 In this blog you will learn the different pieces of a wedding invitation suite, Wedding Invitation Styles and Sizes, different types of Enclosure Cards, and Assembly of your wedding invitations. PIECES OF A WEDDING INVITATION SUITEWEDDING INVITATION Your wedding invitation is the most important piece within your suite. It provides the names of who is getting married and who’s hosting, when the wedding will occur, what time the ceremony begins, and where the event will be held. Wedding Invitation Sizes + Details Classic Size: 5” x 7” + Envelope The traditional wedding invitation size is perfect for classic, upscale affairs, and typically come in the widest variety of designs, shapes, and styles. Petite Size: 4.25” x 6” + Envelope This invitation size is slightly less grand than the classic invitation size. Generally, this invitation size is great for a modern, savvy bride who like the differentiation of a compact invitation but still wants to include the standard elements of a wedding invitation. Four-Panel Size: 4.25” x 6” + Envelope A more casual format that allows for a more personable, storytelling wedding invitation. This invitation format is most personal of those available due to its traditional greeting card size. All-in-One Size: 5.76” x 12.03” (No Envelope); Assembled 5.76” x 4.75” A modern and unique format that is as convenient as it is interesting. Many brides gravitate to this size and shape when they are looking for break out from the wedding invitation standard. Ultimately this type of invitation is a good option for balling on a budget! Square Size: 6” x 6” + Envelope This is truly a differentiated, new-age look that will stand out in any mailbox. Take note however that square formats will require extra postage to send. Mini Book Size: 7” x 5” + Envelope Often described as the offline version of a wedding website, the mini book, is a comprehensive guide for guests. RESPONSE CARD Your wedding response card is the second most important piece to your wedding invitation suite. The response card is meant to be sent back to the couple getting married with the accepts or regrets information for each guest invited to the event. It typically includes a reply by date for when the card needs to be returned, an m-line for the guests to fill in with their name(s), and an accepts/regrets line for which the guest will be able to fill in whether or not they’ll be in attendance. However, there are many variations to this card. Nowadays, couples are using their wedding websites for their RSVPS. If you choose to go this route, use your response card to direct your guests to the wedding website RSVP link. ENCLOSURES These enclosures are great for including additional information for your guests! We typically use them for either accommodation or reception details, but there are many things you can use them for. Below are more examples for each size that are commonly used. Small Enclosure A small enclosure is typically used for reception details, but is also great for wishing wells, registries, parking information, proper attire, or websites. Large Enclosure As for the large enclosure, we typically see this piece used for hotel accommodations, travel/transportation details, maps, or a schedule of event (may want to consider if there are more than one event happening (for ex. a welcome dinner or post wedding brunch) of if you have a break between ceremony and reception). However, we have also seen it used to combine smaller bits of information together or used as a map. The choice is completely up to you! ENVELOPES There are two envelope styles for your wedding invitation suite: single envelopes and double envelopes. Single Envelope Style For wedding invitations, the single envelope style is the most common. This style consists of one invitation envelope and one response card envelope. The names of all invited guests should be placed on the front along with the mailing address. Your return address should be placed on the envelope flap. Double Envelope Style This style includes an inner and outer envelope for mailing each invitation suite. Double envelopes are more formal and traditional. The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and list the name of each guest in order to eliminate any confusion as to who’s actually invited. The inner envelope is not gummed since it will not be sent through the mail. It also acts as an additional layer of protection during mailing and allows your guests to have a clean, unmarked envelope for holding their invitation suite. ASSEMBLYING YOUR WEDDING INVITATIONS During the assembly stage, we will be bringing every piece of the wedding invitation together! Let the assembly process begin! Below you will find a list of the exact order of how to assemble your invitation suite. The proper order for assembly is as follows:
