Dubai Wedding Invitations
Dubai Wedding
Invitation Cards Store - Ravissant
Do you recall the very first formal wedding invitation you
ever received? The oversized envelope stuck out, all
creamy and smooth, elegantly addressed, perhaps penned in
calligraphy -- like a gift -- one envelope slipped inside
another, a wisp of tissue paper and finally, the
exquisitely worded invitation itself. You may have run
your fingers over the letters, artfully raised from the
page, the work of fine copper plate engraving. This
classic invitation has been the traditional choice for
generations, yet it was by no means the first form of
wedding invitation.
Invitations Of
Old:
In old England,
wedding invitations were usually announced to the public
by bidders, and anyone within earshot became part of the
celebration. In the 18th century, people began publishing
wedding invitations in the newspaper, and in Wales,
bidding letters were sent to announce upcoming nuptials.
Native Indians summoned guests via smoke signals,
sometimes accompanied by a birch bark inscription.
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 import. Today,
the family crest is still the hallmark of class and
individuality, and often appears at the top of a formal
wedding invitation.
The Envelope, Please:
It is said that the
first written wedding invitations were crafted by European
monks in the Middle Ages, 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; the same tissue left inside invitations
today.
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 handwritten 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
invitation emerged in society, proper wording has been key
in signifying the degree of a wedding's formality. The
earliest edition of Emily Post dictates "… the invitation
to the ceremony should always request 'the honour' of your
'presence,' and never the 'pleasure' of your 'company.'"
("Honour" is spelled the old English way, not "honor.")
Names are always written in full, family order written
out, i.e., "Junior," 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 ever 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
R.S.V.P.
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
handwritten 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.
Thermographs:
Described by some as
imitation engraving, this process infuses ink and powder
together on paper to create raised lettering. The letters
are not pushed from behind, and no metal plate is used,
therefore, this costs about half as much as engraved
invitations.
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.
Handwritten Calligraphy
and Computer Calligraphy:
Handwritten
calligraphy is still the most elegant, yet it can be
extremely expensive. Many stationery stores now have
calligraphy machines that can inscribe invitations without
breaking the bank. If you love the look of handwritten
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 pretty 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 Invitees:
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:
Today in the
Australian Outback, if you hear of a wedding, you simply
show up. In many parts of Africa, a family friend makes
the rounds in person, inviting guests with an oral
invitation, while in Bulgaria, the bride's parents often
send little cakes to guests as invitations to the wedding
feast.
Most Americans and Europeans follow the time-honored
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 Nine-Ply Invitation
Card:
One of the most
stunning new invitations is a singular, high quality stock
card, anywhere from three- to nine-ply thick, the latter
specially handmade by combining three sets of three-ply
stock. These invitations may have straight or rounded
corners, and gilded, hand cut, beveled edges. The look is
extremely elegant, and the use of an extra high or "double
bump" crest, monogram, or antique letter on top not only
incorporates our heritage, it creates a look befitting the
Queen herself (rumor has it that the Queen of England uses
six-ply). In fact, celebrities and nobility alike are
opting for this unique style.
Boxed Invitation:
The boxed invitation
is an oversized invitation decorated with everything from
ribbons to real garden roses, and may be delivered to your
guests' doors at about $35 per invitation, including a
response set.
Dried Flowers and Handmade Paper:
A high quality
stock with dried flowers pressed into it makes a
beautiful, unique choice for both formal and informal
weddings, and handmade papers from various places such as
Bohemia or Japan, are also in vogue. Note that some
handmade paper cannot take the stress of engraving;
therefore, flat printing is recommended for this delicate
paper.
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.
