ADVICE and GUIDELINES FOR WEDDING INVITATION CUSTOMERS

Established exclusively on the Internet in September 1995, Sand Scripts represents only high quality products from carefully selected worldwide manufacturers at value prices. We do not provide a print catalog, our philosophy is to support electronic commerce - Sand Scripts exists only on the Internet. We welcome you to create your own custom catalog by printing out the pages of our site that pertain to you. We work extensively on this site offering a comprehensive electronic catalog spanning 2500+ pages, serving businesses and individuals worldwide. Discover our unique products and order online securely. For your convenience, this site is designed to load pages very quickly. Links are provided to images, just click on the product name or thumbnail image. Sand Scripts is a proud pioneer of the online business and social stationery catalog. We continue to develop the technology making this fantastic service possible. Only the best will do. All of our printing, favors, gift and accessory items are first quality and offered to you at the lowest prices possible with one on one personalized and immediate service. Beware of lesser quality and extensive discounts, you get what you pay for. We look forward to servicing your needs. It is Sand Scripts' goal to always do our best to always be current, always be up on trends, always to discount and always provide the best unmatched one on one personalized immediate service - with everything backed up in writing!

What Sand Scripts can do for you:

• Sand Scripts provides a vast selection invitations in just about any category imaginable showcased 24/7 for our customer's viewing and ordering pleasure.
• The ability to view thousands of selections online in the comfort of a customer's home or office at anytime is extraordinarily valuable. We showcase both formal and informal selections totaling over 1500 selections. Selections are constantly updated are showcased along with all information and pricing clearly listed to order. Custom quoting is not required.
• Samples are available by order of any of the styles and all sample orders receive a generous money off coupon toward your next order from our online store. Sand Scripts excels with unique and tasteful offerings for any budget, specializing in Nautical and Celtic / Claddagh designs. We have developed a unique ordering system designed for a very little margin of error in the creation of custom imprinted products.
• Sand Scripts offers simplicity and ease in ordering with fast turnaround. Order via our secure online order form
• Rush orders are our specialty! We also provide follow up service and discounts on custom favors and accessories all to make your wedding a perfect memorable success.

Sand Scripts' method of ordering custom imprinted products
Custom Invitation Orders - our specialty!

• our process of ordering is unique and makes orders essentially "error proof"
• custom orders are only accepted in writing via online secure order form, standard e-mail, fax or regular mail
• within minutes (at most hours) of Sand Scripts receiving an order, the complete order is then reviewed by a member of our staff - the order is placed into an order confirmation template along with all suggestions, corrections and omissions clearly noted, it is then e-mailed or faxed back to the customer for final review
• the customer has the final word on the final text and they are assured that what they approve is exactly what will be printed
• our typesetters have strict instructions not to make any alterations to the approved order - what the customer authorizes is exactly what is printed, if the printer makes a typesetting error - that piece is reprinted and reshipped via expedited service immediately

Things to keep in mind about your invitations as you start planning your big day:

