Invitations

Invitations are one of the most important, and most difficult, parts of planning a wedding. The invitation not only tells your guests when the wedding is, but just by the appearance and wording of the invitation, it tells them what kind of wedding it will be. A traditional, formal invitation indicates a wedding of that nature. With this in mind, you should select and word your invitations appropriately. But remember, no matter what type of wedding you are having, there are rules of invitation etiquette that should always be followed. Check out our invitation etiquette page for more information.

THE COMPONENTS OF AN INVITATION
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Invitations are made up of many different parts. The following list will familiarize you with the pieces that make up a typical wedding invitation:
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The invitation itself, which contains the invitation to the ceremony and may contain the reception information in the lower left corner (in lieu of a separate reception card).

In some cases, a separate reception card is used.

The reply request card and envelope (which should be stamped for your guest).

A piece of tissue paper (to be placed between the invitation and the reply request card inside the inner envelope)

The inner envelope (which will contain the invitation, the reception card if applicable, and the reply request card).

The outside envelope.

TYPES OF PRINT
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Invitations can be printed using any of four primary methods.
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Engraved invitations are the most traditional, but also the most expensive. The engraving process actually raises the letters off of the paper using a metal plate.

Calligraphy is a very formal and elegant italic script, used primarily in the feudal days. It can be written by hand by a calligrapher (very expensive) or generated by a computer (less expensive).

Offset printing is a standard printing process using flat ink on paper. It is the most plain looking, but the least expensive of the choices.

Thermographs is probably the most popular choice in modern times. This process uses a type of "powdered ink" to create the look of an engraved invitation. However, the cost is far less than actual engraving.