Choosing the Invitation - Cocktail Style!

Choosing the right invitation can be a challenge... with years of paper experience, i have a few suggestions on how to handle your party invite selection (or any occasion) be trend setting, functional, and special.

1. Consider your location! where is the party located? think about the decor, the style, the feel of the location and let that guide you. in the invitation featured here... a customer chose this design because it was a perfect mixture of traditional (the baroque frame & background), modern  (the bright colors), & vintage (the different serving glasses). the party is located at a roof-top club in Charleston, SC... a town full of exceptional style!

2. Consider the time! afternoon events would require a different look than evening events. usually cocktail parties will be late afternoon or evening, so don't be afraid to choose a formal invitation for your party. how often do we get dressed up anymore, so when there is a reason to celebrate... go all out!

3. Go with the theme! most importantly, choose an invitation that showcases your theme... cocktail, kitchen shower, baby shower, etc... it really does help the guests know what to expect!

4. Consider the guest list! take into account the people invited to your shin-dig. an older or more mature crowd would respond to certain, more sophisticated style, while a younger crowd would expect something new and fresh. the invitation featured was selected for a list full of young couples - a perfect choice!

5. Pick a design that fits the honored guest! who is the party for? what is her/his style? what would they like? i suggest keeping this in mind because it is the honored quest that will cherish the invitation... mounting it into a scrap book or placing it in their keepsake box. the featured invitation was selected for an engagement cocktail party honoring a stylish and hip couple. the bride has a knack for all things vintage, so this design seems very appropriate!

6. Be considerate! when working with a group of hosts, it is best to pick a design that fits every one's budget. we all know what it feels like to get involved with a party that ends up costing so much more that expected because a few people do not know how to stay in budget! BUT, don't get too thrifty either... the invitation is the first impression and sets the tone for the event!

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on another note... if i were the bride, i would slip into something like this for my roof-top cocktail event... i would rush over to my friends at Willow for this amazing dress - they always help me dress for my most special events!