Choose your wedding invitations at least six months prior to your wedding day to allow plenty of time for preparation and mailing. A vast selection of styles is available, from the formal and traditional engraved invitation, to the handwritten casual invitation. The format you choose is an expression of your own style. Invitations catalogues may help you to select a design, leaving you to choose the ink color and lettering style. If you choose to design your own invitation, some stores provide the services of a calligrapher for custom work. A computerized calligraphy service can also do a professional job.

There is a wide selection of paper available including parchment, rice paper and glossies. It’s recommended that you select your invitations in person to feel the texture of the paper stock, see how it looks in different lighting, and to review any possible variations that might be expected. Invitation stores often supply guests books, napkins, matches, and plume pens.

Remember to mail out-of-town invitations well in advance—at least three months before your wedding day. Local invitations should be mailed two months prior to your wedding. It’s a good idea to include a map for those guests who may not be familiar with the area.