You've done the bended knee, there was a resounding yes! The date is fixed, everyone's excited... yourselves more than anyone. Yet you've realised that now you have to send out the invites and you're not sure where to begin!
Wedding invitations are probably a little more crucial than you've initially envisaged. They're the sneak peek into the style of your big day – otherwise known as the preview, so getting it right is a priority. But with a plate full of ideas and lists swirly around your heads, we thought we'd take the hard work out of this stage in the game. So let's get started and find out exactly what it is that you'll need to know when planning the perfect wedding invitation.
Wedding invitations are the initial glimpse concerning the style of your big day. They will indicate to your guests whether you're having a formal affair, or something a little more removed form the norm – Whichever your choice of wedding day styling, traditionally, your invites will need to portray this to your guests. To gain some ideas, look through stationers' websites, have a look through Pinterest & don't forget to browse through previous invitations you've received from other couples. Once you've gathered inspiration and made some style notes, either book your appointment with the stationer or start getting crafty and creative yourselves!
Generally speaking, if you're staying true to classic wedding etiquette, not only should your wedding invitations radiate the style of your big day, the colour theme will also come into the scheme of things. If you've already planned the colour of your bridesmaid's dresses & flowers, they can be integrated into the invites. Envelope liners, images and borders are the ideal addition to exhibit the hint of colour you'll be having on the day but try to avoid overpowering at this stage in case you decide to change your mind. Of course, on the other hand, if you've currently no idea of your colour schemes then always remain neutral. White or ivory invites are always a safe bet and will leave the colour pallet open for future development.
First, off the starting block with wedding invitation wording has to be a word of warning. Whatever you do, avoid cramming them full of useless information. They really do need to be neat and to the point. If it's proving to be difficult and you wish to include other information, such as directions, for example, don't hesitate to add an enclosure card. Concerning the etiquette of wording a wedding invitation, the rule of thumb will be the hosts, ie, parents, will always be first on the invite. It should begin with the parents of the bride and follow on with the parents of the groom. Finally, ensure that all wording is fully legible and ensure you proofread and see a copy of all invitations before they're printed.
Now you've chosen your design you'll need to make sure that the shape of your invitation fits into a standard sized envelope otherwise you'll be running additional expenses before you've even set foot into the bridal boutique! It's a question you can bring up with your stationer who should be able to recommend different shapes & sizes to fit the wedding invitation style you require. Yet to add, he will also be able to give you an idea about the weight of the invite. The more that you cram into that envelope, the more it's going to cost in postage stamps.
With over 30 years’ experience in hosting weddings, here at Grittleton House we’d like to believe that we’re rather well educated in the world of weddings. In our latest wedding trends series, we’ve brought you the most coveted wedding themes, wedding colour schemes, wedding stationery, wedding photography and wedding cake styles for 2017. Each of these individual aspects is an important part of your wedding planning, combining to create crucial elements of your wedding day, however, thus far we’ve left out arguably the pinnacle of wedding planning for any bride to be. That is, of course, the wedding dress. Your wedding dress is supposed to be your dream dress, something which makes you look and feel like a princess, and a gorgeous dress which is certainly designed to make a statement and turn heads as you walk down the aisle. Of course, your wedding dress will be absolutely perfect regardless of which dress you choose, because it will be your dream dress and you will look phenomenal. Having said that, there’s no harm in browsing the latest trends for some inspiration. Without further ado, here’s some of the most popular wedding dress trends for this year.
A wedding dress trend which has grown exponentially in popularity over the past few seasons is the return to the simple silhouette. Classic dress which falls straight down your body in a classic line, as opposed to the more opulent fishtail finishes or net skirts which add volume and glamour to any wedding dress. In a similar style to Pippa Middleton’s famous bridesmaid dress at the Royal Wedding, these simple silhouette dresses are often in a satin or silk material to accentuate the smooth and sleek style. This look is incredibly sophisticated and classy, creating a truly beautiful finish every time.
From one Middleton to another, it’s undeniable that Kate Middleton herself looked truly gorgeous at the royal wedding, and since then, opting for a dress with sheer detailing has only become more and more fashionable. Whether that’s a sheer lace around the neck and sleeves of your wedding dress, or perhaps some pretty sheer panelling towards the back to accentuate your curves, opting for a touch of contrasting sheer materials is undeniably trendy for wedding dresses at the moment.
The tea dress style has become phenomenally popular within the world of fashion, and unsurprisingly this unique length of dress has also lent itself to the wedding industry quite nicely. In a style which is reminiscent of a more vintage look, a wedding dress with a tea dress length which falls around the calf level will offer you a gorgeous, classic and unique wedding dress that will photograph perfectly.
Opting for separate pieces for your wedding dress or outfit is a true nod to high fashion, allowing you to experiment and create a look which wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk. Whether you’re opting for a stunning white suit or a separate bodice and skirt - choosing separates allows you to create a completely individual look with versatile items you could possibly wear again. It also ensures a unique style that will be comfortable and oh so fashionable on the best day of your life. This is a particularly great idea for any brides who might not be as partial to a more traditional white dress.
The beauty of a wedding dress is that it is supposed to perfectly reflect you and your individual style, which means you simply can’t get it wrong. Regardless of your wedding theme, style or design, Grittleton House would be honoured to welcome you and your wedding party to our gorgeous grounds and we would love to help you plan the perfect wedding for yourself and your partner.
