Conley Publishing - Special Sections
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A Bride's Guide 2016 Freeman Newspapers 7 Invitations are a vital component of the wedding. In addition to informing guests about the details of the ceremony and reception, wedding invitations convey the tone and style of the day. While there are no rules governing wedding invitations, there are some ways for couples to ensure they stay on sched- ule when mailing invitations. • Order invitations early. Couples can start to consider their invitation options once the wedding date and venue have been chosen. The wedding stationery industry has changed a lot over the years. Couples can now order invitations from local retailers, use online printers, or design and print their own invitations from home. Invitations should be worded carefully and proofed several times before printing, so expect the process to take a couple of weeks from start to finish. Plan for this time so you will have time to get invitations ready for mailing. Start addressing them roughly three months before your wedding day. Always remem- ber to order extra invitations so you have spares in case you make a mistake or make last-minute additions to your guest list. • Get organized before mailing. Start preparing invitations about a month before you plan to ship them, as this gives you ample time to write envelopes so you do not have to write them all on the same day. Keep the guest list handy and double- check the spelling of names and the addresses. Traditional etiquette suggests addresses should be handwritten, but computer-produced calligraphy on envelopes is now just as acceptable. Avoid printed labels. Be sure to have the complete invitation weighed at the post office so you will know exactly how much postage is required. Purchase stamps for both the invitation and the response cards. • Coordinate mailing time and RSVP deadlines. Mail invitations rough- ly eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests time to make room in their schedules and arrange for travel, if neces- sary. Set the response date for three weeks before the wedding date so guests will have the time to make a decision and mail back the response. Many caterers require a final head count one week before the wedding, so make sure your RSVP date is at least two weeks before the big day so you can account for late responders. • Don't let responses linger. Check off who is coming and who cannot make it as you receive each response. This way you'll know just how many responses are still outstanding and you can follow up as necessary. Stay on schedule when mailing wedding invitations SECOND WEDDINGS from page 6 • Let past experiences serve as your guide. You've been married before and can use that to your advantage. It's likely you know what worked for the wed- ding the first time around and which things you probably could have changed or done without. Maybe you were stressed about having everything go perfectly or feeling like you had to put on a show for guests. As a more mature person this time around, you no doubt realize that sharing this special time with the ones you love is the most important wedding component of all. • Be open-minded with your wardrobe. Let the formality of the event and the time of day when you're getting married influence what you will be wear- ing instead of perceived etiquette or family notions. Nowadays it's acceptable to wear white again if you so desire. Plus, more mature couples have a sense of what makes them look good, rather than opting for trendy outfits. • Above all, have fun. Couples know what to expect the second time around, so stress usually doesn't stem from the unknown. You may feel more relaxed at a second wedding, so let that ensure you have a great night. 2 4 8 6 7 7 0 0 1 Our studio is located at: W249 N5267 Executive Dr. • Sussex, WI 53089 Before you walk down the aisle, enjoy a Girls' Night Out at Uptown Art would love to host your Bachelorette Party or Bridal Shower INSTRUCTED PRIVATE PARTIES Choose instructed wine glass painting or canvas painting party. You pick the design to be instructed from our large collection of designs. • Minimum of 10 Painters • $ 35 per person, includes all materials and instruction for 16x20" canvas or two wine glasses. • Large group discounts available • Deposit of three painters ( $ 105) with balance day of event HAPPY HOUR WITH WRITTEN INSTRUCTION PARTY This is not an instructed party, each individual will choose from our growing selection of Happy Hour designs with written instructions. • You may pick glass or canvas • $ 72 deposit with group of 6 or more • $ 18 - 8x10" canvas or one wine glass • $ 23 - 11x14 canvas • $ 28 - 16x20" canvas or two wine glasses To book your event, email us at sussex@uptownart.com or call 262.246.9400