When should I start looking for Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitations?
Normally, four months prior to the event. However, most families begin planning the event eight to twelve months in advance to avoid scheduling difficulties. Appointments with your stationer are strongly recommended. Given people’s hectic schedules, we generally recommend that a save-the-date announcement be sent out well before the event.
When should I send my invitations?
Invitations should be mailed at least eight weeks prior to the event. As locations for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah are generally reserved months in advance, it may be wise to consider sending out a save-the-date announcement to help your guests arrange their schedules accordingly. Including accommodation information with the announcement is a helpful way to get the attention of your out-of-town guests and help them to begin making travel arrangements.
How do I get started selecting my invitation?
Designing a custom Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation is often a collaborate effort by family members. This often presents a challenge to incorporate the many requirements of family members in to the final design. We recommend that you ask your stationer to show you several albums to get an initial impression for the styles of invitations that are available and suitable to your particular requirements: traditional, contemporary, color combinations, paper stock, printing options, etc. There is great flexibility in modifying design elements and color combinations, so don't be discouraged if you don't find what you are looking for immediately. Once you have decided on the key requirements of your invitation, focus first on the paper stock, then the printing process (engraved, letterpress or thermography) and finally color combinations. Great color combinations can be achieved by mounting card stock on each other to create heavy-bordered cards. Also, envelope linings and colored inks create vivid contrasts to make your invitation distinctive.
What are my design options?
Saint Clair carries few specific Bar & Bat Mitzvah books as most of our leading vendors have papers and designs that can readily be adapted to create a custom invitation for your Mitzvah invitation. There are no set invitation standards and our clients generally create their own unique invitation. Layered paper, the use of vellum wraps, ribbon, the application of colorful Judaic motifs are just a few of the methods our clients have employed to create truly memorable invitations. With the possible exception of weddings, there is no greater opportunity to use your creative talents.
What other accessories do I need?
Thank you notes, escort cards, place cards and menu cards. Saint Clair also provides calligraphy and printing services for direction cards and place settings.