Invitations, Favors, Cake Toppers, & More
When should I order my wedding invitations?
You should order your invitations generally 3 - 5 months prior to your wedding date. At this time all of the details of the Officiant,
Ceremony, and Reception,
such as time and location should be confirmed.

Your guest's will discard these after your married.  So, why spend exorbitant amounts of money on them?  When you're working
with a strict budget, it's a great idea to make your own wedding invitations.  It gives you complete freedom to invite your guests using
style and format that suits your overall wedding theme; you can select the wording or verses that matter most to you -- and you'll save
a lot of money!

Wedding invitation etiquette varies but, there is an inescapable fact: whether you're planning to have a large or a small wedding, you
still have to send out invitations.

Making your invitations is a great way to personalize your wedding correspondence and gives it a unique appearance.  When you
make your invitations by hand, there are no limits to how you can decorate them.
Some of the most popular additions to
hand-made invitations are:

Photos of the Happy Couple, Artistic Calligraphy Accents, Paper or, Silk Ribbon Flowers, Poems or Verses.  Rhinestones, Satin
Ribbon, or Sequins, Gold or Silver paint as accents.
4" x 8 1/2" Photo Greeting Card invitation - envelopes included. (above left)
or
4" x 8 1/2" Photo Greeting Card Favors - envelopes included. (above right)

Photo Greeting Cards are also, available at SAM'S CLUB, Walgren's & Walmart.
Check for current prices.  You may order 25 and up.
Wedding Favor's

Well, Ladies favor's are disposable items too!  So choose wisely!  Keep your cost down on favors.  Most people will take one to be
polite and toss it when they get home unless it's.  One of the nicest favors I can think of is a picture.  You can get a picture greeting
card and add any sentiment.  Just like the
Photo Greeting Cards (shown left) you send at Christmas.
Well, the best price in town is at Sam's Club.  They are around $26 to $28 for 100 and for every additional 25 it is another $5 to $6.  
Envelopes included!  So for 200 guests that is $52 plus tax.  Print a poem, include your names & wedding date on 4" x 4" mailing
labels, add your own clip art, and adhere to back of Photo Greeting Card Favors.  

Fillings to Add to Your Wedding Favor Containers

heart-shaped candies or chocolates, Hershey's kisses and hugs, small floating candles
gourmet or flavored coffee (enough for one pot), little decorative soaps,small quantity of wild flower seeds (with planting instructions
wrapped in colored cellophane), flower bulbs, bath oil beads, bath salts, small bag of mixed spice (cinnamon/nutmeg) and your
favorite apple pie recipe, individual packets of specialty tea (put a personal label on them), hot chocolate mix and peppermint stick -
enough for one mug, OR Candles (tea lights tied in tulle, organza, wrapped in colored cellophane matching your colors).

Five Jordan Almonds with Poem -

Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat,
to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet.
Five wishes for the new husband and wife...
Health, wealth, happiness, children and a long life!

Memo Pad Favors

Tea Favors
Put your names & wedding date on a sticker or tag made on your computer & attach to individual tea bags.

Small Decorative Soap
Try these websites: www.americansoapcompany.com/wedding_favors.asp
or for Soap Confetti try www.purpleegg.net

Bookmark Favors
Satin ribbon 1/4" to 1/2" wide with a charm tied to each end or beads.

Lavender Sachets
Buy a large bag of dried lavender. One pound of dried lavender equals approximately 12-14 cups almost full 1 gallon zip lock bag.  I
have found it for prices ranging from $7 to $12 per pound.  Pour onto a 6 inch circle or square of organza or tulle, gather up edges
and tie with ribbon. Decorate with charms or beads strung on ribbon.  You may already appreciate lavender for its aromatic
fragrance, used in soaps, shampoos, and sachets for scenting clothes.
Dried Lavender is a natural moth and flea repellent.  To
use as a moth repellent, simply place dried lavender sachets in drawers, closets, and trunks, or wherever you store natural fabrics. It
works as good as moth balls and smells wonderful.  Sprinkle dried lavender flowers on carpets, under couch cushions, etc. (an added
attraction is when you vacuum it up, you fragrance your home with lavender.)

Where to locate Dried Lavender
www.avonspice.com/db/Lavender
OR www.save-on-crafts.com/lavpounpin.html

Affordable Cake Toppers
I found this website that sells them for under $12.00 each.
www.99weddingfavors.com/caketop.php
Wedding Freebies:

Wedding Checklist

Wedding Etiquette Page 1, Page 2

Wedding Tips Page 1, Page 2,  & Page 3

Ohio Clergy Services - Elyria Wedding Minister ®

Non-Denominational Wedding Ministers
Serving All of Ohio - At your Location of choice!

We are currently Accepting Reservations for
Wedding Dates in  2007 & 2008.  Deposit Required

PH:  440-324-4047
We Welcome  Last Minute Ceremonies!  Call:  440-324-4047  Ministers Hours  9 AM - 9 PM Sunday - Saturday.
Wedding
Tips 2