Richard and Greta had decided to get married. They had dated for a few years and taken their relationship slowly. Both were careful people, and both had been married before. This time, they avowed, they would do it right . . . and it would last forever.
So when the time came that they did agree on tying the knot, understandably their excitement was tinged with a bit of nervousness. Richard agreed that Greta would take the lead on planning the wedding, and he would happily add his input. He trusted her taste and judgment implicitly and knew that anything Greta put together would be classy and beautiful. They each wanted a small affair, nothing outrageous, with a moderately-sized guest list.
Greta insisted that the first step in her planning process would have to be Wedding Save the Date cards. Richard had no idea what these were, so one evening after Greta had prepared a satisfying, delicious dinner, the table was cleared off, and they sat together under the side table light in her comfortable den, the two of them searched the internet, and Greta gave her beloved a quick lesson in Wedding Save the Date items. There were many types available on today’s market—Wedding Save the Date magnets, cards, postcards, bookmarks . . . some people even gave out tee shirts!
Both Greta and Richard thought most of those items were a bit too showy for what they needed. The Wedding Save the Date cards, however—simple in presentation, economical, and just perfect to let their intended guests know that they had selected their date, and ask that those folks not plan anything else on their calendar at that time.
Once Richard understood what this Wedding Save the Date item was and what it was used for, he was totally comfortable with the idea and told Greta that he would be thrilled with anything she chose. He kissed her on the top of the head and moved away to the other side of the room to read a book. Greta continued on at the computer, and got busy on creating their Wedding Save the Date cards.
She planned to put together a theme, and carry that theme throughout everything they put out for their wedding. The Wedding Save the Date cards would be only the first materials created in a long line of printed items—invitations to attendant showers, invitations to the wedding, RSVP cards, thank you cards after the event was all over . . . and anything in between. It was important to Greta that she designed the perfect Wedding Save the Date card so that it would set the bar for all the rest of the printing.
Hmmm. . . . Greta had to think for a bit about what their theme would be. She could use a photo of her and Richard, taken just last week when they went out to dinner with her sister and brother-in-law. It was a great picture, and they looked so happy together. Yes, she nodded, that would be the perfect centerpiece for their Wedding Save the Date card. She decided to turn it into a black and white, giving the photograph a more classic look.
From there, maybe a border around the photo? A simple and solid thick dark line worked just right. A background design—no, Greta decided against any background. That black and white set the scene for an elegance which superceded fluff.
It was such a natural process. One point led Greta to another point. She was having the time of her life creating her Wedding Save the Date cards, not necessarily because of the card itself, but because she was taking part in the first step of a life she would have from here on out with her best friend, her love, and soon-to-be . . . her husband.
There was a sort of serenity which overcame Greta as she realized what taking part in these steps really signified. Though these Wedding Save the Date cards were a utilitarian tool, actually a piece of paper which, literally, did little besides announce their upcoming ceremony, to her they represented much more. These Wedding Save the Date cards were symbols of the strength of the love between her and Richard. They were physical reference points in how far along they had come as a couple, and how far they still would go—together. These Wedding Save the Date cards indicated that she and Richard were willing to publicly proclaim their union.
As her mind wrapped around the importance of what she was doing as it related to the rest of her life, she re-focused and got back to the task at hand. There was the font she would use, the color scheme of the text, and the text itself . . . what would their Wedding Save the Date cards say? After a few moments of thought, Greta decided on:
“William and Greta are getting married. Please save the date. Formal invitation to follow shortly.”
Yes, very, very simple, and that’s how they were. Simple yet elegant. On the mark. No runarounds. They always gave their message in the shortest, most direct way. Those who would receive their Wedding Save the Date cards would know immediately who sent these cards even without looking at their names, because they would recognize their style. And that’s how Greta wanted it.
The online print company she had selected had a very easy-to-use process, and offered Greta the opportunity to view her Wedding Save the Date card on a model page as it would look once it was printed. She turned her head this way and that, and studied the mock-up for a few minutes. She decided to tweak the font she had originally used and then went back to view the mock-up again.
Perfect! She didn’t realize she’d said that word out loud until she saw Richard look up from his book. He raised his eyebrow and when she smiled at him, he smiled back and went back to reading. Greta continued the process, still giggling, and proceeded to authorized the Wedding Save the Date design she had created, fill in how many she wanted to order, hit the “send” button, and finally, pay for it with her credit card. Her authorization told her that her Wedding Save the Date cards would be delivered to her in a week or less . . . just the right timing!
With a big smile, satisfied that she had just done a great job in completing the first step of the rest of her life, Greta walked over to Richard who was sitting back in the deep, comfortable recliner, his book now face-down on his chest, and his eyes closed. He was sleeping peacefully, and Greta lightly rubbed his shoulder.
“Honey,” she whispered to him, “you have to get up and go home. Unless you plan to sleep here in the recliner tonight.”
Wedding RSVP
Thank You Cards
Save the Date Cards
Save the Date Magnets
Wedding Save the Date