Weddings are just a handful of times when tradition matters; after all, can you imagine receiving wedding invitations or thank you cards via text? In this age of emails and emojis, Facebook and Twitter, your wedding is an event worthy of more than a digital e-vite.
There’s a certain elegance to a hand-calligraphed or custom-designed matte card in an actual envelope with a personalised touch. From save the date to invitations to thoughtfully crafted thank you cards, here’s a quick look at the etiquette and tradition of wedding paper goods and the elements you need to follow.
Thank you cards Are all about the font
Source: fastprinting.com.au
With Australian guest lists typically averaging 100 or so people (those relatives do add up!), most people type and print their stack of paper goods—and the good news is it’s perfectly fine to do so. In contrast, it was considered a massive faux pas not so long ago. Some choose the boutique approach and hire a calligrapher, but the modern, popular option is to use a lavish script font for the essential details (like names) – it all depends on how traditional you want to be.
Whether you opt for a unique custom-designed wedding invitation or an exquisite pre-designed template, look for one that captures the theme of your wedding. Consider how the different fonts convey different tones; a cursive font like Edwardian Script denotes a classic, conventional ceremony (think grand church, indoor reception, sit-down dinner), or a clean sans serif font like Frutiger offers a fresh, modern look – perfect for a beach or outdoor event.
Spell out dates and times in full, regardless of your choice, and be clear about the details and what’s to be expected on the day.
Consider including a handwritten element, be it your guests’ names or yours- for a special touch—it adds a spark of originality.
Trending: Calligraphy
The paper elements of a wedding are endless, and each gives you the opportunity to be creative. A few things to keep in mind: if you don’t like your handwriting, it’s completely acceptable to enlist the help of an artistic friend or relative (or fiancé, perhaps?).
Check, check, and triple-check your spelling before that ink touches the paper, and for the ultimate refined touch, consider hiring a calligrapher for those other little paper elements of your event—think wedding place cards, chalkboards, wedding menus, and wedding favours.
Along with letterpress, calligraphy offers old-world sophistication and brings an artisan touch to accompany the paper goods available on the Internet. In past eras, wealthy families would commission skilled monks to craft their text—a romantic idea if ever there was one. These days, calligraphers, who are most often artists and designers, learn their skills via design colleges (no need to visit a monastery).
Traditionally, the only piece the happy couple should handwrite is the thank you cards.
The importance of the thank you card
Anna Wintour sends them for all sorts of reasons—which is enough said. Thank you cards are, in fact, one of the most important tasks of the wedding process. Sure, they’re not up there with the dress or the destination, but they are essential and often overlooked. Tradition is to write them by hand, mention the gift by name (unless it’s monetary—then don’t state the amount!) and sign off with a heartfelt thanks. A modern popular alternative is to send a photograph of the two of you and include printed thank you cards. If choosing this option, try to include a small handwritten element, such as signing your name or writing a custom message on a standard-designed card.
Thoughtfully designed thank you cards add an extra personal touch, ensuring every guest feels uniquely appreciated.
As the final task of the wedding process, it’s understandable to want to put it off. You’ve been through the bridal shower, the hen’s night, the ceremony, the reception, and the honeymoon. Still, it’s of utmost importance to graciously acknowledge your gifts and the presence of friends and family. Don’t worry if your handwriting isn’t the best for this one; it just needs to come from the heart
