Anna, I agree with everything you mentioned.

Half the battle is getting to know your fonts, playing with them and trying different things. I'm such a font-a-holic and have been for many years that I've gotten to know a lot different typefaces. You sort of get a *feel* for them after a while.

When you're designing a layout, think about what the tone of the layout is. Is it serious, playful, funny? Choose your font according to the emotional impact of your design. This does require you to know your typefaces, or at least do a lot of playing with them to get the right feel. Trial and error.

Try using script/handwriting fonts with serif typefaces. When I worked for a greeting card company, we used that combination a lot. It works well.

Go to Hallmark Cards http://www.hallmark.com (check out their paper card line) for some really inspirational typography. They do pretty awesome font work!

HTH!
Ronna