Invitation Design: Classifying Wedding Styles For The Perfect Day

Wedding invitation design is an incredibly creative area of print design. There are endless ways to classify wedding invitation designs, from the type of printing and paper used to the overall aesthetic and theme.

Printing techniques include letterpress, foil stamping, engraving, embossing, UV and thermographic printing, and flat digital printing. Each method has its own unique advantages and price points.

Invitation designs can also be classified by their paper type, ranging from high-end to cost-effective options. Card and cover stock, cotton fibre, kraft and wood-grain paper, glassine and clear vellum paper, and acrylic are some of the popular choices.

Aesthetically, wedding invitations can vary from rustic and vintage to modern and minimalist. Floral, chalkboard, and watercolour designs are also popular trends.

Ultimately, the possibilities for wedding invitation design are endless, allowing couples to create invitations that reflect their unique style and personality.

Modern vs. traditional designs

Wedding invitations are often the first official announcement of a couple's wedding to their guests. They can be used to communicate essential details about the wedding, such as the date, time, and location, as well as the dress code, RSVP instructions, and registry information. Wedding invitations also set the tone for the event, indicating whether it will be a black-tie or more casual affair.

When it comes to modern vs. traditional designs, there are several key differences to consider:

Traditional Wedding Invitations:

Traditional wedding invitations are typically formal and elegant, adhering to established etiquette and customs. They often feature classic designs, such as engraved or letterpress printing, and may include religious symbols or quotes for religious weddings. The wording on traditional invitations is usually formal and may include proper titles when addressing the guests, such as "Mr. and Mrs.". These invitations often serve as keepsakes and can be cherished long after the wedding.

Modern Wedding Invitations:

In contrast, modern wedding invitations offer a fresh and contemporary take on the traditional invitation. They often feature minimalist designs, bold colours, and unique materials such as acrylic or clear cards. Modern invitations may also incorporate personal touches like custom monograms, hand-lettering, or meaningful quotes. The wording on modern invitations can be more playful or creative, reflecting the couple's personality and setting the tone for a relaxed atmosphere.

Examples of Modern vs. Traditional Designs:

A traditional wedding invitation might use elegant calligraphy on a white backdrop, while a modern invitation could feature a bright colour palette and a minimalist design. A traditional invitation may include religious symbols and formal language, whereas a modern invitation might showcase a custom crest or monogram.

For instance, a traditional invitation suite could feature a classic combination of black font on white paper, with elegant gold borders and calligraphy. In contrast, a modern invitation might use a bright pink font on a white background, with a simple border and a playful request line.

Ultimately, the choice between modern and traditional designs depends on the couple's personal style, the wedding's theme, and any cultural or religious traditions they wish to incorporate. Both styles offer unique ways to announce the wedding and set the tone for the celebration.

Typography

Firstly, it is essential to understand the different typeface styles. Serif fonts have short lines stemming from the ends of the letters, such as Times New Roman. Sans-serif fonts, on the other hand, do not have these serif lines, and include typefaces like Arial or Helvetica. Script fonts resemble cursive handwriting or calligraphy, with a more modern option being Carolyna Pro. Display fonts are more artistic than legible and are ideal for signs or sparingly used in invitations.

When selecting a font, it is crucial to consider your wedding theme and style. For instance, a funky, retro typeface suits an eclectic wedding in Palm Springs, while a romantic font complements a garden-inspired estate wedding. Serif fonts are typically chosen for elegant, classy weddings, whereas sans-serif fonts are often used for a more modern feel. Script fonts are ideal for formal, classic weddings, and there are also whimsical script options for a more casual vibe. Display fonts make a statement and are perfect for themed weddings, such as Art Deco.

Legibility is another key consideration when choosing a font. While unique and artistic fonts can be appealing, it is important that your guests can easily read the information on the invitation. It is recommended to use more legible fonts for the essential details, such as time, date, and location, and reserve unusual typography for headings or accents.

Font pairing is also an important aspect of wedding invitation design. It is generally advised to limit your font selection to two or three fonts to avoid a cluttered appearance. You can pair different fonts by contrasting weights or styles, such as combining a script font with a serif or bold and light weights of the same typeface.

Finally, some specific adjustments to the typography can enhance the overall design. Adjusting the leading (space between each line of text), letter-spacing, and kerning (spacing between characters of a single word) can improve the readability and aesthetics of the invitation. Playing with font sizes and styles, such as all caps with increased letter spacing, can also create a more sophisticated and classy look.

Colour schemes

• Black, White, and Silver: This classic combination can be personalised with a photo of the couple.
• Dusty Rose and Glittering Gold: This romantic pairing of colours inspires a dreamy, elegant aesthetic.
• Peach, Mint, and Charcoal: These soft colours, complemented by looping cursive lettering and watercolour floral graphics, are perfect for a springtime wedding invite.
• Yellow, Purple, Green, and Orange: Combining bright and dark colours creates a captivating effect, with the vibrant hues inviting and the darker tones hinting at adventure.
• A Forest of Green: For weddings taking place in nature, consider using several shades of green with a touch of gold.
• Blue and Sandy Hues: This colour combination suits beach weddings.
• Icy Blue and Pale Yellow: These colours are fitting for a wintry wedding.
• Natural Wooden Palette: Bright light copper and dark hickory create visual depth, inviting the eye into the design.

