I was married in the mid ’70s, there were very few choices for wedding invitations. The selection was simple and traditional, white or ivory, panel or no panel, regular printing or engraved.
Today’s betrothed have so many choices! Styles include contemporary, floral designs, embossed designs, printed motifs, photo invitations, customlayered, vellum, ribbons and bows, handmade papers ... the list goes on and on.
Then there are the printing options—engraved, thermography, letterpress, flat-printing as well as do-it-yourself computer printing—on a large selection of colorful or plain papers, and wading through hundreds of font choices, set-up formats, ink colors and envelope linings. The envelopes can then be addressed in calligraphy, by computer or by hand.
Some couples know exactly what they want. Others run across one and decide immediately, “That’s it!” Many just have the notion they want “something different.” Look through several invitation books, marking the ones you like, going back through and eliminating the least favorites of those, eventually narrowing it down.
The trend for Santa Barbara weddings in recent years has been beach themes with palm trees and shells. So how about an invitation in the shape of a beach sandal, the strap consisting of a ribbon in any number of color choices? Shell shapes become response cards and reception cards look like fish. Or try a fun invitation that folds out into a beach chair when opened.
Many couples, especially in a resort location like Santa Barbara, send out save-the-date information; this may include information on local hotels, airports and travel choices. There are lots of designs to choose from, including cards, postcards, colorful letterhead or refrigerator magnets, all with or without engagement photos. For something truly different, there are even cards that have the date hidden under scratch-off hearts.
Just as every wedding is unique and special, today’s bride and groom have more choices than ever to set the tone for the most special day of their lives.
Diana Andonian, of Weddings By Diana & Invitations, Etc., has been a wedding and party consultant and stationer since 1978. For information on the invitations pictured here, and more, contact: www.weddingsbydiana.com, 566-0558.
