The Wedding Invitation which is all about setting the guest’s expectations is the first and often the only written communication on the wedding. Uttara Shah, one of Mumbai’s most sought-after high-end contemporary wedding invitation designers talks about the hottest trends in invites.

1. ‘Inside’ the box
One of the most prolific trends in recent times is to move away from traditional paper to boxes. Typically these invitations are in the form of an elaborate wooden, board or mdf boxes which then contains the actual invitation. It is not uncommon to see a combination of laser cutwork, jewels and other adornments on these boxes, making it look quite elaborate and rich. Some people also prefer to include their wedding favours in these dual purpose boxes.

2. A concept wedding invitation
The wedding invitation itself is developed as a concept. Examples of these could be a mela fan for a mela theme, a traditional Indian fan for a palace theme, a 3D lotus pop-up card for a lotus theme. It could even be a yearly planner (for a Jan wedding) where the invitation is printed on the relevant day/ date. In most cases, the concept is matched or developed based on the overall theme.

3. More Alternatives
An increasing number of cards use alternative elements such as wood and veneer, textures such as velvet and leather, metallic papers, brass, semi-precious tassels, etc to add that additional zing, colour and variation. Printing techniques such as foiling, emboss and deboss are also very popular today.

4. Traditional Contemporary
Wedding invitations have typically portrayed the traditional Indian look with use of Indian motifs, patterns, shlokas and deity images. Today’s invitations have a more contemporary/Indie fusion look and feel to it; this is achieved by the use of contemporary versions of traditional Indian motifs and design elements

5. Glitzy Accessories
Glitzy or elegant accessories could accompany the invitation-- bags, favour boxes or photo frames. If it’s a Destination wedding, along with the invitation or just before the wedding visitors are handed-over cards/ cases for travel documents, customized hotel keys cards, baggage tags, in-room folders and photo books. The accessories are usually in the same theme as the main wedding invitation retaining the same look-and-feel.

Uttara Shah started designing wedding invitations in the late nineties after completing her Bachelor's in commercial arts in Mumbai. Post which she received her masters in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, USA. She can be reached at uttara.shah@mecstudio.com or +91 99301 21161 at her studio in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

Photos courtesy: Shweta Walavalkar