Tips – Writing out your Wedding Invitations   Order enough invitations …You only need one invitation per couple but there are bound to be a few singles also. There will probably be 3 lists – one from the bride’s family, one from the groom’s family and one from the couple.  Ensure that you have included absolutely everybody before counting up numbers.  We would always advise ordering 15% more than you think you need.  This will allow you a few extras – for making mistakes when you are writing them out and also the odd person you might have forgotten.  When you get your replies back there may be a few people who can’t go – you then have a few spare for inviting others if you wish.  It is very expensive to order a reprint so do ensure that you order enough. It is good manners to send an invitation to the minister and his wife.  It is also courteous to invite people who for reasons of great distance or illness are likely not to be able to attend. The parents of the groom are sent an invitation as a formality.   Order on time … allow plenty of time so you can enjoy writing out your invitations instead of it being a mad rush. We would advise ordering approx. 4 months before your wedding. Ensure that you have your lists of names and addresses ready before your invitations arrive from the printers. You will need full details including post codes.   Decide on how you wish to style names on invitations. It is usual to have Mr & Mrs though some brides put Christian names only. Sometimes the names of the guests are written on the reply card and not on the actual invitation. This is entirely your choice – some brides do not wish to ruin their invitations with their handwriting!  You may wish to employ a calligrapher to write your invitations (or a member of you family who has beautiful writing).   Take time to methodically work through your list in an orderly fashion, marking off each name as they are completed. It is best to set a time aside when you have peace and quiet and can spread your work out – perhaps on a dining table.   The invitee’s name is written by hand, either in the top left-hand corner of the invitation or on the dotted line within the text. A fountain pen with black ink gives a traditional look but you may choose something different. Avoid biros! The type of pen you use will have a great impact on how the finished product looks.  Try a few pens out to see which looks...

I am often asked for guidance as to when each item of Wedding Stationery should be ordered.  I hope you find this Date Plan helpful. 24 weeks before wedding Appointment with stationers. You are best to come in and discuss your ideas well in advance of your wedding.  You may wish to incorporate a special theme, colours or a motif.  It is best to handle the invitations to get an idea of the quality before making a decision.  You may wish to take some samples home.  The appointment can take a couple of hours by the time you choose card colour and texture, fonts etc.  At this stage we also discuss your wording and the various items you might need. 23 weeks before wedding Receive wording for invitations and reply cards. We will also give you a full quotation. 22 weeks before wedding Send amended wording back.  You may also need to provide us with the wording for your information sheet should you require one. 20 weeks before wedding Receive proofs – this is your opportunity to correct any errors and make any final adjustments to the design. 19 weeks before wedding Receive amended proof and check all details are correct before signing off to print.  Make sure that you have ordered the correct amount, allowing for spares. Also make sure you that you compile your full guest list along with completed addresses so you are ready to write your invitations when they arrive. 16 weeks before wedding Details finalised and order placed. This first order usually includes daytime invitations, reply cards, evening invitations and information sheets if required. 15 weeks before wedding Begin to compile your Order of Service.  You will need to decide on music, readings, hymns, soloists etc.  This all needs to be approved by the person conducting the ceremony before sending to us. 12 weeks before wedding You should receive your invitations around now and can start writing them out.  You may wish to send a few early if they are going abroad. 11 weeks before wedding Send us a typed Order of Service and also the wording for your menu if required.  You may also wish to order table names, place cards and thank you cards. 9 weeks before wedding Receive proofs for Order of Service, menu etc.  Send back any amendments. 8 weeks before wedding Approve proofs for remaining items and send to print. Send out Wedding Invitations. 4 weeks before wedding Receive remaining items – Order of Service, Menus, place cards, table names, thank you cards. 3 weeks before wedding Send in details of table plan for proof. Write out place cards. 2 weeks before wedding Receive proof of tableplan –  make...

When should I come in to discuss stationery? This is entirely up to you but we would usually advise coming in around 6 months prior to your wedding.  If you want to order Save the Date cards you may wish to come in a year before.  If you have left it a bit late – don’t despair – we can offer you a Rush Order where you pay extra and receive your order more quickly. How long does it take to get my stationery? This can vary depending on time of year and your specific requirements but to give you an idea….. Normal order Once you have decided on your design and wording a proof usually comes within 1 week.  When you approve your final proof to print your order usually comes within 2-3 weeks. Rush order A proof usually takes a day, when you approve your final proof to print your order usually arrives approx. 1 week later. How many invitations do I need to order? Please do not guess your numbers.  Count up all your couples, all your singles and add up the total number of invitations you expect to send out – then add 15% extra to this number (to allow extras for making mistakes when writing out and also a few spares for people you decide to invite later once you receive some refusals). When should I send out my invitations? Most people send them out 8-12 weeks prior to their wedding.  You may wish to wait and send your evening invitations a little later in case some guests from the daytime list cannot come and you decide to invite an evening guest to the full day. What basic advice would you give about choosing my invitations? Your invitations are the first hint your guests receive about the style of your day and so play an important part in setting the tone. Come in and discuss your requirements and get ideas by looking at samples. You may wish to incorporate bridesmaid colours, motifs, lined envelopes, blind embossing or gilt edges and create something unique to you. It is important that you see and handle samples before making your choice. How do I word my invitations? Don’t worry about your wording – we can discuss this in detail with you and send you your wording before ordering proofs.  There are many ways to do this and we will go through the options.  Usually it is the bride’s parents doing the inviting if they are hosting the wedding but sometimes it is the bride and groom.  Read more about wording your wedding invites. How do I write my invitations? Traditionally the name of the guest is written...

Outside the Spa at Culloden:  Jules, competition winner Kelly Tweedie and Spa & Health Club manager Rachel Crawford.   Bride to be and lucky winner Kelly Tweedie collected her spa treatment voucher this week. Kelly won our competition to treat her mum or someone special as a thank you for all their help with her wedding.  While they receive their treatment Kelly will be able to enjoy the spa facilities at either the Spa at Slieve Donard or the Spa at the Culloden. Kelly is pictured receiving her voucher at the Spa at the Culloden from manager, Rachel Crawford (right) with Jules (left).   Keep a look out on Jules social media accounts as we will soon be announcing our next exciting competition.  Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook....

Jules recently received an email from a happy couple thanking her for their wedding stationery and sharing with her some photos from the day. Claire and Christopher McKendry got married at Campbell College on the 20th of December 2014.  Below is photo of them leaving the ceremony took by photographer Mark Barton. Claire and Christopher’s wedding had a very elegant style with an ivory and deep blue colour scheme.  Candle sticks and frosted foliage gave a romantic winter feel to the wedding reception and contrasted to the warm dark woodwork of this beautiful wedding venue.   The couple wanted quality wedding stationery with a classic style to suit the tone of their wedding.  Below is a beautiful photo taken by Mark Barton of the couples “order of ceremony”.   Below is a copy of the email Jules received shortly after the wedding. Julie Anne, Look how gorgeous all your products are!! You cannot be thanked enough for how much the invitations, thank you cards, reply cards, information sheets, writing paper, table plan, menu cards and table numbers! Now thank you cards too!! All set the standard for my wedding, and exactly the perfect tone! It really really means a lot, I was so particular about the feeling of my day, and all your touches were absolutely key to the success of this, both on the day and more importantly in the build up to the day, you worked tirelessly with me to ensure that I was absolutely happy with every single detail and even read my mind to know what I would like, everything was exactly how I imagined and I genuinely cannot thank you enough! With love and sincere thanks, Claire and Christopher...