Wedding Invitations (Hardcover)
by Jennifer Cegielski

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
A wedding invitation heralds the good news of two people making a commitment and also reveals the style and tone of that highly anticipated day. Gone are the days when a couple's major decision about their invitations was choosing between white or ecru paper-today's invitations come in an incredible array of materials, colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. And the often complex structure of modern families makes wording invitations a challenge. The first book to fully address these topics, Wedding Invitations takes couples from original idea to finished product, no matter how simple or extravagant their vision.

The book presents both traditional and modern designs, details the many different types of inks, papers, and printing methods available, and discusses how to deal with ceremony cards, response cards, maps, and other enclosures. The text covers all aspects of invitation etiquette, from acknowledging various family members in the most appropriate way, to properly wording inner and outer envelopes. Wedding Invitations offers advice on desktop publishing, working with a designer or calligrapher, papermaking, and doing your own letterpress printing. Since many guests cherish the invitation as a memento long after the ceremony has passed, this is a must-have for the newly engaged. AUTHOR BIO: JENNIFER CEGIELSKI is a writer and editor and the former content director of The Knot. She has covered all aspects of weddings, from gowns to flowers to cakes. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

DANA GALLAGHER is a New York City-based photographer specializing in food, still life, and interiors for clients such as Martha Stewart Living, House & Garden, and Food & Wine.

About the Author
JENNIFER CEGIELSKI is a writer and editor and the former content director of The Knot. She has covered all aspects of weddings, from gowns to flowers to cakes. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

Amazon Reviews

A wealth of information--even beyond the wedding
I have to admit, while planning my wedding I was hesitant at first to purchase a book that seemed to be on only one wedding topic. But being into stationery and typography, I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I wanted our wedding invitation to be really special (we have been together a long time and already have a child), and this book helped us achieve that goal. All the bases are covered, so you really understand what all your options are in a simple, non-overload way. This book is like a "master class", and is great for anybody who is interested in printing, stationery or invitations in general.

Review: A lot of useful information
I'm not sure what the reviewer below was reading because this book contains everything you could ever hope to know about wedding invitations. It's definitely visually attractive, but it's the useful information (even gives you a timeline for you invites to make sure you're on track which I am often not!) that make this a must-have item for anyone about to get married.

Review: Very comprehensive and informative Invitations book!
A must have for the "Bride-to-be" or anyone planning an event. This creative Invitations book covers everything you'll need to know when planning a wedding. It is layed out in an easy to read format w/ stunning visuals of invitations, etc. in a compact book that can be used for a referrence manual year after year.
I highly recommend it!

Review: Gorgeous, useful and a time saver!
This will help you through making all sort of invitation decisions (believe me there are a lot to make, I had no idea before I started) like paper and ink colors and also tell you all sorts of stuff about how to word your own invite to suit your wedding formality level. My invitations are going to be on blue paper letterpressed with brown ink, very elegant yet modern. I never would have thought of that combination had I not picked up this book! I can't wait to get the invitations up from the printer.




Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Place Cards, and More (Paperback)


Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Although engraved invitations have become standard for weddings, cards printed by hand are always in good taste. Most people do not have the handwriting skill for hand printing, so they fake it with a computer script or hire a calligrapher. This book has classic calligraphy instructions for those who would like to try it themselves, with a little practice first. Several types of alphabets are included, with detailed instructions on strokes and layout. A section on wedding etiquette has useful information on invitations, thank-you notes, and place cards, with photographs of many examples. An excellent book for public libraries. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Bette Matthews is the author of The Wedding Workbook, Cakes (For Your Wedding), Wedding Toasts and Vows, and the upcoming A Wedding for All Seasons. She has worked as an event consultant and stylist with a New York caterer, and is in the early stages of a start-up venture designing and producing handmade wedding invitations. Bette lives in New York City with her husband, photographer Antonio M. Rosario, and their two cats.

Excerpted from Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Placecards, and More : A Brides Guide to Simple Calligraphy by Bette Matthews. Copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Calligraphic Wedding
“You’ve dreamed about this day your entire life. And as you move further and further into the planning process of your wedding, each and every detail seems to grow in importance. Small elements combine to create a full-bodied effect.

