Stationary - Wedding Invites to you and Me!!!!

It's funny you never think of wedding invitations until the moment comes, you have to actually send them.

And my god there's some bloody awful ones out there. You know what I mean, cartoon brides!!! I spent weeks looking for mine - If you've got the time I'd recommend sending off for samples - you'd be amazed how different they can look when you're holding them in your hand.

I found the invitations a really big deal, it was the first statement from us on how the wedding was going to look, and what kind of people we are. I also wanted a complete theme - so the colours on the invites will be colours that will run through the entire wedding. I personally liked the handmade look and found it pretty hard to find companies that didn't mass produce. I did eventually though and loved the process of designing the layout and wording. You will usually get a proof after that - and once it's been approved - they go to print.

The day you're invitations arrive is so exciting. I was on air - Matt opened the door to the postman, opened the box, took a photo of the invitation and texted it to me - it's dead wierd seeing the words in black and white for the first time! If you're unsure what wording to use, you know if parents aren't together anymore etc - then go online there are loads of websites that give you different ways of formally inviting guests to the wedding, I used them and it was a big help.

There are also helpful ways of asking for cash as gifts - without actually asking for money if you know what I mean, as sometimes that can be a bit difficult. I decided to use a website that collects cash on your behalf - but for your honeymoon. You list what you'd like and how much it costs for example: Meal for 2 on the beach £30 - then your guests buy that. They feel they've bought you an actual gift which people prefer - and you get the £30 delivered straight into your account.

I have also found a tremendous website which lists all the wedding fayres in Greater Manchester and Cheshire throughout February - so if you need a bit of inspiration then get yourself down to one or all of them.

For Manchester: www.allweddingfayres.co.uk/fayres.php?countyid=36
For Cheshire: www.allweddingfayres.co.uk/fayres.php?countyid=34

I'd love you to get in touch if you're planning a wedding, you can email me at chelsea@key103.co.uk

Have a great weekend,
Chelsea x