|
Using
Post Cards For Response Cards
Q:
I
liked your idea in the Money
Savings Secrets
section of this site about saving money on reply cards by using post
cards. But, what kind & size of post cards do you suggest? From
the post office? Also, how do I print the post cards? On my own
computer? YIKES! Would a stationary company print them? Carol
A:
Check with
stationery superstores such as Staples and Office Depot. They usually
carry blank postcard stock so you can print your own reply post
cards. It usually comes in one standard size. Often it is available
completely blank, in fancy paper grains, or with some design on it.
Frequently you may find a variety of selection to chose from. Just
enquire at one of these stores - tell them what you are looking for
and what you intend to use it for; they should be able to point you
in the right direction. In fact, these stores may also offer complete
'print your own' wedding stationery kits, which include blank
invitations, envelopes and your choice of either blank reply cards or
reply post cards, so you may want to ask about that too! And, yes,
you would print the post cards, or any of the other items I just
mentioned, on your home computer. It's not as scary as it sounds!
Just practice a couple of times first to make sure you get it just
right, then away you go! Again, if you ask the people at the store
where you buy the blank post card stock, they should be able to
advise you on how exactly to do the printing with your home computer.
A lot of brides are now doing this, so you shouldn't have too much trouble!
As an additional
tip, if you chose to go with blank post card stock, you can always
fancy it up a little, if you like, AFTER you've printed them on your
computer, by adding a few of your own touches. For example, you can
use fabric paint, in the colors of your choice, to add a few
decorative 'squiggles' to the post cards. You don't need to be an
artist - any one can make squiggles with fabric paint and have them
look amazingly artistic! Squiggles don't take a whole lot of time to
create either. You can easily do your entire batch of reply cards in
one evening. And of course you can make your own invitations to
match, using this same idea. Just get some card stock to match the
postcards, print, and then squiggle away! I suggest fabric paint
specifically because it is extremely easy to work with and dries with
a very nice 'raised' finish. Try pearlized colors for a fabulous,
totally professional look! Then voila! You'll have one-of-a-kind,
custom made invitations and reply post cards! You're guests will be
impressed with how unique and distinctive they are, but best of all,
you'll save a bundle in the process!
As for wedding
stationery companies, I do believe some now offer postcards as an
alternative to reply cards in their wedding stationery albums.
However, in order to buy them from them, you would probably have to
go with the option of having them do all the printing for you, and
this, of course, won't save as much money as making your own. Most
stationery companies will offer to sell you blanks so that you can do
the printing yourself, but you are usually better off letting them
print them for you, as they often charge almost as much for the
blanks as they do for doing the whole job. Nonetheless, even if you
do go the route of having the entire job professionally printed by a
stationer, using post cards will still offer you a significant cost
savings in terms of postage! If you want to find out if the
stationery lines available in your area offer postcards in their
stationery albums, just call a few dealers and enquire. Additionally,
you may want to try the mail order invitation companies - I'm quite
certain that some of them now offer postcards which they will print
for you.
Happy planning!
Head
Table Question
Q:
I am having my
wedding reception in a beautiful setting on the wirral but have a few
problems. How do I sit the visitors at the top table? My
father-in-law-to-be lost his wife and is dependent on myself and his
son for care, and one of our bridesmaids is totally wheel chair
bound. Please advise us on the appropriate seating arrangements. My
fiance's brother will not be the best man but we would like him at
the head table with my brother, but what about his partner - does she
sit with us? My other bridesmaid has a long term partner and my
Matron is recently married. Please help me as my Mum is calling the
straws and I would like some advice and don't want to hurt or leave
anyone out. Thanks, Much Purplexed!!
A:
Normally
the partners of the people in the wedding party are seated together
at a special table up near the head table (top table). The exception
might be if these people have close friends who will also be among
the wedding guests, in which case, they may prefer to sit with their
own close friends as opposed to with people whom they may not know.
In
terms of your fiance's brother, there is no problem with having him
seated at the head table. As long as space permits, it is not
uncommon to have special people who are not part of the wedding party
seated at the head table (you commonly see this with grand parents,
for example).
Normally
seating is arranged as such:
Bride
& Groom in center
Maid
of Honor to the right of the Bride
Best
Man to the left of the Groom
Bridesmaids
to the right of the maid of honor.
Male
attendants to the left of the best man.
Parents
of the bride to the right of the bridesmaids.
Parents
of the groom to the left of the male attendants.
Any
special people on the bride's side would be seated to the right of
the bride's parents.
Any
special people on the groom's side would be seated to left of the
groom's parents.
With
respect to the bridesmaid who is wheelchair bound, she will, of
course, sit at the head table with the rest of the wedding party.
Just make sure to pre-arrange to have someone wheel her to her place
at the table. She should take her place in the procession to the head
table along with the rest of the wedding party, certainly not separately.
Linda
Kevich is the creator and editor of SuperWeddings.com. She has been a
professional wedding consultant for the past ten years, and now
teaches the business of wedding consulting through a home
study program she has developed. Have a
wedding question? Click here to ask the expert!
|
