Choosing Wedding Invitations that set the Tone for your Ceremony

The great thing about weddings is that no two are exactly the same. Connubial customs and traditions vary greatly based on culture, religion, ethnicity, class and nationality. There are, however, a few common themes. Most weddings include a ceremony where the happy couple exchanges vows and rings and a reception where guests dance and drink the night away. Other than that, weddings are based on personal preference and deference to traditions. One of the oldest bridal customs involves the sending of invitations. Unfortunately, not everyone could afford them.

Before the printing press was invented in 1447, wedding invitations had to be written by hand. Wealthy couples had to hire monks who were trained in calligraphy to complete their invitations, since illiteracy was widespread. Everybody else had to rely on the town crier, who would announce their upcoming nuptials in a loud, booming voice. Anyone within earshot was free to attend the wedding.

The advent of the printing press made invitations more affordable. But it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the practice caught on with members of the middle class. The economic boom that supervened in the States left average Americans with more disposable income than at any previous time in their history. They bought bigger houses, took vacations, and planned more lavish wedding ceremonies.

The tradition of the white wedding was inspired by Queen Victoria’s 1840 marriage to Prince Edward. Not only did the world’s most powerful woman wear white, which was considered a fashion faux pas for royals, but she also set a powerful precedent. Heretofore, royal weddings were often arranged, and as a result, the ceremonies were often stilted, joyless affairs. But because she was marrying for love, Queen Victoria planned a wedding replete with symbols of romance.

Where are we now?

The modern wedding is an appealing admixture of tradition and contemporary themes. The average gown has gotten a bit shorter and less ornate, and many couples are taking their nuptials outdoors. But even in the age of instant and affordable communication, they have not abandoned the decidedly old-fashioned and expensive wedding invitation. Why is this?

The average couple spends around six hundred dollars printing and mailing invitations. They could, of course, eliminate this cost entirely by simply sending out emails instead. But few do. Electronic invitations are still considered tacky and informal by younger couples who seldom go a day without sending an email or a text message. The reason for this is simple: the invitation is the most popular wedding memento. Friends and family members often place them in photo albums shortly after they receive them.

What to look for?

The invitation should reflect the style of the ceremony. Formal invitations are often printed on white, ivory or ecru paper and are engraved with black or dark gray ink. The materials and the engraving process make these missives extremely expensive. That may be why they are falling out of favor, especially with couples who are planning less formal weddings.

Costs

The least expensive invitations require the most amount of work. Do-it-yourself kits can be purchased at most craft stores for around $1.50 per invitation. We only recommend this option for couples who have a lot of free time or are only inviting a handful of guests. When the guest list is over fifty, do-it-yourself kits can take several weekends to complete, address and mail out.

No matter what type of wedding they are planning, most modern couples have their invitations printed on a mid-weight paper using a contemporary printing process. The cost for these demotic invites generally starts at around three dollars a piece and goes all the way up to six.

Formal invitations are extremely expensive and thus are increasingly rare. They are generally printed on high-quality handmade or silk paper using either traditional engraving techniques or a more modern printing process. Both are costly and couples should not expect to pay anything less than nine dollars for each invitation.

Ordering

No matter which type of invitation you choose, printing them will take time. Most experts recommend selecting a supplier shortly after the guest list has been finalized. Printing usually takes two to five days to complete if you order from a local printer. The envelopes must then be addressed and mailed out. The entire process usually takes about one or two weeks. Of course, it is important to give people ample time to respond. We suggest sending out invitations at least eight weeks before the big day.

A Few More Tips

Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful for most couples. As a result, they often make simple mistakes. When it comes to the invitations, they sometimes use insufficient postage, mislabel, or put the wrong address on the envelope. Therefore, it is important to check each and every invitation for errors before you send them out.

Wedding invitations can be purchased from personalized stationery shops online and in person. Take a moment now to browse through some popular styles so you know what’s available.