THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INVITATION: MAKING A FIRST AND LASTING IMPRESSION

The importance of an invitation can never be underestimated. A small manifestation of the event itself, the invitation sets the tone for what is to come. It is the first impression given of the event and, as the saying goes, first impressions last.

The same level of consideration given to choosing your cocktails and canapés should be given to designing your invite. If it’s lacklustre and blatantly cheap, your guests will expect the event itself to follow suit in the same manner. Bespoke, charmingly worded, intimate and aesthetically delightful, and your invitation will rouse the anticipation that your event deserves. With the invitation acting as an expression of the event itself, you need to decide on the general gist of the event’s colour tones and themes, and how formal or informal your guests should anticipate the event to be.  

Your invites - or rather, the style of your invites - are also an important dress code cue to your guests. You wouldn’t send out an ivory card with formal black calligraphy unless you’re expecting guests to dress to the nines for your wedding.

Make your invite notable by being unique. Grant your guest the joy of untying a bow that holds their invitation. A clever and chic design will help bring extra anticipation to your event. Use stock card or better yet materials that are entirely unique and exciting. At Marilyn Grace we love this rustic invite printed in chic black font onto a wooden board. The writing style too is fun and creative, and the mixed fonts stamped onto the wood is a great design feature.

There is no shortage of materials that can now be (inexpensively) printed on. Leather, fabrics, recycled materials, woods, are all feasible options. Customised boxes, silk bags, stationary items, swing tags: all quirky ways to stamp your event niceties onto something memorable. Explore your choices beyond paperies, though they’re definitely a solid starting point, and don’t be afraid to be as creative as you feel appropriate.

Textures are important too. Pressed lettering and blind embossing are a simple way to create an invite that looks and feels expensive. Never underestimate how much influence is held in simply being tactile - strength and weight of materials and embossed font are all major factors in creating an invitation that looks sophisticated. Also, explore the idea of ditching the standard envelope. The post office will send out coconuts if they have stamps attached, so be clever with the packaging of your invitations. Trinkets inside an invitation are always a treat for the receiver, and also a great way to involve the theme of your event into the invite.

Invitations also need to include relevant information. It works to pigeonhole the particulars (Who? Where? When? Dress code?) but that usually seems a tad stagnant. Be creative with your wording, but remember that your language largely reflects the tone and formality of the event, so keep it appropriate. If it’s a birthday party for you and your closest comrades, be personal and intimate; use first person tense.

Be aware that you don’t have to DIY your own invitations. We certainly recommend considering the help of a professional invitation designer. Papier D’amour is always good place to start. 


Once the invitations are sent out and slid under the doors of your nearest and dearest, you’re committed! Stay true to the essence of the invite and go forth planning your party in the same fashion.