wedding stationery

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Invitation: Dos and Don’ts

Your wedding invitation is more than just a piece of paper; it’s the first glimpse your guests will get of your special day. From setting the tone to conveying crucial information, here are some dos and don’ts to ensure your wedding invitations are both elegant and effective.

Do: Personalize Your Invitations

Your wedding is a celebration of your unique love story, so let your invitations reflect that! Consider incorporating personalised touches such as custom illustrations, monograms, or handwritten notes to make your invitations truly special.

Don’t: Forget to Include Essential Information

While personalization is key, don’t overlook the essential details. Make sure to include the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as RSVP instructions and any additional event details, such as dress code or accommodation information.

Do: Pay Attention to Timing

Timing is crucial when it comes to sending out your invitations. Aim to send them out at least eight to twelve weeks – or longer, if your guests must travel – before the wedding date to give your guests plenty of time to RSVP and make arrangements to attend.

Don’t: Wait Until the Last Minute

Avoid the stress of last-minute invitation sending by planning ahead. Start designing and assembling your invitations well in advance to ensure they’re ready to go out on time.

Do: Consider Your Guest List

When compiling your guest list, be mindful of your budget and venue capacity. While it’s natural to want to invite everyone you know, remember that smaller, more intimate gatherings can often be the most memorable.

Don’t: Overlook List Etiquette

Be sure to address your invitations correctly, using appropriate titles and spellings for each guest. If you’re unsure about how to address a particular guest, err on the side of formality.

Do: Proofread Carefully

Before sending out your invitations, double and triple-check them for any errors or typos. It’s worth taking the extra time to ensure that everything is perfect before they go out in the mail.

Don’t: Sacrifice Quality for Cost

While it’s essential to stick to your budget, remember that your wedding invitations are an investment in your big day. Opt for quality materials and printing techniques that will impress your guests and stand the test of time.

At Gee Brothers, we understand that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and we’re here to make the process as seamless as possible. Our dedicated staff is committed to guiding you through every step of the invitation design process, offering personalized advice and expertise to help you find the perfect style for your special day. With our bespoke service, we’ll work closely with you to create invitations that not only reflect your unique love story but also set the tone for an unforgettable celebration. Let us help bring your wedding vision to life – get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.

Call us on 020 3820 2067 or email sales@geebrothers.co.uk

Love and marriage in the time of Corona

Love and marriage in the time of Corona.

The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown all of our social calendars into chaos. With the UK going into lockdown to help fight the spread of the virus, many of us have had to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the events we had planned for 2020.
Not only is it heart-breaking to have to cancel an event like a family celebration, milestone birthday party or a wedding celebration, but the re-arranging of these events, particularly at short notice, can be incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, a change of date, location or timing renders beautifully printed invitations unusable, and opting to reprint them can add to these costs considerably.
Here at Gee Brothers nothing makes us sadder than seeing finely printed stationery go to waste. We know the care and work that goes into every detail; from the customer’s first ideas, right through to the tissue lined envelopes, it’s a complex process that takes time and dedication to make sure it’s perfect for the big day.
During these uncertain times, it has been even tougher to organise a wedding whilst grappling with frequent changes to the guidelines that help to keep us safe.  We want to try and help in any way we can to make your wedding something wonderful. So, we’ve gotten creative and come up range of ideas that might just be the solution you’re looking for.

MINI CHANGE-THE-DATES

So, you’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the wedding; And while florists, bands, and makeup artists can be rebooked, the wedding invites have already been printed. If you’ve been able to rebook your venue for another day, and you’ve still got your original invitations ready to send out, then these small Change-the-Date cards could offer the solution.
Made using a small amount of card or paper and often digitally printed, these are a quick, cost-effective way to inform your guests of the why, the new when and where of the wedding, without the cost of an expensive reprint. Once attached to your original invitations, or slipped inside the envelope, they update your guests and make use of your original invites, so that nothing goes to waste.
Using our quality paper or card, these Mini Change the Date cards can feel just as luxurious as the rest of your invites. Even with a digital print there are so many options – adding colour, motifs or even your own artwork to make them personal, fun and eye-catching. You could also opt have them printed using thermography, letterpress or foiling if you choose and they can even be designed to match your original invitations.
These delightful cards can be ordered through our sales team, just drop us an email at sales@geebrothers.co.uk.

