White has always been a traditional wedding color, and many brides also use gold and silver, pastel colors, and off-white shades in conjunction with stark white. Instead of these classic bridal colors, consider using bold colors with the same bridal motifs. You do not have to go with hot pink, but think about how the traditional invitations you are viewing would look in plum, hunter green or red. Modern invitations do not have to be soft colors. Let your personality shine through! Right now, steel blue, brown, and yellow are all popular, trendy wedding colors, and you can send cards in colors that match the season. You do not even have to match your wedding invitation colors with your wedding colors, just do what feels right to you. If you are worried about using bright colors, consider at least an accent color. Stick to a white invitation that includes just a burst of color.
Idea #2: Go “green” with your wedding invitations.
Today, you can make eco-friendly choices with everything from your clothing to your food – why not your wedding invitations too? “Green” wedding invitations are made from recycled paper, and for the best option for the environment, look for paper made with as much post-manufactured recycled product as possible. Try to avoid pre-manufactured product, which comes from mill scraps. You can also find companies that plant trees for every product ordered, and you can choose to include a note on the back asking your guests to RSVP via email or phone and recycle the invitation after the wedding. “Green” wedding invitations are not just modern; they are a simple way for you to make this world a better place.
Wedding Invitations
Idea #3: Send a message in a bottle.
We usually think of invitations as a flat piece of paper, but that does not have to be the case. One especially innovative idea, especially if you are going to have a destination wedding, is to send a message in a bottle. Instead of a sending a flat invitation, choose a scroll style and put it inside of a bottle. You can actually find companies that have kits to help you prepare these bottle invitations. You may end up spending more on postage, but the effect is very unique. If messages in a bottle do not match up with your wedding theme, you can instead consider other kinds of 3-dimensional cards. You can also choose destination-wedding invitations that feature designs like seashells and sandcastles if you do not want to spend the extra money on postage.
Idea #4: Use your picture on your invitation.
Your wedding invitation serves as an announcement for some people. To make it really special, consider printing a picture of you and your groom on the front. You can use your announcement photo or take a special one specifically for your invitations. Instead of throwing away your invitations, your guests can frame them, keep then as keepsakes, or otherwise display them. A picture also helps make the invitation more personal. You can choose black and white or color for printing, depending on your budget.
Idea #5: Design your own invitation.
Modern invitations are not always just about a modern look, they are also about a modern concept. Today’s invitations can be personalized more than you may realize. Many websites offer custom design services and you pick everything from the design and overall style to the font color to even the ink color to the envelopes. You can then add ribbons, monograms, and more to really make them personal. As a bonus, creating your wedding invitations with your future husband can be fun.
Modern wedding invitations can include other accessories and add-ons in beautiful accent colors and designs. Consider some pocket-style jackets for your invitations, colorful organza bows that can be tied around them, designed seals that stick on the envelope, or sheer stickers. All of these small touches can help your invitations look great.
Choosing the perfect wedding invitations can be a difficult task. When searching for that right style, do not be afraid to consider modern options. With the right colors and accessories, your modern invitations should be just as beautiful as you have always imagined. If you are planning a destination wedding there are other creative options to consider such a message in a bottle or an image of yourself at the destination.
Your wedding is a very special day. For many couples, their wedding day is one of the highlights of their lives. Whether you are the bride or groom, you want to share your special day with all of your friends and family; and you want everything to be perfect. Most of the planning starts with the wedding invitations, and these invites can really set the tone for your wedding.
Many of the betrothed choose to go with a theme for their weddings, and that theme, whether it’s a color theme or a style, can be reflected in the wedding invitations. Today, the top trends are in colorful wedding invitations; and the more colorful the better. Gone are the days of plain white cards with silver writing. Many couples are choosing bright colorful invitations that are fun, exciting and eye catching.
Your wedding invitation should be as unique as you two are as a couple. You don’t want to send out an invitation that is identical to the one your cousin sent out last month. You want to ensure that your friends and families will notice your invitation stuck to their fridge, instead of getting lost in the pile on the table. A colorful wedding invitation is something to be admired, something your friends and family will want to display, a wedding they will want to attend.