When deciding on a colour palette for wedding invitations, it is important to consider the following:

• Season: Each season is associated with a different set of colours. For example, springtime affairs may feature complementary hues of orange and green, while winter weddings could include deep jewel tones.
• Venue: The colours of the venue can inspire the colour scheme. For instance, a rustic barn may have natural browns and dark reds, while a ballroom could feature glittering gold.
• Attire: The colours chosen for the wedding attire, such as the bridesmaids' dresses or the groomsmen's suits, can be reflected in the invitations.
• Theme: Whether the wedding has a classic, modern, fairytale, or rustic theme can influence the colour choices.

Paper type

The paper type is an important consideration when designing wedding invitations. The choice of paper can add a touch of luxury, elegance, or rustic charm to the overall design. Here are some popular options to consider:

Card and Cover Stock

Cardstock is a popular choice for wedding invitations as it offers a luxurious and elegant feel. The weight of the paper is an important factor, with thicker options giving a more premium impression. The standard weight for card stock is 80# or 100#, but couples can opt for heavier options such as 110# or 120# for a more substantial feel. Cover stock, on the other hand, typically starts at 120# and can go up to 300#. It is often unfinished, satin, silk, or glossy.

Cotton Cardstock

Cotton cardstock is known for its strength, durability, and soft feel. It is also highly absorbent, making it ideal for inkjet or laser printing. This type of paper is considered "photo-safe", meaning it will preserve the quality of any photographs included in the invitation. Its timeless appeal makes it a popular choice for wedding invitations.

Kraft and Wood-Grain Paper

Kraft paper, also known as recycled cardstock, has a rustic and on-trend look. It resembles coarse brown grocery bags but is thicker and more polished. Wood-grain paper, on the other hand, has a subtle embossed wood grain texture. These options are perfect for couples who want a more natural or outdoorsy feel to their invitations.

Linen Cardstock

Linen cardstock has a delicate woven texture and a matte finish, giving it the look and feel of linen fabric. This type of paper is perfect for hiding imperfections or quality issues that may occur during printing. The basket-weave texture adds visual interest to simple invitations.

Parchment and Vellum

Parchment paper has a thin, semi-translucent, and slightly marbled appearance. It gives wedding invitations an old-fashioned or vintage feel. Vellum, on the other hand, is made from a blend of cotton and wood pulp, resulting in a sheer and frosted appearance. It is commonly used as a layer on top of an opaque sheet of paper or for belly bands.

Pearlescent Paper

Pearlescent paper adds a touch of shimmer and elegance to wedding invitations. It enhances any photographs included in the design by adding a soft glow. This option is perfect for couples who want a subtle hint of sparkle.

Glassine and Clear Vellum

Glassine and clear vellum are translucent papers that are smooth and thin. They are commonly used in layered invitations to add depth and interest. These papers can be used to create borders or to mute underlying graphics. They are also suitable for accents such as belly bands.

Recycled Paper

For eco-conscious couples, recycled paper is a great option. It is made from repurposed materials and comes in various shapes and sizes, from kraft cardstock to pulpy, handmade papers. This option allows couples to be environmentally friendly while still creating beautiful invitations.

The choice of paper type for wedding invitations depends on the desired look, feel, and overall impression the couple wants to convey. Each option has its unique characteristics, and couples can choose the one that best reflects their style and theme of the wedding.

Printing style

Letterpress

Letterpress is the oldest traditional printing technique, dating back to the 15th century. It has become the go-to printing option for high-end stationery, creating an impression of tradition, sophistication, and opulence. Letterpress printing uses a movable type machine to reproduce a design onto raised printing plates, which are then inked and stamped onto thick, soft paper, such as cotton fibre or bamboo. This process leaves an indented design below the surface, adding a tactile element to the invitation. Letterpress is a specialised and costly technique, with invitations costing around $1.50-2 extra per colour.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping, also known as foil printing, is a unique process that uses solid metallic colours to create a slight impression on the paper. It is ideal for adding a touch of luxury, indulgence, and elegance to invitations. Foil stamping uses heat and is considered 'dry printing' as it does not require any ink. This method is more expensive than letterpress and can be time-consuming, making it less suitable for those on a tight budget or schedule.

Digital Printing

Digital printing, also known as flat printing, is the most common, cost-effective, and fastest printing method available. It is similar to laser printing but with higher quality results. Digital printing offers a wide range of colours and designs, and can even reproduce effects such as watercolour or calligraphy. This style is ideal for imaginative and artistic wedding invitations, providing freedom and flexibility in terms of design.

Thermography

Thermography is a budget-friendly printing technique that gives a slightly raised text effect without the high price of engraving or embossing. Ink is mixed with a special powder and applied with heat to create a painted-on look. This method works best on lightly coloured paper with darker ink and is not suitable for full-colour images. Thermography is a good option for small graphics and patterns, and can be combined with flat printing for a cost-effective way to add dimension to invitations.

Engraving

Engraving is a classic and formal printing style, typically used for ultra-formal weddings. It is one of the most expensive printing methods, with invitations costing around $20 each for small quantities. Engraving involves etching an image into a metal plate, filling it with ink, and pressing the paper onto the plate to receive the ink. This process creates raised lettering with an indented back. It works best on thick paper, such as cotton fibre, and can be used with multiple ink colours, although this increases the time and cost.

Embossing

Embossing is similar to engraving but without the use of ink, creating raised, colorless text and graphics. This technique is typically used for monograms, borders, or other design extras, adding a subtle yet modern touch to invitations. Like engraving, embossing is usually done on thicker paper stock to ensure crisp lines and impressions.

Frequently asked questions