“The written word has great prominence in wedding festivities. It may be in an obvious capacity, such as invitations, place cards, or menus. Or it may be something less noticeable, such as a favor tag, the name on a guest book, or a handwritten note on a gift basket sent to a guest’s hotel room. The opportunities for beautiful lettering are vast. Calligraphy can enhance your writing at its core.

“This book provides a basic introduction to calligraphy and some of the multitudes of lettering styles—some simple, others more complex. The instructional opening chapter offers an overview of tools, materials, and technique. The chapters that follow are divided into overall styles: Classic, Elegant, Romantic, Modern, and Artistic. These divisions are purely subjective, so don’t feel as if you have to confine your imagination. With a little thought or with minor changes, your alphabet of choice can be translated to any project in the book. Calligraphy is versatile and transcends any classifications we impose upon it.

“The projects in this book incorporate a full range of wedding concerns, from engagement to post wedding activities. Invitations, envelopes, and place cards are the most obvious items with which calligraphy is typically used. There are also ideas for gift tags, guest books to record good wishes, programs, and more. The quality of your finished product will be affected by the quality of your materials, so choose fine papers, ribbons, and flowers for these projects, and you won’t be disappointed.

“The last section of the book is the gallery. This is a showcase of professional work from experienced calligraphers offered to inspire you. Each of these pieces is created by an artist who learned the craft one step at a time, just as you are about to do.

“Practice, relax, and enjoy the learning process. Above all, let your own character, your own vision, and your own penmanship shine on the page. Don’t strive for perfection; strive for personality.”

Review: With This Book, You Can Do It
With this book -- and a lot of practice -- I was able to do the calligraphy for my daughter's wedding.

The book includes a number of romantic alphabets in styles from Celtic to modern, forms for invitations, many examples of custom woprk, and step-by-step instructions for projects ranging from favors to menu cards to guest books. There are also suggestions for working with a professional calligrapher.
This is a practical book for anyone planning a wedding.





Easy Invitations: Use Your Home Computer to Create Stylish Stationery for Weddings, Birthdays and Other Occasions (Paperback)

Book Description
Easy Invitations, Announcements, and Personalized Stationery is the ultimate guidebook to creating invitations and personalized stationery using a home computer and printer.
This book provides design ideas and instruction for creating professional quality, customized invitations and note cards using card stock, envelopes, and other readily available stationery. Use it as a standalone guide or in tandem with PrintingPress software by Mountaincow, which offers easy stationery layout, photo tools, a built-in address book, and hundreds of templates and graphics.

Easy Invitations, Announcements, and Personalized Stationery features original ideas for major life events such as birth announcements, traditional and modern wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, milestone birthdays, anniversary parties, and coming of age celebrations. It also includes ideas for thank-you notes, personalized stationery, informal get-togethers such as dinner and cocktail parties, a wine tasting, and even a romantic picnic for two. This book offers tips for making any party distinctive with creative and easy place cards, menus, gift tags, and favors.

Includes bonus CD-ROM with 3 fonts and 70 illustrations

About the Author
Patty Hoffman is the director of Communications at Mountaincow, a software maker that specializes in customizing invitations and stationery using a home computer. She has written about crafts, lifestyle, and entertaining for numerous magazines, including Seventeen, Family Circle, and Details.

Megan Eisen, CEO of Mountaincow, has written PrintingPress and many other software applications. She is an expert in graphic design and has created a wide variety of stationery and original fonts and graphics for invitations. Her stationery is featured in upscale stores such as New York’s Kate’s Paperie.

Josh Eisen, president of Mountaincow, has written PrintingPress and many other software applications. He is an expert in the use of computer technology for custom invitation printing and has been quoted in Greetings, Etc magazine.

