Traditional invitations offer a classic look with a simple design. These are
available with single or triple panels, folded or solid cards, in four
different sizes, and in either Ecru, Pearl White, or Bright White paper.
The advantages of traditional invitations are that they are relatively
inexpensive and will always look appropriate.
Contemporary invitations allow you to add a more personal touch to your
invitations. You can choose an invitation that matches your personality,
such as a Western card or a card depicting first love. You can find
invitations that match the theme of your wedding with matching accent
colors or with flowers or birds. Looking through the contemporary
invitations is also a lot of fun!
Traditional invitations are distinguished by the panel types. These
invitations are available with either a single panel, double panel,
triple panel, a frame-style panel, or with no panels. Examples of
these are in the pictures below.
Invitations may be either folded or a solid card. If the invitation
has writing on the inside and outside, it will obviously be a folded
cards. Some of the traditional invitations are available as either
folded or solid. The wording will be on the front in either case, but
you may wish to have a folded invitation so that you can insert
directions, reception card, etc.
Invitations are available in a variety of sizes. The size available
and some advice about them is given below:
Traditional and Contemporary Invitations:
Classic (7-1/4" x 5-1/8") This is a standard size for an invitation,
and is a good size for most wordings.
Royal (7-3/4" x 5-1/2" ) This is slightly larger than the Classic size.
This is an impressive size and makes your invitation stand out. This is ideal
if you have a lot of wording to put on the invitation. Note: Additional
postage may be required for this envelope size.
Embassy (6-5/8" x 5") This is smaller than the Classic size. This is a good
size for an announcement that does not have a lot of wording.
Dixmore (5-7/8" x 4-1/2") This is very small. We don't recommend
this size for a wedding invitation. This may be acceptable for a simple
announcement.
Contemporary Invitations Only:
Ultra (7" x 7") This is a very large invitation and is usually
used to highlight a decorative design.
5" Square (5" x 5") This is used for a few specialized invitations.
Tea Length (8-1/4" x 4") This unusual size offers a distinctive
touch to your invitation.
This is applicable to contemporary invitations. An invitation may have
the embossed detail only on one or two corners, or may form a border
around the wording. You may want to look at invitations of both types
to see which you prefer.
Embossing refers to a design that is raised in relief from the surface
of the invitation. There are three styles of embossing available.
Regular: The embossing is the same color as the invitation
paper color, as it is raised up from the same paper.
Pearlized: The embossing is covered with a lacquer finish that
gives the embossing a pearly luster.
Pearlized with Color Accents: Parts of the pearlized embossing is
highlighted with air-brushed color to provide an accent (e.g. pink in the
middle of a flower design).
The pictures below show each of these embossing styles.
