Guest Post By:  Anne Chertoff

After the grandeur of the royal wedding last month many brides are finding inspiration in the formal details of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big day.  The Queen who hosted the wedding mailed formal invitations — thick white cardstock with gilded edges and gold engraved lettering — to the 1,900 wedding ceremony guests.

For couples who are planning a formal wedding only a formal wedding invitation will do, but formal doesn’t limit you to white or ivory mixed with black or gold lettering.  A formal wedding invitation can have colors, a monogram or icon, as well as a serif or sans serif font.  Here are 7 creative wedding invitations in a formal style:

His & Her Monogram

This classic wedding invitation is a pearl white card hand engraved with silver ink, but you can choose from a rainbow of colors and a variety of fonts for the wording.  The top of the invitation features a monogram with the bride and groom’s first initials.  A coordinating grosgrain ribbon, you choose the color, is placed over the couples names in the center of the invitation.  The invitation suite includes both an outer and inner envelope, invitation, response card and envelope and reception card.  Embassy Pearl White & Beach Glass Invitation Set with Ribbon by Crane & Co., 100 sets for $620

Lace-Like Pattern

Many brides use their wedding dress as inspiration for their wedding cake so why not use your wedding dress to inspire your wedding invitation?  This elegant design features a lace-like border in a subtle shade of gray.  The wedding invitation wording is a mix of block and cursive fonts.  The invitation suite includes the invitation, outer envelope, response card and response envelope.  Gretchen by Gwyneth Paige, pricing for 100 sets starts at $1,540

Create a Crest With Your First Names

Instead of designing a monogram this crest motif features both the bride and groom’s first names encircled by a decorative flourish.  The mandarin colored card is engraved with oyster-colored ink.  Mandarin Invitation by Vera Wang Fine Papers Folio Collection, 100 invitations and outer envelopes, $696

Modern Materials

Forget paper and have your wedding invitation printed on plexi glass.  This very modern design features a mix of fonts laser engraved on the clear surface.  The accompanying outer envelope and response card and envelope are printed on metallic silver paper and are available in offset, letterpress or engraving.  Plexi Glass Invitation by Grapevine, prices for an invitation set start at $45

Colored Cardstock

Instead of the classic white or ivory cardstock choose a color that matches your wedding’s color palette.  This imperial blue stiff card is engraved with gold and matching round corner bevel edges.  The coordinating envelopes have a gold tissue lining and a gold printed return address. Navy and Gold design by The Wren Press, 100 invitation sets for $3000

Calligraphy

Forgo an icon or decorative pattern and order wedding invitations with just the wording.  This font is a digital script placed diagonally on an oyster-colored card and printed via thermography in midnight (dark blue) ink.  Oyster Invitation by Vera Wang Fine Papers Folio Collection, 100 invitations and outer envelopes, $696

Die-Cut Designs

Couples are not limited to a square or rectangular-shaped card.  Stationers can create a unique shape using a die cut.  This feminine design features a Victorian-era inspired frame and monogram using two ink colors.  The envelope liner mimics the design of the frame.  Invitation set includes invitation, printed mailing envelope, and response card and envelope.  Victorian Frame by Grapevine, pricing for 100 sets start at $1,200 for offset printing, $1,900 for letterpress printing and $2,500 for engraving

Chandelier Motif

Looking for a romantic motif that isn’t too feminine for your fiance?  A chandelier may be what you’re looking for.  The dramatic branched design complements a formal wedding style, and while this image features a pink and black combination, the designer offers a variety of color palettes to choose from.  The complete invitation suite includes the wedding invitation with wallpaper backing, outer envelope with printed return address, reply card and envelope and an insert card, which can be a map, directions card, accommodations card, rehearsal dinner card or accordion style weekend activities card.  Miss Tattersall by Mr. Boddington’s Studio, pricing for 150 invitation sets letterpressed starts at $5,000 and digital printed at $2,500

Mixing Font Colors and Styles

Can’t decide on the right font for your wedding invitation?  Having trouble picking one color over another?  Why not pick both options?!  Multiple styles and colors can create an elegant wedding invitation like this design by The Lettered Olive.  The die-cut buttercream card features gold and blue serif and sans serif fonts and a decorative border in the same palette.  Each of the coordinating pieces — bellyband with custom monogram, die-cut reception card with letterpress backing, reply card with letterpress backing and envelope — are also printed in the same colors.  The Meredith Collection by The Lettered Olive, pricing for 100 invitation suites starts at $5,500.

Anne Chertoff | Wedding Blogger

Anne Chertoff has earned her reputation as a wedding authority over the course of her 10 years in the bridal industry.