Everyone knows that there is something special about the arrival of a wedding invitation. From the moment you see yourself in the middle of the usual daily mail, there is a giddy sense of excitement in the air. The motherly touch of its creamy paper is a delight to every recipient, and its majestic appearance is a sure sign that a significant event is about to occur. If you’re tempted to go for an overly creative invitation, keep in mind that no other event in your life will allow you the privilege of sending an invitation with the formality and elegance of a traditional wedding invitation.
Above all, a beautiful invitation sets the tone for the romantic celebration you’re planning, whether you’re getting married in a church, on the beach, or at your parents’ house. Creating your perfect invitation is easy if you’ve studied the guidelines included here. Exploring paper samples, reviewing typographic styles, and contemplating the overall look of your invitation will ensure that your invitation fits perfectly.

THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
PAPER AND INK COLORS
Begin the process of choosing your invitation by selecting a paper color if that element is more important to you, keeping in mind that the tone of the paper will play a vital role in the overall look of your invitation. Color variations, in order of brightness, include bright white, soft white, traditional white, and off-white. Ink colors also vary, but black is considered the most formal option. However, if your invitation has a metallic border, you may want to consider choosing coordinating gold or silver ink.

STYLE AND SIZE
Next, you’ll want to consider the style and size of your invitation by exploring the options available in the color you’ve chosen or, if style is more important to you than color, make that decision first.
The most commonly seen invitation size and format is a folded style, often called a letter sheet or binder, which measures 5.5 x 7.75 inches when folded. You’ll also find folded styles and elegant individual cards in a variety of sizes. Folded styles and classic cards can be plain or designed with a panel or other border design. If you select a paneled style or an ornate border, such as a floral motif, consider how your wording will fit in the allotted space. The length of your wording should also play a role in determining the size of your invitation. Also, more formal invitations are usually larger; smaller styles are great options for more informal celebrations.

PRINT
If you’re not already familiar with the terms “engraving” and “thermography,” the two most common printing processes for wedding invitations, you’ll soon learn the difference. Known for its impeccable detail and elegant appearance, engraving originated in the 1700s and is the most expensive printing option. With embossed invitations, you’ll notice an embossed print that’s pressed through the paper, so the letters and images can also be felt upside down on the back.

Thermography originated in the 1930s as an imitation of printmaking, but gained its current popularity in the post-World War II era. Thermography is a much faster process than embossing and is also less expensive because it does not require the use of a plate, but rather achieves its relief printing through a heat-controlled process using special inks and powders. Thermal imaging offers the same elegant look as engraving, minus the image printed on the back of the paper.
Some brides today choose to print their own invitations on laser printers, which is a decidedly less expensive option. If you choose that route, pay close attention as each invitation is printed to get a finished product that looks as professional as possible. You can order plain cards from most stationery stores that are perfect for printing at home.

MAKE
With your paper chosen, you’ll want to add the perfect font or type style to the mix. It’s easy to get confused with the plethora of fonts available, but a good rule of thumb is to choose letters that complement the formality of your celebration. Also keep in mind that a smaller invitation looks better with a daintier font, and a plain font is easier for guests to read.
Some couples choose two fonts: one for their names (print slightly larger) and one for the rest of the invitation copy. If you choose a dual font, select styles that complement each other.

When envisioning the total look of your wedding invitation, remember that no more than 14 lines of wording is the recommended length, with the reception information included on a separate card.
With more than 14 lines, the words can get crowded and harder to read. If you absolutely must have more than 14 lines, remember that black will be the most readable ink color for the smallest font size. One way to shorten is to remove the names of the groom’s parents or print the receiving information on a separate receiving card.

You’ll find that Nuptial Script, Snell Roundhand, Park Avenue, Agfa Nadianne Book, Zapf Chancery, and Caslon Open Face all work well for longer invitations.

POPULAR FONT OPTIONS: SCRIPT
When choosing the right font for the style and formality of your invitation, look at how thick the letters are and how dark they appear. A small, dark font may be more difficult for your guests to read.

POPULAR FONT OPTIONS: NO WRITING
As with script fonts, pay close attention to the font size and thickness of each letter. When choosing a font, keep in mind the size of your invitation. A font that is extremely dark or heavy would be overwhelming on a small invitation.

The essential elements of a wedding invitation are simple, but they are important. And it’s important to create the right look for your wedding invitation. Whether you want to do it yourself or professionally printed elegant wedding invitations, take the time to create a design, look and feel that is as spectacular as your special day will be.