Wedding invitation styles explained: how to choose yours

Most wedding invitations fall into six styles: traditional, modern and minimal, romantic garden, relaxed and breezy, grand and luxurious, and bold and playful. Pick the one that matches your venue, your colours and how formal the day is. If you are unsure, take the invitation style quiz.

The six styles at a glance

Style	Colours	Lettering	Suits
Traditional	Ivory, gold, deep red	Serif, formal script	Churches, halls, formal days
Modern and minimal	White, black, one accent	Clean sans-serif	City venues, small weddings
Romantic garden	Blush, sage, cream	Handwriting, soft serif	Gardens, barns, spring and summer
Relaxed and breezy	Sea blue, sand, white	Light script	Beaches, resorts, destination weddings
Grand and luxurious	Wine, emerald, gold	Rich serif	Palaces, hotels, black tie
Bold and playful	Bright pink, orange, teal	Big display type	Parties, ballrooms, modern couples

How to choose

1. Start with the venue. An invitation that matches the setting feels right to guests.
2. Match the formality. Black tie asks for a grander invitation than a backyard barbecue.
3. Pick two colours and stay with them across the invitation, the website and the day.
4. Keep the lettering readable. Guests must be able to read the date on a phone.
5. Make the website match the invitation, so the whole thing feels designed.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a style because it is popular, not because it suits you.
• Using more than two typefaces.
• Pale text on a pale background. Check it on a phone.
• A style that clashes with your wording. A very formal invitation with a joke in it can feel odd.

Browse our designs when you know your style, and see what to put on your wedding website for the content.

Questions

What are the main wedding invitation styles?

Traditional, modern and minimal, romantic garden, relaxed and breezy, grand and luxurious, and bold and playful.

How do I choose an invitation style?

Start with your venue and how formal the day is, then pick two colours that suit both. The quiz gives you a starting point.

Should the invitation match the website?

Yes. A matching website and invitation look designed and are easier for guests to recognise.

Can I mix styles?

You can borrow from two, such as modern lettering on a garden palette. Keep to two colours and no more than two typefaces so it still looks like one design.