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Wedding invitations are affected by general trends, and there is no reason to think that 2009 will be any different. Some of the trends of 2009 are continuations of the popular ideas of 2008, while other trends are just beginning to gain popularity. When designing your wedding invitations, choose what you like best, and leave behind what you do not. It is important that you design an invitation that reflects the style of you and your future spouse. While you may undoubtedly want to be aware of what is popular and what is not when making your choices, there is no reason to choose something because of its popularity. Instead, use these ideas as starting points when designing your dream wedding invitation.

Continue to save the date

Save the date cards continue to be a popular addition to the wedding invitations package.

These cards especially come in handy if you are planning a wedding in June, September or around the holidays, since they are traditionally busy times of the year. A save the date card should be sent out as early as possible. This allows your guests to avoid making plans for that day. Many invitations come with a specific save the date card that coordinates when the celebration will take place. Choosing coordinated save the date cards and invitations means making a decision early on about which design you are going to use. It also adds a nice level of customizations to your invitations.

Color, color, color

Whether bold or subtle, color is a big part of wedding invitations in 2009. Modern printing techniques make it easier than ever to add color from the writing on the envelope lining to the card stock. Colors that were once used primarily for contemporary invitations, has become so widespread that even the most traditional wedding invitations currently use these colors.

Extending a Theme

Does your wedding have a theme? Whether you are having an outdoor wedding, a candlelight service or a wedding on the beach, you can customize your invitations to include some mention of the theme. Confetti in your envelopes or a simple candle drawing on the front of the invitations is an easy way to integrate your theme into your wedding invitations.

Do it yourself invitations

Many people have become taken with the idea of do it yourself invitations. Do it yourself invitations allow you to save some money when planning your wedding, but they also allow you greater control over your finished product. Do it yourself invitations are a great way to create a 100% customized look for your invitations while still keeping control of your budget.

Destination invitations

More and more, couples are choosing destination weddings as a low stress way to have a memorable wedding ceremony. If you are planning a destination wedding, choosing an invitation that is made specifically for the occasion is a great way to provide your guests with a memento of the event as well as being certain that all the invitation provides all of the information they will need to plan their trip.

Adding a photograph

Adding a photograph to your wedding invitations is another choice that may be popular in 2009. As stated before, technology has made this an easy option. Adding a photograph of the happy couple is a wonderful way to personalize your invitations without adding a great deal to the cost of the invitations.

Couples invitations

More and more, men are becoming involved in the planning of the wedding. In the past, weddings were typically planned by the bride, her mother and her friends. Today, it is common for the groom to have an interest and opinion on all parts of the ceremony. Couples invitations are a way to display this relationship, and will become more popular in 2009.

Adding a favor

A small favor added to your invitation is becoming a more popular option. If you are having a theme or destination wedding, including a favor is a great way to add some needed information. For the theme wedding, a small candle for a candlelight service is a thoughtful touch. For a beach vacation, a small tote bag with information from the area chamber of commerce is a thoughtful choice. While adding favors to the wedding invitations is a thoughtful touch, and becoming more popular, the cost can add up quickly. Adding favors to invitations typically works best if you are planning a small ceremony, and expect most of your invitees to attend.

Personalize your wedding stationery

Personalization is another area that has been improved greatly by technology. New methods of printing have made many more options available than ever before. This means that the engaged couple can add ribbons, pictures and trinkets, not to mention colored fonts, customized edgings and many other options to stock invitations. This allows standard invitations to look completely personalized.

Colors as neutrals

While adding color as a bold statement has become increasingly popular, color as a neutral is becoming more common as well. This means that a traditional invitation may be pastel pink rather than ivory, or mint green rather than white. Using colors as neutrals continues to grow in popularity as more people become accustomed to seeing colors as part of the wedding invitations.

Your wedding is a very special day. For many couples, their wedding day is one of the highlights of their lives. Whether you are the bride or groom, you want to share your special day with all of your friends and family; and you want everything to be perfect. Most of the planning starts with the wedding invitations, and these invites can really set the tone for your wedding.

Many of the betrothed choose to go with a theme for their weddings, and that theme, whether it’s a color theme or a style, can be reflected in the wedding invitations. Today, the top trends are in colorful wedding invitations; and the more colorful the better. Gone are the days of plain white cards with silver writing. Many couples are choosing bright colorful invitations that are fun, exciting and eye catching.

Your wedding invitation should be as unique as you two are as a couple. You don’t want to send out an invitation that is identical to the one your cousin sent out last month. You want to ensure that your friends and families will notice your invitation stuck to their fridge, instead of getting lost in the pile on the table. A colorful wedding invitation is something to be admired, something your friends and family will want to display, a wedding they will want to attend.

It’s easy these days to make sure your invitations reflect your own personal style, whether that be traditional, eclectic, colorful, or just plain fun. You can choose from a wide variety of colors, styles, shapes, sizes and layouts. As well, you will also be able to choose coordinating RSVP cards, envelopes, mailing envelopes, reminder cards as well as labels, stickers, adornments – the sky is the limit with colorful wedding invitations.

