Plenty of things can go awry with bar or bat mitzvah invitations. But with a little care, virtually all of them are easy to avoid.
• Be especially careful with any text in Hebrew. If your stationer isn’t proficient in it, make sure someone knowledgeable double-checks the spelling.
• Study the proof. Have other people study the proof. The time to find out you’ve put down the wrong date or forgotten to say who is hosting the party is at the proof stage.
• If a proof is optional, pay for it. Saving by not ordering the proof is being penny-wise but pound-foolish.
• Make sure you order enough invitations. Your guest list can, and probably will, grow after you place the order. Reordering an extra 25 invitations later can cost about three times more than adding them to your initial order.
• Order more envelopes than invitations. Labeling mistakes will be made.
• Provide advice on attire: cocktail, dressy casual, casual.
• Find out what other printing services your stationer offers. It might also be a good source for save-the-date cards, place cards, welcome packets, programs and menus.
• Start shopping six months before your event. Don’t come in too early, as styles and your child’s tastes can change. But make sure you allow time to choose, order, review the proof, and allow for printing, addressing and mailing.
• Consider ordering save-the-date cards. They can be ordered and mailed before the details are all finalized.