Customising your wedding invitations is one of the most thoughtful and beautiful ways to express your emotions. As we all love the idea of custom wedding invites in Australia, we want to ensure that every detail in these invitations touches the hearts and souls of our guests.
Beyond wedding invites, other things that matter are the small wedding signs that elevate the wedding. If wishing well signs allow visitors to wish the couple and present their gifts, signs at the grazing and entrance table are a fun way to interact with your guests.
However, couples often overlook the common wedding stationary mistakes in the joy and celebration of the moment. This can eventually cause more stress and additional expenses later when the big day arrives. In this guide, we’ll help you avoid a few common mistakes when ordering wedding invites and small signs.
1. Starting Late
One of the most frequent errors couples make is underestimating the time required to design, print, and send out custom wedding invites in Australia. Ideally, you should start the design process at least six months before your wedding.
This timeline allows ample time for revisions, printing, and addressing, plus sending them out at least eight weeks before your wedding day. For destination weddings, aim to send invites even earlier, about three to four months in advance, giving your guests enough time to make travel arrangements.
2. Not Ordering Extra Invitations
It’s a common oversight not to order a few extra invitations. Whether it’s a last-minute addition to your guest list or a printing error, having extra invites on hand can save you time and money.
Industry experts recommend ordering an additional 10-15% more invitations than your current guest list requires. This foresight also ensures you have a few keepsakes for your wedding album and immediate family members.
3. Overlooking Proofreading
Another prevalent mistake is failing to proofread the invite text thoroughly. Beyond checking for typos and grammatical errors, confirm the accuracy of all details, including dates, times, locations, and names.
Enlisting a second or third set of eyes can help catch mistakes you might overlook. Remember, once your invitations or small wedding signs are printed, corrections can be costly and time-consuming.
4. Neglecting the RSVP Process
Including the RSVP section in your wedding invite is as important as sending out the cards months or weeks before your wedding. As it translates to “please respond”, this is an effective way to confirm the availability of guests.
Ensure that your wedding invite includes a section that contains options like “I will attend” or “I will not attend”. Remember that not including RSVP details can become a logistical nightmare if not handled correctly from the start. Ensure your RSVP cards are clear and straightforward, providing multiple ways for guests to respond (e.g., by mail, email, or a wedding website).
Set a realistic deadline for responses, typically three to four weeks before your wedding day, allowing enough time to finalise your headcount for vendors and seating arrangements.
5. Misjudging Postage Costs
Before finalising your invitation design, take a sample to your local post office to weigh and measure it. Unusual shapes, sizes, or extras like wax seals can increase postage costs significantly.
Many couples overlook this detail and end up with returned invites due to insufficient postage. Additionally, consider the postage for your RSVP cards; including a pre-stamped envelope is a courteous and efficient way to ensure responses are prompt.
6. Forgetting about Day-of Stationery
While much attention is given to invitations, small wedding signs and other day-of stationery are often an afterthought. Items like seating charts, table numbers, and menu cards play a significant role in your wedding decor and guest experience.
Coordinate these elements with your invitations for a cohesive look. Start planning these details well in advance to avoid a last-minute rush and potential design inconsistencies.
7. Ignoring the Overall Theme and Style
Your wedding invitations and signs should reflect the overall theme and style of your wedding. A common mistake is choosing designs that clash with the wedding’s aesthetic appearance.
Whether you’re going for a rustic, modern, or traditional theme, ensure your stationery complements the vibe you’re aiming for. Consistency in design, whether for small wedding signs or wedding invites, helps set the tone for your guests and contributes to a memorable event.
8. Not Paying Attention to Quality
While budget constraints are understandable, compromising on the quality of your wedding stationery can ruin the impression you want to make.
High-quality paper, printing, and design can make a significant difference in the overall look and feel of your invites and signs. Consider your wedding stationery an investment in your day’s overall experience and allocate your budget accordingly.
9. Overcomplicating the Design
A desire to impress can sometimes lead couples to overcomplicate their wedding stationery design. Simplicity often speaks volumes.
A cluttered or overly complex design can be confusing and take away the effort that you put into presenting essential details. Keep your design elegant and straightforward, focusing on legibility and conveying your wedding’s tone and personality.
10. Not Embracing Personalisation
Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to personalise your wedding stationery. Your wedding is a reflection of your unique story and relationship. Incorporating elements that are meaningful to you as a couple, such as a custom monogram, a favourite quote, or a motif that has personal significance, can make your invitations and signs truly special.
Final Words
We hope that this blog has helped you realise what you have been missing all this while when personalising small signs and wedding invites in Australia. We have put our focus and efforts into considering all the aspects.
Recognising common mistakes like starting late, not stocking extra invites, overlooking proofreading, neglecting postage costs and RSVP sections, not paying attention to quality and design, and choosing complex designs are equally essential to making the wedding day beautiful. M&H Events is a personalised wedding stationery event company that is different from the noise. Call us today!