The finer details of your stationery will tie your whole wedding into one slick and stylish package. Your invitation offers guests a first delightful glimpse into your big day - an enticing preview of what's to come, and a small gift in itself.
Wedding stationary is the starting point for your wedding theme - use your design to introduce your guests to a casual outdoor beach vibe, a sophisticated garden setting, a formal black tie tone; the atmosphere of a big traditional extravaganza - fire their imaginations and get them excited! The wedding invitation is also where guests will find all the vital info they need, such as maps and directions, gift registry locations, RSVP details and dress code.
There are many ways to create gorgeous signature stationary that says it all.
Colour
2010 wedding trends are electric in style and colour, with metallics and sparkles incorporated to add a flash of glamour. Tone your colours to complement your overall wedding themes, but don't worry about exact matches. Don't be afraid to be bold, especially if that matches your personality.
- Orange is a VERY HOT wedding colour right now. It's vibrant, fun, fresh, warm and beautiful and perfect for all seasons. Pair orange with purple, spring green, lime green, burgundy, aqua, turquoise, white, sky blue, chocolate brown, gold, silver, pewter, lilac, watermelon or fuchsia/hot pink.
- Brown (also known as chocolate, mocha, latte, cocoa and coffee bean) is the new black. Hot combos are brown and pink, brown and blue, brown and green (chartreuse being a wildly popular shade of green at the moment) and brown and champagne wedding invitations.
- Classic Black and White will never go out of style. No matter how you do it, there is just something classic and refreshing about a black and white wedding.
Motifs and Graphic Themes
Who says your invitation has to be just a bunch of words? Many couples incorporate a graphic motif to match the season, such as a flower for a spring wedding, a shell for a summer wedding or a skeleton leaf for an autumn wedding.
Graphics can lend sentiment and character that your invitation would otherwise be missing. For example, if your fiancé proposed on holidays in Bali - use a tropical motif.
Crystals & Embellishments
An increasing number of brides are adding glamour and pizzazz to their invitations by incorporating embellishments such as Swarovski crystals or rhinestone buckles, jewelled braids, silky tassels and sashes. Be aware that when you add three dimensional embellishments, you will need gift boxes to house your invitations. Some crystals, depending on size and quantity, can still be sent by snail mail, but you do risk breakage unless the invite is carefully wrapped.
Monograms & Logos
A cute trend is for couples to create their own wedding logo. Why not create a stylized version of your initials or wedding date, to be used throughout your wedding stationery? You could also use it on your aisle runner, cake, bar, and even projected onto your dance floor!
Wedding Seals
Wedding seals will not only save you licking all those envelopes they will add elegance and personality to your invitations. Originally, envelope seals were created using wax. You can still find all the materials for creating wax seals, but getting beautiful results usually requires a lot of practice. Peel and stick seals are generally a better option. They are sold in sheets of very cute designs to match your stationery. You can find seals in different shapes and colours - perfect for any invitation. No more licking, only sticking!
The Digital Wedding Invitation
Savvy brides and grooms across the world are opting for the online invitation. This is a great option for inviting overseas guests, or to invite interstate guests to a casual wedding with not much planning time. For family and close-by guests, an online invite should only serve as a save the date, a reminder or a means to deliver more complex info such as location details and maps, or destination guides for location weddings. For the sake of etiquette, an actual invite should be posted as well - even if it has been downsized.