6 Invitation Style Ideas
From bellybands to new and improved monograms, these wedding invites are pushing the envelope.
by Allison Micarelli
This year wedding invitations are all about innovation. It makes sense with more and more attention paid to personalising every wedding detail, but designing an invite that will stand out is challenging. Or make that was challenging. Here are the newest twists on the latest trends that push the envelope.
If You Like Flowers…
What’s New
First it was floral pressed papers, then it was floral motifs. Now it’s Asian influenced floral designed papers sewn onto the backs of invitations, used as tissue paper separators between invitation and reply card, or as envelope liners.
What’s Next
All things 3-D, from tiny paper flowers dotted along the bottom of an invitation, adding some texture to your basic white on white, to vintage inspired Chanel-like flowers made from fabric. A delicate rose, or flirty orchid, applied to a corner creates a flower ‘brooch’ that makes any invitation blossom.
If You Like Ribbons…
What’s New
From simple ribbon wraps to bands of pretty patterned paper tied around the middle of the invitation, bellybands add another dimension to classic invitation designs.
What’s Next
Unexpected wraps. Mimic popular, preppy grosgrain ribbon belts by wrapping a brilliantly patterned ribbon around an invite and securing it with a small silver buckle. We’ve also seen colourful velvet bellybands held on with snaps, fur trimmed bellybands fastened with crystal studded buckles and corset style bellybands with crisscrossing silk ribbons.
If You Like Monograms…
What’s New
Traditional monograms, usually the bride and groom’s initials, have adorned invitations for a long time. Today, they’re more of a logo than a set of calligraphied set of letters.
What’s Next
A clean and classic look in which the monogram looks more like a stamp or logo than a historic family seal. It can be anything from a couple’s first initials to their inter-locking names. You might even want a tagline that sums up your relationship or wedding theme. The feel is contemporary and chic but still formal.
If You Like Patterns…
What’s New:
From decorative envelope liners imitating fancy Florentine papers and vine like embossed borders in gold on ecru paper, to blind embossed details complementing the typeface, patterns have been used both modestly and moderately throughout the years.
What’s Next
Keeping to one palette but mixing and matching patterns for a different look on each element of your wedding stationery. Three patterns, three different ways with one memorable statement, it’s fashionable and fun. Pick your patterns to match your mood such as florals, paisleys and stripes for springtime soirees. Consider toile, tiny dots and fleur-de-lis for romantic affairs or stripes, plaids and polka dots for stylish city weddings.
If You Like The Beach…
What’s New
Destination or beach weddings are popular and you can use invites that convey a beach theme to warm your guests up to the idea. Beachy inspirations include starfish studding, letter pressed seashells, pineapple embossments and perhaps aqua blue paper.
What’s Next
Translating the essence of a destination wedding. Surprising colours such as rockmelon orange or watermelon red with interesting textures. Unexpected adornments also make for a more abstract interpretation of the concept. We love the idea of accordion folded invitation booklets hand painted to resemble the horizon at sunset. Or simple cards adorned with dangling wooden beads or strings of tiny, delicate seashells. What about vintage looking cards tucked into burlap pockets. Sure, these elaborate invitations are more costly than traditional invitations but with the small number of guests your inviting to your destination wedding, this ‘fabulosity’ factor may well be within budget.
If You Like Nature…
What’s New
From pretty papers with pressed leaves to bird or bee motifs, ever popular nature inspired invitations lend a sense of warmth and comfort to your invitations.
What’s Next
The juxtaposition of conventional nature inspired motifs with modern fonts and trendy trimmings. For example, a pressed leaf paired with a crystal stud or soft, natural papers dyed baby blue make equally homespun and fashionable statements that are perfect for contemporary weddings, which are all about your personal style.
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