FEBRUARY 2017

ANNUAL WEDDING GUIDE
you’re invited
Finding the best wedding invitation
BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO
The wedding invitation could be the first glimpse into what a couple’s
wedding will be like.
“The invitation can really set the tone of a wedding, so it should
be something that reflects a couple’s taste, style and budget,” said Dalia Atisha,
The Event Planner.
“Once you design your invitation, guests may have an idea of the type
of wedding you are planning,” said Yvonne Abbo, Yvonne’s Invitations,
“whether it is classic elegance or classic contemporary for instance.”
Budgeting for the invitation is important. “It’s very exciting planning a
wedding and most couples will start a board on Pinterest ‘Wedding of My
Dreams,’ said Abbo. “You need to first figure out the guest list and how many
invites you might need. Divide your guest list by 2 and then add 25 percent
to your list; you will get a more accurate head count.”
Re-ordering invitations after an initial order can get pricey. “It is also important
to remember postage price when choosing your invite,” said Abbo. “Also,
make sure that you have a sample of how an invite is assembled and then go to
the post office to figure out how much each one will cost to mail out.”
Most couples gravitate towards timeless colors such as crème, white, gold and
silver invitations. “However, there are some couples that really want to showcase
their wedding style,” said Atisha. “If a couple is having a winter wedding,
they can reflect their wedding style with a winter wonderland invitation.”
“A snowflake is winter’s butterfly – a winter wonderland theme is so enchanting,”
said Abbo. “There are many lavish colors that work in the winter.
Winter white is also very popular for paper color and also for accent colors.”
The spring and summer seasons inspire their own colorful theme. “If a couple
is having a spring/summer wedding they can reflect their wedding style with a
floral invitation or vibrant colored paper and ink colors,” said Atisha.
“If we didn’t have winter, we couldn’t love our spring and summer season so
much,” said Abbo. “Foil wedding invitations are very popular this year and can
be used for any season. Vintage elegance is definitely present with pearls and
laser-cut lace accenting the wording on the card.”
For the fall, “a couple could reflect their wedding style with brunt orange,
red and golden tones even somehow incorporating leaves,” said Atisha. “Couples
can really bring out the seasonal theme of their wedding with embellishments
such as gem stones, handmade flowers, and ribbons. They can also do
embossed stamping for example of leaves and snowflakes — the possibilities
are endless.”
Many couples fall in love with the fall season. “Brides love the idea of
a rustic theme with tree branches and burlap invitations,” said Abbo. “Use
some rhinestones and bows to add an elegant touch.”
Ordering the invitation is part of the wedding planning. “Create an excel
sheet of your guest list,” said Abbo. “This will help keep you organized.”
“A couple should allow at least four months before the wedding to order
invitations to have enough time to get them and package them up to send
out,” said Atisha. “Couples should be sure to proof their invitation and
have a few other people read it to make sure it doesn’t need to be modified
or have any mistakes.”
Abbo also recommends working with a seasoned wedding planner.
“They help with seating of guest for instance,” she said. “I recommend personalized
cocktail napkins, as well; they offer a nice touch and can complement
the invitation.”
Like Abbo, Atisha loves to get crafty. “We do seating charts, place
cards, entrance table set up/design, programs, menu cards, tables numbers,
pretty much everything that is part of the wedding theme and décor,”
said Atisha.
28 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2017