A classic wedding invitation doesn't try to surprise: it formally announces that two families are coming together. Everything then comes down to the wording and the care taken over the layout.
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In the French tradition, the announcement is worded in the parents' names: they announce the marriage of their children. The bride's parents appear on the left, the groom's on the right. Couples can also announce their marriage themselves, or combine both approaches by naming parents and couple.
For a religious wedding, give the time and place of the ceremony separately from those of the reception.
Tradition separates two items: the announcement, which shares the news with a wide circle, and the invitation card, slipped in only for guests invited to the reception. Several formats bring them together in one envelope. Arpèges, for example, comes as a folded square with tag and invitation card (13.6 x 13.6 cm), or as a folded portrait with tag, pocket and invitation card.
Visually, classic style relies on a centred layout and careful typography, often with serifs. A discreet botanical motif is enough: on Arpèges, a bouquet of ferns, grasses and small flowers accompanies an elegant typeface, on kraft-look paper.
For a more graphic version, see our elegant invitations; for even more formal codes, our traditional selection.
In the French tradition, the parents of both partners, with the bride's parents on the left and the groom's on the right. The couple can also announce their marriage themselves, or combine both approaches.
If not all your guests are invited to the reception, yes: the invitation card is only included for those expected there. Several formats let you add it to the announcement in the same envelope.
Yes, as long as it stays discreet. A light botanical motif, like the fern bouquet on Arpèges, suits a classic layout very well.
Content written by Lena Marker, Editorial Expert at the Cotton Bird workshops (view LinkedIn profile).