Please....we still send wedding invitations by mail -- not e-mails or phone call invitations. Etiquette offers many methods of sending the invitation, but no other precedent than the fact, social, business, bridal special events -- all require formal invitations. In selecting your invitation, you will want to consider the cost per entire set against the number of guests.

The Invitations,

The Envelope for the Invitation,

The Reply Card and the Invitation,

Possibly the Map to the Occasion,

The weight of these combined and the postage to mail,

CLUE: Saving Money: Weigh the combined items at the store prior to ordering. Check with postage cost for stamps. Often this jumps greatly with one or more ounces. It can bump you into a higher mailing cost. Reply cards normally can use the first class LOVE STAMPS.

ORDER THEM SIX MONTHS AHEAD

If something is wrong, they can be re-done.......always order ten-twelve extra (addressing errors).

Define and make certain of the correct addresses and spellings of guests.

Develop a time-line on your invitations. Receiver must have six weeks to a month prior to the event.

It takes five-seven days for the mail in U.S. Longer out of the country.

It may take two to three weeks to complete the addressing.

Really examine the invitations and envelopes for correct returns & info.

When you add up all of the time above, then look at your calendar - mark it according to what is next - and do it. This is not where you want to fall behind!!!!!

There is so much to choose from, Full-Page-letter-type, Color, Embossed, Engraved, & Themes. We suggest looking at some web sites for this subject before you go to a store or order from the web. The stores who specialize in this have trained personal to guide you through the process and will know the correct questions to ask you. Go with correct spellings of names, accurate dates and times, address of the occasion. You will seek a variety of key ingredients for your invitations: workmanship in the displayed styles ability to convey a visual message for your style event space for your wording - when you have messages to print - there must be adequate room to place your information

The font (letter formation) CLUE: There are wonderful invitation services with calligraphy and unique software systems which track your replies.

CLUE: It is sad to say, many people do forget to reply and you may have to call them at the very end to find out if they are planning to come. As rude as they are in this, you do not need any last minute surprises with the caterer and seating.

POSTAGE AND MAILING ISSUES

Get those invitations out properly (and on time) with these hassle-free postage pointers.

Normal Weight of Invitations and the reply card please expect to spend between 55-65 cents per invite. Plus the return stamp on the reply card(s). That stamp price today would be .20 cents When you have more than one reply or a map inside, your combined costs may run higher.

At the Post Office First ask if there's a single stamp for the exact amount. If not, round up the amount to save yourself some time.

CLUE: Set up a work area to complete this task.....the kitchen table may be dirty -- this includes putting the invitation stamps on -- you want clean surfaces for this job also.

We found a great way to get your stamps, zips and great information for mailings: If you know the weight: "http://www.stamps.com" Stamps.com has a software program that allows you to print postage either directly onto the envelopes or onto labels that you peel and apply. For more do-it-yourself fun, use the US Postal Service's "http://postcalc.usps.gov/" They offer a rate calculator to help you to determine what it will cost to send each invitation. Enter the states you're mailing from and to, as well as the weight of your invitation. The amount of postage required appears.

ZIP CODES

Make sure all addresses are correct. Both the "http://new.usps.com/cgi- bin/uspsbv/scripts/front.jsp" US Postal Service and Stamps.com have tools to help you get ZIP+4 codes just right. You simply enter an address as you have it, and up pops the proper ZIP code.

MAIL THEM FROM A POST OFFICE -- NOT A POST BOX ON THE STREET CORNER

LEAVING IT UP TO THE POST OFFICE TO PLACE YOUR POSTAGE Is not a good idea, they will run them through a machine.......ugh. You want hand placed stamps on invitations.

EXTRA POSTAGE

Is required for any out of the country mailings. Check with the post office on these details.

STAMPS ARE BEAUTIFUL

Sometimes, by reviewing what the post office offers in stamps, you may find your special interest, or love stamps and/or holiday themes