From Minimony to Macrowedding: 5 Invitation Ideas For Your 2021-2022 Wedding Style

From the rise of micro weddings to the departure of outdated traditions, the wedding industry is changing faster than you can say, “I do.” But, through it all, the invitations continue to be one of the most important details of any nuptial event. (That clever mix of form and function clues guests in on what they can expect once the big day finally rolls around.)

That said, it’s important your invitations are well-suited for the ever-evolving wedding world. To help, two stationery connoisseurs are breaking down the best invitation ideas for the upcoming wedding season. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning an extravagant experience or keeping things small with a micro wedding, there’s something here for everyone.

Embrace Your Persona

Trends might come and go, but staying true to yourself will never go out of style. Over the past few years, couples have peppered fun, personal touches throughout the day—and invitations are no exception.

“Couples definitely look to express themselves and who they are in their wedding invitations,” says Wanda Wen, co-founder and creative director of Los Angeles’ stationer, Soolip.  “People are feeling more free and unafraid to be truly who they are.”

One way to get personal is by choosing invite designs that fit your style and customize them to a T of what you and your partner love. Our new Minted + Brides collection is one great place to look. You can cover everything from your invites to your wedding website to your thank you cards fit the aesthetic of your choice.

From illustrations of you and your spouse-to-be to an annotated map of your venue, personality-packed invitations will tell guests your upcoming nuptials will be a fête to remember. Best of all, you don’t even need to spend a small fortune on these thoughtful touches. Simply zhuzhing up the invitation’s text is a budget-friendly way to get the job done.

Double Down on Details

Due to the ongoing pandemic, micro weddings are beginning to become the new matrimonial normal. But, just because you’re keeping your guest list small doesn’t mean you can’t go big with your invitations. 

“With a small guest count, we've seen a trend for couples to invest in more extravagant invitations and day-of paper details to enrich the guest experience,” shares Jordan Kentris, founder of a stationery brand called A Good Day. “The budget they would have normally allocated for 80 to 100 guests is being split among five to 10 guests.”

Right now, he is seeing a rise of delicate, hand-finished details such as embroidery and paper flowers. Additionally, Wen of Soolip favors pressed flowers or any pressed foliage. “[They’re] quite labor-intensive, but oh-so meaningful in their delicate nature,” Kentris says. “These invitations become keepsakes for close friends and family, and something they can cherish for years to come.”

Go for the Bold 

So long, traditional layouts. Nowadays, it’s all about invitation suites with a bit of a punch. “Couples are definitely more graphic-savvy than ever before,” Wen explains. “I think this overall elevation stems from internet access, and the immediate, fingertip access to good design.”

If you want to incorporate your graphic theme throughout your big day, create a logo that can be used on your ceremony programs and menu. The good news is you don't have to shell out the big bucks for a graphic designer. It’s amazing what a little bit of Photoshop can do.

Opt for Acrylic

In case you didn’t get the memo, traditional paper is so 2020. Kentris shares that couples are looking for more unique materials for their wedding suites—and a top favorite is acrylic. “The amazing part with the acrylic is the unlimited shape potential,” he shares. “We've been creating a lot of round, hexagon, and unconventional shapes that have nods to the venue or the overall aesthetic of the event.”

Of course, there’s a lot more to this trend than acrylic. Kentris also points to combinations like gloss black and white, mirrored-gold or rose-gold, as well as tinted-blush and pearl-white materials to really capture guests’ attention. 

Perfect the Package 

In order to adhere to CDC recommendations, many couples have invited their friends and extended family members to stream the ceremony from the comfort of their homes. But, just because guests can’t celebrate in-person doesn’t mean they’ll have to miss out on all of the fun. 

“Interactive invitations have been on the rise heading into 2022, giving guests something to get excited about as they receive these packages in the mail,” Kentris explains. “Multi-dimensional and layered pieces that unfold, pop up, or need to be unboxed can add a level of interaction that'll keep guests enticed and wondering what to expect from the event itself.” 

Over at A Good Day, Kentris and his team have introduced unique materials like custom-linen boxes with handcrafted ceramic details that act as keepsakes. (You can also include you and your partner’s favorite non-perishables or a miniature bottle of bubbly.) Or, if you want to make your invitations pop, Kentris favors a cork box with over 40 handmade paper flowers and a pop-up invitation. That dimensional option will draw the guests into the experience and keep the conversation going leading up to the event.