Wedding invitations have been around for almost as long as weddings, and they're still popular. Before the printing press was invented, however, weddings were usually announced by the town crier, instead of printed or written. That's because most people could neither read nor write. However, well-off families could ask skilled calligraphers to create written wedding notices that are also works of art. These wedding invitations often carried the crests of the people who were getting married, and were wax sealed. In fact, many of the more traditional looking wedding invitations still sport a real or imitation seal and a crest. After the emergence of the printing press, hand written invitations continued for a while.
It quickly became common practice to announce weddings in prominent newspapers and gazettes. It would be the invention of the mezzotint, or metal plate engraving, that would make printed wedding invitations viable. This occurred in the mid 1600s, and was welcomed by the emerging middle class. Each engraving required an artisan to write the text in reverse onto the plate, using an engraving tool. The plate was then used to print the invitations. To keep the wedding invitations from smudging, a piece of thin paper was placed on top, which is why we still use tissue paper between invitations. Wording for invitations then was a lot more elaborate than on modern versions, with each guest's name individually printed onto the invitation.
A new process created by Alois Senefelder in 1798, called lithography, would revolutionize the printing wedding invitation. Lithography allowed printers to make clean, distinctive inked lines without the use of metal plates. That allowed real mass market wedding invitations to be created. However, despite the relatively modern printing methods, delivery was still quite old fashioned. Wedding invitations were delivered by horseback courier and by hand, since the postal system was quite unreliable. The invitations were packaged in double envelopes to protect them from damage, a tradition that remains today, despite the fact that our postal systems are much more reliable.
The process of invitation printing remained the same until shortly after WWII, when commercially printed wedding stationery became widely available. The growth of the printing industry meant ordinary people were now able to send a greater array of invitations. Thermography, an inexpensive method of making raised type, was also in wide use. It's less distinct and fine than engraving, but far less costly. It makes raised, shiny lettering without making an impression in the paper's surface. Combined with other advances, this new method of making attractive type allowed fine wedding invitations to be available to almost every couple.
It is still common practice to have wedding invitations printed on special paper and sent with double envelopes. Often they still contain a sheet of tissue to prevent the ink from smudging, though, of course, modern inks seldom smudge. RSVP cards and envelopes may also be included along with the wedding invitation. However, there are many more forms to choose from in modern times. Not all wedding invitations have to look the same, and you have the latitude to be truly creative. - 15275
It quickly became common practice to announce weddings in prominent newspapers and gazettes. It would be the invention of the mezzotint, or metal plate engraving, that would make printed wedding invitations viable. This occurred in the mid 1600s, and was welcomed by the emerging middle class. Each engraving required an artisan to write the text in reverse onto the plate, using an engraving tool. The plate was then used to print the invitations. To keep the wedding invitations from smudging, a piece of thin paper was placed on top, which is why we still use tissue paper between invitations. Wording for invitations then was a lot more elaborate than on modern versions, with each guest's name individually printed onto the invitation.
A new process created by Alois Senefelder in 1798, called lithography, would revolutionize the printing wedding invitation. Lithography allowed printers to make clean, distinctive inked lines without the use of metal plates. That allowed real mass market wedding invitations to be created. However, despite the relatively modern printing methods, delivery was still quite old fashioned. Wedding invitations were delivered by horseback courier and by hand, since the postal system was quite unreliable. The invitations were packaged in double envelopes to protect them from damage, a tradition that remains today, despite the fact that our postal systems are much more reliable.
The process of invitation printing remained the same until shortly after WWII, when commercially printed wedding stationery became widely available. The growth of the printing industry meant ordinary people were now able to send a greater array of invitations. Thermography, an inexpensive method of making raised type, was also in wide use. It's less distinct and fine than engraving, but far less costly. It makes raised, shiny lettering without making an impression in the paper's surface. Combined with other advances, this new method of making attractive type allowed fine wedding invitations to be available to almost every couple.
It is still common practice to have wedding invitations printed on special paper and sent with double envelopes. Often they still contain a sheet of tissue to prevent the ink from smudging, though, of course, modern inks seldom smudge. RSVP cards and envelopes may also be included along with the wedding invitation. However, there are many more forms to choose from in modern times. Not all wedding invitations have to look the same, and you have the latitude to be truly creative. - 15275
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