In our previous Grittleton House 2017 wedding trends articles, we’ve highlighted some of the top trends when it comes to wedding stationery, wedding colours and themes and wedding styles for this year. This time, we’re giving you the lowdown on all the most sophisticated, classy and remarkable wedding trends for some of the most exciting elements of any wedding; the cake and the photography. Wedding photography is arguably one of the most vital elements of your wedding planning, because your photographer will capture your magical day and create the wedding album that you will look back on for the rest of your life. As such, you need to choose someone who can achieve your desired photography style. Similarly, wedding cake is an important part of your day. Not only is it a delicious part of the day that everyone will enjoy, but the act of cutting the cake is a ritual which has been a part of the history of weddings for an incredibly long time. With that said - let’s take a look at what’s growing in popularity within the world of weddings this season
Let’s face it - all wedding cake is incredibly delicious. Whilst it’s supposed to be a delicious cake with your desired flavour, it’s actually more alternative cakes which have grown in popularity. For example, opting for a stack of cupcakes with different flavours is something which swept the world of Pinterest by storm and has consequently become incredibly popular. Also, opting for a dessert table filled with goodies like doughnuts has also become popular. Essentially, choosing a different type of sweet treat which comes in individual portion sizes is a trend for this season. Not only does it make for a wonderful photo for the wedding album, but it offers something incredibly quirky and fun for guests, it’s easy to nibble whilst dancing and also heightens the atmosphere.
If you’d prefer to stick to a classic cake rather than doughnuts or cupcakes, opting for a naked cake seems to be the preference of many couples this year. A naked cake is a cake which is relatively plainly decorated. Staying away from dramatic icing and handiwork, a naked cake tends to be a cake simply dusted with icing sugar and decorated with fruit or flowers. The concept being that less is more, naked wedding cakes are actually exceptionally beautiful, unique and photogenic - plus they taste pretty good too!
As technology develops in the world of photography, so do the different techniques and methods which work their way into wedding photography. Something which has grown to become exceptionally popular in the world of weddings is a play on perspectives. From birds eye views, to different angles and phenomenal locations, unique perspectives are everything. Whether your photographer is using a drone, a tripod or some clever positioning, shots from above managing to squeeze in the entire wedding party are sentimental and will gather the entire group together. Also the more unique perspectives which play on lights, different materials and textures and capture truly magical moments offer something really special in terms of wedding photography. Finding a photographer who can offer these stunning different photography styles is important to nail this trend, so make sure you do your research!
Modern media has managed to seep its way into every industry - especially weddings! Photo booths which offer alternative types of media from slow mo videos to gifs or themed images are incredibly popular. These will create a bank of images or media of your guests in a host of fun poses that will truly capture the atmosphere of your special day. Another huge trend for 2017 has been the rise of the custom Snapchat filter. Snapchat is an incredibly popular app, and with the functionality to submit a custom filter design, couples up and down the country have been snapping away with their personalised filters. It’s also totally trendy for photographers or videographers to offer Instagram sized footage allowing you to share snippets of your special day on your favourite app.
Regardless of whether you’re opting for a more traditional wedding or choosing to weave some more modern elements throughout your planning, rest assured that your wedding day will undeniably be simply stunning and all of your guests will have a spectacular time. Contact Grittleton House for more information on our flexible wedding packages, tailored specifically for your special day.
One of the most creative elements of your wedding planning will undeniably be your stationery. Wedding stationery may initially seem like a more minor aspect of your wedding plans compared to the wedding dress and the venue, however, it’s actually one of the first things that you think about. From the save the date cards to the wedding invitations, place names and the table plan to all the other little elements of stationery required for the big day, choosing a stationery style which both you and your partner simply adore is a pretty essential part of preparation for your wedding. Much like any other element of the wedding world, stationery trends come and go with each season. Though of course, choosing a stationery theme and style which you love is the most important element of your choice, it certainly doesn’t hurt to take inspiration from the latest stationery trends to take the wedding world by storm. Here’s a run through of 2017’s most popular wedding stationery styles.
A huge trend that’s emerged this year is to make your stationery as stand-out as possible. That means placing a lot of emphasis on the importance of your wedding stationery, and choosing something that is guaranteed to set your wedding apart from the rest. From opting for unique materials such as glass or wood to carve your place names into, or engraving mirrors with table orders, choosing stationery which is a little more opulent and unique is a theme to watch out for for the remainder of the year. It’s also a great way to tie together your wedding colour scheme and ensure every detail reflects your chosen colours.
This is a particularly fun stationery trend which we at Grittleton House couldn’t be more on board with. It’s more common than not that a wedding will have some sort of theme. Whether that’s a beach theme with different beaches for table names, something to do with music or perhaps something more personal like stand out years in your lives - there tends to be an idea which represents you as a couple as the foundation for wedding planning. Embracing this theme and utilising it within your wedding stationery is a huge trend for 2017. If you’re having a wedding abroad - why not design your save the date cards like boarding passes? If your wedding is beach themed, be sure to incorporate this into the design!
Stand out stationery is when your stationery has a touch of something stylish and fashion-forward. In fact, many 2017 stationery styles have borrowed themes from the world of fashion - and the results are quite simply fantastic. From clashing colours to bold prints, wild fonts and remarkable decorations, making sure your stationery has a jazzy edge that is both cool and contemporary. You can use fancy mounted paper or perhaps clash florals and stripes, regardless of which you choose - just be bold!
This latest trend might just be our favourite for 2017, because not only are the results incredible, but it incorporates an activity which you can enjoy as a couple in the run-up to the big day. DIY stationery is exactly as you would imagine - stationery which you make yourself. Not only does this add a remarkable personalised touch to your special day, but it also encourages couples to perhaps try their hand at calligraphy lessons or crafting, offering an enjoyable activity to eliminate the stress of wedding planning. It’s also a surefire way of ensuring your stationery is exactly how you pictured it to be.
Regardless of which style, theme or type of wedding stationery you choose, it will only heighten the experience of what will undoubtedly be the best day of your life - especially if the ceremony is hosted at Grittleton House! We hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of the latest wedding stationery trends for the year 2017, the latest in our wedding trends series.
