Today,
many couples are passing over black and ecru and looking
to sage green, French blue, cranberry, silver, exquisite
ribbons, handmade papers, antique woodblock imprints
and custom logos as they strive to put a personal stamp
on their wedding invitations, and their weddings.
So
if you're ready to say goodbye to black and ecru, here
are some ideas to help you choose a wedding invitation
that is truly inviting.
A
Perfect Match
You want an invitation that's unique and special, but
you don't know where to begin. To help with the selection
process, think about the formality of your wedding.
If your wedding will be formal, a simple card with an
embossed grapevine or a cornucopia printed in silver
on the top is elegant, but different. Architectural
elements on "headbands" -- which go across
the top of an invitation -- are also quite formal. A
cream card with black ink with a striking aquamarine
beveled edge adds a touch of the unexpected to the basic
format. For an informal wedding, let's say an affair
in your parents' garden, your invitation can be less
formal as well. Try using embossed botanicals, handmade
paper with pressed flowers, green ink or ribbon to give
your invitation a country, gardeny feel.
Theme
Me Up
Your invitation can boldly announce your wedding's theme.
One couple that was married on the beach in Maui chose
a heavyweight cream, torn edged card with starfish and
shells printed on top. Having a autumn wedding? How
about a card topped with an embossed oak or maple leaf?
For a wedding in winery, one couple chose an invitation
with a drawing of a cluster of grapes on top.
Color
Craze
Colored inks can add pizzazz to your wedding invitations.
You can echo a color that you will be using throughout
your wedding. An array of greens from hunter to sage
work well, as does chocolate brown. Gold is particularly
elegant. "But right now silver is popular. Everybody
wants silver," says Himmel. If you want to add
a note of color, but aren't ready to do your whole invitation
in colored ink, you can go with a colored motif on the
top of the card and the text in black. Another way to
inject color is to use a colorful tissue insert or line
the envelope with a colorful paper or fabric, such as
moiré.
The
Personals
Consider using a motif that expresses something about
you. One bride, whose nickname since early childhood
was Bumble, had a small bee engraved on the top of her
invitations. Another, whose last name was Angel, used
an imprint of gold cherubs. Himmel recalls one couple
with a "good sense of humor" that used a cartoonist
drawing of a bride and groom -- called clip art in the
invitation world -- for a lighthearted and fun invitation.
A bride who was married in New York City used a drawing
of a city skyline printed in silver on top of a cream
card.
Paper
Chase
The best quality traditional invitations are printed
on 100% cotton rag. But many couples are choosing different
types of papers. Handmade paper can lend a heavy, textured
feel that's luxurious. Some of these handmade papers
incorporate pressed flowers like baby's breath or rose
petals. Vellum, a parchment-like paper, is also a popular
choice and gives a light, airy feel. Printed vellum
can be used as an overlay on a card or as the invitation
itself.
Design
Time
Although some couples commission artists to sketch something
unique for their invitations, there is a more affordable
way to find a motif you like. Computerized clip art
offers countless motifs from which to choose. And wedding
invitation companies offer motifs and borders based
on pen and ink drawings by contemporary artists, block
prints, engraved logos or antique woodcuts. From wisteria
to butterflies, pine boughs to mountaintops, the options
are available.
Tied
Up
Ribbons are another way to adorn your invitations. Colored
sheer ribbons, tied in a simple knot or bow, can top
a card. Ribbons can also be used to tie a piece of vellum
onto card stock. A ribbon can tie a folding card together,
so guests can open the bow and then the invitation like
a present.
Sealing
Wax
Sealing wax, particularly in gold, can lend a feeling
of importance to your invitation. Some couples use wax
to seal an invitation that is folded in three parts,
with two flaps opening onto the flap with text.
Hot
Type
English script is often used on formal invitations,
but innovative invitations make use of a variety of
type styles that fit the tone of the wedding. One bride
who was having a small wedding in a restaurant chose
to hand write her invitations for a personal feel.
The
Long and the Short
Size is another way to set your invitations apart. The
trend runs to smaller rather than oversized cards.
Trend
Time
According to Himmel, the hottest invitations right now
make use of letterpress printing. That's an old-fashioned
technique in which raised type is inked and stamped
on paper, creating a beautiful antiquey feel. Another
favorite in her store: an invitation with a hand-painted
flower, subtly colored and almost faded, glimpsed through
beautifully calligraphed text. |
