Help us celebrate with you by accepting our special bridal discount. We cordially invite you to visit our shop (located in The Other Mail Service building). We are a small, privately owned shop and wedding invitations have been our specialty for over 27 years. Call 503-363-9630 for more details.
Let us help you create a custom invitation that reflects your wedding and style. We help you through the design process; all that is left for you and your bridesmaids is the assembly! Call 503-767-3397 or 503-999-6845 for more information.
Fashion Expressions treats you like the individual you are. Personal service from an experienced bridal consultant, excellent prices and a money saving purchasing program.
Begin researching the different styles you like, and what your specific needs for this event are. Having a picture to show the vendor can be very valuable to explain the exact style you are looking for. This also helps them to know what manufacturer makes the invitation which can save you time looking through the many invitation books. Color swatches are very valuable in this area too.
Start this process at least 6 months ahead.
What style? Gathering pictures/ pages from magazines and internet can help you and your designer through this process.
How many? Try to get a firm number on the amount of invitations you will need. Before you meet, compile a list. Parents' Christmas lists or a cousin who just got married may have half your guests' addresses already.
What to say? Wording can be a difficult task for brides. You may want the wording to be a little different or maybe you are having trouble coming up with the 'right' wording for blended families. Your designer can help you with this, but it is best to do a little research on this topic before you meet (there are etiquette books available at your local book store look for books written by Emily or Peggy Post). Sometimes the pressure of wanting to make a decision in this area can make it hard to focus on what you really want to say.
What to bring to your consultation?
Pictures and / or sketches of invitations you like.
A semi-firm number as to how many invitations you will need.
The venue and address where you will be getting married.
The venue and address where you will be having the reception.
The day, date and time you will be getting married.
The names with correct spellings to be included in the invitation. Check with parents: Do they want their proper names used? i.e. Charles vs. Chuck, Lillian vs. Lilly. Be sure to get the correct spelling.
Invitations come in many forms. Among the most common are:
Engraving: Classic technique whereby a metal plate is etched with text, and paper is pressed into the inked plate, creating raised letters on the paper's front, bruises on back. This tends to be a bit expensive.
Letterpress: Technique that impresses words and designs into paper from a raised, inked surface. Letterpress has an artistic, handmade quality and is as costly as engraving.
Off-set: Popular for informal stationery, but is more reasonable in price. If modern fonts and good paper stock are used, this affordable option looks expensive.
Thermography: Cost-effective process using special inks and heat to create raised lettering, mimicking the texture of engraving.
Embossing: Technique used to create a decorative impression with lettering or artwork (borders, crests, etc.) but without ink.
