A wedding day celebration is always a day to proclaim to everyone. A joyous event such as a wedding, therefore, needs a medium for spreading the good news. Thus, the need for a wedding invitation arose.
Wedding invitations of old
In old England, a wedding invitation was usually announced to the public by bidders, and anyone within earshot became part of the wedding day celebration. In the 18th century, people began publishing wedding invitations in the newspaper, and in Wales, bidding letters were sent to announce upcoming nuptials. Native Indians summoned wedding guests via smoke signals, sometimes accompanied by a birch bark inscription.
In the Middle Ages, nearly everyone was illiterate so writing anything was considered laborious. The cote d'armes (coat of arms), or personal crest, was born out of the need to identify a person, as one's signature does today, and it was affixed to all objects and papers of import. Today, the family crest is still the hallmark of class and individuality, and often appears at the top of a formal wedding invitation.
First wedding invitation
It is said that the first written wedding invitations were crafted by European monks in the Middle Ages, experts in the art of calligraphy. Those who could afford it - usually royalty or high society persons - hired monks to hand write their wedding invitations. By the 1600s, metal plate engraving - the same process used today - had been invented, and fancy engraved wedding invitations became popular. A sheet of tissue paper was placed on top of the engraving to keep it from smudging; the same tissue left inside invitations today.
Madame, you've got mail!
Fine stationery was unknown until the mid-19th century when the ascendancy of the machine made it possible. Victorians sent engraved wedding invitations or simple handwritten notes to friends and family, and if mailed, they were sent just two weeks in advance. However, because of the dubious mail system, almost all wedding invitations were hand delivered until the 20th century. Thus the origin of the double envelope, which protected the invitation from being soiled en route to its destination. The courier rode up on horseback and handed it to the butler, who discarded the outer envelope, placing the inner envelope onto a silver tray. This ensured that Madame's hands would never come into contact with the filth of the mail. The postal system has since improved, and most invitations are mailed today, but the double envelope remains a traditional choice for many.
Writing the wedding invitation
Since the written invitation emerged in society, proper wording has been key in signifying the degree of a wedding's formality. The earliest edition of Emily Post dictates "… the invitation to the ceremony should always request 'the honour' of your 'presence,' and never the 'pleasure' of your 'company.'" ("Honour" is spelled the old English way, not "honor.") Names are always written in full, family order written out, i.e., "Junior," and only "Mr., Mrs. and Dr." may be abbreviated. According to Ms. Post, the proper wedding invitation form includes the names of the bride's parents, and sometimes the name of the guest. Other than that, nothing -- the wording, engraving, paper or double envelope -- should ever be varied.
Today, etiquette rules have relaxed, and the wording of a wedding invitation may vary, depending on how formal the event. The groom's parents are often included, and if the parents are divorced and remarried, all of their names (if hosting) are included. In the event that the bride and groom are hosting the wedding themselves, the parents' names might not be included at all.
Sometime it is necessary to include accessories with or to modify the wedding invitation for practicality and additional prestige. These are the additional objects a bride and groom might consider in sending together with the wedding invitation:
Reception Cards
In the Victorian age, separate reception cards became popular, considering that not all guests invited to the church were invited to the reception. Today, these additional cards are sometimes used if the ceremony and reception are at different locations. If you choose to send them along with the wedding invitation, they should include the address of the reception as well as a request for an R.S.V.P.
Church Cards and Pew Cards
In cases where the public is not allowed in the church during a wedding, a small card has traditionally been enclosed with the wedding invitation. The following is an example given by Emily Post:
Please present this card
at St. John's Church
on Tuesday the first of November
And for those who are to be seated in designated pews in the church:
Please present this to an usher
Pew Number ___
On Thursday the ninth of May
Maps
In days of old, most people knew where the church and your home were located, so it wasn't necessary to provide a map. Today, sending a map and directions with a wedding invitation is extremely practical, if not crucial in some cases.
Dried Flowers and Handmade Paper
A high quality wedding invitation with dried flowers pressed into it makes a beautiful, unique choice for both formal and informal weddings, and handmade papers from various places such as Bohemia or Japan, are also in vogue. Note that some handmade paper cannot take the stress of engraving; therefore, flat printing is recommended for this delicate paper.
Bilingual Invitations
If the bride and groom are from different countries, a folded wedding invitation with separate wording in the two native languages, facing one another, is both special and practical.
Sources:
History of the Wedding Invitation
WeddingChannel.com
http://www.weddingchannel.com/ui/buildArticle.action?assetPath=/templates/Articles/
ContentSet/Invitations/article_1645.html
Wedding Invitation
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_invitation
