Traditions of Wedding Invitations

Ever wonder why there is so many pieces to a traditional wedding Invitation? Okay so we know what the response card is for and the reception card but whats with this tissue and why so many envelopes?

Here is a little inside to those traditions:

The Outer Envelope: This envelope, like to today told which house the invitation was to be delivered to. Although today our invites go through the postal system with a stamp, years ago it was a servant of the brides house who hand delivered the invites.

The Inner Envelope: years ago the servant from the recipients house would receive the invite from the brides servant, then remove the outer envelope to reveal the clean crisp inner envelope to hand to the recipient. Inner envelopes should not be sealed.

Tissue Paper: Wedding invitations used to be hand written in black ink, so the tissue paper was used to prevent smearing. People use tissue paper today to keep with traditions.

If your going with the traditions or not, be sure you mail your invitations out in a timely matter at least 4-6 weeks before the date of your event and be sure to order at least 10% more than you need for those last minute invitees. As for cost, your invitations budget should be about 2-5% of your overall wedding budget.

Wedding Guest Books

With all the wonderful ideas out there, you don't have to settle for a traditional guest book for your wedding day. Although traditional guest books are always nice (I used one myself) you can add a more creative touch to new ways of your guest's well wishes for you!

Here are four new trends for your wedding guest book.......

1. Wish Jar


Have your guests write their wishes for you as a couple on pretty card stock that is all ready pre-cut into index card size pieces. They can then drop these wishes into a decorative vase. If you use different color card stock, the vase then turns into a decor for your wedding. When the wedding comes to an end, have your MOH take the wishes out of the vase and wrap them in ribbon for you to take and read each wish on your honeymoon. You can always save the vase/jar and display it in your new home together, so you always have the loving sentiments from your family and friends with you!

2. Wine Bottle Messages


You can create this guest book by purchasing one extra large bottle of wine or several average size bottles. With silver or gold markers (sharpies work good) have your guest sign in and write well wishes to you both on the bottles. If you are doing one large bottle you can keep it and display in your new home together. If you are doing several average size bottles, designate each bottle as an anniversary and display a sign that tells your guests which bottle is for what anniversary. That way when your 1st, 5th, 10th, 20th and so on, anniversary comes around you can enjoy a class of wine and read what wishes your family and friends had for you on that anniversary! Be sure to choose wine that will get better with age!

3. Wish Tree


This one works similar to the wish jar. Create a beautiful decorative tree with branches and crystals. Have your guests write their wishes on pre-cut decorative card stock that already has a wire attached to it. Then each guest will hang their wish from the tree. You can also do this and create a different look with ribbon!

4. Picture Frame Guest Book


Use your awesome engagement photos to display one within a blank matted frame. You can use an easel to stand the picture frame up and use markers for your guests to write on it. Make sure you remove the glass from the frame when you have it displayed for your guests to write on it. After the wedding you can replace your engagement photo with a photo from your wedding day and you can hang it on the wall!


Photo credits: Wish Jar theknot.com, wine bottle thenot.com, wedding wish tree www.herecomestheguide.com, Picture frame guest book www.goodthingsweddingfavors.com

Jill and Tony's First Inspiration Board

This is the first Inspiration board for Jill and Tony's wedding on October 3, 2009

I created this board on Polyvore.com


Jill and Tony's Inspiration Board - by KCeventplanning on Polyvore.com

Signature Cockatils

A good way to add an extra touch to your reception/cocktail hour is to come up with a signature drink.... or two!

Get creative, pick a drink you love and want to share with all your guests or possibly a drink that's the same color as your wedding colors. Once you have the drink you want to use, talk to your venue or bartender to come up with the perfect garnish. Popular garnishes these days are to have sugared rims, especially if the sugar is colored! Also, you can have the glass rimmed with crumbled cookies or graham crackers, maybe even chocolate.

Have your signature cocktail passed out during cocktail hour and reception, you can even have a sign made with the name of the drink for all to see, try putting the sign in a cute decorative frame so it can stand on the bar or the tray of the server.




















Try some of these recipes!

Chocolate Soufle-tini

½ parts vodka
1 ½ parts Chocolate Liqueur
Splash of Frangelico (hazelnut Liquor)
Garnish with a powdered chocolate rim (optional).


Key Lime Martini

2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz sweetend lime juice
1 oz half and half cream
Garnish with a graham cracker crumbled rim (optional)


Pepermint Patty Martini

2 oz vodka
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz white creme de cacao
Garnish with a chocolate rim (optional)


Prickly Peartini

1 3/4 oz Pear Vodka
3/4 oz Cointreau
2 oz Sweet & Sour mix
Garnish with a sugared rim (optional)



Photo credits from left to right.....3 pink glasses (theknot.com), single pink glass (metromixny.com),chocolate margarita (notcot.com), green martinis (theknot.com), Margaritas and chocolatinis (colincowie.com)