Printing of invitation cards

We took 230 cards from our hotel - Grand Plaza Parkroyal. Half is red colour and half is ivory design. The red invitation cards are for relatives and old folks who prefer auspicious colour. The ivory cards are for our friends and colleagues.

We reckee several printing shops at sunshine plaza and also the one recommended by our hotel - tdragon at excelsior hotel (3rd storey). We found that tdragon offer cheaper rates and also they specialise in wedding cards. We also find several wedding flavours, stuff like wrist corsages and "chuang tou deng" are sold there at reasonable prices.

2 weeks ago, we went to tdragon to see their samples and prices, then we get a wording template from them. We originally intended to print using the hotel cards as we do not want to spend too much. The printing cost will be roughly $100plus-$200 for 200 cards. Afterall, most people also won't keep the cards after the wedding, and may not notice too much too. We also feel the grand plaza cards are quite nice too.

However M's parents feel that the grand plaza cards are not so ideal. The red card colour is the wrong red tone. Then the ivory card not so trendy and look too plain. I asked my mum and she also feedback the same thing. So last saturday we went to tdragon to see if we can choose their card instead. Of course it is more expensive. We chose something similar to this:

for the red card

The ivory card look similar but dun have the "xi" words, instead it is the wording "our wedding".

We chose the following font / details:

1) English and chinese versions (English on left side, chinese on right side)
2) Matt gold for printing wordings
3) A picture icon inside (a loving couple cute pix)
4) A map behind with our hotel name and details

The cost inclusive of printing is about $500 for 230 cards ($2.17 per card). We show the card samples to both our parents on the night after confirming the order. However M's mum feel that the card is not so trendy. My mum thinks that the ivory card looks okie but the red card look a bit too old fashioned.

So today during lunch, i took hours off from lunch and rush to the shop again to re-choose another design. M took the morning off. We can't find any suitable design we like. Maybe bec' we want to create a classy feel, we do not like a lot of patterns to cluster the card design. We prefer simple and elegant design. But too simple will look plain right? So very hard to decide lor. Some unique cards such as :

we feel that this design is unique but very hard to see the card details.

I like this design but the wedding details are all on the cover, doesn't look so classy. M don't like this design.

we don't like our face to be "throw away" after the wedding.

Too wacky and not formal .

End up, the auntie sales assistant suggest that we do custom make (i.e. they do the design for us according to our specifications). I find a card with some design that we like and modify from there:




We are merging into this:



The above pix is i draw using photoshop, so the outcome may not look exactly. Our names and date (not the wording "groom and bride" as show in the pix) will be printed with 2 heart shape picture. A silver ribbon will be tied around it. We may interchange the wordings order and picture, but roughly it look like this, for the ivory card.

We chose ivory paper (with some shiny silver) and shiny silver wordings. Silver make the card look more trendy and yet simple! The red card we take a similar card but with the wordings "Xi" and tie a gold ribbon instead.

This is already very costly. The blank card is $1 per card. Inclusive of printing, total cost $500plus for 200 cards (i.e. $2.50 per card). We reduce the number of cards to reduce the cost. Our printing are all hot stamping.

Actually after the change in choice, i still think it is not so unique. But somehow both of us don't really like those very unique types. I think we are both more traditional so always end up choosing simple designs. Even though it is not v unique type, we like this card as we feel the ivory card + silver wordings look more trendy.

We seen one website and they have great designs! http://www.youreinvited.net/invitation_collection/invitation_collection.php. I personally like this:



It really look very trendy right? Don't know need to change the design again?..
But it is not those classy atmosphere that we want to create for our evening. I feel this looks less formal. Wonder wat u all think.


After seeing the ideas, we have contemplate to make it more special by either:

1) Use a translucent paper/tissue wrap to wrap around the card. Something like this:

















With the translucent paper, it look softer.


OR:
2) Purchase rose buds and stick on the ribbon or at the card.

We will see whether if got time as these "patterns" need to have more time. Of course those ribbons etc will have to be tied on by ourselves.

Personally thinking, i feel that there is no need to spend so much on cards because most people do not really stare at invitation card for so long. As long as it does not look too ugly or old fashion can liao. It is really stressful having to change several times. I can't sleep last weekend thinking about this.

Btw, i bought 4 wrist corsages from tdragon. Hope i can find one more jie mei to chip in the ideal 4 group.