HOW TO APPLY A BELLY BAND  If you’re using a belly band to wrap your stationery together, please follow the following steps: 1. Lay the belly band over your neatly stacked suite, centering the personalization. 2. Apply pressure with your thumbs to the top of the band and enclosures to hold everything in place. 3. Wrap your index fingers around the back of the invite – you should be able to pick the suite up without anything moving. 4. Flip the suite towards you, so all of your information is face down and carefully pull one end of the band over the back and crease it. Repeat with the other end. 5. Pull both ends of the belly band tight, without bending the sides of your stationery. 6. Adhere together with the included glue dots. Then viola! You’re finished assembling your first invitation suite. HOW TO APPLY A VELLUM JACKET AND WAX SEAL  If you have purchased a vellum jacket and wax seal please follow these steps on how to elegantly wrap your wedding invitation suite with the finest embellishments. 1. Typically when you order vellum jackets, they are shipped flat and are ready for assembly when they arrive. We recommend folding the left side of the jacket along the pre-scored line to make it easier to slide your assembled suite into. 2. Slide your suite into the folded area of the jacket and pinch with your left hand. 3. After your suite has been centered within the vellum jacket, you may fold the right side along the other pre-scored line. 4. Once both folds have been made and your jacket slightly overlaps on the front of your invitation, you may place your wax seal to hold the flaps closed. Please note, you will need to expose the adhesive on the back of the wax seal before placing in place. HOW TO TIE YOUR RIBBON AROUND YOUR WEDDING INVITATION  Adding a silk ribbon around your wedding invitation will make your wedding invitation more romantic and elegant. If you decide to use this method to elevate your wedding invitations, there are a few things you should know. Tying your wedding invitations with any ribbon, whether that be by itself or accompanied by a belly band, it can be a little frustrating and challenging for the first few tries. Also, due to the delicacy of the wedding invite suite contents, the ribbon will have a little bit more room for your pieces to move around. Here is a step by step process of how to tie your wedding invitation suites with perfection: 1. Place your cut ribbon piece on the table in front of you, matte side up. You can then place your invitation suite in the middle on top. 2. Fold both ends across the front of the invitation suite and tuck the left end under the right end. 3. Pull both ends tight and place your right middle finger in the middle of the twist to prevent the tie from coming loose. 4. While you continue to apply pressure to the twist, use your left hand to fold the bottom piece upward, so it is parallel to the other end piece. 5. Next, fold the left end over top of the right and tuck it through the hole in the middle, like you’re tying your shoe. 6. Continue applying pressure to the twist while pulling the two ends tight. Please note, if you plan on using ribbon to tie around your wedding invitation suites, we highly recommend also using double envelopes. This will better protect your stationery when traveling through the mail to your guests. The beautifully tied invitation can be placed inside in the inner envelope, which is then put inside the outer envelope. This gives the beautifully tied invitation the protection that it needs. If you are using a vellum folder this would be considered as your inner envelope. Ribbon Purchasing Pro Tips:
 BEST WAY TO ASSEMBLE ENVELOPE LINERS + DOUBLE ENVELOPESENVELOPE LINERS  1. Grab the two things needed for this part of the process – inner envelopes (the ones without gumming on the inside of the flap) and your envelope liners. If your inner envelope flaps are closed, start by opening all of them up so they lay semi-flat to your table surface. 2. Stuff one of the envelope liners into the inner envelope (tape strip side towards the top). Before peeling off the glossy paper protectant, slide the liner into place (about a quarter inch from the top). Once in place, peel off the backing of the adhesive. Press firmly to stick the envelope liner to the envelope and fold flap over to crease liner in envelope. Please note, you may need to use your thumbs to hold the liner close the to flap, so the fold is made in the right location. Now that you have your envelope liners/inner envelopes are assembled, its time to put the finishing touches on your wedding invitation suite and get them in the mail! FINAL TOUCHES + ASSEMBLY  1. Make separate piles of all the things you need – invitation suites, assembled inner envelopes, and outer envelopes. 2. Rotate one of your suites to the left and stuff into an inner envelope. 3. Once the suite has been placed all the way to the bottom of the inner envelope, you may fold the flap closed. This image also shows what the front of the inner envelope should looks like. This is where the guests, actually invited to the wedding ceremony/event, will be printed. 4. Next you will place the inner envelope into the outer envelope. Each of your outer envelopes will have the gumming strip at the edge of the flap for sealing purposes. 5. Slide each inner envelope all the way to the bottom of the outer envelope. 6. Lastly, you may fold over the flap and seal it for mailing. Now, take a moment, and pause, while you look at your first fully assembled and sealed wedding invitation suite. Know that the next time this envelope is opened, it will be by a loved one who feels absolutely delighted to be receiving an invite to your amazing milestone. Congratulations! It’s smooth sailing from here. Wedding Invitation FAQhOW DO i CHOOSE MY WEDDING INVITATION SUITE?
