Understanding a little about the history, what is traditional and the latest styles of the stationery you require, may help you with your choice on formality and style.

In old England, wedding invitations were usually announced to the public by town criers, and anyone within earshot became part of the celebration.

In the Middle Ages, nearly everyone was illiterate; therefore writing anything was considered laborious. The cote d'armes (coat of arms), or personal crest, was born out of the need to identify a person, as one's signature does today, and it was affixed to all objects and papers of importance. Today, the family crest is still the hallmark of class and individuality, and often appears at the top of a formal wedding invitations.

It is said that the first written wedding invitations were crafted by European monks in the Middle Ages who were experts in the art of calligraphy. Those who could afford it usually royalty or high society persons hired monks to hand write their wedding invitations.

By the 1600s, metal plate engraving, the same process used today had been invented, and fancy engraved invitations became popular. A sheet of tissue paper was placed on top of the engraving to keep it from smudging, just as various decorative tissues are used in quality invitations today.

In the 18th century, people began publishing wedding invitations in the newspaper, and in Wales, invitation letters were sent to announce upcoming nuptials.

The Envelope:

Fine stationery was unknown until the mid 19th century when the ascendancy of the machine made it possible. Victorians sent engraved wedding invitations or simple hand written notes to friends and family, and if mailed, they were sent just two weeks in advance. However, because of the dubious mail system, almost all wedding invitations were hand delivered until the 20th century. Thus the origin of the double envelope, which protected the invitation from being soiled en route to its destination. The courier rode up on horseback and handed it to the butler, who discarded the outer envelope, placing the inner envelope onto a silver tray. This ensured that Madame's hands would never come into contact with the filth of the mail. The postal system has since improved, and most invitations are mailed today, but the double envelope remains a traditional choice for many.

Wording:

Since the written invitations emerged in society, proper wording has been key in signifying the degree of a wedding's formality. The earliest edition of Emily Post dictates that the invitation to the ceremony should always request 'the honour' of your 'presence,' and never the 'pleasure' of your 'company.' Names are always written in full, family order and only "Mr., Mrs. and Dr." may be abbreviated. According to Ms. Post, the proper wedding invitation form includes the names of the bride's parents, and sometimes the name of the guest, other than that nothing. The wording, engraving, paper or double envelope should never be varied.

Today, etiquette rules have relaxed, and the wording of a wedding invitation may vary, depending on how formal the event. The groom's parents are often included, and if the parents are divorced and remarried, all of their names (if hosting) are included. In the event that the bride and groom are hosting the wedding themselves, the parents' names might not be included at all.

Reception Cards:

In the Victorian age, separate reception cards became popular, considering that not all guests invited to the church were invited to the reception. Today, these additional cards are sometimes used if the ceremony and reception are at different locations. If you choose to send them, they should include the address of the reception as well as a request for an RSVP

Church Cards and Pew Cards:

In cases where the public is not allowed in the church during a wedding, a small card has traditionally been enclosed with the invitation. The following is an example given by Emily Post:

Please present this card
at St. John's Church
on Tuesday the first of November

And for those who are to be seated in designated pews in the church:
Please present this to an usher
Pew Number ________
On Thursday the ninth of May

Invitation Style:

Although hand written or engraved invitations were the only choices until this century, there are various types of invitations to choose from today.

Engraved: The most formal, this is also the most expensive process. The paper is pressed onto a metal plate, causing the letters to be raised on the paper. Once you create a die, you "own" it, and the stationer will usually keep it on file for you.

Thermography : This process infuses ink and powder together on paper to create raised lettering. With the use of matt powders an engraved look can be achieved.

Offset Printing: In this process, the ink lays flat on the paper for a less formal look. This is appropriate for an informal wedding.

Home Computer Printing: Perfect for informal invitations, this type of printing costs the least, yet you can still use elegant fonts and create beautiful borders and frills with the right software.

Hand written Calligraphy and Computer Calligraphy: Hand written calligraphy is still the most elegant, yet it can be extremely expensive. If you love the look of hand written calligraphy, but can't afford to do all of your invitations, consider hiring a calligrapher to address just the envelopes.

Handwritten Invitations: For those with beautiful penmanship, consider buying some beautiful paper and handwriting personal invitations with a quality pen. However, for a guest list over fifty, this isn't the most practical method unless you've got time to burn.

Wedding Location Maps: In days of old, most people knew where the church and your home were located, so it wasn't necessary to provide a map. Today, maps and directions are extremely practical, if not crucial in some cases.

Special Invites:

Although they probably won't attend, if you send a wedding invitation to the President of the United States, you will receive an acknowledgement signed by the President and First Lady. If you are Catholic, you may send an invitation to the Pope, and a lovely papal blessing will be sent to you. Such written responses can be keepsakes to cherish.

New Trends of Wedding Stationery:

Affluent Americans and Europeans very often follow the time-honoured tradition of formally engraved invitations; however, there are some new trends on the rise, according to Jim Josoff, President of William Ernest Brown Stationers in Beverly Hills. "Customers are looking for something new, something that sets them apart." Quite simply put, it comes down to "the new elegance as opposed to the old elegance."

The heavyweight Invitation Card : One of the most stunning invitations is a single leaf, high quality stock card, anywhere from 400 to 800gsm, the latter specially handmade by combining two or three sets of stock. These invitations may have straight or rounded corners, and gilded, hand cut, bevelled edges. The look is extremely elegant, In fact, celebrities and nobility alike are opting for this unique style.

Boxed Invitations: The boxed invitation is usually an invitation of special quality and design. These can be commissioned as bespoke designs or selected from collections of Designer and Fine Stationery providers.

Bilingual Invitations: If the bride and groom are from different countries, a folded invitation with separate wording in the two native languages, facing one another, is both special and practical.

Civil Partnership Invitations: Since the legalisation of Gay and Lesbian partnerships a gradual introduction of stationery is becoming available. This is either especially designed or original designs offered in different colour choices with wording options to suit the occasion.

Peach Cocktail very much embrace these new modern ideas and hope that they can play a leading role in pushing these boundaries further by making more creative use of materials and decorative processes such as die cutting, thermography, embossing and foil blocking. They have combined traditional processes with new graphic skills and an eye for fashion to create a really stylised and unique stationery collection. Here are some Key Words to describe where their thoughts are focused:

Now we have moved into the 21st century, our choices are limitless, but the one thing that will never go out of fashion is the profound desire to announce one of the most joyful celebrations of our lives and to invite those we love to share it with us.

Thank you for your interest in Peach Cocktail. We wish you good luck for your event and look forward to helping create the stationery of your choice should you commission our services.