It’s easy these days to make sure your invitations reflect your own personal style, whether that be traditional, eclectic, colorful, or just plain fun. You can choose from a wide variety of colors, styles, shapes, sizes and layouts. As well, you will also be able to choose coordinating RSVP cards, envelopes, mailing envelopes, reminder cards as well as labels, stickers, adornments – the sky is the limit with colorful wedding invitations.
With many ready-to-use designs available, you can choose one that is close to what you are looking for, or you can choose to create your own, mix and match different sets and colors, or have a personalized style of invitation done for you. There are also many wedding invitation designers that you can choose from, including hot celebrities such as Vera Wang.
Adorn your wedding with the colors that you love, and begin the quest towards your special day with coordinating colorful wedding invitations. The choice is yours with your wedding invitations, from the color combinations, style, size and font type. By choosing these things to come together in harmony on your wedding invitations, you will have a truly unique invitation to send out to friends and family. You do not have to coordinate to your wedding colors if you don’t want to – you can choose whatever your heart desires for your wedding invitations.
One of the top trends for this year is the return to classic designs, including ‘white and silver’ – however, with the many type fonts that are available, even classic designs are made new again and unique. Choosing special type fonts for your personalized wedding invitations can take the classic look to a whole new level.
One of the other top trends for this year is perfect for the creative do-it-yourself person. Those brides and grooms who enjoy putting things together themselves in an effort to save some money and have some fun are at the top of the trendsetting list this year. Do your own invitations, mix them up and make them yours.
Color is big this year in wedding invitations and some of the top colors may surprise you. Orange is a bright, festive color that is quite versatile for a choice – from bright sunny oranges to deeper burnt umber-orange, orange is a color that is more readily appearing in wedding invitations. Monochromatic colors are also big – blues, white, black and yellows can make for interesting, subtle or flashy invitations. Depending on the style you are going for, choose a couple different blues, mix a deep blue with a butter yellow, or combine black, white and yellow or blue for a dramatic invitation that you can really call your own unique style.
Another big trend for this year is putting the focus on the envelopes. Envelopes for some are an after-thought, but this year, pay attention to the envelopes you are choosing for your invitations. Your envelope can coordinate with the invitation or contrast against it – whatever the choice, go for big and bold to make sure that your invitation stands out in the pile of mail that your invitees are receiving.
Regardless of the style of invitation you choose, be sure that you pay attention to the color. Choose colors that you like, mix them up with different contrasting colors, have some fun with it and enjoy the work of art that your unique, colorful wedding invitation has become.
Your wedding invitation is the front line of your wedding day – it is the first contact you have with your invitees and your first impression of your wedding. This is the prime reason why you should select a wedding invitation that reflects you both as a couple, and reflects the theme, tone and style of your wedding. Often, the main question engaged couples ask is what to include in their wedding invitation packages. Generally speaking, you should send your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding date.
As for what to include in your wedding invitation, let’s look at a detailed list and explanation of what you should include in an invitation package and some of the extras that you can choose to include as well.
The staples for a wedding invitation include:
The Invitation Card
The invitation itself is the explanation of who, what, when, where and why you are sending an invitation. It should contain all of the pertinent information so that the invitee knows the answers to all these questions.
There are many different types of wedding invitation cards to send – folded, double sided, single sided, booklets and much more. You can select the invitation based on how much information you want to put on the card as well as the design you like the most. You can have them printed with calligraphy writing, embossment, engraving, thermography, letterpress color and more. Many times, the invitation card will be in its own envelope inside the mailing envelope.
The Invitation Envelope
The invitation’s envelope is a non-gummed envelope that contains the invitation itself. It often is chosen to match the invitation in color and style. Put the invitation card inside the invite envelope and place inside the wedding invitation package envelope that you will mail.
The Wedding Invitation Package Envelop
The wedding invite package envelope is a gummed and sealable envelope that you will use for mailing. On this, you will write the recipient’s mailing address to be delivered by postal mail. The mailing envelope can match the rest of your package in color and style, or can be a plainer envelope.
