Top 7 Trends in Wedding Invitations

315 weddings happen in Las Vegas every day. Yep, that's more than 13 per hour. So, what better place than Las Vegas to gather my newest wedding invitation trends and inspiration. I ​love seeing modern invitation designs, trendy colors, unique design layouts, water color splashes, and fun envelope sizes to keep my wedding designs fresh.

As I toured the wedding invitation business in Las Vegas, here are seven trends I spotted that are coming our way in the Midwest:​

1. Inspiration Boards: Forget the match-matchy colors, and use an "inspiration board" of ideas. (It would be great if you even created an inspiration board as direction for you wedding! Think of your Pinterest wedding board as an online "inspiration board.") Use a variety of hues and think all aspects of your wedding. It's more about the feeling your invitations gives your guests than the perfectly-matched color scheme. I'm not saying choose a hideous color combination, but you don't have to get worked up about matching the envelopes exactly to your bridesmaids dresses. Think of the ambiance of your wedding invitation (if there is such a thing.)

2. Corner ribbons: (like shown above on the left) They don't add much cost, but add a really unique touch.

3.​ Activities for the entire wedding weekend: Check out this wedding invitation set. The couple even included an entire guide to a weekend in Tahoe. Guests are able to RSVP to any and all events that are planned.​​

4. Folded letter-style Save the Dates: And look! There's that unique ribbon again. Save the Dates are taking a more letter-like form, using patterned paper and a personal message that all gets folded and put into an envelope. This couple even tucked their fun photo strip inside.

5. Emerald Green: Emerald is Pantone's "Color of the Year" and is hitting the wedding scene big time. Use Emerald Green with accents of gold, blues, lime green and sparkle.

6. Invitations that fold along the short vertical edge: These invitations have a little of everything. They measure 5x7, and are folded along the short edge of the paper with a thick ribbon down the front. Also inside is a hand-written message and it all tucks into an oversized outer envelope. So pretty.​

7. Envelope Liners: Patterns, bold colors, fun graphics, pearlized paper...it's all lining the envelopes of this year's wedding stationery sets. ​

So, there you have it. Those are the top seven wedding invitation trends I have my eye set on for 2013.​ I love trying new ideas, so contact me if you have a great one!

Las Vegas wasn't all business, though. We did find time for Red Rock Canyon, the Hoover Dam, shopping and some Stratosphere rides.

​What? It's 65 degrees in Las Vegas and 10 degrees at home? Let's get in the pool.

Deeply Rooted

This tree. It's the well-known landmark of the Leischner farm. It's where Robbie proposed to Lindsay. It's been in many family photos. It belongs on their wedding invitations. And when people speak of their "family tree" it usually means their genealogy on paper. Well, this family tree has deeper roots than that.

I loved everything about working with this great couple. When I first met with them, I found out that Robbie had an Irish background (I guess that also explains why he was drinking Guinness at our meeting. Nice!) and Lindsay has a Parkston background. (And come to find out, my aunt used to babysit her and my good friend from high school is now her personal attendant. My mom even knows her parents and knows the exact tree at the end of their driveway. Leave it to South Dakota to only have 1 degree of separation from anybody.)  :)

It's a given that we used this family tree on each piece of their wedding invitation set.​ Their invitations were on warm white paper with kraft-paper envelopes, and matching programs. And a piece that I absolutely love! -- A fold-out card that they left at each person's place setting at the reception. In the 4-page fold-out card, was a heartfelt thank you, a prayer, and a write-up of each person in the wedding party and how they had touched Robbie & Lindsay's lives. It was sweet and meaningful. And in lieu of wedding favors, they gave a donation to an organization that Robbie volunteers with. Once again, how special.  ​

So, can you see why I loved working with them so much?​

Imagine that...Robbie & Lindsay even planted a "Unity Tree" instead of lighting a unity candle. Talk about doing something that will truly last the rest of their lives. Congratulations! You now have your own branch on the family tree.  ;)

P.S. Everyday I drive by this GREAT antique old Fold farm truck. So I stopped to take photos of Lindsay & Rob's invitations on this truck. Thank you to the owner who came out to chat, smoke and help me. Sort of. It was kind of you to let me use the old Ford.

Peacock Feathers in Your Wedding Invitations

Using real feathers, twigs, ribbon, twine and other embellishments can really add a surprise element to your invitations. After all, your invitation is the first impression you'll make with guests for your big day. Even the programs had photos of Chad & Teresa on the back for a personal touch.

