you are going to handwrite the invitation message, a set of specialty calligraphy pens will be invaluable. If calligraphy or penmanship is not your bailiwick, consider purchasing a stencil set. You can also outsource that portion of the work for your handmade bridal shower invitations. Finally, you should always remember that invitations with bells and whistles always tickle the fancy of even the toughest shower guest. If you are doing something completely out of the box, you probably already have the frills covered. What prospective guests would not want to be greeted with music, feathers, ribbons or painted somethings when they open their bridal shower invitations? Give them something pretty.
I will close by saying that, if anywhere in this process, you decide it is too frustrating or you do not have time to have a regular job and make bridal shower invitations, abandon ship for the sake of your sanity. It is completely respectable to have your invitations outsourced. There are incredible companies and small boutiques online and on main street that exist because they provide cool and distinctive bridal shower invitations that will wow your guests. Have fun and chill. A stressed out bride is a bummer.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The members of the elite then decided it was their responsibility to better educate the masses by sharing with them their expertise. There was even a book on etiquette on how to properly address the invitations written by Emily Post and Amy Vanderbilt.
Nowadays, everybody knows that the style of the bridal shower, similar with the wedding invitation, must also be seen in the bridal shower invitation. The host must have a traditional bridal shower invitation if they are having a traditional bridal shower. Of course there are also other showers, like theme bridal shower and the host might want to give such.
May 13th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
This was a great post. Very helpful stuff here.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
All good. Great info.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Do not try to save costs by getting envelopes that do not match the invitations. That does not mean that the colors have to match; it simply means to match the style and quality of the bridal shower invitations. Order some good calligraphy pens if you plan to write the message yourself. If calligraphy or penmanship is not your bailiwick, consider purchasing a stencil set. You can also outsource that portion of the work for your handmade bridal shower invitations.
June 21st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Generally to avoid awkward situations it is preferred if the people called to the bridal shower are also called to the wedding. Around 4 weeks before the shower the wedding shower invitations should be sent so they are not too far in advance or too late.
If you are considering a themed bridal shower then it is preferred if special instructions for the same are sent with the wedding shower invitation. General directions to the wedding shower and contact numbers are present in the wedding shower invitation for the convenience of the guests. Generally people known personally to the bride are invited to the wedding shower.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Thanks so much for posting this.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
Thanks.