Response Card
The response card is a staple of wedding invitation packages. This ensures that the recipient will respond to you if they are planning to attend your wedding. You can use a variety of formats for your response card, but you should include a space for their name and number of guests attending. These responses are used to gather totals of attendees for your wedding which will help the caterer and planning of the wedding as a whole.
You should include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope with the response card so that returning your invitation is easy for your invitee. You should request on the response card that they respond at least two weeks before the date of the wedding. This is to help you have enough time to finish the final planning stages of your wedding day.
Optional Pieces to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Package
There are an unlimited number of options to include in your wedding invitation package, but remember to keep it simple. Include the information that is helpful and the following pieces may be of interest to you to include, based on the location, style and place of your wedding.
Reception Card
A reception card lists the addresses and times of post-wedding events. A reception card is especially important to send if you are having your reception or other events at a different location from the wedding itself. Be sure to include this information and the addresses of the locations on the reception card.
Map and Direction Cards
If you are unsure of whether or not out of town guests will be able to find the locations of your wedding day events, be sure to include a card with a map and directions of how to find the locations of the events. Be sure to include each event’s directions and don’t assume that just because someone lives in the same city you do that they will know how to get to a specific place.
Accommodation Information
Accommodation information cards are a good idea if you’re hosting your wedding at a vacation destination or if you have many out of town guests. Be sure to include airfare, transportation and accommodation arrangements in the information for your prospective guests.
There are many styles of romantic wedding invitations and it primarily comes down to personal preference. This preference can dictate which romantic invitations are chosen for the ceremony. You can take the classic route or a modern one and still have wonderfully romantic and personalized invitations that you can cherish for the rest of your lives. The best way to personalize your wedding invitations and make them especially romantic is to really sit down and plan them out; and remember, there is no need to have anyone tell you what is or is not romantic.
The colors that you choose for your wedding invitations set the mood for the entire wedding celebration. By the time you have begun designing your wedding invitations, if you have not yet settled on a color scheme, it is now the perfect time. Romantic and personalized wedding invitations can coordinate with the overall theme of the wedding. If, for example, the bridesmaid dresses are lavender, you may opt for wedding invitations that complement that color scheme. Perhaps going with some deep purples with wisteria accents is the way to go.
The embellishments that you choose to personalize your wedding invitations are also very important in making them romantic. The most common embellishment for a traditionally romantic wedding invitation is the ribbon. The ribbon that you choose for your wedding invitations should coordinate with your wedding scheme but it should also be delicate as well as tasteful. Silk and organza ribbons work well for romantic wedding invitations. The color of your ribbon should complement the rest of the invitation and coordinate with your entire wedding color scheme.
Furthermore, you may choose to embellish your invitations with elements like buttons and stitching in place of the ribbon. Whimsical embellishments such as these give your wedding a personalized feel, romantic look, and can be an excellent first introduction of your wedding to each of your guests. Hand tying ribbons as well as hand-stitching threads and buttons to your invitations are also great representations of your devotion to each other and can be evident to each invited guest.
The construction of the invitation is also integral to how personalized and romantic the invitations are. Good quality paper stock, vellum, and even some sparkle are key ingredients for personalized invitations. It mostly comes down to how these items are used on the invitation to determine how romantic the invitation is after it is completed. Taking the time and effort to plan different layers of the paper sheets can lend to a romantic, traditional, or a modern feel. Single layers of cardstock and paper give an air of simplicity. Wedding invitations with several layers of paper, vellum, and cardstock are apparent in more intricately designed romantic invitations.
When designing your wedding invitations, the overall look and construction is vastly important to how personalized and romantic they are, but the wording is also essential. While traditional invitation wording is perfectly acceptable, it is not as romantic as some couples would like. In an effort to make your wedding invitations more personalized and romantic, you may want to think about including a poem or perhaps even song lyrics that are special to you and your soon-to-be spouse.
While many couples may find traditional wording much more appropriate, there are couples who enjoy taking a risk together. The poem chosen for the invitation does not need to be written by a famous poet, it can even be something that the two of you made up together. The wording of your wedding invitation should always suit your personal style and most importantly show everyone how in love you two are!
