Wedding Invitation Styles
A wedding is all about family and friends, gifts and cake, dresses and tuxes. However, none of it will come together if no one knows about your wedding. While the urge is there to spend tons of money on having a printer choose every detail for you, many create their own wedding invitations and save money in the process.
There are many types of styles (the possibilities are infinite, actually), and a variety of ways in which to use them to add character to your wedding invitations. First think about the basics of your wedding. Will it be formal? Then choose a very small style. Have it either engraved in gold ink or blind embossed for even more subtlety. A formal wedding calls for a traditional and symmetrical invitation, as well, so you will want to place your style on the top border of your wedding invitation, right in the center.
Less formal weddings can accommodate more eclectic uses of styles. You could even choose stationery which has your design printed on it, and the wedding invitation wording printed on a vellum overlay. For example, if you were having a destination wedding, complete with a breezy wedding gown and beach wedding jewelry, a fantastic wedding invitation would be an image of a sandy beach or a large tropical flower. If the invitation shows the beach scene, tie the vellum layer on with a piece of raffia, or use a pretty fuchsia ribbon over the tropical flower image. Your guests will really get the beach wedding feeling, and start packing their most festive attire and jewelry in eager anticipation.
Decide if you want to go with serious or funny, loving or informational. Be creative and avoid feeling fenced in by the standard designs. Also decide how big you want it to be and the size of the envelope that you want to send through the mail.
There are some classic styles from which a bride can choose for her wedding invitations. A garden wedding, for instance, would be the perfect reason to adorn your stationery with your favorite flower, a watering can, or a ladybug. Other insect styles that are great for weddings are a dragonfly or a bee (along the lines of the French royal style). Nautical styles are wonderful for seaside wedding. Choose from an anchor, a lighthouse, a ship’s wheel, or shell. Preppy brides can even choose a whale or an alligator to dress up their invitations.
Look at wedding invitation samples. Check online, gather up several wedding magazines and even feel free to visit some wedding shops where you can get a look at what you may or may not like. Also, consult friends and family to see what styles they have used themselves.
Seasonal styles are always lovely. An intricate snowflake would be festive for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding. Autumn brides can embellish their wedding invitations with a leaf design. A falling leaf print down one side of the stationery would be very nice. For a spring wedding, a cheerful watercolor print of a tiny bouquet of tulips would be the perfect touch for the top of the wedding invitations. And for summer weddings, there are all sorts of fun options, including Adirondack chairs, palm trees, and fruit.
Show it to your partner. Once you have your mock-up, show it to your significant other. Since they’re getting married too it’s a good idea to get their input on the designed wedding invitation. Even if you’re “married” to the idea, listen to their suggestions with an open mind.
Adorning your wedding invitations with a special style or theme is a wonderful way to introduce your guests to the style of your wedding. It will also add personality to your stationery and help to set it apart from the basic invitations that many couples use. A custom style is one of those small details that can add so much to a wedding.