When your guests receive their wedding invitation in the post, its the first glimpse of what your wedding day will be like. It reflects on your tastes, your venue, even your personalities. Most of all they reflect on the style of your wedding. By flicking through just one wedding magazine, the possibilities for your day seem endless, if perhaps not practical. The ideas below aren’t related to budget constraints, or what your parents think, or even whats available locally, but they’ll give you a starting point, and get you asking yourself questions you will need to answer before briefing suppliers. Having a firm idea in your head of what look you are trying to achieve is key to finding the right supplier and getting the invitations you want.

(TIP: Tearing out ideas from magazines and making yourself a moodboard creates a coherent overall look for your day – include a colour palette, flowers, table settings, invitation ideas and typography styles. Use this as inspiration when briefing suppliers and looking at designs)

Formal
For those who want a “proper” wedding with its impressive formalities and traditional values.
Think society weddings, glorious churches, champagne toasts, and five-star catering.
Try Insignia

Classic & Sophisticated
Modern brides wanting simplicity and elegance, grown-up glamour and hollywood style.
Think diamonds and champagne, whites and creams, roses and orchestras, beautiful and elegant detailing.
Try White Rose

Contemporary
For those who even a mention of “the huge white dress” sends shivers down your spine. For keeping your sense of style, your taste in clothes, entertainment, and food and translating it into a fabulous day thats personal to you.
Think civil ceremonies in cool hotels and modernist venues, bright vivid colours or monochrome drama, funky dj’s and cool cocktails.
Try Petal

Casual & Relaxed
With couples living together, sharing the same friends and not wanting their wedding to be an over-the-top affair, more couples are choosing the option for a day to remember but without the stress and formality.
Think summer garden parties, beach weddings, casual dresses, barbeques, impromptu speeches, and staying up till dawn.
Try Type

Traditional with a twist
For modern couples that still have traditional values (or need to compromise with their parents!) Some still want the formality of church weddings and grand receptions but on their own terms.
Think castles and marquees, weekend weddings, activities for the kids, writing your own vows.
Try Crystal

Vintage
There are so many golden ages – take your inspiration from anything from antique lace to retro 50′s styling. Vintage doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper, but this style is ecclectic, and truly personal.
Think gorgeous vintage dresses and family heirlooms, personal mementos on the tables, and a great band playing old classics.
Try Butterfly

Or mix it up! Rules are made to be broken – to make your day completely personal, think of what you like – not what someone else says, what’s in fashion and what will impress your guests. Be true to yourself and your day will be perfect.

Once you’ve decided on your style, you’ll need to apply it to your wedding stationery – go to Choosing your stationery style for some hints and tips.