• The invitation sets the tone for the event - the couple should be aware of their general likes and dislikes right from the beginning. They do not need to have every detail worked out prior to ordering their invitations, but should be far enough along in their planning to be certain of the degree of formality of the event and whether or not they will be carrying through a theme. The invitation is the first impression that a guest has of the couple's big day, so it is very important to set the tone straight when the couple has that most important first chance. Some things for couples to keep in mind, will their wedding be a traditional one perhaps selecting a traditional ecru folder or flat card and black ink, or perhaps they are getting married on a beach or near the ocean and want to select a nautical invitation to convey their love of the shore, or perhaps they have a color scheme that they want to be present right from the very beginning. There are invitations to suit everyone's tastes and to convey these subtle or strongly deliberate messages. If a stock invitation is not available to suit the couple's individuality, then we create one. Through the creative use of electronic images and ink - the couple's intentions ring true. Another thing that an invitation conveys is the degree of formality of the event. This is extremely important as a traditional invitation may indicate (unless you outright say otherwise) a formal wedding, a colorful or whimsical or lightweight invitation may indicate a less formal event - this is very important as you want your guests to know how to generally dress and to know what to expect so that they can be comfortable. The language of the invitation will also make a big impact on the recipient. Perhaps the couple chose a flowery approach including lines from a favorite poem, perhaps the invitation resembles a factual instruction sheet with the essential who, why, what, when, where listing of events, or perhaps the couple has chosen to print their own artwork on the invitation, their very own specially created "logo" that will be carried out printed materials and accessories throughout their entire wedding events - whatever the couple does to proclaim their love for one another begins to their guest with the most important first impression, the invitation.
• Invitations also must be detailed in a very diplomatic way insuring fairness to your guests. You can be as subtle or as specific as you want to be regarding your policies, but you must be clear on them from the very beginning. Prior to ordering the invitations, you must be firm on your wedding policy regarding children, dress, food, entertainment, gifts (if applicable) and any other conditions. Once you extend the invitation, it is unfair at a later date to go make a verbal or written statement regarding any of your "policies". Make your rules right from the beginning as people who do not tend to alienate friends and family as it gets close to the event. You will find that having a meeting with your partner and (if applicable) host(s) to define this information will eliminate discrepancies, stress and heartache in the future. If children are not welcome at the reception, then state "Adult reception". If childcare will be provided, list it. If you do not want gifts, state "Your presence is our gift" or "No gifts, please". It is only suggested to make a statement regarding gifts if you adamantly do not want them and not the other way around. Registry information is for your parents and attendants to distribute and is not something to be listed on the wedding invitation. If no gifts are desired, couples often list a charity or organization to donate to on their behalf.
• A unique and often used approach as mentioned is the use of a "logo". Every couple has something special that only they share. Incorporating that special something into all of the wedding events is a fun and personal way for the couple to further publicly establish their wedding. We love to print a special piece of artwork onto an invitation and see the same image imprinted upon napkins, matchbooks, thank you notes, etc. We can incorporate custom artwork into favors and accessories to unify the event. Custom artwork may be submitted as camera ready artwork, electronic artwork or Sand Scripts will create artwork for you. We have a large library of stock wedding designs that can be incorporated to create custom artwork. We utilize printing techniques such as ink, embossing and hot foil stamping. When customers come to us for invitations we often fulfill their shower invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations, printed accessory items and favors as well. We get to know our customers very well and can anticipate their needs and carry their theme throughout. We make suggestions and provide checklists to insure that even the smallest details are not missed. Our reputation and success has been built upon the referrals from the thousands of happy couples we have served around the world. We are delighted to see customers coming back time after time. Sand Scripts as a corporation continues to grow through the dedication and loyalty of our customer base. More often than not, a bridal customer will then become a birth announcement customer, a first birthday invitation customer, a friend's engagement party customer, holiday card customer, business supply customer and so on. We are very proud and unwavering in our dedication to servicing our customers as each individual customer has been a building block in the foundation of our business. We listen to our customers and provide them with what they need. We are thorough suppliers of information from concept to tracking number. In turn, our customers provide us with kind words, referrals and repeat business.
• Be sure to make the invitation about the couple and include the information regarding the event, not the other way around. In planning the invitation, the couple needs to take a step back and reverse roles with the guest they are sending it to. They must ask themselves, does this sound like an event I would like to go to? does it sound "inviting"? would the majority of the guests invited feel comfortable attending? With the invitation, you are selling yourself as a couple, your decision to spend the rest of your life together and the event itself. Each couple wants their wedding to be the best, the most memorable and most unique - why not make the invitation the indicator of true lifelong intentions?
• And remember, you want the guest to look forward to your special day. Marriage is a reason to celebrate and you want your guest to be excited anticipating your event. Make your invitation exciting so that they can not wait for your wedding day to see what wonderful plans you have in store for them.
• Also, make your invitation something worthy of a frame. I speak from experience, seeing my husband’s and my gorgeous invitation hanging on the wall every day makes me smile and it is that daily reminder of our most memorable day that rekindles my bridal spirit.

