The featured piece in a wedding trousseau is the invitation itself. The invitation communicates who is getting married, when the marriage will take place, the location and who is hosting the event. Traditionally, invitations are sent by the parents of the bride, usually six to eight weeks prior to the event however it is very common in today’s society for the wedding to be hosted by the bride and groom or co-hosted by the both sets of parents along with the bride and groom.

As your wedding invitation is a reflection of your personal style and taste, it is important to choose an invitation style or design that captures the essence of you and embodies the style of the event you are planning. For your guests, the moment they first receive your invitation will be very special as it creates a sense of anticipation and drama, announcing your wedding day and summoning your family and friends to celebrate your joyful union! It also represents their first glimpse into what’s to come on your special day.

Nothing compares to the tradition of a beautifully designed invitation tucked into a perfectly calligraphed envelope. Wedding invitations have several different components, and the style of wedding you are having, be it formal, semiformal or informal will dictate your selections. It is important to take time to peruse and find the perfect invitation to announce your special day.

It is not necessary to have all details concerning the design/style of your invitation thought out before you begin browsing for that perfect invitation. However there are a few important details surrounding your invitation for you to consider before you begin the process of shopping for your wedding invitation:

Paper
At Papyrus, we offer a wide variety of luxurious, specialty papers that include cotton, metallic, pearlized, textured, linen, fine Italian papers, Japanese lace and tissue papers, to name a select few.

Color
By incorporating color into your invitation you can create an updated, less traditional look for your invitation. This is not solely limited to the use of colored paper-stock but also through the utilization of colored inks, envelope liners, as well as other added elements such as ribbons and motifs or monograms.

Mood of Your Event
It is important to determine if your wedding will be a formal or informal event before shopping for your wedding invitation as this has an impact on both the design of your invitation as well as the wording used. Here are some helpful tips to use when selecting your invitation for both formal and informal events.

Formal: Traditionally a white or ecru folded lettersheet or single panel 5 x 7” card. Engraving or Letterpress in black or gray ink are traditionally the printing techniques used for a formal event. A sheet of tissue paper is laid on top of your invitation to keep the ink from smudging.

Informal: Informal invitations do not have to follow any rules, and can range from a poem on translucent glassine to a unique design on recycled paper. This is your chance to be creative. Remember, do not sacrifice information for originality…the details about your wedding should always be presented clearly.

Outer envelope: A large outer envelope encases the invitation and all of the accompanying enclosures, and is stamped for delivery. Traditionally, the outer envelope is addressed by hand either in one’s own handwriting or by a professional calligrapher.

Inner envelope: The inner envelope is optional, but remains very popular with most brides. The inner envelope is ungummed and is addressed with the proper name of the guest and sealed inside a heavier weight outer envelope. Another option to the traditional inner envelope is the use of a pocket or specialty wrap that serves the same purpose of an inner envelope. The use of a pocket or specialty wrap has become an increasingly popular trend with wedding invitations.

Reception cards: Smaller in size than the invitation, these cards announce the time and location of the reception, particularly if it is different from the place of the ceremony. If the ceremony and reception are being held at the same location, the line “Reception immediately following the ceremony” may be added at the bottom of the invitation, eliminating the need for a separate reception card. Details about the reception, such as dinner and dancing or light supper, are also sometimes provided on the reception card.

Response card and envelope: The response or RSVP set includes a card that invites a response two to three weeks prior to the wedding date along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Some cards require a handwritten acceptance or refusal, while others simply ask guests to check the appropriate box stating if they will or will not attend, and to note the total number in their party.

Maps & Directions: If the reception is held at a different location from the ceremony, or if the locations are difficult to find, it is advisable to include a map or sheet of directions with your invitation. These should be printed on the same paper stock and in the same ink and style as the rest of the materials.

These additional wedding stationery and accessory items are optional, but add a thoughtful touch to your wedding trousseau:

Save-the-date cards: These cards provide your guests ample time to plan and prepare for your upcoming wedding. They are extremely important for weddings held on or near national holidays or those requiring guests to travel in from out of town. The save-the-date cards are typically mailed out six to nine months prior to your wedding.

Wedding Announcements: Printed announcements are usually sent out the day after your wedding to notify people of your marriage. Ordered at the same time as the invitations, they essentially repeat the invitation information, and are sent to people who were not invited to the wedding.

At-Home cards: At-home cards are simply cards that apprise friends and relatives of your new address. These cards can be included with the invitation, but are more commonly sent after the wedding.

Within the ribbon cards: This small enclosure card is included along with the invitation for those guests that are seated in a special or reserved section. They simply hand this card to the usher for escorted seating.

Stationery: It is essential to have plenty of stationery on hand during your engagement period for thank-you notes and general correspondence, as this enables you to begin writing notes immediately after receiving shower and wedding gifts.

Place cards: If a couple chooses assigned seating at their reception, a place card should be added to each table setting. The place card indicates the name of the guest and the table to which they are assigned.

Menus: At a more traditional or formal event, printed menus may add an extra special touch to the table. The menus may be placed atop each guest’s plate or positioned in several areas on the table.

Wedding Program: The wedding program is a complete outline of your ceremony. Generally the program includes, in chronological order, readings, poems and musical selections performed during the ceremony. Wedding programs are wonderful keepsakes for yourself and your guests.