Your wedding invitation suite should feed into your overall wedding design aesthetic, so when selecting your wedding invitation suite, think about all the design elements, the wedding feel overall.
When would I use a Four-Panel or Mini Book Wedding Invitation?
Maybe you want to include other details or engagement photos on your wedding invite. If this is the case and you would like to include these items, I would recommend using a four-panel or mini book wedding invitation.
Who do you want to feature on the host line?
Think about who you want to feature on the invite while keeping in mind that the more names you feature on your wedding invitation the smaller the font will need to be. Typically the featured names on the host line are either the following: both sets of parents, one set of parents, or just the names of the bride and groom.
Written By: Ariel Anderson
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 Written By: Rebecca Richards
Don’t get me wrong, wedding season can be such a blast BUT there are endless options of what is truly necessary to pack/bring. Your wedding guest experience should be simple and enjoyable, all while preparing you for everything you need. With wedding season continuing on, you want to look and feel prepared for it all! Think of this as your personal wedding emergency kit (whether you are a bride or a guest). Glam Necessities: Since your hair will be looking amazing, you want to ensure that it stays that way! You should be sure to pack bobby pins, hair spray, clips, hair ties, and any other accessories that will complement your look. These are perfect since they can fit in a small purse or clutch and can, even, shift your look to a whole different level. Maybe it can be down for ceremony and an updo for reception! Have fun with it! Weddings, especially ones in the heat, tend to wear off the beautiful makeup that you put on. From ceremony to cocktail hour to dancing, you’ll most likely be in need of some minor touch ups. There are tons of different travel size makeup products such as oil blotting sheets, concealer, mascara, powder, and the most essential of all: lipstick/gloss! A quick trip to the bathroom or with a small makeup mirror can ensure you are ready to take some more pictures and party! Another underrated wedding guest must have a makeup remover for the way home. And for my guests that are like me, crying is basically inevitable for a wedding day, pack some tissues or a handkerchief to give your undereyes some love. My fellow ladies, we all hate taking off our makeup (especially when you’re drunk and tired), so save yourself some time and pack a wipe to get a head start on heading to bed! Of course we all hope that our dresses stay perfect all day and all night, but there are those rare instances where we go a little too hard on the dance floor and a rip/tear is bound to happen. Again, no fear there! Pack a mini sewing kit and/or fashion tape. This way, you can guarantee your dress and pride stays in place. Another must have for my red wine lovers (or maybe the friend who always spills), is a tide to go stick! I swear by these little magic sticks! No stains and undone seams cause for a stellar wedding season! Fresh to Death: Let’s be honest, with drinks and dancing, the sweat is bound to follow. Not to worry, deodorant and perfume are your two best friends for a mid-wedding freshening! There are roll-on perfumes that are suitable for small bags and purses, while also having some deodorant on hand. Be sure to pack some lotion as a quick fragrance and soft skin fix. With mixed company, your guests will surely thank you for thinking of this step! While face and body care is important with weddings, making sure your breath is fresh is key in all the socializing that you’ll be doing! We know a true friend is the one that tells you if you have spinach in your teeth, but if you want to guarantee your pearly whites are looking great, pack some floss, mouthwash, or even a toothbrush if needed! And of course, gum and mints are a must! Bathroom Kits: I hope that this has even slightly helped you in some potential ways to prepare for wedding day essentials. The most common, and helpful in my opinion, has been the bathroom kit trend by bride and grooms. Having a bathroom kit for the girls and guys is a great way to make your guests feel comfortable and cared for. This can be placed in a cute box or basket with some fun signage! Fill it with the above contents and/or add some tums, advil, tylenol, etc. to be sure your friends and family are catered to as guests!  