Invitation Basics

• Themed invitations are a very popular way to set the tone of the event. Sand Scripts specializes in Nautical and Celtic/Claddagh designs. If the couple is getting married on a cruise ship, why not send an invitation specially made for the event? We sell several invitations that are pre-printed with a cruise ship design, the couple's information is then imprinted telling the who, why, what, when, where of the event, but the pre-printed design of the invitation already has done most of the work.
• Another great way to make a statement is by choosing an invitation that has a specific imprintable area on the front of the invitation designated or a die-cut area designed to display additional text or a tri-fold invitation with a second panel that can be custom imprinted or even a large enough imprintable area for additional lines of text. These imprintable areas are an excellent place to list a short quote, verse or statement. For nautical invitations, we often print "A perfect shell is a gift from the sea as beautiful and unique as our love is meant to be". On Claddagh invitations, the short verse "With these hands, I give you my heart and crown it with my love" is a perfect short verse to be used as an introduction to the invitation and event.

Invitation Essentials
Each invitation requires:

• The name(s) of the host(s) paying for the event - that is the person(s) inviting the guests. It may be the parents of one of the couple, the parents of both, the couple themselves or someone completely different - in any case the host is who should extend the invitation, it is the host's return address that should be imprinted on the outer envelope flap and unless in case of extenuating circumstances, it is the host's address that should accept the response to the wedding
• The names of who is getting married. We like to enlarge the names of the couple on the invitation, that is the best way to make the names stand out and in most cases is our suggestion - it is the couple's day, it is the couple's names (on two separate lines with an "and" or "to" on a separate line between them) that should be what jumps out when the guest opens the envelope(s). Using a second different typestyle is also another way to achieve this effect, combination lettering is a very popular technique.
• why/what - There are many beautiful ways to say - "Come to our wedding!" - couples often are so caught up, they forget this little words, couples have to be sure to include a statement saying why this invitation has been extended and for what purpose - "Please join us for our wedding ceremony" or "honour us with your presence at our marriage" - there are countless ways to cleverly invite guests to a wedding
• when - day of the week (make it formal and make it easy on your guest to mark their calendar - listing both the day and the date also allows for less error when your guest marks their calendar - you want them arriving ready to celebrate on the correct day), date, month and year - there are several acceptable ways of formatting the date, we will suggest the best one to suit the formality of your invitation in your order confirmation
• where - place and address, remember, the zip code of the location is not required as it is not essential to a guest making their way to the location - including an enclosure card with a map and or directions to both the ceremony AND reception site (if different) is also a very kind gesture you can include to your guests - remember, it is best to make it as easy as possible for your guests, your guests should not have to work or feel imposed upon to attend your event - they should feel like they are going to the most memorable event they ever attended
• Be sure to include a separate response card or a listed RSVP - no matter what the size of the event, you need to know how many guests to expect. You can achieve this with formal and informal invitations by including a separate response card. The information included on the response card should be a respond by date (be sure to consult with any food preparers to make sure the date gives them enough time - date should be no more than two to three weeks in advance - if you make the date sooner, you will most likely have the guests that are unsure about their schedules decline, but giving a date closer to the wedding will give you a more accurate count of your guests and perhaps guests that were unsure will know their schedules better by that point and will be able to attend), name(s) (M________ or Name(s)__________ or just a blank line) and whether or not that party will attend (Will attend___ Will not attend___ - so many ways to word it!). Optional information can be for the guest to list how many will be attending, a meal choice and alternate way of responding such as to an e-mail address. A return addressed outer envelope - addressed back to the host is included with this piece, you will need to place a first class stamp on the envelope so that it is very easy for the guest and so that it is mailed back to you at your expense. If listing response information on the invitation, a cost effective way to do so is by utilizing corner copy - be sure to list a respond by date, phone number and a name of person accepting the response. If using the abbreviating R.S.V.P. - remember you do not need to use the word “please” as it is already in the abbreviation.
• separate reception cards or the reception information listed on the invitation - If you are inviting all of your guests to the reception and want to save a little money, then you can imprint the information on the invitation along with the invitation to the wedding. On the invitation, reception information and be incorporated into the invitation text or listed as corner copy or a centered footnote. This is smaller text offset right, left or center, usually it requires a nominal typesetting charge and can be used to get more information tastefully on your invitation. The more formal and traditional option is to have approximately five lines imprinted on the invitation card’s coordinating accessory card creating a reception card. This card is included in with the invitation ensemble and may be omitted if you choose to invite a guest to the ceremony only. The text for the reception card needs to include your invitation to the reception (“Please join us for the Reception…”), time (“immediately following the ceremony”) and place. You can tell a little more about the event if you choose, such as include “for Dinner and Dancing” or “cocktails and hors d’oeuvres reception”.
• return address on outer envelope - This is very important to list your return address (as per Post Office regulations) because if the invitation is not delivered for some reason (such as addressing error or if the guest has moved) it will be returned to you. The outside envelope (larger, gummed, possibly with return address imprinted) is addressed with the guests full formal name and complete mailing address. When inviting children, state only the parents’ name on the outer envelope, avoid "and Family". Do not abbreviate. Do not use symbols. Do not use initials. Spell out the word "and”. Also, it is a good idea since the envelopes are the ones that require addressing to include an additional 25 of the inner and outer envelopes in case of addressing errors.
• direction/map card - This is a kind gesture to your guests and will assist out of town guests and help them from losing their way and being late.
• Wording Suggestions http://www.sandscripts.com/catalog/invitation/wording.html
• NOTE: the way to address your envelopes of your invitation ensemble is by hand. Computer generated envelopes are acceptable, labeled addresses are NOT.

