Services:

Specializing in hand-crafted invitations and announcements, rae ink uses color, pattern, textiles and layout to create unique, high-quality designs at affordable prices. Every design is fully customizable, and outstanding personal service guarantees you get exactly what you want without hassle or headache. Enjoy the simplicity, elegance and originality of rae ink invitations - the perfect first impression for your special occassion.

Hand-crafted Designs
One mark of a rae ink invitation is hand-crafted perfection. Your invitation won’t be run through a press, a cutter, a folder, a sorter or any other machine. Every sheet of paper is cut by hand, every embellishment is attached by hand, every touch of edging or stamping is done by hand, even the envelopes are made by hand. But your guests won’t see a sloppy hand-made invitation, all they will see is high-quality craftsmanship that looks and feels like it cost a fortune.

Affordability
When searching for invitations for my own wedding, I became frustrated with the narrow selection of affordable invitations, but was shocked at the prices of higher-end, creative ones. I knew from the moment I created rae ink that I wanted to offer an impeccable product at a fair price. After scouring the craft market, I have found several websites offering high-quality papers and embellishments at great prices. Instead of putting those savings in my pocket, I pass them onto you, so you can get high-end, polished invitations without breaking the bank.

Full Customization
Unlike other sites that offer invitations in limited color schemes and font choices, every rae ink design is fully customizable. You can pick any color scheme and any font, and can even use invitations for different events. For example, you may need an invite for an Oscar party, but you may like the “Spoil Me” mommy shower invitation best - no problem. I’ll work with you to make your favorite design fit your occasion. And if you can’t seem to find anything that fits your bill, just fill out the custom form and I will create entirely new designs just for you.

Mailing Services
As fun as parties are, party planning can be hectic. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of addressing and mailing your invitations, I’ll do it for you. Simply mail or email me your guest list and I will address, stuff, stamp, seal and mail every envelope. I’ll even mail you a few extras, so you don’t have to worry if you forgot someone or an invitation gets lost in the mail. This great service is offered for a small $10 convenience fee per 100 invitations and the cost of postage.

Free Proofs and Samples
I know how tricky online ordering can be, so every product is listed with close-up images and detailed descriptions. Every invitation also comes with a free proof and an optional sample, so you can be positive your invitation looks perfect and says exactly what you want.

Free Thank You Cards   Posted By: rae ink hand-crafted invitations Mention WeddingWire.com in your order and receive FREE Thank You Cards to match your invitations. (up to 100) (more) Applies to Invitations

Do I Need Save the Date Cards?
In today's busy world, people often plan trips and events months ahead of time. Since most wedding invitations are sent six to eight weeks prior to the wedding, many of your guests may already have plans and be unable to attend. Sending Save the Date cards gives your guests more time to plan and ensures more of your guests make time on their calendars for your big day. If your wedding is more than six months away, sending out Save the Date cards is a good idea. If your wedding is less than six months away, the decision is up to you.

There are only two solid rules for Save the Dates cards:
1. You must make sure every person who receives a Save the Date card also receives an invitation.
2. You must include "Invitation to Follow" or "Formal Invitation to Follow" at the bottom of your Save the Date, so guests know the Save the Date card is not the actual invitation.

Everything else is up to you. You can send them as far in advance of your wedding as you desire, and you do not need to send them to every guest on your list. It is best to send a Save the Date card to every out of town guest, but you probably do not need to send one to your parents or members of the bridal party.

When Do I Mail My Invitations and Announcements?
Wedding invitations are generally mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding date. If your engagement is more than six months long, it is a good idea to mail out Save the Date cards to give your guests extra planning time. If your invitation includes response cards, the RSVP date should be no less than three weeks before the wedding date. You should also check with your reception hall to see if they need a final head count by a specific date. If you are still unsure when to mail your invitations, mailing them earlier is always better than mailing them later. The more time your guests have to plan, the better.

Guests of the wedding should only receive an invitation, not an invitation and announcement. Announcements are reserved for those not invited to the ceremony or reception. Announcements can be sent to co-workers, distant friends, extended family or anyone else you cannot or choose not to invite to your ceremony. Some couples are hesitant to send out announcements to people who were not invited to the wedding, but there is no need to feel that way. In fact, sending an announcement can often dispel hurt feelings of not being invited to the wedding, because the recipient will know they are still important to you. Announcements should be mailed within a few days of the wedding. This ensures that those who receive the announcement will not mistake it for an invitation. Announcements can also be mailed within a few months after the wedding.

What Enclosures Should I Include with My Invitations?
Wedding invitations are much more than just the invitation itself. Invitation enclosures do everything from helping you keep track of the number of guests to getting your guests to the ceremony. So which enclosures do you need for your wedding? Here is a quick rundown:

Ceremony Cards: Some ceremonies are more private. As such, you may want to use a ceremony card. Instead of sending out invitations, you can send out announcements with a ceremony card enclosure to those you would like to invite to the wedding and a reception card enclosure to those you would like to invite to the reception. Unlike other enclosures, ceremony cards should be placed in front of the announcement so they are the first item your guests sees when they open it.

Reception Cards: Since invitations only have so much room, couples often do not have room to include all of the reception information. A reception card enclosure is an excellent solution. Having a separate reception card allows more room to give your guests detailed information about the party. Reception cards are also a great solution if you are inviting more guests to the ceremony than the reception, as you have the option to insert them into as many invitations as you like.

Response Cards: Whether you are inviting a lot of people to your wedding or just a few, it is important to keep track of who is coming and who is unable to attend. Response cards ensure you have an accurate count of attending guests. You can also use response cards to find out guests' meal preferences. Every response card should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Map and Direction Cards: As wonderful as GPS Navigation Units are, not everyone is lucky enough to own one. Including a map and direction card with your invitation is a great way to ensure your guests have an easy time getting to and from your ceremony and reception. It is important to include directions for guests travelling North, South, East and West, and to give those directions from the closest major highway - not local landmarks. If the majority of your guests are coming from out of town, it is imperative to include a map and direction card. If the majority of your guests are local, a map and direction card is not necessary.

Every wedding is different and, as such, there is really no end to the number of enclosures your invitation may require. If you are having an outdoor wedding, you may want to insert a rain card alerting your guests to an alternate location in case of rain. If your ceremony or reception will be at a country club or special hall, you may need to include parking cards. You may want to include a website card, a registry card or even a card with information about the wedding ceremony. The possibilities are truly endless. The best way to make sure your invitation includes all the information your guests need is to sit down and write out all of the important details. You can then determine the best way to include that information in your invitation - whether that means one enclosure or five.