Written By: Rebecca Richards Our feet take us to many different places, but one of the most important places they will guide us is down the aisle! This is the time where you find your “solemate!” As much as you want to look incredible on your wedding day, comfort also matters. But how are you able to balance style, comfort, landscape barriers, and versatility? Look no further than along these lines! Wedding dress shopping usually comes to mind first thing once the ring fits, but in fact, the key factor in your wedding dress shopping is your shoe choice. Shoes help develop the palette, height, style of your dress, and everything in between. This is precisely why time is of the essence here. At Ariel Ashton Events, we like to categorize shoe choices to our brides by literally “walking” them through the following 5 ways to find your solemate: 1. Your Solemate as Your Something Blue We all know the 19th century “Something borrowed, something new” rhyme, but oftentimes it can be a bit challenging to fit them all seamlessly together. Your shoes can be a perfect way to incorporate your something blue! Maybe you want include this wedding day tradition on the bottom of the shoe or an inner decal. Perhaps you want to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and rock a blue pointed pump! Depending on the season, you can play around with a darker royal or navy blue or lighter shades of pastels and pale blues. Have fun with it and accessorize accordingly! 2. Your Solemate as Your Glam Girl It is your wedding day after all, so why not go all out? Your glam heels can be the absolute best way to tell the story of who you are on your special day. Part of the process in finding your wedding shoe is having fun with it. Are you the kind of bride who wants to feel her most glamorous self? Are pearl platforms too casual? Let your passion and desires be your guide in choosing the most YOU shoe! 3. Your Solemate as Your Comfort Confidant Stilettos look absolutely fabulous for your wedding day, and who doesn’t love to feel the endless effects of a razzle dazzle heel? But maybe the glitz and glamor wears off all too soon for you and you desire a more comfortable shoe to last all evening. No worries then! There are a plethora of wedding flats or sandals to choose from that will allow you to walk, talk, and dance without pain. Wedding flats can be extremely classy and actually enhance your look even more. Whether you’re wearing a nice pair of espadrilles or a strappy sandal, either will complement your dress and overall look. Beauty doesn’t have to mean pain on your wedding day! 4. Your Solemate as Your Style Sidekick Maybe heels and flats aren’t your thing and you want to stand out by embracing your sneaker game! Wedding sneakers are such a stylish way to represent your personality while also keeping your feet comfortable as you party. It can be simple and sleek or decked out with pearls and bling to the nines. You can even customize your wedding sneakers to match with your hubby! Check out Etsy for some sneaker decals that could make for the cutest picture and allow you to dance with ease! 5. Your Solemate as Your Balanced Bestie If you’re anything like me, the thought of which shoe to pick gives you a slight sense of anxiety of “what if I choose the wrong one?” or “what if I end up uncomfortable?” Guess what? You can do both! Your solemate can potentially be a combination of one or two of these options. A quick shoe change after the ceremony or half way through your reception is more than acceptable. You can get the best of both worlds and have fun choosing two different styles! Hopefully you have gained a better understanding of where to go from “what wedding shoe do I want?” and allowed yourself to take a step back in evaluating your personal desires and style. Be sure to check out Lulus, Nordstrom, and Revolve for the most fun and beautiful wedding shoe choices!
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