5 Reasons To Have Printed Invitations

There’s something uniquely charming about receiving a beautifully designed, personalised invitation in the post. 

We all know the convenience of digital invites – a quick click, a few taps, and done! But in the age of instant everything, there’s something undeniably charming and effective about a good old-fashioned printed invitation. It can be a beautifully crafted piece of art in itself, setting the tone for your event and sparking anticipation from the moment the envelope is opened.

Now, let’s delve deeper and explore the five key reasons why opting for printed invitations can elevate your event and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

1. A Touch Of Class

A beautifully crafted invitation, arriving through the letterbox, instantly elevates the perceived importance of your event. It shows your guests you’ve put extra thought and effort into making their presence special.

Imagine you open your letterbox to find a beautifully designed and personalised invitation, addressed in elegant script. It’s an unexpected delight, a break from the usual bills and flyers. As you open it, the weight of the cardstock, the texture of the paper, and the deliberate choice of fonts and colours all speak volumes.

It conveys a sense of effort and intentionality, a message that your presence is truly valued and the event is more than just another gathering. This, in itself, sets the stage for a more special occasion.

Below are a few examples of printed wedding invitation:

2. Stands Out From The Crowd

Our inboxes overflow with digital clutter. A printed invitation cuts through the noise, grabbing attention and ensuring your event details aren’t lost in a sea of unread emails, as a printed invitation has a physical presence.

It sits on your desk, a constant reminder of the upcoming event. It can’t be accidentally deleted or overlooked in a frenzy of unread messages. This increased visibility ensures a higher chance that your guests will not only receive the invitation but also remember the details.

As mentioned above in point number 1, with a physical invite, you open it, you feel the weight of it, you feel the texture of it. You can even go one step further in making your printed invitation stand out:

How About A Wax Seal?

Elevate your invitations with a classic wax seal, incorporating your chosen theme colour palette for a cohesive and/or luxurious feel for your special day.

Or Even Sticker Seals?

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your invitations with beautiful sticker seals. These are a great alternative to a wax seal, ensuring a polished look for your stationery.

What About Vellum Paper?

For a touch of understated elegance, consider vellum wraps for your printed invites. These translucent jackets create a sense of anticipation as guests peek through to discover the details of your special day.

There are so many beautiful extra pieces you can add to an invitation to make it all the more special and personal to you and your event by making it stand out.

Below is a link to my Exquisite Details Collection offered within my wedding stationery collections, however, these beautiful finishing touches don’t just need to stay exclusively to wedding stationery, these can also apply to birthday invites, christening invitations and anything else requiring a printed invite.

3. A Keepsake They Will Treasure

Digital invitations are fleeting, easily deleted or forgotten. A printed invite becomes a tangible memento, a cherished reminder of a special occasion long after the last slice of cake is gone.

It can be tucked away in a scrapbook, displayed on a mantelpiece, or revisited years later to reminisce about shared laughter and good times. This physical reminder adds a sentimental layer to the experience, fostering a deeper connection to the event itself. It becomes a shared story, a small piece of history that transcends the fleeting nature of the gathering.

An example of how printed invitations ARE a keepsake which are treasured, is a throwback to an invitation I designed for my sons 1st Birthday and Naming day.

My husband and I wanted to create something a bit different, so decided to have a naming day and 1st birthday party for our son. We envisioned “Fairy Godparents” for Thomas, a way to express our love and appreciation for these special people, alongside celebrating his grandparents’ love for him. It was informal and allowed us all to celebrate being part of Thomas’s life. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and my sister, one of Thomas’s Fairy Godparents, even created incredible cakes that matched the colours of the invitations and decorations!

For the invitations, I wanted a design that was both childlike and fun, featuring various shades of blue to reflect Thomas’s favourite colour. I then printed these on textured paper to compliment the design. I’m happy to say I achieved that goal, and I even had some simple stickers made for guest favours.

This invitation now sits in a frame on our bookshelf in our living room. Each time I see it, it makes me smile and remember the beautiful day we had, full of laughter, happiness and surrounded by the ones we love most.

4. Sets The Stage For Your Event

The design of your invitation can hint at the atmosphere of your gathering. A whimsical font and colourful illustrations set a playful tone for a birthday bash, while elegant calligraphy on luxurious cardstock creates a sense of sophistication for a wedding.

