History of Wedding Invitations

Who knew!

It's origin dates back prior to the Middle Ages and is said to have started in England. This topic has created lot of buzz among the history lovers. So let’s unravel its long road and understand how it came to be.

Wedding Invitations Before The Middle Ages

Before the invention of the printing press, weddings in England were typically announced by a gentleman who would walk down the streets broadcasting the news of the day in a loud voice. All those within an earshot could become a part of the celebration. Thank goodness this tradition is no longer practiced. Just imagine how many uninvited guests there would be!

During The Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages illiteracy was rampant, so the practice of sending written wedding invitations was done only among the elites. It was the Monks, skilled in Calligraphy, who would hand-craft their announcements. Such invites often carried the Coat of arms (personal crest) of the sender and were sealed with wax. Some brides today add a final touch to their invitations by having them embossed on the back with a beautiful wedding motif.

The Renaissance

The invention of metal-plate engraving led to better quality wedding invitations and these were perceived as affordable by the emerging middle class. In engraving, an artisan has to hand-write the text in reverse onto a metal plate and the plate is then used to print the invitation. To protect from smudging, a sheet of tissue paper was placed on top of the printed invitation, which is a tradition that remains still to date.

The Industrial Revolution

With the invention of lithography, which could produce very sharp and distinctive inking, the need for engraving was eliminated. This paved the way for the emergence of a genuine mass-market in wedding invitations. The postal system was still at its early stage and so the wedding invitations were continued to be delivered by hand. A double envelope was used to protect the invitation (in transit to the recipient) from being damaged. This system still exists.

Wedding Invitations Made Affordable, finally!

With the advancements in technology, it made it so much easier and cost effective to have an invitation as beautifully made as those in the past. Others also started using thermography to get shiny and raised lettering at a cost lower than engraving. With further technological evolution, wedding invitations - either printed or engraved - finally became affordable for all.

Letterpress printing also came to the aid of people due to the deep impressions it could make on the invitation. In letterpress printing, the raised surface of the printing plate (inked) is pressed onto the paper (ink-free) to obtain a reading image. With the invention of the letterpress, who knew it would completely change the dynamics of the wedding invitation as we know it today.

Laser engraving has also been making headway in the wedding invitation market over the last few years. In laser engraving, the beam emitted from the laser is used to trace the patterns onto the paper and hence there is no direct contact with the engraving surface, unlike the traditional engraving methods.

Most recently digital printing has taken the market by storm. Digital printing puts impression of a digital-based material directly onto the paper. This is usually done through laser or ink jet printers.

Although digital printing is costlier, it is counterpoised by the cost saving in eliminating all the technical steps in between needed to make printing plates. There is reduction in labor work, time is saved and even modification of the data is possible. This makes digital printing among the most preferred choice these days.

The ever increasing capability of digital presses means digital printing is reaching a point where it will surpass the traditional printing technology's ability to churn out mass print at a lower price. More money to spend on the wedding dress!

Technology has played a very crucial role in the making of invitations affordable and reaching to anyone who is planning their special day. But it is the old traditions that have paved the way and is still loved and appreciated in all weddings and ceremonies around the world.

We hope you enjoyed reading the History of Invitations.
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