Invitation Guide

Welcome to the “Invitation Guide” by Joyful Invitations. We're trying to make the invitation ordering process as simple as possible for you. To help you, we've put together the following guidelines:

Benefits of Ordering Online
Glossary of Terms
Wedding Invitation Ensemble
Prepare your Invitations for Mailing
Proper Etiquette for Addressing Your Envelopes

For more information about ordering and invitations see our FAQ.

Benefits of Ordering Online

• Excellent Quality Printing
• Finest Papers
• Online Proof System
• Choice of Ink Colors
• Choice of Lettering Style, Font Size
• See Typeset Copy of Item
• Quick Turnaround Time (Most items in 24-48 Hours)

MoMost of our personalized paper products are printed using thermography, which is a process which provides a beautiful raised lettering effect. Envelope flaps and holiday cards are flat printed. Foil stamping is an option for some holiday cards and many accessory items.

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Glossary of Terms

Blind Embossing

Blind embossing is a printing method where an image is pressed into paper resulting in a raised design. The embossing is termed “blind” because the design is formed without ink or foil. (Debossing is an image stamped onto paper or a napkin without ink or foil; it appears “indented.”)

Bright White

This shade is the ultimate in white, very crisp, pure and bright!

Card

Invitation cards do not fold; your wording is printed on the front.

Deckle Edge

An uneven, feathery edge on a piece of paper is called a deckle edge. This edge is most commonly found on parchment invitations; however, other papers may also have deckle edges and will be noted in descriptions.

Die-Cutting

The process of using sharp metal rules to cut shapes and designs into paper. Die-cutting includes cutout shapes and sculpted edges.

Double Envelopes

The traditional set of two envelopes is used with formal invitations and announcements. The outer envelope is addressed to the guest and may have your (the sender's) address printed on the black flap. The inner envelope, with the invitation and enclosures is enclosed inside the outer envelope. The inner envelope carries only the guests' names. The inner envelope is available with a coordinating liner; it is not gummed and is not sealed.

Ecru

This color is warm creamy beige.

Embossing

Embossing is like blind embossing above, only this type of printing uses ink or foil on the raised area to add drama and dimension.

Engraved

Engraved printing using a copperplate presses the print into the cardstock from the underneath. You can feel the raised print from the top and the indent on the underneath.

Foil Stamping

This effect is achieved when colored foil is hot-stamped onto paper (perhaps a Christmas card) or accessory items, such as napkins.

Folder

Invitation folders are folded once, either to create a top or side fold. Your wording is printed on the front.

French-Fold

A sheet of paper folded twice to create a four-paneled invitation is considered French-folded. This fold is most common with parchment invitations.

Layers

This term indicates layers of paper tied or glued together. If the top layer is translucent and the lower is decorative paper, you'll see a muted version of the lower layer through the translucent top.

Letterpress

Letterpress is the process of printing that leaves the letters indented into the paper rather than raised like thermography.

Liners

This term refers to the decorative paper used to line the inside of an inner envelope or a single envelope.

Panel

A panel is the center section of your invitation “framed” by a raised area of paper. It also refers to pages facing each other. For example, a tri-fold invitation when opened fully has a left, middle and right panel.

Parchment

This translucent paper is made to look like original parchment. This distinctive paper adds a softening effect to any invitation.

Pearlize

The process that applies a luminous pearl-like finish to part of an invitation, usually to an embossed design, is called pearlizing.

Short-Fold

A short-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded once, not exactly in half, forming an invitation with a short front panel and longer back panel.

Soft White

This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

Thermography

This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface.

Tri-Fold

A tri-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice to form a three-paneled invitation. Both outside panels are folded inward to cover the center panel.

Vellum

Vellum is a paper with a rich, smooth finish.

White

This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

Z-Fold

A z-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice in accordion fashion to form a three-paneled invitation.

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The Wedding Invitation Ensemble:

A. Save the Date Card - save the date cards inform guests of your wedding date well in advance, allowing them to better plan for your event. You may send them out 6-18 months before the wedding. Invitations should be sent out when other details of the wedding (such as location, time, etc.) are finalized.

B. Wedding Invitation - The invitation informs guests of the date, time and location of your ceremony, and also sets the tone for the celebration. Mail all invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding.

C. Wedding Announcement - A wedding announcement is perfect for a small wedding ceremony, destination wedding or elopement to tell the great news of your marriage to family and friends that were not invited. Announcements should be mailed within two weeks from the day of your wedding.

D. Outer Envelope - The larger, gummed envelope is referred to as the outer envelope or mailing envelope. The recipient's name and address should be handwritten on the front with no abbreviations. The sender's return address should appear on the back flap.

E. Printed Outer Envelope - Envelopes printed with your return address save addressing time and also ensure that undeliverable invitations will be returned to you.

F. Informal Note - Informal notes can be used for casual correspondence or as a thank-you note.

G. Inner Envelope - The slightly smaller, ungummed envelope holds the invitation and enclosure cards. It is inserted into the outer envelope. The inner envelope should have only the recipient's title and surname on the front.

H. Lined Inner Envelope - Establish your wedding color theme with beautiful lined inner envelopes, available for a slight additional charge

I. Envelope Seal - Available in a variety of colors and designs, envelope seals add a finishing touch to your invitations, announcements and thank you notes.

J. Respond Card and Printed Envelope or Respond Postcard - Respond cards provide an accurate guest count. Guests return the card in the accompanying printed envelope, indicating if they will attend. A stamp should be affixed to the envelope. The respond card and envelope are enclosed with your invitations. For budget-conscious brides, respond postcards are an economical option.

K. Reception Card - reception cards are enclosed with your invitations to announce the time and location of the wedding dinner, dance, brunch or other celebration.

