trendsetting
ways to make a first impression
Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse everyone
gets of your wedding – so finding just the right design, paper, font, envelopes
and embellishments is imperative. Today’s bride has more options than ever for
her invitations to reflect her personality and wedding theme, and there are no
limits to her creative choices. These are just a few hot trends du jour for
announcing your big day in style.
it’s
all about presentation
“Couples are looking for a way to stand out and be
unique,” says Nina Calloway, weddings expert and guide for weddings.about.com.
“Invitations are a way to get guests excited about the event beforehand and to
set the tone for the event.” One popular way to do so, she says, is to send a
boxed invitation instead of mailing it in an envelope, as tradition dictates. “It
makes the invitation more like a present, adding drama and excitement to the
event,” she says, and it protects the embellishments. Calloway shares that couples
could fill the box with shells, silk rose petals or candy pieces to tie in with
the wedding theme or location.
Invitation
choices mirror current trends in weddings themselves, as they have shifted to
the unconventional and slightly more casual. “Weddings in general have gotten a
lot less traditional and a lot more personal and creative, and so have
invitations,” says Henny Vallee, co-founder, managing editor/creative director for
Utterly Engaged, based in Anaheim, California. “It’s not uncommon these days to
receive an invitation on a wooden plaque, or a folded poster invitation, or
other unique formats. Brides are certainly more adventurous today than ever.”
Although
wedding invitations are more fun and less formal now, couples aren’t skimping
on the details. In fact, they’re more important than ever. “I have seen a trend
for a more casual invitation versus a very formal one, however, that does not
mean inexpensive,” says Beka Rendell of Styled Creative in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“They are still using thicker cardstocks, letterpress, etc.; just the fonts and
the overall design are less formal. Couples are incorporating whimsy, which
tells the guests what to expect at the wedding. Each wedding is very different,
so I would recommend that couples choose the right one that showcase their
personalities and gives the guests a sneak peek at what the wedding will be
like.” For example, if the wedding will be held at a lavender barn, Rendell
suggests adding a sprig of dried lavender to the invitation for a special
touch.
choosing your words carefully
The
trend toward less formality also extends to the actual language on wedding invitations,
and these days there are more ways to spread the word of your nuptials than in
years past. You can phrase your invitation any way you like—traditional,
lighthearted, cutesy or funny. However, it depends on the spirit of your
wedding and who is hosting the event. Nowadays, many couples are paying for
their wedding themselves, so that could factor in. Additionally, if your
families are blended, you have to consider who will be included on the invitation.
“Instead
of writing ‘Mr. and Mrs. Jones request the honor of your presence at the
marriage of their daughter,’” says Calloway, you can say something like,
“‘Together with their families, Jane Jones and John Doe invite you to celebrate
with them as they joyfully exchange vows.’” This simpler approach won’t upset
or offend anyone if there are
too many people to mention.
invitation
inspiration
Selecting
design elements that represent something very personal to you and your groom is
the key to an unforgettable invitation. Don’t know where to begin? It’s easier
than you think. “Every bride should start with her and her fiancé’s story. How
did they fall in love? Where did they meet? Why did they choose their venue? Starting
from there
can spark so many unique and creative ideas,” says Lucia Dinh Pador, co-founder,
chief creative officer and director for Utterly Engaged. “One of the most
memorable invitations we’ve seen is the paper invitation that was designed in a
way that turned into a record player,” for a couple of musicians.
“The
bride should really think about what is unique or creative about her wedding,
and then figure out how to translate that into her invitations,” adds Calloway.
Designing your own standout invitation can involve hiring an artist to create a
custom design (how about an artist’s rendering of the church or reception facility?)
or be as simple as including a
custom liner for the envelope with a color or pattern to match your theme or
a picture of the couple. Or, change up the text on the RSVP card with something humorous
rather than the typical “accepts” and “regrets” options. “Whatever you do,” she
says, “make sure it reflects your personality and the tone
of your wedding.”
before
you buy
When
you’re ready to shop around for your perfectly personalized wedding
invitations, these tips will
simplify the seemingly overwhelming process for you:
• Money:
Know your
budget beforehand so you know exactly what options you can realistically afford
(with so many gorgeous possibilities these days, invitations can cost as much
as twenty dollars each). If a family member is paying for the invitations, keep
them involved in the decision making because it could prove to be a sensitive
issue.
• Ideas:
Be prepared
with at least an idea of your theme, color scheme and wording. “Even if it is a
picture of a dress you love, it will help the designer better understand your style
and can help direct an invitation that fits your personality,” says Rendell.
• Research:
Choose an invitation company
you can trust. “Look at their portfolio to make sure you like their previous
work and style, check their reviews or testimonials, or ask other brides for
their recommendations,” says Vallee. “Make sure you do your homework and find
out if the company offers the type of printing you want, letterpress, flat (offset)
printing or digital printing (most economical).”
• Questions:
Ask
if there are minimum orders and/or print runs, if the company offers printed
samplesand
if the company will be able to complete your order in time for you to mail them
six to eight weeks before the wedding.
