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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 24, 2009 - 17 Bride and Groom Tips in Preparing Invitations There are many personalization options at your disposal with wedding invitations. You'll be able to choose the texture, color and shape of the paper, as well as the font and ink color in many cases. These selections can be combined with other embellishments, such as envelope linings, extra layers of paper, vellum accents, ribbons, and calligraphy styles. You may also be able to select a monogram or artwork to further embellish the invitation. Ensure that your invitations reflect style of your wedding. Here are some other tips to consider: · Wait until you have definite times and locations for the ceremony and reception. · Type out the wording you prefer with a word-processing program on your computer. Run a spell-check and print it out and read it over. · To know how many invitations to order, take the forecasted number of guests and divide that number by two. Then add 25 to 30 additional invitations for any single guests you may be inviting as well as to have extras on hand in case you make a mistake. · Many people opt to print out addresses on the invitation envelope themselves. While home printers have advanced, it may be difficult to match the style of your invitation. · Mail invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding to allow for response time. It's customary to enclose a response card with postage already applied so guests can simply drop their RSVP in the mail. Preparing the Perfect Wedding Toast A wedding day toast is a tradition that has long been a part of wedding celebrations. The following a few tips can help toasters do a bang-up job. · Be prepared: Individuals who try to "wing it" the day of the wedding may find their nerves get the best of them. It's best to write out your thoughts and fine tune your sentiments. · Time it right: If the thought of spending the entire reception waiting to give the toast has you on edge, ask the prospective couple if you can give the toast early on in the night. · Jot down notes: If you think your nerves will get the best of you, bring some index cards with key phrases. · Hold off on cocktails: While it's generally fine to have one or two drinks prior to the toast to loosen up, it's not recommended to be intoxicated. · Keep it short: Aim for a two- or threeminute speech. · Speak slowly and clearly: Articulate and speak loud enough so everyone can hear the speech. You will likely be handed a microphone. If you get nervous and trip up, simply make a quick joke and get back to it. · Don't be afraid of getting emotional. PLUM innovative fresh As one of Oakville's leading caterers, we offer catering for: · · bridal showers · post wedding brunches · garden weddings · rehearsal dinners · bridal party breakfast baskets · 905-844-7110