The rest is pretty much decorative:

• inner lined envelopes - Inner envelopes may or may not be included with your invitation. If inner are included, they are ungummed envelopes that the ensemble is placed into first. They may or may not be sealed with an envelope or wax seal. If available, the backflap may be lined with color piece of paper to further enrich your invitation by enhancing the color theme of your invitation or the liners may be a color to beautifully compliment the invitation. An inner envelope tends to make the invitation more formal. Due to odd shapes of invitation or unusual invitation stock colors, inner envelopes are not available for all selections. The inner envelope is addressed to the guests invited. Exclude first names, use formal "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". If children are invited, they are listed separately under the parents name in age order by their first name. Children over the age of sixteen should receive a separate invitation. Guests invited along with an unknown escort are addressed as "Mr. Smith and Guest".
• color ink - For most invitations, black ink is standard - color ink is available for an additional charge. Note: this charge is per item - invitations count as an item, outer return addressed envelopes count as an item, reception cards count as an item and so on...this is not a per piece charge
• outer envelope seal - Complete your invitation ensemble with an envelope seal adhered to the back of the envelope. It is a finishing touch and can assist to carry through a theme.
• Addressing/Assembly and Mailing http://www.sandscripts.com/catalog/invitation/mailing.html
• Glossary of Terms and Special Formatting http://www.sandscripts.com/catalog/invitation/glossary.html

Additional suggestions:

