“Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.” 
― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

The size and shape of the formal wedding invitation is a rectangular portrait orientation, 5 1/2 X 71/2 inches. The folded variety opens like a book and is printed only on the front, with the inside blank. A very nice alternative, however, is the flat card, which I favor. Although a heavy card stock of white or cream is used, it's generally less expensive to make and mail. (Check last week's entry for information regarding wording and printing of the invitation and reply card.)

 The Honour Of Your Presence Is Requested...

By the time your attention turns to selecting your invitation you should have your wedding planning well under control. You've decided on the kind of wedding you want, selected your venue, set the date, finalized your master guest list and mailed your save-the-date cards (if necessary). You've coordinated all the elements of your wedding to reflect your style and your invitation should be a beautiful reflection and preview of the festivities to come.

http://jayce-o.blogspot.com/2013/09/ideas-for-save-date-cards.html

This day I will marry my best friend
the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love.
~ Anonymous

Now that you've set the date, finalized your Master Guest List and set up your wedding website (AKA wedsite"), you may turn your attention to designing your save-the-date card.

          Free Printable Wedding Guest List Templates

Planning the Wedding Guest List Can Be Stress Free
~ Said No Bride Ever

As the bride, planning your guest list usually starts out as a fun project (this often contrasts with the groom's view that it's just another chore!). You start your "unofficial" list in your head and with a few jottings soon after becoming engaged, while you're still basking in the glow. But somewhere along the line you become entangled in discussing finances, planning the budget, managing parental expectations and navigating politics among family, friends, professional associates and others. In time that fun project becomes anything but enjoyable, sometimes even threatening to drive a wedge between you and your fiancé or between your families.

Most important is the recognition that stepparenting
is different from primary parenting.
It can be just as satisfying, it can be a reciprocally
loving and caring relationship between parent and child,
and it can provide some very good moments when it works,
but it is different. ~ Claire Berman

According to a 2011 Pew Research survey nearly half of American adults have a step relative, and more than half of them reported that "they are very satisfied with their family life." But, of course, there are challenges. As those surveyed acknowledged, having step relatives is not something for which people anticipate. And, in many cases it's not something that is accepted gracefully or graciously.    

"It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons."
~ Friedrich von Schiller

As the father of the groom, your feelings when seeing your son approach a milestone that will change not only his but your life will likely include pride and joy, bemusement over the flurry of the wedding planning, alarm over what you might be expected to do, and a tinge of regret at not having more to do. Okay, maybe not so much that last part.

You’re the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold.
You're daddy's little girl, to have and hold.
A precious gem is what you are;
You're mommy's bright and shining star.

You’re the spirit of Christmas, the star on our tree.
You’re the Easter Bunny to Mommy and me.
You’re sugar, you're spice, and you're everything nice
And You’re Daddy’s Little Girl

~  Daddy's Little Girl, by Robert Burke and Horace Gerlach

Of all the parent-child relationships the one of father to daughter might be the most straightforward on the surface but the most complex underneath. As a father of a daughter, your bond might have consisted of your being the authoritarian, best friend, pipe-smoking and distant professor, loveable playmate, frequently absent workaholic or proud and doting papa. The nature of that bond will determine how you react to your daughter's engagement and wedding, but the underlying emotion will be that you are losing your little girl to another man. 

There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son
that transcends all other affections of the heart. ~ Washington Irving

As the mother of the groom, you will feel the emotional ups and downs about your son getting married just as the mother of the bride will about her daughter. No matter what your son's age, these feelings will alternate between elation that your son has found the love of his life and a sense of loss that he will be starting his own family, separate from the one that reared and nurtured him. And, that old Irish saying "A son is a son 'till he takes a wife...," might be running through your head. But as you ride this roller coaster keep in mind that life is dynamic and this is one of those happy changes that will enhance yours. With that in mind, keep your focus on the unfolding wedding plans; your son will need your light touch and gentle guidance and support as he takes this journey to the next phase of his life.

We'll be breezing back next week! Until then, Jeanne

"...a daughter is a daughter all of her life."
~ Irish Saying

For the mother of the bride, her daughter's wedding will bring on the mixed emotions of elation, excitement, nostalgia, loss, anxiety and joy! Mothers tend to dream about and ponder this moment from the time their daughters are born. And, girls often dream about and imagine what their weddings will be like from the time they are little girls. Thus, expectations run high for both the bride-to-be and her mom, and the latter wants to be part of every aspect of the planning and execution, whether it's merely discussion, brainstorming and advising or planning the entire event.