CHANGE THE DATE & SAVE THE DATE – Use the code SAVE10 for 10% off

From now until August 14th 2020 we’ve got 10% off Save the Dates when you order online.

Though weddings are now allowed to go ahead, it’s just not that straight forward. With limits on the number of guests, the type of service or ceremony allowed and difficulty in finding accommodation for those that can attend, many couples are deciding to hold a small ceremony this year for close friends and family and save the big party until next year instead.
Whatever celebration you have in mind, our save the date cards, available to order online, can be a good, flexible option. Most of our Save the Date cards can easily be adapted to a Change the Date card, or a smaller wedding invitation. The text is entirely editable so you can say what you need to.
Don’t forget that with so many couples in the same boat, next year could get busy quickly. Why not order your save the dates now, and get a head start to make sure your friends and family are free?

DATELESS INVITATIONS

If you simply cannot wait to have the invites checked off your to-do list, but are still unsure when it will be, one of our new dateless invitations could be just right for you. We do everything we can here at Gee Brothers to turn around an order as fast as possible, but bespoke traditional printing and delicate hand finishes take time to do right, so why not get the printing out of the way in advance? With Dateless Invitations, you can get on top of your ‘Wedmin’ and have them sooner rather than later, so that once your date is confirmed you can get the invitations out quickly.
Another great tip is to get a calligrapher on board to add the finishing touches, not only will the finish be beautiful, but you’ll be supporting another small business. If you’re interested in calligraphy, we can put you in touch with some very talented people!
Dateless invitations are also perfect for weddings held at a family home, you already know the venue will be available, so why not get ahead?

BLANK INVITATIONS

So, you’ve been able to go ahead, but it’s a very different day to what you’d imagined. With limited numbers allowed at weddings, it can be pricey for such a small amount of invitations. Our fill-in wedding invitation packs are great for small weddings and save money for that big, blowout celebration next year.
With two pack sizes and envelopes included, these are a quick, easy option, giving you just the quantity you need. We’ve a range of digital designs to choose from, with more coming soon. Why not sign up to our newsletter and be the first to know about all our new products when they’re released?

Small Order Quantities
For a limited period, all of our wedding stationery is available with a smaller minimum order quantity to help you order just the amount you need for your day.

Fire-up your guests for your big day! Guest blog by Henryka Jewellery

An Invitation To Excite: How To Get Your Guests Fired-Up For Your Big Day

There’s a certain age range in which all of your friends seem to get engaged en masse – and here in the UK, this is generally once you head towards your 30s. It feels like one second you’re eagerly chatting with friends about their latest dates and love interests and the next you’re attending their baby showers, hen dos and weddings on a bi-weekly basis.

If you’ve suddenly found yourself planning your wedding and wondering how to reignite the excitement your friends felt the first time they attended the nuptials of their nearest and dearest, then you’re in luck – as today, our friends at Henryka are sharing their best advice.

Do what matters most to you

 

Image: Unsplash
Image: Unsplash

It might sound cliché, but your wedding is about you and your loved one, so don’t follow the same path that other couples have taken in the past. Instead, consider your own values, personalities and interests as a couple and how you can share these with your loved ones on your special day – be that through a Marvel-themed wedding cake or a cherished wedding dress that’s been passed down the generations.

By avoiding the obvious and embracing those unique quirks that make you individual, you’ll have sidestepped one of the greatest hindrances to an exciting wedding: the dreaded copycat. If you think you recognise that specific flower arrangement, the playlist at the reception and 3-course meal menu, it’s probably because you’ve seen, heard and tasted it time and time before. There are so many fun ways you can make your wedding special, so why reuse overdone ideas from other people?

Keep some aspects under wraps

Listen, we get it: planning a wedding is both exciting and stressful, and so it’s only natural to want to text every friend with every idea every time one comes to mind. However, you might consider keeping planning updates to your inner circle of friends if you want to leave any morsel of mystery surrounding your wedding day. Whether it’s the dress, decorations, food or the song for your first dance, keeping certain aspects under wraps from most will keep your loved ones guessing and the excitement building.

