Destination Wedding Invitations... I need your advice.

[sputat]

My fiance and I will be having a "destination wedding". I'm putting it in quotes since we just moved here to Florida less than a year ago and most of our family and friends are back in California... some are scattered in other states and also overseas. We were really torn where to have our ceremony but it's so beautiful here and we would love to have our family/friends see our beach, etc. Pretty much anybody who would like to attend will have to come to us, so to speak. We know that because of time constraints, airfare, whathaveyou, we will end up with a small beach wedding, mostly immediate family, and a few close friends.

I want to ask for your opinion if you think it's a good idea to spend more on invitations. This will probably be our only way to share our wedding theme to those who will not be able to attend. I was thinking of doing a proper box invitation, with a beach theme... so for those who can't come, it can also kinda look like wedding favors.

I've read the old threads about wedding invitations and the long argument that they just get thrown out anyway... I can't decide whether to get the more traditional looking invitation and save some money or spend more and go crazy with personal touches. I would really appreciate your input since I'm starting to give my guy a headache about this.

p.s. I am expecting to only need 50 invites and can possibly go the DIY route, if need be.

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, I guess you have to know your audience on this one. It depends whether your circle of friends and family are the kind that would like that. Personally, if I got a box invitation with a beach theme, I would find it cute for about 10 seconds. Then I would forget about it. I would keep the info, and throw the rest of the clutter away (or give it away). Unless it was edible clutter! In which case I would eat it. (Just like regular favors). Sure, it would be fun for a few minutes. But is it really THAT much more fun? A lovely invitation is a pleasure to receive, but it''s a small pleasure. So, unless you think your friends and family would be impressed or really excited about receiving a box in the mail, I''d save the money and just find a beautiful ''traditional'' invitation.

If people remember my wedding, I hope it will be because they had a good time at a fun party with old friends, not because they were impressed by the ''theme''. Know what I mean? After all, as gets repeated so often on here, no one cares about your wedding remotely as much as you do.

So, yeah, consider your audience. Maybe poll a few friends and relatives. If they are all "Wow! That would be so cool!" you have your answer. If instead they are "Ehn? Meh." like me, then you have your answer too.

 

[zoebartlett]

I agree with everything that Indy said. I love pretty and unique invitations but they''re not something I remember long after I receive them. I''m not going the DIY route but I would think that you could add personal touches yet not spend a ton of money on invitations. If I were you, I''d save money on the invitations and put it towards the food, decor, or other elements you want for your wedding.

 

[Harleigh]

Well, on the other side of this, I am having a Destination Wedding in Maui, and I chose to do DIY invitations AND a theme box that included a personalized STD luggage tags, 2 silk leis, Hawaiian Punch-to-go packets, a tropical straw and 2 airline approved ziploc baggies for carry-on liquids. I also included a welcome letter explaining about our plans.

I felt like I was able to put out a nice invitation while still keeping it fun and simple. Most of the people said it was the most extravagant invitation they had ever received, but I''m sure some people thought it was tacky, too. After putting it all together, I wasn''t too sure I had done the right thing, but I''m glad I did after hearing many of the responses.

I have a few threads roaming around here with pictures...I''d be glad to try to help you if you have any questions.

Hope that helps and best of luck to you!

 

[Independent Gal]

OK, great tip from Miss Harleigh there: if you do a box, do it with things people will actually use. When I think about it, if I got Harleigh''s invite and was actually planning on going, I would have found it pretty damn cool, and I would have used that stuff.

So, yeah, maybe if you end up doing the boxes, do them with stuff everyone can use: like luggage tags and ziplocks!

I remember Harleigh''s invites now, and they WERE pretty damn awesome.

