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| Invitation Basics |
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| Because the form of a wedding
invitation is usually traditional—an engraved, folded
sheet inside a double envelope—the smallest detail
can set yours apart. |
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Format and
Size
At its most formal, the invitation is a stiff letter
sheet, folded once, with a piece of tissue protecting
the type. It is placed within an unsealed envelope
bearing just the name of the guest, and is then
placed in an outer envelope with the full address.
In the days of varnish-based inks, the tissue prevented
the type from ghosting (smudging); tissue-lined
envelopes can serve the same purpose. The inner
envelope protected the invitation from grubby hands.
Both elements live on to ensure the receipt of a
pristine invitation. |
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| The two most frequently used
invitation sizes are 4 1/2 by 6 1/4 inches (classic)
and 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches (embassy). The form can
be a single card, a folded sheet with the printing
on the outside, or a double-folded sheet with the
printing on the inside. (For the traditional style,
a single-folded embassy is folded again to fit into
a smaller envelope.) Each stationer will have its
own selection; the bride and groom can simply pick
the format that suits the paper and printing style
they have chosen. |
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Paper
An exquisite invitation should also serve as a memento.
Use a paper that won’t disintegrate over time: 100
percent rag, made of cotton or linen, is best. Papers
made with wood pulp, which is highly acidic, can
discolor. An invitation can be personalized by using
handmade paper, which tends to have interesting
textures and colors. Art-supply stores often carry
a wide selection. |
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Weight
Stationery is usually measured in bond weight. A
good letter sheet is made of thirty-two- or forty-pound
bond. You may also come across offset weight: Hundred-pound
offset is roughly equal to forty-pound bond. Heavy
cards should be made of three-ply stock. |
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