The Latest Wedding Invitation Trends

The simple one page, embossed, white, heavy stock wedding invitation, with the reply and reception card merely stuffed in the envelope, is history! So, what is the new trend for wedding stationary? From bold colors with white lettering, unique patterns, added embellishments, bi-fold invitations with pockets, textures, monograms, and designer envelopes - - you will sure have many choices when picking your own "personalized" wedding stationary!

Sure, bold colors have been very popular for the last couple of years. However, couples are starting to create interesting font and card stock color combinations, when designing their unique wedding invitations. Have your heart set on white? Well, brides and grooms are using white in an interesting place on their invitations - - the lettering! For example, pick a dark blue invitation and add white lettering.

Vertical, horizontal, and multicolored pinstripes and three-dimensional fabric flowers are examples of popular patterns that couples are now choosing. Also, instead of the simple motif or border, brides and grooms are choosing invitations that have a pattern on the entire card stock. Want something that is truly one of a kind? Designers are now creating invitations that match the design on your wedding gown!

Three­-dimensional embellishments are becoming a huge trend! For example, adding sophistication to a simple invitation by adding Swarovski crystals. Also, wrapping the invitation with a bellyband rhinestone buckle is extremely popular right now!

Don't know where to put the response, reception, and map cards? A bi fold invitation with pockets would be the perfect organizer! Do you have three colors in your color scheme? Well, couples are now expressing their three colors with the many elements of their bi fold invitation. For example, choose one color for the bi fold with pockets, a second color for the card stock, and then add your third color or accent color for the ribbon or bellyband that wraps the invitation. Want a very modern look? Choose three different patterns, for every element of the wedding stationary, and then unify them with your three wedding colors. For example, pick floral, paisley, and stripes in sage green, yellow, and light pink for your casual garden wedding.

From wood, fabric, pressed flower stationary, and acrylic, couples are now picking different materials to print their themed wedding invitation on. Having a "Green wedding," and want the ultimate recycled wedding invitation? Couples are now picking seeded wedding stationary. After the wedding, guests can give back to mother earth, by planting their invitations in the ground and growing a beautiful plant or flowers.

Want to add a modern monogram to your invitation? Traditionally, brides would use her initials for the monogram on the wedding invitation. Now, modern couples are combining their first name initials or combining their first names to their wedding stationary. Then, after the ceremony, couples are adding in the last name initial to the monogram on the cake and other items at their wedding receptions.

Want a unique envelope that matches your wedding stationary? Well, not only couples are picking fun patterns and colors for the envelope liners. Now, couples are choosing patterns, on the exterior of the envelopes, which match their themed wedding stationary. If money is not an object, brides are also inserting their invitations in boxes or other themed containers. My favorite example of this is "Green Kangaroo's," "Ava-Coastal Couture."

The invitation has changed from a "cookie cutter" after thought to a personalized art form. Because of the many requests, designers have "pushed the envelope" on the endless choices couples now have, when picking out the wedding stationary. So, what are your requests when creating your personalized invitations? You never know - - your stationary might start another wedding trend!

Sources:

Allison Micarelli, "Wedding Invitations: 6 Style Ideas," www.theknot.com

"Wedding Invitations: Top Invite Trends," www.theknot.com

Jaimie Dalessio, "25 (New!) Stationary Ideas You'll Love," www.theknot.com

www.tgkdesigns.com

www.weddingpaperdivas.com

www.envelopments.com

www.botanicalpaperworks.com

www.invitationconsultants.com

www.etsy.com

www.satinbow.net

www.ohsobeautifulpaper.com