Easy Invitations, August 30, 2005
Reviewer: Sarah OBrien - See all my reviews

This is an awesome book. I've been making cards on my computer for years, and I found this book very helpful. After reading it, I purchased the Mountaincow Printing Press Platinum CD. They are both fantastic. The fonts are the best, and I also like the graphics. I have learned some very helpful things about using my computer to expand the possibilities for making cards that end up looking extremely professional. I'm a perfectionist, and this book and CD met all my expectations.
Sarah

Review: Design Invitations, Thank You Notes and Stationery
Whether you want your wedding to be traditional or nontraditional, you want it to be personal and one way to achieve this is to design and print your own invitations, thank you notes and stationery on your computer. This book written by Patty Hoffman, Megan Eisen and Josh Eisen is just what you need to inspire and jump-start your creativity. But this book is not only about weddings.

The book is sectioned by topics covering the most important events in our lives including weddings, births and birthdays, seasonal and celebrations. Each section begins with a case study and personal story about the real people that are the inspiration behind the sample projects. Each section has sample projects which are discussed in depth explaining what type of papers, inks, images, fonts and design layouts were used and why. Although the authors are associates of Mountaincow, a software and stationery company; the book is written so that you can use any software you might already own. This book does not have step-by-step instructions for using graphic and printing software. The purpose of this book is to inspire your creativity for designing your own invitations and stationery.

Throughout the book the authors show you how to decide on a theme for your special occasion and how to apply that theme to everything including invitations, place cards, party favors and thank you notes. They place special emphasis on designing your own monogram with or without their company's PrintingPress software and choosing the perfect graphics and fonts to include in your designs.

Besides the eighteen projects, the book also has a Tools and Techniques section that covers everything from choosing paper, inks, and a printer to how to compose the message for your invitations. The authors also discuss their PrintingPress software. Although this software was not included on the accompanying CD, the CD does contain decorative borders, fonts, images and project layouts in the PrintingPress software format.

Patty Hoffman is director of communications for Mountaincow and author of several craft and lifestyle articles. Megan and Josh Eisen are co-owners of Mountaincow and the authors of the PrintingPress software.

Review: Great Gift
What a great book. Easy to follow, full of original ideas and examples, and it makes a perfect gift for friends into scrape booking, entertaining, and basic design. I've already bought four extra copies - to my friend's delight!

Review: Wedding Stress
I found this book to be very useful. I am planning a low budget wedding reception and this book gave me great ideas for low cost/creative invitations. I also thought the software was very user friendly.




The Artful Bride: Wedding Invitations : A Stylish Bride's Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Correspondence (Artful Bride) (Paperback)

Book Description
Every couple wants to announce their wedding with style and aplomb. Savvy, stylish brides are looking for ways to add their own style and sophistication to their wedding without relying on tradition-heavy standards. This beautiful guide contains everything a bride needs to personalize her wedding correspondence elegantly-but also simply and inexpensively. It includes more than 20 fashionable and fun-to-make invitation and correspondence ideas.

About the Author
April L. Paffrath is a freelance editor and writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to book and magazine editing, she has written architecture profiles, travel pieces, cooking articles, and craft how-to's, for magazines such as Scientific American Explorations and Martha Stewart Living. She is coauthor with Laura McFadden of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).

Laura McFadden is a freelance art director living in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a former design director for Inc. magazine. She currently runs her own graphic design studio, called Laura McFadden Design, Inc., and has contributed to various craft books and magazines for publishers such as Rockport Publishers, Martingale & Company, and Handcraft Illustrated. She is coauthor with April Paffrath of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).

Review: Beautiful & Creative Ideas
I've never understood why folks will shell out the big bucks for what they could more or less do on their home printer -- pretty, but bland. This book has beautiful, personal invitations ranging from the offbeat to the traditional (my favorite is the frog idea). Making invitations yourself doesn't mean sacrificing style or tradition, and this book is an excellent starting point.

Review: I have FINALLY found invitations I love,
I have been looking at invitations, and haven't found anything that is quite right. Not to mention everything is very pricey. I would much rather cut the price of the invitations and spend the money saved there on other wedding expenses. I have been looking at kits. I never really found anything that suited us. They were plain and not very origional. So I have been looking online for ideas and I saw this book. I love it! It has wonderful ideas, easy directions, and great pictures. We decided to take one of the invitations and change it a little to better fit us and what we are looking for. It really is wonderful because you don't have to follow the directions exactly, you can change the color/pattern, or just add your own special touch!