Announce in style

Once you’ve confirmed the date and venue, making the announcement to your friends and family is next in line. There’s nothing more disappointing than hearing these details through the grapevine rather than directly from the soon-to-be-weds, so try and cover all angles when it comes to sharing the big news:

  • Wedding invitations: To physically hold an invitation is something special and certainly not something that can be matched by an e-invite alone. And choosing an invitation should be fun. You can browse Gee Brothers’ range of elegant invitations available to order online to find the right fit for your wedding. We personally love the timeless look of Grace invitations but there are dozens of other styles and variations, from contemporary to classic, so you’re guaranteed to find one to suit you. A Save The Date card is always a great way to ensure that your guests won’t miss your special day, especially if your wedding is abroad or the following year. The new Isobel Save the Date card is very on trend for 2019.

grace wedding invitations
Grace Wedding Invitations

Isobel Wedding Invitations
Isobel Wedding Invitations

  • Social media. For those friends or distant relatives who you only communicate with through likes and comments, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are likely the places they’ll check for the latest updates on your wedding. Make sure they don’t miss out by sharing your news on social media – even if that’s only a quickly snapped pic of your official invite.
  • Pick up the phone. We all have those older relatives who are averse to new technologies, including social media. If you’re not in contact with these relatives regularly but still feel they should know the news, give them a call – as this way, you can speak with them directly. Not doing so and them consequently finding out from one of your close relatives may lead to them feeling out of the loop, so try and keep them as involved as you can.

Give thoughtful gifts

You probably know your Maid of Honour or Best Man better than anyone else, which is why giving them a thoughtful gift can mean the world. Stay clear of what other couples have done in the past and embrace the memories that made you bond with them in the first place. Whether you give them a throwback vinyl record that reminds you both of a special road trip, a handcrafted piece of amber jewellery to represent your friendship or tickets to see their favourite West End show, going the extra mile to give them something they’ll truly cherish will see them put in the extra effort in return.

Encourage a hen or stag do that suits you

Image: Unsplash
Image: Unsplash

Your hen or stag do doesn’t have to be a boozy affair – and, if it’s your bridesmaids or groomsmen organising it, relaying this to them could save you from a night of debauchery that you’d much rather have avoided. Instead, why not go against the tide with a trip that suits your particular friendship group?

A trip to the ski slopes, a movie marathon with a mammoth takeaway or an old-school game of mini golf or bowling can sometimes prove to be much more memorable than an alcohol-fuelled night on the town, so consider sticking to what interests you rather than following the crowd.

Keeping things fun in the run up to your big day can prove to be a bit of a juggling act. You don’t want to give too much away, but give too little away and you’ll not create any excitement at all.

We hope that, with this compact guide, you’ll be able to build your way towards an anticipated wedding that makes its own rules.

Author bio

Anna Emmett is the owner of Henryka Jewellery, specialising in hand-crafted, unique silver, gemstone and amber jewellery that’s inspired by the natural world.

So it’s a yes!

Planning your wedding includes planning your wedding stationery. We are really excited to share over 40 years’ experience of creating and printing gorgeous wedding stationery with you!

So you’ve said yes (huge congratulations!) and now the fun really begins! This is your special day, and you have probably been planning the way you want it to look for a long time.  However, you will be happy to know there are no set rules and even traditional etiquette guides will advise you to choose an invitation that reflects your wedding and sets the tone for the day.

So the first decision is whether to be traditional, contemporary or truly individual with a personalised design. The planning starts with the Save the Date card and the theme that will run through every part of your stationery to the Thank You card.  Consequently, your wedding stationery is part of that whole image, and you will want it to reflect your own personality. Traditional wedding stationery used to be hand-engraved, however the new forms of printing, such as thermography which give a raised feel, has taken over as it is half the cost. With this new freedom and endless choices, let us help you create a design that feels truly personal.

 

Save the Date cards are an excellent way to ensure your guests can attend your wedding as you can also hint at your theme.

Wedding Stationery List

Firstly you have to decide what invitations and other stationery you will need. Do you want to send out Save the Date cards? Are there guests you want to come to the reception or evening only? Then you may need to have reception or evening invitations separate from the wedding invitations.  There are also information leaflets and reply cards with reply envelopes which can go out with your wedding invitation.  For the wedding day itself there are the service sheets, table plans, placements and menus to consider.  Some people like to have an Order for the Day card too.  It is good to plan ahead for each part of your stationery so that you can follow the theme through. Obviously it is important to have a budget in mind for this part of your wedding costs.