This visual element allows guests to not only receive the information but also get a sneak peek into the overall vibe of the event. It becomes a chance to grab their curiosity and build anticipation for the occasion itself.

A few examples of this is with the below images, all of which have been designed for various weddings stationery collections.

The Timeless White Wedding Stationery Suite boasts a classic black and white theme, perfect for couples who appreciate a touch of sophistication. The crisp design combines modern and traditional fonts, creating a versatile look that complements a variety of wedding styles, setting the tone for an elegant wedding day.

The Terracotta Wedding Stationery Suite includes captivating floral display bursting with warm red and orange hues. This unique design adds a touch of intrigue and sets the tone for a joyous celebration. This fiery suite is perfect for couples who want their wedding stationery to reflect their passionate love story.

The Blue Floral Wedding Stationery Suite collection features a timeless backdrop of classic navy blue, accented with vibrant pops of red and touches of elegant gold. Delicate floral illustrations add a touch of whimsy, setting the perfect tone for a romantic and unforgettable wedding celebration.

These are just a few examples of how an invitation designed well, and printed on the correct cardstock, along with complementing finishing touches, can really set the stage for the event.

Another great example of this is an invitation that I designed for my client, Georgia. She came to me asking if I could design and print some invitations or her 21st birthday party. She said that she wanted a Taylor Swift Eras Tour theme (bear with none Swifties, you’ll see I am making a great case for this point with this example), by where her guests were to dress up in their favourite Taylor Swift album cover colours.

I have to say, I thought this was a super fun idea for a party theme, and a great event for me to be a part of in terms of designing. I thought it would be so fun to create for her…I was right of course. I did my research and had a look at the poster for the Eras Tour, which was designed in sections of the colours of Taylor Swift’s album, all with her face in each section. I took this idea, and ran with it.

Georgia also said that she didn’t want too much information within the invitation, as she wanted the design to be the focal point. I asked her which Taylor album cover colour was her favourite, to which she answered the purple one, Speak Now. I suggested that she have a 2 piece invitation, the 1st showing the artwork she wanted, almost acting as a front cover, and the 2nd with all of the party information. She loved the idea.

Running with this 2 piece invitation idea, all the while being in-keeping with the event for Georgia’s birthday, I think the final outcome really sets the stage for what her guests will be expecting on the day:

So, coming back to my fourth point that a well designed and printed invitation can set the tone for the event in question, as you will see from my example above, this really is the case if done correctly.

5. Information At Their Fingertips

Printed invitations put all the essential details at your guests’ fingertips, literally. No more digging through endless email threads or text message chains, desperately searching for the date, time, or location.

With a printed invite, all the information is laid out clearly and concisely. A quick glance tells them everything they need to know, from the date and time to the location and RSVP details. This eliminates confusion and wasted time, ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your guests. They can RSVP promptly and plan their schedules with ease, while you, as the host, benefit from a clear headcount well in advance.

Printed invitations remove the stress and uncertainty, placing all the crucial information right where it needs to be, within your guests’ grasp. This allows them to focus on what truly matters, celebrating your special occasion with you.

Final Words From Gabrielle

There’s something undeniably special about receiving a physical invitation. It signifies that you’re valued and your presence is truly desired. In a world increasingly reliant on technology, a printed invitation is a thoughtful gesture that adds a personal touch and is a tangible expression that resonates on a personal level.

A beautifully designed and printed invitation is a timeless reminder of the importance for the joy of shared experiences. It’s a deliberate step away from the digital noise, a gesture that invites guests to participate in creating a memory, not just attending an event. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference, leaving a lasting impression on your guests and setting the perfect tone for your celebration.

So, the next time you’re planning an event or gathering, be it a birthday party, a wedding, or a christening, consider the power of the printed invitation. It’s a small detail with a big impact, a way to show your guests you care, set the tone for a memorable occasion, and create a lasting keepsake that transcends the digital realm.

To view more of my work, take a look at my website links below, Instagram or Facebook pages, or my Pinterest page:

Shout out to Jake Janes from Jake Janes Photography for the images of wedding stationery in this blog. The other images that are not showing wedding stationery are not provided by Jake Janes, and have been taken by myself.

Contact Inkspiration by Gabrielle

If you’re interested in having wedding stationery or invitations designed for you and your special event, contact me today.