Review: Fun & Beautiful Invitations
The projects in this book range from fun and quirky (like my favorite - The Bride in a Can) to beautiful and classy. There are ideas here for weddings on the beach, old fashioned weddings, nuptials that include travel, and for simple ceremonies too. A lot of the ides in this book could be converted for use for other kinds of invitations, I used one of the pretty ones to make invitations to a party for my mother's birthday. Lots of color photos inside (nicer than the photo on the cover would make you think!) There are also illustrations & templates. I also gave this book as an engagement gift to a friend and not only did she love the gift, she made her invitations based on a project in the book.

Review: Innovating wedding invitation ideas
Innovating wedding invitation ideas to let the real you shine through. Imaginative ways to help you decide if the non-traditional route is more your style. Page after page of creative, artful invitations, announcements, save-the-date cards, and shower invitations. Directions and material list accompanies each design. Templates are also supplied. People will remember an invitation created by you from The Artful Bride: Wedding Invitations.

Sample Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

Courtesy of Carlson Craft Wedding Invitations

Casual Wedding Verse 1

Love isn't love 'til you give it away . . .

We, NAME and NAME,
will be married in a
private wedding ceremony
on DATE
You are joyfully invited to an informal
outdoor wedding celebration
after the wedding at TIME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

NAME

Casual Wedding Verse 2

We’ve paired up, par for the course
and playing through!

Please join us,
BRIDE
and
GROOM
on our wedding day
as we turn a stroke of luck
into a winning streak!
on DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 3

Boy met Girl.
For the rest of the story,
join us on
DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE
when BRIDE
and GROOM
will be pronounced husband and wife

Casual Wedding Verse 4

A picture-perfect wedding
isn’t caught on film,
it’s captured in the heart.

Please join us as we celebrate
with heartfelt joy
our wedding day
DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE and GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 5

“Two-Stepping” our way
into a new life...
the dance will begin
for a husband and wife.

Please join us,
BRIDE and GROOM
when we get married on
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 6

He knew he loved her,
it was something he couldn’t hide.
So he asked her to marry
she said, “Yes, I’ll be your bride!”

You’re invited to witness the
continuing romance as
BRIDE
and
GROOM
are married!
on DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 7

Like a garden in the Spring
life is full of wonderful things.
Their eyes met and from the start
love was planted in their hearts.

You’re invited to the wedding of
BRIDE
and
GROOM
on DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 8

As the flower blooms and petals unfold,
we’re soon to say “to have and to hold.”
We’ve made the plans and can hardly wait…
our wedding is near and here is the date!

We’re getting married on
DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE
Please join us for a day to remember!

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 9

Greens wrapped with ribbons and bows,
and candles all aglow . . .
The warmth of the holidays in our hearts
will be shared with those we know.

You’re invited to a festive Holiday Wedding!
on DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 10

An answered prayer he is to me;
My greatest blessing she’ll always be.
And so this day we’ll pledge our love
in front of friends and God above.

Honor us with your presence at our wedding
on DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM


Casual Wedding Verse 11

Love is in the air…
we make a great pair!
You’re invited to attend
our wedding affair
on DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 12

Isn’t love grand?
Please join us as we stand
to say “I do.”
DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 13

The weather outside might be frightful,
but our wedding will be delightful!

We hope you’ll join us as we
are married on
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 14

Life was all uphill until we met . . .
now it’s a downhill run!

Join us on the slopes
for a wedding in
winter wonderland
on DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Casual Wedding Verse 15

We’re ready…
We’re set…
We’re getting married!

BRIDE
will throw the bridal bouquet and
GROOM
will toss the garter
after we say “I do!”

Please join us at our wedding
on DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Marriage is the ultimate road trip,
and we’re getting ready to ride.


Casual Wedding Verse 16

Take it in
as we,
BRIDE
and
GROOM
promise to love,
honor and ride double
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 17

Pressing the vision into our hearts,
the day we no longer live apart.
One love to share, a dream come true,
the day we vow to say
“I do”

You’re invited to the wedding of
BRIDE
and
GROOM
on DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 18

We’re playing together
through the course of our lives.

BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to celebrate their wedding
on DATE
Tee Time: TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 19

Please join the round-up
of friends and kin
to celebrate the day
our new life will begin!

BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to c’mon over
for a big wedding to-do
on DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Casual Wedding Verse 20

You don’t need a ticket
or an advance reservation,
just make waves
to our wedding celebration.

BRIDE
and
GROOM
will be married on
DATE
LOCATION
Please join them for a reception
when they return
DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

My family, your family - blending as one
Sharing, caring - a new life's begun
BRIDE
and
GROOM
along with their children
CHILDREN'S NAMES
invite you to join in the blending
of their families through marriage
on DATE
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Wedding Invitation Wording Couple with Children
Verse 2

BRIDE
and
GROOM
together with their children
are happy to announce
their marriage
on DAY
YEAR
CITY, STATE

Please join them
for a celebration
on DAY
YEAR
TIME
LOCATION
CITY, STATE

Wedding Invitation Wording Couple with Children
Verse 3

BRIDE
and
GROOM
together with their children
are happy to announce
their marriage
on DAY
YEAR
CITY, STATE

Please join them
for a celebration
on DAY
YEAR
TIME
LOCATION
CITY, STATE

Wedding Invitation Wording Couple with Children
Verse 4

BRIDE and GROOM
together with their parents
BRIDE'S PARENTS
and
GROOM'S PARENTS
invite you to share in their joy
as they are united
in the Lord Jesus Christ
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Wedding Invitation Wording Couple with Children
Verse 5

The honour of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
BRIDE
and
GROOM
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Dreaming of what is yet to be
is more fun when you’re with me

Please join us as
BRIDE
and
GROOM
follow their dreams together in marriage
DATE at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Fairytale Verse 2

. . . and they lived happily ever after!

Fantasies do come true -
We’re getting married!
You’re invited to attend
our wedding event
DATE
at TIME
LOCATION
CITY, STATE

BRIDE
and
GROOM

Fairytale Verse 3

In the spirit of the magic
that brought us together
we, BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to join us
for a fairy tale wedding --
the beginning of our "happily-ever-after"
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Fairytale Verse 4

Hear ye, hear ye . . .
it has been proclaimed that
on the DAY
YEAR
BRIDE and GROOM
will be united in Holy Matrimony . . .
your presence is requested
by the parents of the bride
BRIDE'S PARENTS
to join in this celebration of love
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS

Fairytale Verse 5

Just like a page out of a fairy tale
the storybook romance comes true . . .
BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to share in the joy
when they exchange marriage vows
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE


Fairytale Verse 6

Our wedding will be a fairy tale . . .
a dream without end.
BRIDE
and
GROOM
invite you to share in the joy
when they exchange marriage vows
and begin their new life together
on DAY
YEAR
at TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

Sample Save the Date Card, Invitation Wording

Save the Date Verse 1

Times are busy and calendars are full
Bride
and
Groom
want you to know
they are planning their wedding for
Day
in City, State

Invitations to follow

Save the Date Verse 2

Please Save the Date!
We will be getting married
on Date
Invitation and details to follow

Bride and Groom

Save the Date Verse 3

Bride's Parents
look forward to celebrating with you
at their daughter's wedding
on Date
City, State

Invitation and weekend itinerary to follow

Save the Date Verse 4

Save the Date
of Date
to celebrate the marriage uniting
Bride and Groom

Invitation to follow

Save the Date Verse 5

Please reserve the date of
Date
for our wedding
Invitation and details will follow

Bride
and
Groom

Save the Date Verse 6

Save the Date
Date
to share in the joy of
Bride
and
Groom
as they are married
Invitation to follow

Bride's Parents

Save the Date Verse 7

A romantic affair...
something special is in the air!
Kindly save the date for
a tropical marriage celebration uniting
Bride
and
Groom
on Date
City, State
Invitation will follow

Bride's Parents

Save the Date Verse 8

Reserve the Date
Your presence is requested at
Event
on Date
City, State
Invitation will follow

Bride's Parents

Save the Date Verse 9

It's written in the stars
that they were meant to be...
So write it on your calendar
there's going to be a party!
Save the date for
Date
for the marriage of
Bride
and
Groom
Invitation and details to follow

Bride's Parents