What’s your style? Formal & elegant or casual & modern?

Whether you’ve known what your wedding day would look like since you were in preschool or your mind is boggled by wedding options, wedding invitations are an important part of setting the mood for your guests. This guide will help you figure which style is best for your special day. Will it be elegant wedding invitations with a formal, vintage feel? Or are modern wedding invitations, with bold colors and unique materials, more your style?

Formal

Chapel-length veil. Black tie. Six-course gourmet meal. If these are a few of your favorite things, then the formal wedding is for you. Elegant wedding invitations are the perfect fit for weddings with a classy look and feel.

But what do elegant wedding invitations look like. Forget tie-dye paper and glittered embellishments. These 3 things will help create the formal atmosphere that makes your day special:

1. Paper – Nothing says elegance better than a heavyweight paper with high-quality printing. Look for papers, such as 100% cotton or linen, that convey formality. Elegant wedding invitations are often printed using a method such as letterpress printing or engraving. In fact, engraving will give your wedding stationary the same formality and style as an invitation from the queen.

2. Wording – Brides who choose elegant wedding invitations often usetraditional wording–think “Mr. and Mrs. Aloysius Meriweather request the honor of your presence…” The internet is loaded with websites that offer suggestions for wording that is more formal than what you might find on modern wedding invitations. Remember to include courtesy titles, like Dr., Mrs., or Miss, when appropriate.

3. Envelopes – The packaging goes a long way toward creating the elegant wedding invitations you’re looking for. Use a wedding invitation website or bridal etiquette site to learn the proper way to layer invitations, RSVP cards, maps, and envelopes. While it might seem like a cumbersome process, proper packaging will lend a classy tone to your nuptials.

Casual

Flowered bridal headband. Toes in the warm sand. Dancing down the aisle to your favorite song. More brides are taking a modern approach to their wedding by creating a casual atmosphere. Casual weddings are all about making you and your guests feel comfortable, and modern wedding invitations can help you do that.

1. Paper – Modern wedding invitations aren’t limited to heavyweight papers or fancy fonts. From bio-degradable paper to bold and textured stock, the choices are endless. Fonts on modern wedding invitations don’t need to look like fine calligraphy, either. Instead use a casual, easy-to-read print, like such as Helvetica.

2. Wording – Maybe traditional wording sounds stuffy to you? Drop the formal titles and full names in favor of informal monikers like Lizzy or Big Jim. If you or a loved one is the poetic type, pen a verse to announce the big event. Letting your creative juices flow can lend flair to modern wedding invitations.

3. Envelopes – Make a grand statement by using modern wedding invitations. Consider adding fun embellishments, like a funky charm or bold ribbon, to the invites. Another way to “wow” your guests is by sending invitations with real flair. From invitations rolled up like scrolls to using wedding stationary that’s embedded with seeds that family, friends and loved ones can plant in their garden, there are no limits on modern wedding invitations.

From elegant wedding invitations to modern wedding invitations, what you send to your guests will set the tone for the day. With a little planning, you’re sure to find a wedding invitation that’s right for you.

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