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.