 

 

This is a gorgeous example of LETTERPRESS printing (Gee Style Ramsey)

Choosing the style

Once you have decided on the theme you will have to make some choices.

For all wedding stationery there are some simple choices to start with:

1. Is the wedding invitation to be folded or flat?

2. Which size of invitation appeals most – standard envelope sizes limit the options?

3. What card colour, thickness and texture do you like?

4. Which printing process do you prefer? (These are described on our website)

5. Which colour of ink or foil would look best with your theme?

6. And finally, which typeface/s you would like (you can have more than one)?

 

 

Beautiful gold foil edging, text and initials – very popular and absolutely stunning!

Embellishments

Once you have chosen these, there are some other embellishments to consider.

The finishes that can be added to make the invitation more individual are bows, gilded edges, borders, panel sinking or blind embossing.

A recent trend is to add your initials entwined at the top of the flat invitations or on the front of folded invitations.  A popular choice this year has been tissue lined envelopes with the colour reflecting the ink of the invitation.

 

 

 

 

So where to start?

With the most important invitation for the day:

From traditional to contemporary, we have experience of printing a wide range of invitations.

Day Invitations & Envelopes

Day invitations are the essential stationery item for every wedding. You send these to the guests you are inviting to your whole wedding, i.e. the ceremony, reception and evening celebration. The envelopes are also important because receiving a good quality envelope will enhance the whole experience of opening your beautiful invitation.  These should be sent out around 8 weeks before. However the more time you give your guests the more likely they will be available to come.

Top Tip 1: Your invitation is the first formal impression your guests will have of your wedding so choose your design carefully and try and tie it in with your colour scheme, theme or “look”.

Top Tip 2: Remember you will only need one invitation per couple or family, but do allow some spares for mistakes when addressing them or for people you might decide to ask later.

 

 

Evening Invitations & Envelopes

These are for guests you want to invite to your evening celebration only. These can be less formal than the main wedding invitation and here is the chance to have a fun style invitation from the couple themselves.  You may want to add this invitation into your main wedding invitation envelope so you will not need envelopes for those guests coming to the wedding service. Remember you will only need one invitation per couple or family.

 

Katie Green Reply Cards
Just one example of the many reply cards we’ve printed for couples… great way to hasten replies!

Reply Cards

These are a popular way of hastening responses so you can finalize numbers early and be able to plan catering, table placements etc.  It also makes it easier for your guests to reply. They’re a great way to ask your guests specific questions such as dietary requirements, if they would like a space on any transport you are organising, or whether they will be bringing children. You can also put a ‘please reply by’ date on them to help ensure replies arrive well before your wedding date. Reply cards are often postcard size with your reply address on the other side and they fit neatly inside your invitation envelope.  Some people prefer to have a separate printed envelope for the reply card.  Either way, it is easy for your guests to let you know if they are coming or not, by just popping them in the post. It is also much easier to keep track of reply cards coming in, than replies coming in by email, telephone or letter. Plus it’s very exciting when they arrive through your letterbox!

Top Tip: Plan to send out your invitations in good time to give your guests about 4 weeks to reply by the reply date.

 

 

Including an Information Sheet with your wedding invitation is the perfect way to let your guests know about accommodation, plans for the wedding and maybe the following day.

Information Cards

Information cards are a great way to provide your guests with additional information about your wedding. This can include details about the day, travel and transport, maps, accommodation, present lists, children, and any other information you want to include. They’re particularly handy if your guests are travelling from far away, especially if your wedding is abroad.

Top Tip: Use information cards to address any tricky issues, for example, if you would like money or vouchers instead of gifts, or if you are unable to accommodate children. A carefully worded note on an information card will let your guests know and won’t offend anyone.

 

 

 

 

Pineapple The Date Cards
You can have so much fun creating a Save the Date card!

Save-the-Date Cards & Envelopes

These are a great way to ensure all your guests can make your wedding, by asking them to save the date up to a year in advance. They’re particularly handy if your wedding is during a holiday season, or if your guests will be travelling far.

Top Tip: If your wedding is abroad you can send them an information leaflet with flight and accommodation information so your guests can book early.

More top tips coming soon…

(If you can’t wait until then, it’s all available on our Free Wedding Stationery Guide, which you can download now from our website)

 

 

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