STD & Invitations - Where to start??? Im confused

[Freckles]

Hi everyone,

 

I am starting to look ahead to getting my STD's out and then starting on my invitations. Im a little confused though as to what information goes on what. I have looked through this forum and found some excellent examples but I have just a few basic questions that Im hoping someone might be able to help me with.

 

What info goes on the STD and what info goes on the invitation?

I have noticed in examples some girls put an RSVP on their STD's without including any information about the trip and Im wondering if guests respond to this RSVP without the information (ex:cost, resort, flight information)

 

Once the STD's are sent out, do you only send invitations to people who have shown interest? Or do you send proper invitations to everyone you sent a STD to? (If you didnt put a RSVP on your STD - how do you know who is truly interested?)

 

Does a wedding website include the same information the invitations include? Should I send out the invitation first before I put all the info on a website?

 

Im just very confused as to what to do, any help you girls can offer would be appreciated

 

Thanks

[becks]

Basically, you can do whatever you want.

 

An STD can be just that - a notice (postcard/magnet/etc.) telling people the date (and maybe location) that you'll be getting married. Or it can be much more elaborate. For me, my STD was done passport-style and had 12 pages of information. Everything from the date, to the resort info, dress code, TA contact info plus website info. BUT, I sent mine out 6 months prior to the wedding. If you've got a longer period of time, just a postcard should be plenty if you want to go that route. I'd definitely set up your website first, because people will want the info, but you can include the address in the STD and they can go from there.

 

Invites, and who gets them are again, totally your call. For me, everyone who got an STD will get an invite. Even if they've declined. But that's only 35 or so, and not that big of a deal. If you're sending out 100, it's more significant both in terms of work, and in terms of cost.

 

On the website - I have one thru wedding window and I LOVE it. It's so easy to do. And you can put anything and everything on it. Photos, information, stories, events, RSVPs, etc.

 

Good luck!!

[Sandra E.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by becks Basically, you can do whatever you want. An STD can be just that - a notice (postcard/magnet/etc.) telling people the date (and maybe location) that you'll be getting married. Or it can be much more elaborate. For me, my STD was done passport-style and had 12 pages of information. Everything from the date, to the resort info, dress code, TA contact info plus website info. BUT, I sent mine out 6 months prior to the wedding. If you've got a longer period of time, just a postcard should be plenty if you want to go that route. I'd definitely set up your website first, because people will want the info, but you can include the address in the STD and they can go from there. Invites, and who gets them are again, totally your call. For me, everyone who got an STD will get an invite. Even if they've declined. But that's only 35 or so, and not that big of a deal. If you're sending out 100, it's more significant both in terms of work, and in terms of cost. On the website - I have one thru wedding window and I LOVE it. It's so easy to do. And you can put anything and everything on it. Photos, information, stories, events, RSVPs, etc. Good luck!!

Becks could have not explain it any better!

[antonia321]

I will give you my timeline which might help!

 

 

8 months before -- Aug 2007 -- Put up website from Wedding Windows. They also have a planning schedule in their planning tools which we followed. Had wedding date, resort information and other useful information on the destination, bridal party, etc. It was not totally completed but a work in progress.

 

7 months before -- Aug/Sept 2007 -- Sent out STD postcards. Had the wedding date, location and a link to our website. There is an rsvp function on the website that few people used as well as a guest book where people can reply.

 

6 months before -- October/November 2007 -- We finally got our discounted group rates for the resort so people could start booking. Sent out an e-mail announcement through our website. I would say that 50% of our guests booked in October and November when the rates when out.

 

4 months before -- December 2007 -- Website completed. Send out formal invitations with wedding schedule, map of area, and rsvp cards. I sent invitations to everyone on our invite list even though I knew they couldn't come. I think a lot of the guests didn't really take the wedding seriously and booked only after they got the formal invitation.

 

1 month before -- Feb 2008 -- Deadline for RSVP

 

 

March 2008 -- Wedding!

 

 

It worked out well! Although most people knew early on that we were getting married in Playa del Carmen through us or family gossip, so our guests were anxious to book.

 

 

Hope this helps!

[Sarah]

You've already gotten some great advice. One thing I'll add is that the information you'll put in your STD/Invites may vary based on the number of and how well you know your guests. If it's people you talk to regularly and have already heard your plans, you might not need quite as much detail on the STD, but could just direct them to your website. If you're sending out 150STD's you might want to include a little more information since you're obviously not going to talk to all these people personally about all the details.

 

The best thing about a destination wedding is that there are no rules- do what you want!

[Freckles]

Thank you for all the advice, I am going to go check out wedding windows and get started on our website!!!

[sherylt]

Where do you guys come up with these ideas?!! SO CREATIVE. It makes me so excited to plan my wedding!! YAY!

Anyways,

do you have an example/picture of your "passport" invitation?? I am trying to plan a wedding literally on the other side of the world and would probably also need 12 pages to get all the info about flights/hotel/etc.

 

Thanks, Sheryl.

[becks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherylt Where do you guys come up with these ideas?!! SO CREATIVE. It makes me so excited to plan my wedding!! YAY! Anyways, do you have an example/picture of your "passport" invitation?? I am trying to plan a wedding literally on the other side of the world and would probably also need 12 pages to get all the info about flights/hotel/etc. Thanks, Sheryl.

Hi Sheryl! There are several posts about it, including the template and photos of what I did. Go to advanced search and look for threads that I started, you can find them.

[seaprincess]

We just sent out our invitations and opted out of the STD's. We did a flat invite, with a flat info card for all the travel, cost, deadlines etc with our website listed at the bottom. We sent them this week (8 1/2 months) before the day, because we have booked with our agent and our deadline for the deposit with our travel agency is at the end of June, giving people a month and a half to decide, although almost everyone knew the details already. Our agent was able to block our group (based on our projected numbers) until the deposit date to ensure we have enough space for the keeners who are coming. After that date, she will be releasing the space, and anyone who books after the end of June will hopefully be able to book as part of our group. We sent out 75 invites to everyone who showed interest and all our family and people were already getting anxious to find out the details (as per a few frantic calls from the fam). Do what works for you is my advice...if you want to do STD's that's great, but it didn't work in our timeline so we skipped it. We will be sending out more info to those who booked closer to our date in the form of a passport or brochure, we haven't decided just yet, as well as AHR invites. Although it is a bit stressful, it was also alot of fun to see the final product -- so enjoy!

[mmontgo]

There is a lot of really great tips on this thread....thanks everyone!!