Wedding invitations

When you plan your wedding, do you think about what your guests will think before they even come? Whoever you invite will often get their first idea about your day from that opening “invitation,” which is why so many couples—especially those who want a blend of style and tradition—often pick vintage wedding invitations. These choices tend to give your event a connection to another period, full of charm and character, while also showing what sort of celebration you want.

If you’re asking what makes a wedding invitation “vintage,” it usually comes down to using design features from an earlier style or well-known moment in history. For example, when you choose an Art Deco approach (think the 1920s), you’ll often see balanced shapes, clean lines, and bold color—all of which stand out to anyone who gets one. Sometimes, Victorian invitations will include detailed borders, flowing writing, or little flowers, while a mid-century modern option may center on clean lines, simple colors, and an open, confident layout. It’s that clear link to a past model that draws people in and keeps vintage invitations so popular.

Want to know what’s actually popular at the moment? Based on current information from Zola, there are several styles you should consider:

1. Caleania – Sometimes chosen for its soft script and light flowers, which make it gentle and inviting.
2. Hattaway – Strong lines with Art Deco energy—lots of balance, order, and style together.
3. Merryton – Uses country-inspired plants mixed with old-school writing, making it feel like a warm gathering at a family place.
4. Augusta – When you want symmetry and striking lines, you might find Augusta’s Art Deco look does the job.
5. Kianna – Known for its Victorian border, curved edges, and detail—great for couples who like classic tradition.

Most people (about 78%) prefer to have their invitations in a vertical design rather than landscape, and only a few (12%) go the other way. Including a photo is rare—just 2% use a single photo on their main card.

When you want your invitations to stand out, your decisions about writing style, details, and color can make all the difference—especially if you hope to stay true to an earlier style. For instance, picking a script with neat, fancy letters gives you that Victorian feeling, while clean simple fonts might pull you closer to the assertive look of the 1930s. Color also does a lot; brown shades can place your invitation in Victorian times, rich color speaks to Art Nouveau, and if you use soft colors, you might feel a bit of the 1950s. Sometimes, the right option hardly needs much explanation at all.

Is it true that things like frames or little wreaths still show up all the time? Actually, current information says otherwise. Just 5% of couples still choose frames, and only 2% add small flower wreaths. Usually, decorative approaches like foil or pressed letter art are nearly never picked. What does this tell you? Most couples want a simple, neat design—even when they’re inspired by older trends.

For your specific need—ensuring a clear pattern from start to finish—the answer comes from being consistent. When you use the same style for writing, stick to related borders and colors, and repeat small details, all the pieces (like the save-the-date, invitation, menu, and notes) come together to give people the same feel. This is not just about looks; it’s about making sure everyone gets pulled into the mood of your event right away.

Why do paper invitations that look old still matter, even with so much happening online? One reason is that these options keep your celebration grounded in something real and important, while also standing out against the digital world. People often keep them as is, and they link your guests to both your story and a wider sense of tradition. When you mix an honest old style with a bit of new, fresh thinking, your invitation can truly mark the start of something big.