With many ready-to-use designs available, you can choose one that is close to what you are looking for, or you can choose to create your own, mix and match different sets and colors, or have a personalized style of invitation done for you. There are also many wedding invitation designers that you can choose from, including hot celebrities such as Vera Wang.

Adorn your wedding with the colors that you love, and begin the quest towards your special day with coordinating colorful wedding invitations. The choice is yours with your wedding invitations, from the color combinations, style, size and font type. By choosing these things to come together in harmony on your wedding invitations, you will have a truly unique invitation to send out to friends and family. You do not have to coordinate to your wedding colors if you don’t want to – you can choose whatever your heart desires for your wedding invitations.

One of the top trends for this year is the return to classic designs, including ‘white and silver’ – however, with the many type fonts that are available, even classic designs are made new again and unique. Choosing special type fonts for your personalized wedding invitations can take the classic look to a whole new level.

One of the other top trends for this year is perfect for the creative do-it-yourself person. Those brides and grooms who enjoy putting things together themselves in an effort to save some money and have some fun are at the top of the trendsetting list this year. Do your own invitations, mix them up and make them yours.

Color is big this year in wedding invitations and some of the top colors may surprise you. Orange is a bright, festive color that is quite versatile for a choice – from bright sunny oranges to deeper burnt umber-orange, orange is a color that is more readily appearing in wedding invitations. Monochromatic colors are also big – blues, white, black and yellows can make for interesting, subtle or flashy invitations. Depending on the style you are going for, choose a couple different blues, mix a deep blue with a butter yellow, or combine black, white and yellow or blue for a dramatic invitation that you can really call your own unique style.

Another big trend for this year is putting the focus on the envelopes. Envelopes for some are an after-thought, but this year, pay attention to the envelopes you are choosing for your invitations. Your envelope can coordinate with the invitation or contrast against it – whatever the choice, go for big and bold to make sure that your invitation stands out in the pile of mail that your invitees are receiving.

Regardless of the style of invitation you choose, be sure that you pay attention to the color. Choose colors that you like, mix them up with different contrasting colors, have some fun with it and enjoy the work of art that your unique, colorful wedding invitation has become.

Warm sunshine, vibrant colors, and outdoor setting opportunities abound during the summer months. Take advantage of the season with these summer wedding tips.

Summer Weddings – Things to Consider

Beat the Heat – Seriously consider renting fans or portable AC units for an outdoor wedding (even northern climates can hit 90 this time of year), and try to find a location with ample shade so guests can escape blazing sun and heat. Even if your wedding is inside, you´ll need to check the comfort level beforehand – some older venues lack good ventilation or aren´t air conditioned.

Brave the Elements – Outdoor settings are popular during the summer, but high temperatures aren´t the only discomfort you´ll have to contend with. Damaging UV rays, killer mosquitoes and pop-up showers are just some of the elements you may have to endure. Have bug spray, sunscreen and umbrellas on hand just in case.

Work Around Summer Travel – Remember that summer is prime time for family vacations, holiday weekends, oh yeah – and other weddings. Try to book your date and notify your guests as early as possible.

All in the Details – Summer Wedding Ideas

Invitations & Stationery
– Add a summer motif – such as a seashell, starfish, tropical flower or plant – to your stationery suite
– Go wild with color – now´s the time for paper or fonts in bolder tropical hues – such as fuschia or mango – or the colors of the sea – blues and greens

Location
– Get outdoors – summer weddings just call for a beach, garden, rooftop or backyard setting
– Get on the water – marinas or even yacht cruises make for seasonably stylish venues

Décor Elements
Color palette –
– bright and bold – hot pink and deep red or mango and fuschia
– nautical – navy and white is a clean summer classic; accent with touches of yellow, red or gold.
– seaside – combine aqua with beige, peach or white

Go casual – summer weddings lend themselves to a casual décor scheme – fitting of a backyard barbeque. Think checked table clothes, benches and picnic tables.

Go natural – incorporate natural décor elements like fruits, vegetables, even insects (like ladybugs or dragonflies, not necessarily roaches!)
Get lit – light up an outdoor evening reception with lanterns or torches.

Flowers
– Seasonal blooms – abundant flowers are always in style at a summer wedding. Use bright and cheerful blooms like sunflowers, peonies, hydrangea, mums, daisies, dahlias, zinnias, and roses. Or create a breezy, airy look with white on white – using roses, stephanotis, calla lilies, snowball mums and daisies – and incorporate a touch of blue – like blue hydrangea
– Fruits – fruits like lemons and limes look whimsical and chic when filled in tall clear vases
– For a beach look – incorporate shells, sand, and sea glass in your arrangements

Menu
– Serve lighter fare – think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.
– Spark up the grill – serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad
– Head to the tropics – feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.

Cake
– Light and Fluffy – serve something light, like angel food cake topped with whipped cream and berries
– Fresh adornments – top traditional wedding cake with fresh tropical flowers like hibiscus, or decorate with shells and starfish
– Spoon it out – serve light sorbet or gelato
– Add a cherry – have a do it yourself sundae bar (just make sure you have a way to keep the ice cream cool)

Looking for even more ideas for summer wedding themes? This complete guide to planning a summer wedding provides ideas and advice for incorporating the summer season into every wedding detail.