By Anne Chertoff
Your wedding invitation will be the first wedding detail your guests will see. In addition to the date, time and location of your wedding, you can also give family and friends a glimpse at your weddingâs overall look and feelâelegant and formal, fun and laidback, quirky and imaginative. Your wedding invitation set includes an outer envelope, inner envelope (if you want) and reply card set, and all can be designed to complement your weddingâs color palette and theme.
I spoke with BRIDES magazineâs Wedding Style Director, Maria McBride, about how couples can design a unique wedding invitation suite for their big day so their invitation makes an impression on their guests. Hereâs what she had to say:
- The sexiest way to dress up an invitation: envelope liners. Liners add a punch of color, pattern and sophistication instantly, and add a layer of privacy if youâre opting to do without an inner envelope.
- Design a graphic motif for your return address on the outer envelope. An illustration, bordered box or monogram are clever options that make your invitation stand out before itâs even opened.
- Look for a calligraphic font to letter envelopes digitally if you canât afford a calligrapher and donât have great penmanship.
- Custom postage stamp designs are the way to go, donât leave the look of your stamp up to Uncle Sam.*
And while working with a stationer, donât forget to discuss the day-of details you may need: table numbers, seating and place cards, menu cards, favor tags and programs. Talk to your stationer about ordering items which will match your wedding invitationâs design so all of the items in your wedding stationery wardrobe are cohesive.
Special Stationery Event: Maria McBride will be at Judy Paulen Designs at Bloomingdaleâs 59th Street in New York City to discuss wedding trends on Tuesday, March 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. During the event youâll be able to view the new BRIDES Fine Wedding Papers collection and meet with a design expert to help you design your wedding invitation. Youâll receive 25 free invitation sets when you order 75 or more. RSVP to jessica@judypaulendesigns.com.
*Tip from Anne: Zazzle.com is a great resource for creative stamp designs. The site also allows you to design your own, too.
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