 

[gtn]

Date: 12/27/2007 11:48:27 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Well, I guess you have to know your audience on this one. It depends whether your circle of friends and family are the kind that would like that. Personally, if I got a box invitation with a beach theme, I would find it cute for about 10 seconds. Then I would forget about it. I would keep the info, and throw the rest of the clutter away (or give it away). Unless it was edible clutter! In which case I would eat it. (Just like regular favors). Sure, it would be fun for a few minutes. But is it really THAT much more fun? A lovely invitation is a pleasure to receive, but it''s a small pleasure. So, unless you think your friends and family would be impressed or really excited about receiving a box in the mail, I''d save the money and just find a beautiful ''traditional'' invitation.


If people remember my wedding, I hope it will be because they had a good time at a fun party with old friends, not because they were impressed by the ''theme''. Know what I mean? After all, as gets repeated so often on here, no one cares about your wedding remotely as much as you do.


So, yeah, consider your audience. Maybe poll a few friends and relatives. If they are all ''Wow! That would be so cool!'' you have your answer. If instead they are ''Ehn? Meh.'' like me, then you have your answer too.

ditto. Save your money unless you know your family/friends would appreciate and keep it.

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 12/27/2007 3:04:10 PM
Author: Independent Gal
OK, great tip from Miss Harleigh there: if you do a box, do it with things people will actually use. When I think about it, if I got Harleigh''s invite and was actually planning on going, I would have found it pretty damn cool, and I would have used that stuff.

So, yeah, maybe if you end up doing the boxes, do them with stuff everyone can use: like luggage tags and ziplocks!

I remember Harleigh''s invites now, and they WERE pretty damn awesome.

LOL...thanks, Indy! And to think, everything I put together was still cheaper than if I''d ordered fancy-schmancy engraved ones, but with our families, I''m not sure they would''ve appreciated anything different, so it worked out all around, I suppose! What can I say? I''m of the frugal sort!

Ooohhh...I''ll have to go post the Reception STD''s I just got and laminated, too...I''m off to start another thread!

 

[sputat]

Thanks for your replies. I''ve been thinking about this all day and I still can''t make a decision. LoL My guy told me he''ll back me up whatever I decide and all I need to do is present him my top 3 choices. Maybe I''ll ask the parents to see what they think and a couple of my girlfriends.

Harleigh, I pulled your old threads and saw your DIY invites. It''s so cute and clearly shows you put in your personal touch. Now I''m more confused!

 

[dtnyc]

I have to say that Harleigh''s invite/welcome package sounds awesome.
I think that one of the most important things couples who host destination weddings can do is to thank their guests for coming to a place that is out of the way- we went to a beach wedding in Hilton Head (couple lives in Boston) and the invite was nice- fairly basic, but let you know what the feel of the event was going to be- which is what an invite should do- give you info and a clue as to "what kind of wedding is this going to be" - but the best thing about it was that there was also an invite to everyone to attend the rehearsal dinner the night before (which was hosted by the groom''s mom) it was great because everyone then had something to do the night before, etc.
When we arrived in HH we got a great welcome bag (a canvas beach bag) filled w/ snacks, bottled water, and there was a luggage tag (got 2 more as place card holders at the reception as well.)
I think that if I got something w/ the luggage tag & maybe a trial size thing of sunscreen and ziploc bags for the plane, I would think it most gracious of the couple and would think wow- they are really going out of their way to let people know they want them @ their wedding.

 

[happy in love]

I am almost done with my boxed invites, and everyone who sees them thinks they are a great idea. I am diy-ing the whole thing and they will end up being the same price as if I had ordered regular invites. You can do great beach-themed invites in a simple 5x7 flat jewelry box if that is what you are thinking...

I think most people will do as indy says above, but... I think the boxes will still stand out in their minds and send a great first impression of your wedding. To me they are fun, but definately not neccessary.

Good luck, and if you decide to do them I can give you some resources for the supplies.


This is an example of a beach themed invite in a box that would be fairly easy to diy
http://www.mypersonalartist.com/starfishweddinginvitations.html

 

[sputat]

Thanks so much for the link. I added it as a favorite and will order a sample... Gotta dissect it and see if I tinker with it a bit to DIY. I''m not that crafty but I''m very excited to tackle this Invitations project.

Thanks again for the input!