What's in a Wedding Invitation?

This may seem pretty obvious to some, but I thought I would include a primer here for those that are preparing for their weddings and don't know where to start for invitations.
So, what does an invitation package include?

• The main invitation
• The reply card
• Envelopes for the above

That's it. I know, it doesn't seem like much. What about Save the Date cards, direction cards, and all that? All that other stuff is extra. So, if you're thinking about getting invitations done, you might do well to spend some time itemizing all the printed pieces you would like to have. It's always best to go to a stationer or a custom wedding invitation designer with a detailed list of what you want.

Here are some points to think on (some of these only apply if you are building your invitations from the ground up with a custom designer):
• Colors: which ones and how many? The more colors you use, the more it will cost)
• Size: 5 x 7, sqaure, accordian fold. Keep in mind that if you want inner and outer envelopes for your invitations, you are limited in size to 5x7 and 6" square.
• Theme: do you have a theme for your wedding, a Roman Holiday, garden party, Hawaiian Luau? You might want to get invitations that will reflect this theme.
• Printing Process: letterpress, offset or engraving?

It always helps to look around. Collect magazine clippings, or images from the web of invitations you like. Keep color swatches from fabrics or paint. The more thinking you do on your end, the more likely you will be to get exactly what you want.
See more wedding invitations here.

Artocracy

I found Artocracy.org through a subscription to Good Magazine (that my friend Kaz got me for Christmas). The artists are organized by "conceptual" art, "representational" art, and "photography". You have the option to buy a framed print, an unframed print, or you can download a PDF - how's that for accessible art? I really liked the above, by artist Glauce Cerveira