Congrats, Chad and Teresa! (They also sent these in purple shimmery envelopes. And Teresa wore a peacock feather in her hair piece that day. I love it when everything comes together.)

Check out all the photos of the peacock feather wedding stationery set by clicking on these photos

Wedding Invitations that Shimmer

These invitations were printed on shimmering white paper and mailed in shimmering dark blue envelopes. And since they printed their wedding invitations 2-sided, there was only one insert card---the RSVP card.

Amy & Jordan even included a detail from their wedding...white calla lillies. Shining invitations and a glowing couple. Is there a better combination for a wedding?

Click on Amy & Jordan's invitation photo to see more in their photo gallery

Amy & Jordan's wedding set included an invitation, RSVP card, program and menu card that was tucked into each folded napkin at the reception. Nice!​

Light Yellow and Grey, Silver and Crystals

I love this color combination. Kimber & Mike chose to add crystals to their invitation! I used a heat tool instead of regular glue to make sure the crystals didn't pop off in the mail. Another popular trend right now is sending "Dance-Only" invitations. Kimber & Mike chose to send a simple postcard inviting some of their guests to the dance only, which ultimately saves them money while still making guests feel honored by getting more than a Facebook invite to their dance!  :)

Enjoy. Did you notice the subtle swirl design pattern in the background also? Want to see more ideas for a yellow-and-gray-themed wedding? Visit my Pinterest Board.

A Year's Worth of Love on Paper

We've seen a lot of happy couples put their love on paper before they tied the knot.

Thanks for allowing Copper Ink Wedding Design to be a small part of your big day!

Click the image to see an entire gallery of invitation options.

Antique Gold, Champagne, Ivory and Black

Amanda & Chris chose vintage gold, champagne, ivory and black for their wedding colors. We ordered custom-cut gold patterned strips for their invitations and tied ribbon around their save-the-dates. They have great taste. Compliments and best wishes!

Click on these wedding invitation photos to see their whole gallery of pictures by Copper Ink Wedding Design

9 Tips for Addressing Your Wedding Invitations

You’re getting ready to address your wedding invitations. How are you supposed to know which names go in which order on which envelope? Depending on the outer envelope, the inner envelope, and many other scenarios, these tips should help!

(Remember, these are just tips—guidelines—so feel free to deviate from these if you prefer to make your invitations more personal or more casual.) Do you even have an inner envelope? That’s what I thought. Some of these guidelines are adaptable.

When it comes down to it, there are 9 guidelines I like to follow:

1.)  Same last name, same line. Different last names, different lines. Nobody needs to know if the couple is married or just living together.

2.)  Use the word “and” if they’re married. Use “&” to invite their guest.

3.)  Use your best judgment. Address people as they wish to be addressed. Does she go by Dr.? She earned it. Please use it. Does his grandmother still go by Mrs. John Doe in honor of her deceased husband? Then address her as so. Treat people with the respect they deserve. When in doubt, opt for more formal than less formal.

4.)  I know it’s formal and traditional to use “Mr. and Mrs. Loren Halgerson.” But we’re in the 21^st century. It’s perfectly fine to say “Mr. and Mrs. Loren and Marilyn Halgerson.” It’s up to you and how traditional you’d like to be.

5.)  If you’re having an inner envelope, use first names for everyone (unless your guests prefers “Mr., Mrs., Doctor, Dr., Colonel, The Honorable, or Revered) and list the children in order by age.

6.)  Just a tip. You probably shouldn’t include “& Guest” if your relative was recently widowed.

7.)  Remember, a medical doctor should have “Doctor” in front of his/her name, while a PhD should have “Dr.” in front of his/her name.

8.)  If children are 18 years and older, do you have to send them separate invitations? I say yes, if they no longer live with their parents and it makes sense to. Yes, if they are dating someone and would like to bring their own guest. Yes, if you are really close with them.

9.)  If you don’t care to have children present at your wedding, make sure that there is no room for confusion. Do not list “and family” on the invitation. That’s wide open for interpretation. On your RSVP card you could politely say “adults only, please.” You could offer a babysitter or daycare option during the ceremony and reception if it’s necessary that families bring their small children. Be courteous to each situation, but stick to your wishes.

Any professional calligrapher, wedding invitation designer or stationer will be able to help you with the tough ones. Good luck! And if you'd like detailed scenarios and how to address your wedding invitations, click here to see Copper Ink Wedding Design's guideline worksheet.