How to Choose the Perfect Paper for Your Wedding Invitations: Styles, Textures, and Themes

Choosing the right paper for your wedding invitations is about more than just aesthetics—it’s a chance to set the tone for your entire celebration. From shimmery to matte, textured to smooth, each paper style creates a unique impression. Whether you’re planning an elegant, rustic, or modern wedding, this guide will help you choose the best paper to make your invitations unforgettable. Find all our wedding invitation paper options here.

Shimmery vs. Matte Paper

Shimmery Paper: A shimmery paper has a subtle, light-reflective finish that adds an elegant sparkle to invitations. It’s ideal for formal or evening weddings where you want to create a luxurious feel. Shimmery paper adds a hint of glamour and works well with sophisticated designs, metallic accents, and romantic themes.

Matte (Non-Shimmery) Paper: Matte paper offers a clean, timeless look without any reflective qualities, which is great for classic, rustic, or minimalist weddings. This paper allows colors and designs to stand out crisply, making it perfect for garden or beach weddings that call for a more understated, natural look.

Textured vs. Smooth Paper

Textured Paper: Textured options like felt and linen paper have a rich, tactile quality that adds dimension to invitations. These are ideal for rustic, vintage, or bohemian weddings, where depth and warmth enhance the overall feel. Felt paper offers a soft texture, while linen has a fine woven pattern that feels sophisticated and inviting.

Smooth Paper: Smooth matte paper gives a refined, contemporary feel, perfect for minimalist or modern weddings. Its sleek finish allows colors and design details to stand out sharply, creating an elegant yet straightforward look.

Color Choices: White, Cream, and Colored Cardstock

White Paper: Crisp and versatile, white paper complements almost any design style and allows colors to pop. It’s a classic choice for formal and modern weddings alike, providing a bright, clean backdrop for vibrant colors or bold designs.

Cream Paper: Cream adds warmth to invitations, making it a lovely choice for vintage or romantic themes. This soft color gives a gentle, classic look, especially when paired with textured or matte finishes.

Colored Cardstock: For a unique touch, colored cardstock can set the theme right from the start. Darker shades like navy or deep green create a formal feel, while blush or pastel hues lend a romantic, soft vibe. Colored cardstock is especially impactful for themed weddings or those with a specific color palette.

Paper Thickness: One-Ply vs. Two-Ply

One-Ply Paper: Thinner and lightweight, one-ply paper is often chosen for simpler designs and offers a more economical option. It’s also ideal if you want to keep postage costs low while maintaining elegance.

Two-Ply Paper: Thicker and more substantial, two-ply paper gives a luxurious, high-end feel, perfect for formal or elegant weddings. It adds weight and durability, making the invitation feel truly special and memorable.

Specialty Printing Methods and Paper Types

Different printing methods work best on certain types of paper, so it’s essential to choose the right combination:

• Letterpress: This technique, where the design is pressed into the paper, requires a soft, thick paper like cotton to achieve depth. Cotton paper’s softness is ideal for letterpress as it allows for clean, crisp impressions, creating a beautiful, high-end finish.
• Thermography: Thermography, which uses a heat process to create raised ink, is best suited to smooth, non-textured papers. Matte or shimmery smooth paper works well with thermography, but cotton paper is generally avoided, as it may not provide a consistent, smooth result.

pro tip: Recommendations by Wedding Theme

Conclusion:

Choosing the best paper for your wedding invitations is an opportunity to set the stage for your celebration. From shimmery elegance to rustic textures, each option offers a unique way to tell your love story.