The art of inviting

A thoughtfully designed invitation helps set the tone for your wedding. Impress your guests with a customised invitation created uniquely for you. At least you'll know your guests wouldn't have see your wedding invitation anywhere else before.

Whether you choose to have a simple card with pretty papers, a cheeky card with caricatures or, one with your baby pictures, choose one that fits the theme of your wedding.

Here are some things to remember when compiling your guest list and sending out your invitations:

• Get your partner to draw up a separate list of guests before combining the two. Check the list to make sure you don't duplicate your guest list. Divide the list into different categories - family members, close friends, business associates and parents' guests. Now, start eliminating from this list until you reach a number that is agreeable to both of you.
  
• If the person you are inviting is married or has a significant other, indicate in the invitation that you are accounting for two guests. If the guests plan on bringing uninvited partners call them and gently explain that due to the lack of seats, you cannot add them to the invite list. If you prefer not to have children at your reception, feel free to indicate so. You can also get a wedding professional to help you word you invites accordingly without offending your guests. Alternatively, have a ‘children only' corner at your reception and hire a clown to keep them occupied.
  
• As a rule of thumb, about 10-20% of invited guests will send their regrets. If you follow the number on your original list and you won't go wrong.
  
• Inserting helpful information like maps, places to stay and contact information in your invites will be appreciated by out-of-town guests who don't know their way around.
  
• Mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding and finalise your guest list about 3-4 weeks before. Any earlier and people might forget. Any later and you won't have enough time to compile your RSVPs. If you're inviting overseas guests, send them your invitations three month earlier.
  
• Make sure you write your guests' names and addresses correctly on the invitations. A small error may result in a lost invite!

Other cards that may come in handy for your wedding:

Place cards - they help to seat your guests at the right table and make them feel important. You may like to attach the place cards to wedding favours.

Menu & Program Cards - These cards provide your guests with information on the order of the event and the menu of the day and are usually placed in the centre of the table.