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March 08, 2012 - Image 42

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2012-03-08

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

The

Envelo e

Please

ow'

Navigating the invitation process with ease.

An invitation sample from

Terri Trepeck at Invites Ink!

Roz Keith I Special to the Jewish News

here are so many choices when it
comes to the big invitation deci-
sion. Whether planning a wedding,
bar or bat mitzvah or other event, you can
decide to do-it-yourself (DIY), make it semi-
homemade, buy engraved, thermography,
letterpress. Oy! Are you getting a headache
yet? Most of us want some customiza-
tion and creative input but don't want to
completely do it alone, at home — without
support or expert resources.

T

lhere to start: DIY or hire a pro?
The majority of invitation "shoppers" want
to be able to do some research on their
own before actually meeting with an invita-
tion professional or deciding to go it alone.
Once we have a sense of what we like, don't
like and/or what type of event we're plan-
ning, we want to connect with a company
or individual that can walk us through the
process. When working with an invitation
professional, here are some things to look
for:

•Ask to see current samples of their work
•Get references from friends and
acquaintances
•What is the turnaround time?
•How quickly can you get an appointment
for one-on-one service?
•Do they carry a variety of styles
and brands?
•Does their personality align with yours?
•Are there products in your price range?
•Can they handle the addressing
and calligraphy?

Dana lshbia, owner of The Write Stuff in
Oak Park, always tells her customers "to get
organized, don't try to keep up with what
others are doing and to relax ... this is a
fun, exciting time!" For the past 18 years,
lshbia has helped turn dreams into reality
with her full-service invitation business.

Trends: What's hot?
•Colors: This year the hot Pantone color is
Tangerine Tango (Spring 2012)
•Style: Letterpress and other techniques
that deliver texture. Vintage is also very

C12

celebrate! I

March 2012

popular.

•RSVP: More people are moving to email

vs. snail mail especially for bar/bat mitzvah.
•Paper: Natural materials with an eco-
conscious approach.
•Design: Couples are getting custom mono-
grams designed and then building their
invitation from there; vintage design, silhou-
ettes and botanical are leading the way for
wedding invites.

Choosing the right wording
You've set the date, found a venue and even
selected the perfect invitation. Now, comes
the hard part. How do you find just the
right words to include stepparents, siblings,
significant others, deceased parents and
more? This is one of the questions that
invitation gurus ask most often.
Fortunately, there is no right way any-
more to extend your invitation, via a printed
gesture, to guests on behalf of yourself or
others. Many formalities have gone by the
wayside in lieu of more modern approaches
that tend to be inclusive rather than exclu-
sive and accommodate blended families.
Whether you are planning a wedding for
yourself or your daughter, celebrating a bar
mitzvah or throwing a bridal shower, the
invitation experts can help you craft just the
right message.

Criteria to consider for the message
•How formal is the affair?
•Are parents throwing the wedding?
•Are the parents of the bride and groom
involved?
•Are there stepparents to consider?
•How do you include parents if you and
your fiance are planning/paying for your
own wedding?
•What if a parent is deceased? Does his/
her name appear on the invitation?
•Is the ceremony going to be held in a
religious sanctuary or a reception/banquet
space?

According to Terri Trepeck, owner of
Invites Ink! in Bloomfield Hills, "There are
very few rules about bar/bat mitzvah invita-
tion wording."

There are several popular options that
can be tailored to your specific mitzvah and
personal preference. Most of the time, the
invitation is extended by the parents of the
child who is becoming a bar or bat mitzvah.
Once in awhile, it is the child who is doing
the inviting.
Here are several ideas for you to try out.
You can also include your son or daughters
Hebrew name in the invitation wording.
Remember, this is not something to stress
over.
"You are preparing for a joyous occasion,
and the invitation should be a reflection of
the joy, happiness and pride you are feel-
ing about this milestone event," reminds
Trepeck.

On a final note:
Our community is blessed to have a party
professional to suit every personality, taste
and budget. As you get started shopping
for invitations, the Internet can be a conve-
nient way to browse and gather ideas. When
you are ready to actually sit down with an
invitation consultant, remember to shop
local. There's nothing like personal service,
one-stop shopping and professional advice
from an expert who's seen it all.
You can reach Invites Ink! at
terri@InvitesInk.com or The Write Stuff at
dish1000@comcast.net.



Roz Keith is the owner of PartyPlanningPlus.com and

writes about party tips, tricks and trends. Her blog

Bar/bat mitzvah wording optioft.
Happy occasions when shared
with family and friends
,
O
become life's
cherished memories
Please join us when
our son
Adam Michael
Is called to the Torah
as a Bar Mitzvah

It would be our pleasure
To have you join us
In worship and celebration
When our daughter
Marci Lynn
Becomes a Bat Mitzvah

Wedding wording options
Bride and groom's parents sharing in the
expense equally:
Mr. and Mrs. David Green
Mr. and Mrs. John Rosenberg
Request the honour of your presence
At the marriage of their children
Amy Lynn Green to
Steven Andrew Rosenberg

Bride and groom giving the wedding:
Amy Lynn Green and
Steven Andrew Rosenberg
Request the pleasure of your company
At their wedding

"MitzvahPlanner can be found on

www.thejewishnews.com/author/miLvahplanner.

Invitation
Countdown

This at-a-glance timeline will get you
started. For more details, you can go
to www.invitesink.com .
•7 to 12 months: Send a save-the-
date card
•6 to 9 months: Start browsing
invitation styles
•5 to 6 months: Write the wording,
order invitations
•2 to 4 months: Get hotel information,
plan weekend itinerary, address,
stuff, seal, stamp
•8 weeks: Mail invitations
•4 weeks: Order place cards, napkins,
kippot
•2-3 weeks: Print place cards with
names of guests
•1 week: Complete seating chart
•Day of: Mazel Tov! Enjoy.

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