Originally, a traditional wedding invitation involved engraving an elegant script font in black ink on heavy ecru (ivory or off-white) 100% cotton paper stock. Traditional invitations are known for their simple elegance.

In recent years, thermographic printing has often supplanted engraving, but traditional wedding invitations retain the use of elegant script in black ink on quality ecru paper for presenting a simple, elegant, and understated invitation.

The wording today is still very simple - usually from the parents of the bride (and sometimes the groom) or directly from the couple, inviting guests to attend the wedding.

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Contemporary wedding invitations are elegant and sophisticated invitations that utilize unusual decorative or embossed papers, and may employ overlays, and/or layering. Often, these invitations will include accessories such as bows, ribbons, or flowers to create a special new look. Frequently, the layout differs from the standard centered text found in traditional invitations.

Decorative motifs (designs), metallic clasps, unusual colors, mixed or less formal fonts – all these are possible with contemporary invitations.

Sometimes contemporary invitations are very in-
formal - with fonts that resemble handwriting, with theme designs (western, storybook characters, beach illustrations), with brightly colored papers - the effect of which is to let your guests know that the wedding will be innovative and different.

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What makes an invitation Judaic? It might be the use of Hebrew, a quote from a Jewish source (e.g., the Torah or Bible), or an image of a Jewish object. Judaic invitations are available from several invitation companies, some of which provide Hebrew type.

Alternatively, Lettering By Lynne can design a customized, unique Judaic invitation by creating camera-ready art designed and personalized to your specifications, thereby producing an invitation that will not be found in any album.

The Hebrew names of the bride and groom can be featured on the invitation; and additionally, the event date in Hebrew can be used.

Biblical quotes from The Song of Songs are very appropriate for a wedding invitation. Hebrew text can be positioned in horizontal lines, or following special shapes (e.g., a circle, an oval, or an arch above the usual text of an invitation), or as a border.

A complete translation in Hebrew of the text of the invitation can be used!

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Ethnic invitations reflect your cultural background. Today, invitations are available in many different languages - from Oriental languages to Spanish to Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and more. Special symbols, such as the Chinese "Double Happiness" character, can tell your guests a little about what they can expect at your wedding.

Many invitation companies can supply special symbols, or often, you can find them in clip art. Alternatively, perhaps you or a member of your family can design a personalized motif. The symbol could be used on all your papers, beginning with your invitation, and including your program, place cards, menu cards, and any other printed material you use for your wedding.

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An Indian wedding marks the bonding of two souls, two families, their culture and their communities. All the family members and friends get together for the celebration. Condensed over centuries of cultural admixture, Indian weddings showcase the rich culture and tradition of India.

The choices for an Indian or other South Asian wedding are wonderful today. There are simple invitation with perhaps a religious symbol such as a ganesh, gorgeous, colorful papers, elaborate scrolls and multi-pocket invitations. When there are several events, it is usual to have a different card for each event – for example, the mehndi ceremony for the bride and her family members.

Lettering by Lynne offers beautiful wedding invitations printed in India, in a wide variety of styles, colors, and textures, from traditional invitations to very contemporary ones. The choices are endless. We show just a small sampling here.

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See examples of indian wedding invitations

Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations have changed considerably; years ago they had the look of traditional wedding invitations, with creme or ecru paper, black ink and formal type style. Today, they reflect your family’s approach to the simcha.

When tradition is important, select an invitation that indicates the religious importance of the occasion by the use of Hebrew, perhaps for your child’s name and Torah portion. Quotations from the child’s Torah or Haftarah portion are particularly appropriate. Religious symbols such as a Torah, tefillin, or Jerusalem scenes, help inform your guests about the significance of the event. A complete translation in Hebrew of the text of the invitation can be used!

Unusual papers and enhancements, such as vellum overlays, ribbons and embossing add to the beauty of the invitation, even without a religious theme.

Today’s trends include multi-layered invitations, with a white, creme or other neutral color for the text, and one or more different colors and textures for the layers which form borders for the card. Sometimes one of the layers is placed on top of the card in an interesting shape, such as a star, circle or geometric shape. Handmade papers with flower petals or leaves incorporated into the paper make lovely invitations, with the color of ink matching the color of the flowers.

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When a new baby is expected, the air is filled with expectations and excitement.

New parents can’t wait to announce their new arrival! So, check out the birth announcements before the baby comes, and then, when the happy event occurs, all you will need to do is provide the statistics.

We have many varieties of baby and shower announcements – soft pastels, vibrant designs, die-cut cards, religious, and even some famous cartoon and storybook characters.

And, turnaround time is very fast.

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See examples of birth announcements

Make sure that your guests will have the date of your event available, especially if you are planning a date during a busy weekend, such as a holiday.

Send out a “Save-the-Date” card months in advance, so that your guests can mark the date of your event on their calendars.

Save-the-Date cards can be as formal as a traditional invitation, or as whimsical as a magnet to stick on your refrigerator.

Only a few essentials are needed for a Save-the-Date card: for a wedding, the names of the bride and groom, or for a bar/bat mitzvah, the name of the young person - and of course, the date and location (or at least the city and state) of the event.

If you are reserving a block of rooms at a hotel, let your guests know where and how to make reservations. Your out of town guests will appreciate knowing these details.

You may also want to tell your guests other details about your event, such as rehearsal dinner, brunch, etc.

The good news about sending a Save-the-Date card is that your guest list will be ready months in advance!!

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See examples of save-the-date announcements

Celebrate your special occasions-anniversaries, showers, parties, etc. - with a wide range of choices for colorful or subdued invitations and accessories.

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