Pretty paper

As a bride, your wedding stationery should be as carefully selected as your empire wedding dresses. Every detail is important. Why you may ask? If you think about it, your invite is not just a pretty card. From the moment your guest receives your announcement card down to the thank you card days after the wedding, they are following the story of your fairy tale.

Danette Baso Silvers, who owns Invites by Danette, feels just the same about wedding stationery. "You are asking someone to be a guest at what will be one of the most important days of your life, and the invitation should be treated as such," she said.

Therefore, you want it to represent you as a couple on your special day; and the greatest thing about that is there is no end to what you can create.

This year, vintage trends will continue to be in full swing. Baso Silvers sees burlap and lace, paired with peaches, creams and pinks continuing to be prominent for stationery this year. Of course, floral is always a go to for brides.

Baso Silvers beautifully puts together what the trend for this year will be.

"We will see intimate garden ceremonies with stationery inspired by hardy succulents, and lavish ball room receptions with stationery inspired by variegated damask patterns."

With that, she continues to point out being that it is the Florida Keys, sunset and beach themes will forever be an ongoing trend.

There is another mode of sending invitations and wedding planning that is growing, which is not exactly textural or tangible. It is the use of social media to communicate with guests. Wedding websites are now providing the availability" to invite guests. It is a more casual approach to invites and definitely more affordable.

Baso Silvers believes that it is a little more impersonal but can be used to your advantage. Instead of relying solely on social media you can send your wedding invitation and include a website on the invite. This is perfect for a couple planning a destination wedding like one to the Florida Keys. Usually, the website includes a virtual RSVP option, hotel information, travel information and anything else to help your party have a stress free trip to your big day.

It is important to remember that your wadding invitation will set the tone of your wedding. Your stationery should always coincide with the theme of your wedding. It should create anticipation and excitement.

It should always be full of important details as well, such as dates, dress code and location.

"A wedding is very personal and monumental," said Baso Silvers.

Therefore, your wedding invite should be as well. Wedding stationery is not just limited to imitations and placement cards. Today wedding stationery includes everything from the welcome sign at the reception to the menus, all the way to the thank you cards weeks after the wedding. The stationery you use tells your wedding story.

When asking Baso Silvers what one of her favorite projects was this year, she said it was save the dates that she created to look like an old train boarding ticket. Guests were excited to receive a fun save the date for a ceremony that was going to be taking place in an old steam locomotive in West Virginia. It goes to show you that the possibilities are endless; so get creative, and share your story.