L. At Home Card - At home cards enclosed with your invitations to announce your new address and provide valuable information, such as the date you will be moving into your new home.

M. Map Card - Printed map cards enclosed with your invitations provide guests with detailed directions to your ceremony and reception.

N. Pew Card - Pew cards are included in the invitations of special family members and close friends. When presented to the ushers at the wedding, these cards ensure special reserved seating.

O. Thank You Note - Elegant thank you notes with a handwritten message inside express your appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the gift givers. Printed notes are also available to acknowledge the receipt of gifts.

P. Note - Ordered with your names or married monogram printed on the front, notes are perfect for sending words of thanks and other social correspondence. Before the wedding, notes printed with your maiden name or monogram are ideal for sending words of thanks for shower gifts.

Q. Wedding Program - Wedding programs are handed out to guests at the Wedding Ceremony listing the wedding participants. Ordered blank, you can print them yourself or take to a printer for professional printing. Check with your church for program printing information.

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Prepare Your Invitations for Mailing

Your invitations and announcements will arrive flat. Assemble as follows:

Single Fold Invitations

If the invitation has printing only, with no design cover, fold with the printing on the outside. Place the enclosures face up on top of the invitations.

Front Design Invitations

Invitations with a design or verse on the front should be folded with the design on the outside and the printing on the inside. Place the enclosures face up on the inside.

Accordion, French or Tri-fold Invitations

Place the enclosures face up inside the second fold.

Protective Tissues (Optional)

Protective tissues are placed over the invitation printing. Not available with all invitations.

Enclosures

Enclosures are always placed printed side up. The reception card is first with the other enclosures on top. The response enclosure should be tucked under the flap of the stamped response envelope. All enclosures are placed on top of the invitation before tucking into the inner envelope.

Insert Invitation and enclosures into the Inner Envelope

Insert folded edge first with the front of the invitation facing the back of the envelope.

Insert the inner envelope, unsealed, into the Outer Envelope

Face guests' names to the back of the outer envelope so when the flap is opened they will see their name on the inner envelope.

Mailing Your Invitations:

1. Mail all invitations at the same time, six to eight weeks before the wedding date, using first class postage. If you are enclosing response cards in your invitations, remember to include stamps on the return envelopes.
2.  Assembled invitations often require additional postage. To avoid postage delays and returned invitations, take a completely assembled invitation to your post office to determine proper postage.
3.  Be sure to include a return address on each outer envelope. Invitations returned by the post office will allow you to invite those individuals personally.
4.  You've received the exact number of inner and outer envelopes you ordered.

We strongly advise that you take your completely assembled invitation to the Post office to be weighed and properly priced before purchasing your postage. Often, because of size and weight, additional postage will be necessary. Mail your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. Take your invitations to your local Post Office to be hand cancelled. This means that your invitations will not be run through the large machines where they risk being torn or ruined.

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Proper Etiquette for Addressing Your Envelopes

Your invitations should be addressed by hand in black ink. To add the elegance and style of calligraphy you might like to have your envelopes professionally addressed by us. See Envelope Addressing for complete details and instructions.

• Traditionally, two envelopes are used for wedding invitations and announcements.
•  The outer envelope has a glued flap and the inner envelope is unglued. The outer envelope will be used for the guests full name and mailing address:
  

  Mr. and Mrs. Carl Morris
  211 Welsh Lane
  West Palm Beach, Florida 33414

  Use full names and formal titles. Cities, states and numbered streets are written out in full. You may use the following salutations: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Jr., and Military Rank.

  Two unmarried people who reside at the same address may be sent a single invitation. Their names should appear on separate lines in alphabetical order.

  Miss (Ms) Jane Brown
  Mr. Robert Dane

  If a child living at home is under eighteen and is invited, their first names would appear on the line beneath their parents' names. If a child living at home is eighteen or older, they should receive their own invitation. Omit children's names if you are planning an adult-only celebration.

• The inner unglued envelope will hold your invitations and enclosures and will be addressed using the guests name only:
  

  Mr. & Mrs. Morris

• If an invitation to a single guest extends to an unknown escort, address the inner envelope with your guest's name followed by "and Guest".
  

  Miss Morris and Guest

•  If you have selected an invitation that does not include an inner envelope or choose not to use your inner envelope, you may follow traditional addressing rules for outer envelopes or create a new way that works best for you.
  

  For a traditional single outer envelope address, include the names of the children to be invited below the parents' names as you would on a standard inner envelope. Write “and guest” as it would have appeared on an inner envelope.

Basics:

Outer Envelopes:

1. Use full names and formal titles. Do not abbreviate.
2. Do not use symbols. Spell out the word "and".
3. Do not use initials. Spell out all names.
4. Do not write "and family" if children are to be included in the invitation.
5. Use figures only when writing house numbers and zip codes.
   

   Ex: 1747 Second Avenue South

6. Write out the words "Street", "Boulevard", "Avenue", etc.
7. Do not abbreviate state names.

Inner Envelopes:

1. Use full names and formal titles. Do not abbreviate.
   

   Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Johnson

2.  Type the first names of children to be invited below the parents' in order of age.
   

   Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Stevens
   Lisa, Adam, and Julia

3. Omit children's names if you are planning an adult-only celebration.
4. If an invitation to a single guest extends to an unknown escort, address the inner envelope with your guest's name followed by "and Guest".
   

   Ex: Miss Andrews and Guest

5. Single Outer Envelopes:
   If you have selected an invitation that does not include an inner envelope or choose not to use your inner envelope, you may follow traditional addressing rules for outer envelopes or create a new way that works best for you.
6. For a traditional single outer envelope address, include the names of the children to be invited below the parents' names as on a standard inner envelope.
7. Write “and guest” as it would have appeared on an inner envelope.