There are many ways to personalize your wedding invitations and increase the amount of romantic wording or accessories included in the invitation. The design of the invitation itself, your choice of color, paper, embellishments, and wording are all crucial to making the invitation truly your own. There are even small things you can do to personalize the invitation. One small thing that you can do is to choose specific stamps for your invitations and RSVP cards. Remember, you do not need to choose the “Love” stamps most couples do. There are so many postage choices out there today that the possibilities are virtually endless. You may even consider choosing a great picture of the two of you and print your own postage!
No matter what route you take when designing your wedding invitations, as long as you put effort and a little thought into it, there is no question that it should be romantic and personalized. Just remember, your wedding is all about the love that the two of you share, so anything you put out there should be romantic! In addition, always remember to keep a copy of the invitation for your wedding scrapbook!
Wedding invitations are affected by general trends, and there is no reason to think that 2009 will be any different. Some of the trends of 2009 are continuations of the popular ideas of 2008, while other trends are just beginning to gain popularity. When designing your wedding invitations, choose what you like best, and leave behind what you do not. It is important that you design an invitation that reflects the style of you and your future spouse. While you may undoubtedly want to be aware of what is popular and what is not when making your choices, there is no reason to choose something because of its popularity. Instead, use these ideas as starting points when designing your dream wedding invitation.
Continue to save the date
Save the date cards continue to be a popular addition to the wedding invitations package.
These cards especially come in handy if you are planning a wedding in June, September or around the holidays, since they are traditionally busy times of the year. A save the date card should be sent out as early as possible. This allows your guests to avoid making plans for that day. Many invitations come with a specific save the date card that coordinates when the celebration will take place. Choosing coordinated save the date cards and invitations means making a decision early on about which design you are going to use. It also adds a nice level of customizations to your invitations.
Color, color, color
Whether bold or subtle, color is a big part of wedding invitations in 2009. Modern printing techniques make it easier than ever to add color from the writing on the envelope lining to the card stock. Colors that were once used primarily for contemporary invitations, has become so widespread that even the most traditional wedding invitations currently use these colors.
Extending a Theme
Does your wedding have a theme? Whether you are having an outdoor wedding, a candlelight service or a wedding on the beach, you can customize your invitations to include some mention of the theme. Confetti in your envelopes or a simple candle drawing on the front of the invitations is an easy way to integrate your theme into your wedding invitations.
Do it yourself invitations
Many people have become taken with the idea of do it yourself invitations. Do it yourself invitations allow you to save some money when planning your wedding, but they also allow you greater control over your finished product. Do it yourself invitations are a great way to create a 100% customized look for your invitations while still keeping control of your budget.
Destination invitations
More and more, couples are choosing destination weddings as a low stress way to have a memorable wedding ceremony. If you are planning a destination wedding, choosing an invitation that is made specifically for the occasion is a great way to provide your guests with a memento of the event as well as being certain that all the invitation provides all of the information they will need to plan their trip.
Adding a photograph
Adding a photograph to your wedding invitations is another choice that may be popular in 2009. As stated before, technology has made this an easy option. Adding a photograph of the happy couple is a wonderful way to personalize your invitations without adding a great deal to the cost of the invitations.
Couples invitations
More and more, men are becoming involved in the planning of the wedding. In the past, weddings were typically planned by the bride, her mother and her friends. Today, it is common for the groom to have an interest and opinion on all parts of the ceremony. Couples invitations are a way to display this relationship, and will become more popular in 2009.
Adding a favor
A small favor added to your invitation is becoming a more popular option. If you are having a theme or destination wedding, including a favor is a great way to add some needed information. For the theme wedding, a small candle for a candlelight service is a thoughtful touch. For a beach vacation, a small tote bag with information from the area chamber of commerce is a thoughtful choice. While adding favors to the wedding invitations is a thoughtful touch, and becoming more popular, the cost can add up quickly. Adding favors to invitations typically works best if you are planning a small ceremony, and expect most of your invitees to attend.
Personalize your Wedding Stationery
Personalization is another area that has been improved greatly by technology. New methods of printing have made many more options available than ever before. This means that the engaged couple can add ribbons, pictures and trinkets, not to mention colored fonts, customized edgings and many other options to stock invitations. This allows standard invitations to look completely personalized.