• Benefits of shopping at sandscripts.com, inc. - besides the benefits of keeping costs down through discounted invitation, coupons and frequent one day promotions for free shipping - Sand Scripts offers unmatched personalized one on one service. We are dedicated to making your invitations as perfect as you ordered them and expect to them to be.
• Give yourself enough time - see the job through and be very thorough - organization is key. Although Sand Scripts’ specialty is rush orders, we like you to have your invitations approx 3-4 months prior to the event. Then you will have plenty of time to address and assemble them properly. Standard production time for most invitation orders from Sand Scripts is approx 2-5 business days in house + ship time. Rush shipping is always available, expedited production is also available both quoted upon order. All delivery estimates are located on your final order confirmation.
• Order an invitation sample. Make sure that you like the invitation prior to investing in it. It would be a terrible disappointment if you received your entire order and wound up simply not liking it. Random imprinted or blank invitation samples are available for all of Sand Scripts’ selections for a nominal fee. In addition to the sample(s) ordered, the valuable sample packet that we carefully put together includes coupons, calendar magnet, useful guidelines, listings of hot products as well as other product offers.
• Get your invitations out on time - Once you receive your invitation order, be sure to proofread and count your articles carefully, at Sand Scripts we appreciate any claims in writing within seven days of receipt of delivery. Set a deadline for mailing your invitations, then leisurely gauge your addressing and assembly so that you meet your deadline. Your mailing date should be approximately six to eight weeks prior to the event. A nice touch is to take the invitations to the Post Office and have them hand cancelled. It makes for a little less handling as well as a nice hand touch from your home town instead of a machine mark.
• Do them right the first time. Proofread, check your work, have someone else check it over too! Take the time and make sure all elements are correct and exactly how you want them to appear. Remember, with Sand Scripts, you receive exactly what you order - so you do not want any discrepancies after you sign off with your approval on your final order confirmation. Make sure you work with someone who knows your event to proofread all spellings (especially names!), addresses and dates. Only you know the proper spellings of names and places, correct addresses, zip codes and dates. Also be sure to work with an experienced company like Sand Scripts who serves as an impartial party that can make suggestions and oversee any missed details.
• Order more than you need. As thermography has become the most popular way to print invitations, printing plates or dies are no longer retained or sent to you by printing companies. Therefore, each order, even though it may be an exact reorder is treated as a "new order". The same pricing as the original order will apply. As most of the set-up, typesetting and plate charges are included in the invitation pricing, by reordering the same invitation, you would be paying for those services twice. For most invitations, the difference between 100 invitations and 125 invitations ordered at the same time is just a couple of dollars and is a worthwhile investment even if you wind up having a few extra. Those few extra can serve very useful for overlooked guests, guests invited at a later date in case you have guests submitting their regrets and can afford to fill in their places with guests you could not invite the first time or to simply frame as a cherished momento for yourself and your parents.
• Choose thermography (raised ink) as your printing process. Sand Scripts offers invitations printed in thermography, flat ink or that are engraved. Thermography - (raised printing) a rubberized powder is applied to fresh wet ink, excess powder is dusted off and paper is heated fusing the powder into a raised print. Flat Printing - ink applied to paper with by a printing plate. Engraving - lettering is etched into a metal plate and the recesses of the lettering are filled with ink, the paper is then pressed in between the inked plate on the front and a mirror image of this plate from the back. This presses the paper into the inked recesses forming raised portions of the paper that are also inked. Engraved invitations found in Sand Scripts' Online Invitation Catalog can be used on our offering of 100% cotton watermarked papers. Engraved invitations require the creation of metal plates and an additional running charge which can greatly enhance pricing. Engraved invitations are obvious to the trained eye and not the majority of your guests. Thermography is a much lesser expensive alternative and has become the acceptable standard in today's society.
• Don't let your emotions dominate your decision making - that often leads to dumb mistakes. Often couples stress out over little details in wedding planning and forget about the whole picture. This is often a time when many enemies are made - instead of fighting with your parents or best friends, include them and listen objectively to their suggestions. Remember, they only want the best for you. Listen to them, and if you and your partner decide to incorporate them, do so.
• use of corner copy/centered footnote and headers will save you some money - if you require a less formal invitation, you can eliminate the added expense of enclosure cards such as response and reception cards by using the smaller text offset left, right or center, top or bottom to convey additional information such as simply “R.S.V.P.” and “Reception immediately following”.
• Listen to advice, realize that no one is out to slip you up, rather, relatives, friends and professionals with experience are at your disposal to guide your through your experience. Their intentions are to make your experience as pleasant as possible. At least listen to those offering you advice, you might learn something! Remember, this may be your first experience with a wedding and there are professionals out there that can anticipate your needs. Perhaps there are friends or relatives offering advice that have made mistakes before and simply love you enough to help you avoid making those same errors. It is a tough, very stressful time with a lot of information coming at you from everywhere. Do you best to filter through what people are trying to help you with and along with your partner make your own best judgment and stick to it.
• In addition to your family and friends, it is appropriate to send a complete invitation to your wedding party as well as the officiant. This is not a good place to cut corners, all participants deserve the respect of receiving a complete invitation.
• Wedding announcements - Announcements are a way of telling people that you do not invite to the wedding about your marriage. They are worded in the past tense are mailed the day of or in the days immediately following the wedding. They may be from one or more sets of parents or the couple themselves. Announcements are simple and include: the couple’s name, are pleased to announce their marriage on day, the date of month, year place (city, state). Often couples purchase them at the same time as the invitations and the same style as the invitation they chose.
• Be hip! Fun things to do are to use an e-mail address for an alternate R.S.V.P. or list the address of the couple's web site (if they have one). A web site or even single web page is a great place to display pictures (as many of the guests may not know "the other half" and can not wait to see what they look like) and to include details about the day, how you met, directions, pictures of the facility, etc.
• Have Fun!!! This is your job, enjoy yourself - make it fun for those around you - do not stress out! There are professionals to provide answers to your every question - enjoy your event!