• Advice:
Be
sure to see a printed sample before placing your order, says Calloway. And
current trends aside, “A wedding invitation should be printed on heavy, quality
paper, no matter how formal [or informal] the event is.”
trendsetting
ways to make a first impression
Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse everyone
gets of your wedding – so finding just the right design, paper, font, envelopes
and embellishments is imperative. Today’s bride has more options than ever for
her invitations to reflect her personality and wedding theme, and there are no
limits to her creative choices. These are just a few hot trends du jour for
announcing your big day in style.
it’s
all about presentation
“Couples are looking for a way to stand out and be
unique,” says Nina Calloway, weddings expert and guide for weddings.about.com.
“Invitations are a way to get guests excited about the event beforehand and to
set the tone for the event.” One popular way to do so, she says, is to send a
boxed invitation instead of mailing it in an envelope, as tradition dictates. “It
makes the invitation more like a present, adding drama and excitement to the
event,” she says, and it protects the embellishments. Calloway shares that couples
could fill the box with shells, silk rose petals or candy pieces to tie in with
the wedding theme or location.
Invitation
choices mirror current trends in weddings themselves, as they have shifted to
the unconventional and slightly more casual. “Weddings in general have gotten a
lot less traditional and a lot more personal and creative, and so have
invitations,” says Henny Vallee, co-founder, managing editor/creative director for
Utterly Engaged, based in Anaheim, California. “It’s not uncommon these days to
receive an invitation on a wooden plaque, or a folded poster invitation, or
other unique formats. Brides are certainly more adventurous today than ever.”
Although
wedding invitations are more fun and less formal now, couples aren’t skimping
on the details. In fact, they’re more important than ever. “I have seen a trend
for a more casual invitation versus a very formal one, however, that does not
mean inexpensive,” says Beka Rendell of Styled Creative in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“They are still using thicker cardstocks, letterpress, etc.; just the fonts and
the overall design are less formal. Couples are incorporating whimsy, which
tells the guests what to expect at the wedding. Each wedding is very different,
so I would recommend that couples choose the right one that showcase their
personalities and gives the guests a sneak peek at what the wedding will be
like.” For example, if the wedding will be held at a lavender barn, Rendell
suggests adding a sprig of dried lavender to the invitation for a special
touch.
choosing your words carefully
The
trend toward less formality also extends to the actual language on wedding invitations,
and these days there are more ways to spread the word of your nuptials than in
years past. You can phrase your invitation any way you like—traditional,
lighthearted, cutesy or funny. However, it depends on the spirit of your
wedding and who is hosting the event. Nowadays, many couples are paying for
their wedding themselves, so that could factor in. Additionally, if your
families are blended, you have to consider who will be included on the invitation.
“Instead
of writing ‘Mr. and Mrs. Jones request the honor of your presence at the
marriage of their daughter,’” says Calloway, you can say something like,
“‘Together with their families, Jane Jones and John Doe invite you to celebrate
with them as they joyfully exchange vows.’” This simpler approach won’t upset
or offend anyone if there are
too many people to mention.
invitation
inspiration
Selecting
design elements that represent something very personal to you and your groom is
the key to an unforgettable invitation. Don’t know where to begin? It’s easier
than you think. “Every bride should start with her and her fiancé’s story. How
did they fall in love? Where did they meet? Why did they choose their venue? Starting
from there
can spark so many unique and creative ideas,” says Lucia Dinh Pador, co-founder,
chief creative officer and director for Utterly Engaged. “One of the most
memorable invitations we’ve seen is the paper invitation that was designed in a
way that turned into a record player,” for a couple of musicians.
“The
bride should really think about what is unique or creative about her wedding,
and then figure out how to translate that into her invitations,” adds Calloway.
Designing your own standout invitation can involve hiring an artist to create a
custom design (how about an artist’s rendering of the church or reception facility?)
or be as simple as including a
custom liner for the envelope with a color or pattern to match your theme or
a picture of the couple. Or, change up the text on the RSVP card with something humorous
rather than the typical “accepts” and “regrets” options. “Whatever you do,” she
says, “make sure it reflects your personality and the tone
of your wedding.”
before
you buy
When
you’re ready to shop around for your perfectly personalized wedding
invitations, these tips will
simplify the seemingly overwhelming process for you:
• Money:
Know your
budget beforehand so you know exactly what options you can realistically afford
(with so many gorgeous possibilities these days, invitations can cost as much
as twenty dollars each). If a family member is paying for the invitations, keep
them involved in the decision making because it could prove to be a sensitive
issue.
• Ideas:
Be prepared
with at least an idea of your theme, color scheme and wording. “Even if it is a
picture of a dress you love, it will help the designer better understand your style
and can help direct an invitation that fits your personality,” says Rendell.
• Research:
Choose an invitation company
you can trust. “Look at their portfolio to make sure you like their previous
work and style, check their reviews or testimonials, or ask other brides for
their recommendations,” says Vallee. “Make sure you do your homework and find
out if the company offers the type of printing you want, letterpress, flat (offset)
printing or digital printing (most economical).”
• Questions:
Ask
if there are minimum orders and/or print runs, if the company offers printed
samplesand
if the company will be able to complete your order in time for you to mail them
six to eight weeks before the wedding.
• Advice:
Be
sure to see a printed sample before placing your order, says Calloway. And
current trends aside, “A wedding invitation should be printed on heavy, quality
paper, no matter how formal [or informal] the event is.”