Planning the Traditional Wedding

Many brides dream of a classic wedding. Choosing to take a traditional step can be costly, but is also reflective of times when life wasn’t packed with overtime, appointments, and calendars that are jammed full of activity.

Ordering Traditional Wedding Supplies

When ordering printed wedding supplies, there are some essentials that fit into a traditional theme. This is not an inexpensive route by any means, but both you and your guest will remember it for a long time to come.

Start by finding a card design and color that both you and the groom admire. Select these cards to match the colors of the wedding parties’ attire. Once you have agreed on the card stock’s design and color, you can start ordering your supplies.

Throwing an Engagement Party

Traditionally, an engagement party is held. Printed invitations are sent out a week after the engagement is made. Only close friends and family are invited to the engagement party.

Sending Save the Date Cards

Save the Date cards follow the engagement party. Wedding Save the Dates (cards or magnets) are sent to anyone whom you plan to invite to the wedding. Save the Date reminders should be mailed out four months before the wedding. It allows the recipients to have plenty of time to clear their calendars for a specific date months in advance.

Sending the Wedding Invitations

Next, the wedding invitations are mailed out. A traditional mailing involves the following attachments tucked into the wedding invitation: RSVP Cards, Direction/Map Cards, Reception Cards, and Accommodation Cards.

Throwing the Bridal Shower

A few weeks before the wedding, the bridesmaid or matron of honor mails bridal shower invitations out. Close friends and family should be invited to the bridal shower. Make sure you’ve told her you are following tradition and mailing out matching designs for everything.

Having the Dress Rehearsal

About a week before the wedding, send out wedding rehearsal dinner invitations to everyone who is in the wedding. Do not forget the justice of peace or religious official who is presiding over the wedding, any flower girls and ring bearers that may be part of the wedding.

Using Pew Cards

On the day of the wedding, if you so choose, pew cards can be placed on the church pews to reserve certain seats for immediately family. Usually pew cards are placed to ensure the bride and groom’s immediately family members who are not in the wedding receive front row seating.

Utilizing Menu Cards

At the reception area, menu cards should be placed at every seat. Place cards are also used to help guests find the table at which they will be seated for the dinner portion of the reception. If the wedding reception menu contains choices, a choice card and envelope will also be included at the place setting for guests to fill out as they are waiting for the bride and groom.

Sending Out Thank You Cards

After the honeymoon, the bride and groom will be sending out matching thank you notes. Traditionally, an At-Home card is enclosed to allow everyone to have the bride or groom’s new mailing address, name (if the bride changes her last name), phone number, and email address if applicable.

These cards all comprise the ingredients to a traditional wedding. Though there is a lot to be organized, mailed, and handed out, a traditional wedding is one that no bride will ever forget!