Be careful to avoid:

• Ordering too many - Couples often mistakenly take their entire total count and order that many invitations - that is too many! Remember to account for couples and families- who will receive only one invitation. The guest list count is not the invitation count. Also be sure to account for singles that will need one invitation each.
• Ordering too few - Count, count and count again. Make sure you are including everyone that will be receiving an invitation. Also, it is excellent practice to always order 25 additional for last minute additions and other reasons described above.
• Ordering too far ahead - Some couples think that getting invitation ordering out of the way as soon as they have the details worked out is the way to go - that is great - but when that is eight months to a year or more before the event, it is too soon. Although you do not want them to, things may change. As it takes only approximately a week or two to receive your invitations, it is best to time them appropriately to avoid the possibility of having to order them more than once.
• Do not forget to invite your guest to the entire event. You are using the invitation to invite your guests to just the ceremony OR to the ceremony and reception. Be sure not to forget to invite your guests to the reception after the ceremony.
• Another common mistake to avoid is too much information on the response cards. Often couples utilize the response card for additional information pertinent to the event. Remember, the response cards are not held by the guest - they are sent back. Therefore, should not contain any instructions to the guest.
• Be detail oriented! Information is not to be assumed - you need to tell it to your guests. For example, a “sunset” wedding is best accompanied with a specific time. Another nice gesture is to let your guest know whether or not they will be eating at your event. If the reception includes dinner or if it includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres may make a different in how certain guests may prepare for attending. Perhaps there will be dancing at the reception and if listed, they will come prepared. Or, maybe there will there be an open or cash bar. As anything is possible, these details briefly mention within the text of the invitation or reception card are a courteous gesture. Another issue is childcare, how should the guest gauge the duration of the event? What are they to do with their children - will there be childcare provided? will they have to get their own baby sitter and for how long? or are the children invited without condition. Perhaps “black tie” dress is what you expect - then it should be stated on the invitation so there is no disappointment. Many couples are very specific about the dress they expect their guests to be wearing, if this is essential to your event, be sure to make it known tastefully on your invitations. These items if important to you are nice to briefly and generally mention without spoiling the excitement.
• Many couples have misconceptions about the amount of postage required to send invitations. Sometimes, it is not the size of the assembled invitation but the weight that will make the unit require additional postage. There are many odd size cards and adding enclosures will make an invitation cost more to mail. Make sure to take a complete assembled invitation to the Post Office to check size and weight while budgeting how much you will need for postage. More often than not, the minimum to mail your invitation (at today’s current prices) will be $0.57. Be sure when adding up postage to include the additional charge for the response card envelope of (at today’s current prices) $0.34. Remember to go that extra mile - request Love Stamps or another stamp fitting to wedding theme. It is just another way to show how much you care about your mailing.
• Communication Gaps. Make sure all parties are kept up to date with any changes. Make sure your invitations contain all accurate information.

NOTE: the material and professional opinions above has been created by Suzanne Shea, a lot of the above information is published on our web sites and other useful hand-outs distributed by Sand Scripts