Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life and by extension, your wedding invitation certainly holds a great deal of importance. This makes designing your wedding invitation no easy task, especially given the endless options and ever-evolving trends to choose from. However, of all the trends of the last few years, nothing is gaining more traction than the trend of sustainability.

Just like in every other area of life, sustainability has become the biggest trend in wedding stationery since 2020. While some couples go the recycled and plantable seed paper route for their invites, there has been an increasing number of couples who are mindfully taking the paperless route and choosing to opt for e-invites. Not only are they the sustainable and eco-friendly option, but they are also hassle-free, easy, and affordable.

Additionally, they can look just as stylish as their printed counterparts if done right. From pretty calligraphic fonts and quirky caricatures to minimalist graphics and regal illustrations, there is no shortage of design options to pick from for your e-invitation cards. Let’s lowdown on the top e-invite picks this wedding season.

Caricatures:
Caricature wedding e-invitations are those digital invites where you can add your face in cartoon format to your invite illustration. This fun and quirky trend saw a sudden increase in popularity in 2020 and continues to be a top pick this year as well. This style of wedding invite is one of the most personalised invitations out there because of the fact that the caricatures need to be customised for each couple. This lends the design a very exclusive and creative look and also adds an ‘adorable’ quality to the card. If that’s the vibe you’re going for, caricature wedding invites are the perfect fit for you. Moreover, caricatures also give the guests a glimpse into the personalities of the bride and groom, and their unique love story.

Animated videos:
Keeping with the same theme, animated videos are also a great way to showcase the unique personalities of the couple and have been on the rise since 2020. If you’re going for a fun, informal, and laid-back vibe for your wedding invitation, animated videos are the perfect medium to capture these themes. Additionally, caricatures can also be incorporated into these videos, making them stand out even more!

Pichwai painting:
Originating 400 years ago in a town called Nathdwara near Udaipur, Rajasthan, Pichwai is one of the most stunning and intricate forms of art in India. These majestic paintings, which are traditionally made on cloth, can beautifully be depicted digitally as well. Pichwai paintings visually narrate tales from Lord Krishna’s life and generally have a cow as a central character. Wedding cards inspired by this style of Indian art have been gaining popularity in 2021, with tons of couples choosing Pichwai illustrations for their e-invites. These digital paintings give the card a regal and luxurious look and are the perfect choice for couples looking to make a grand statement.

Monograms:
Monograms are another emerging trend in wedding invitations that can easily be applied to e-invites. They’re a wonderful way of adding a personal touch and keeping your invitations a class apart. Monogram wedding invitations lend that unique quality to a card that make them look classic and traditional, while still appearing fresh and unique. It’s a surefire way to add elegance and panache to your wedding invitations and create a personalised, charming keepsake from your wedding.

A Touch of Metallics & Glitters:
Metallics and glitters are making a comeback into wedding trends, and wedding stationary is no exception. Tasteful and subtle touches of metallics add a certain element of grandeur and richness to any invitation and people can’t seem to get enough of this trend. If done right, they can give e-invites a very ethereal, soft, and romantic look.

Minimalism-Inspired:
Another noticeable trend that started in 2020 are the requests for “simpler” and “minimal” invitations. Minimal e-invites, particularly with soft colours, simple lettering, subtle detailing, and one standout feature, like an accent of gold foiling, are all the rage these days. Such designs tend to look very modern and contemporary but also communicate a very chic and tasteful style.

Watercolour-Inspired:
The graceful, delicate strokes of watercolour-based designs have a subtle way of adding uniqueness to your invitation. In keeping with your wedding style, you can make the card look bold and vibrant by choosing bright colours or romantic and elegant by going with pretty pastels.

And there you have it! This quick rundown of the most popular wedding e-invite trends of 2021, will ensure that you have all the information you need to design the perfect e-invite for your special day.

– By Meenakshi Katragadda and Shruti Katragadda, founders, Paperdateco, run a luxury design studio in Hyderabad that brings together independent artists and designers. A perfect amalgamation of technology and design, Paper Date Co. offers personalised invites and digital greeting options.