Learning terminology related to paper, design, size, color and printing will no doubt be part of wedding invitation shopping experience. Who knew there was so much to know beyond the wording and what enclosure pieces to include.

Here are the details for just some of the terms you may come across:

• Invitation Card – Simply a flat card with no folds and the verse printed on the front.
• Embossing – Creating a raised design by using a printing method that presses an image into the paper. Colored ink can then highlight the design. If no ink is used on the raised design, it is referred to as blind embossing. Debossing is created by actually indenting the design into the paper.
• Foil Stamping - The special technique of hot stamping metallic colored foil onto paper.
• Deckle Edge – A unique, feathery edge on a piece of paper commonly seen on parchment wedding invitations.
• Ecru – A familiar invitation paper color that is a warm creamy beige shade.
• Pearlize – The addition of a shimmering pearl-like finish usually to an embossed design area of the invitation.
• Filigree – Lacelike decorative pattern that can appear as part of a wedding invitation design.
• Tea Length – A style of invitation that is either horizontal or vertical and is typically 9 ¼” x 4″ in size.
• Translucent - A term that is used to describe paper that is somewhat see-through and is often times used in layered invitation designs.
• Vellum – Common type of paper with a rich, smooth finish.
• Linen - Another type of paper featuring a cross weave texture.

As the saying goes, the more you know the better, especially when it comes to unique wedding invitations. Knowing what these terms mean is one thing, but even better might be seeing actual samples to know which ones you may want included in your wedding invitation design.

I have listened to quite a few groom’s speeches, and there often seems to be a moment of uncertainty and hesitation by the groom. This is a mistake you should not make.

Let us start with a few universal tips for presenting any speech at a wedding ceremony.

Do’s

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- Keep it simple, clear, and straight forward
- Keep it short. 3 to 4 minutes will be enough
- Write down your major points on a piece of paper or a card
- Smile at the members of your audience. This is a happy occasion.
- Be sure not to look grim and funeral-like.
- Speak loudly and clearly. Maintain your voice so everyone can hear. If there’s a microphone, use it.

Do Not Do These

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- Don’t mumble
- When speaking, do not look down or stare at the ceiling
- Don’t write out the entire speech. You only need some thoughts to keep you going from one point to the next.

There are two basic things that many men fear most: commitment, and public speaking. While this article won’t help you with the first one, it can be assumed that since you’re getting married, you’ve already overcome the commitment issue. So, that leaves public speaking, and it’s a lot easier than you probably think.

Here are five things you should include in the groom speech for it to be considered successful -

5 Suggestions

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- Be pleasant. Say nice, complimentary things about your new bride.

- No jokes, unless they are of a positive nature. Remember, you have a honeymoon coming up, your wife’s family, and the rest of your life to consider. Humor can play an significant part in any speech, therefore, we will review this topic in greater detail in other articles.

- Do thank your new wife’s family. You will probably be involved with them the rest of your marriage, so you do want to start off on the right foot.

If you do not like your wife’s family, just thank them for being supportive and move along with your speech.

If you do like your wife’s family, then express your fondness for them. Then thank them for inviting you into their family.

If there was any monetary contribution offered by your bride’s family, now is the proper moment to say thank you for their support.

- Next, you can thank friends and family for coming to share this day with you and to celebrate your wedding.

- Next, you will want to thank the Father of the Bride.

Your grooms speech is presented right after the Father of the Bride speech, which traditionally comes first.

This makes it so you can play off his speech and continue by thanking him for his words of support; then begin your speech right after him.

Here is an Example

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“Thank you, Robert, for words of support. I am proud and honored to be your new son-in-law. I look forward to living up to your expectations. I’d like to also thank my mother-in-law, Janice, who has always made me feel like a member of the family from the first time we met, and for helping make our beautiful wedding and reception a success. I’d like to say thank you to both of you for allowing me to marry your beautiful daughter, Sylvia.”

With this brief excerpt, you have accomplished a great deal: You have thanked the bride’s family, acknowledged their contribution to the wedding, spoken favorably about your new bride, and presented yourself like an all around great guy to the audience. And, that was only an introduction to your groom speech.