Colors as neutrals
While adding color as a bold statement has become increasingly popular, color as a neutral is becoming more common as well. This means that a traditional invitation may be pastel pink rather than ivory, or mint green rather than white. Using colors as neutrals continues to grow in popularity as more people become accustomed to seeing colors as part of the wedding invitations.
One of the newest trends in wedding invitations is the use of ribbons. From classic white colored ribbon to fun and funky brightly colored ribbon, you can find hundreds of styles to use with your wedding invitations. But how can you integrate ribbons into your invitation package? Here are some great ideas you and your spouse-to-be can use.
First, wedding invitations can use ribbons in the designs themselves. These ribbons become part of the overall look of the invitation. Usually, if you can customize the colors of the invitation, you can also choose the type of ribbon, and in many cases, there are hundreds of default colors available. Typically, ribbon that is part of the overall design is found either along one side or above the top and tied in a bow.
Ribbons can also be used as a closer with your wedding invitations. Your wedding invitations can open vertically or horizontally, or can be split down the middle for a “double door” effect. To keep the invitations closed, you can tie the ribbon around them, or you can use a hole punch to tie the ribbon through. Sleeves can also be purchased to hold your invitations inside of the envelope. Ribbons can be used as a closer on these as well.
Keep in mind that you should not use ribbons on the envelopes you will be mailing or the return envelope your guests will use to RSVP. Posts offices in all states have very strict guidelines about what can go through the mail. In many cases, ribbons and other loose strings can’t go through the mail, since they can get stuck in mail-sorting machinery. So, if you include ribbons as part of the envelope design, you will have to have another, bigger envelope to use for mailing it. In any case, using ribbon to close your wedding invitations will make them seem like presents. Your guests will feel special untying the bow to find out the details of your big day.
There is no agreed upon way to integrate a ribbon into a wedding invitation. Ribbons do not necessarily have to be dangling or tied in bows. In fact, with do it yourself wedding invitations, the ribbon can even be glued flat as part of the design. This gives your invitations a 3-dimensional effect without the bows and frills. If you are leaning toward non-traditional wedding invitations, this could be the perfect compromise.
One of the best ways to use ribbon with your wedding invitations is to introduce a little color to the invitation package. White has always been the traditional color for weddings, and recently, it has become trendy to choose all-white decorations, accessories, etc., for weddings. If you do not want to purchase wedding invitations printed on colorful paper, consider using ribbon to include just a dash of style. This is often a great compromise if you and your future spouse can’t agree on the colors your wedding invitations should be!
What kind of ribbons can you choose? Your options are nearly endless. If you want something very traditional, a white organza ribbon or bow might look great with your wedding invitations. On the other hand, maybe you want something modern. In that case, a slim, brightly colored ribbon might be great. You can choose polka dots or another funky design if you plan on having a non-traditional wedding, and you can choose eco-friendly raffia or recycled ribbon if you want green wedding invitations. Of course, wedding ribbons come in all many different widths and colors.
Wedding ribbon is only the start of what you can add to your wedding invitation package. You can also include stickers, velum inserts, wax seals, accent jackets, overlays, potpourri, confetti, and more. You can even use special stamps to mail them, and do it yourself wedding stamps are available if you want to further customize your wedding invitations. Your wedding invitations definitely do not have to be ordinary.
Because there are so many different kinds of wedding ribbons, making a final choice can be difficult. Keep in mind that quality is important, because cheap ribbon can fray. Also, remember that there are discount options available that look great without costing a fortune. If possible, get a sample of the ribbon before order. That way you can determine which choices in your price range are of the highest quality.
Ribbons are not for everyone. Depending on the style of your wedding invitations, ribbons might not work, and if you are sending the invitations in a very simple envelope, bows could get crushed. Make an attempt not to automatically rule out ribbons, though. Even if you do not want a traditional or romantic style (or too girly) style for your wedding invitations, ribbons can be a great choice. With all of the choices available, you might be able to find a style which is perfect for you and your fiancé.