The Prettiest Vintage-Inspired Wedding Invitations

By Chloe Gorman

March 08, 2012

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Laura Gordon Photography

These gorgeous suites are the epitome of timeless.

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Credit: Emm and Clau

Choosing your wedding invitations is one of the most important wedding-planning tasks every couple needs to complete. Sure, deciding on the guest list is a huge priority, but how will your invited guests know about the celebration without this integral piece of paper? Your invites do more than just let your loved ones know you want to celebrate with them, though—they also present the bride and groom with an opportunity to showcase their theme and the style of the party to come. If you're planning a classic event, or intend to include traditional moments throughout your ceremony and reception, a vintage-inspired invitation suite is probably a fit for you.

While some couples may think that elements like calligraphy, deckled-edged paper, and wax seals are outdated, think again. Many of these traditional elements are often used in fresh new ways as part of modern stationery suites, which proves that old-school-inspired invite can still feel contemporary. This suite from Ceci New York is the perfect example. Vintage details—like a monogram and wax seal—ensured the paper goods felt decidedly classic, but gold embellishments and turquoise envelopes brought them into present day. It's also important to mention that vintage invitations offer just as much room for personalization—if not more—than other stationery styles. Ahead, you'll see invites that featured a custom postcard made with photos from the couple's proposal and a suite that was done entirely in the bride's grandmother's handwriting.

If the idea of a vintage-inspired wedding invitation sounds right up your alley, check out more of our favorite stationery examples ahead.

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Earth Tones

Credit: Lana Ivanova Photo

The Loveliest Watercolor Wedding Invitations

Not all vintage invites have to be done on white paper, as evidenced by these Small Brown Writes invitations, which were printed on watercolor cardstock.

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Destination Details

Credit: Laura Gordon Photography

Incorporate your ceremony details into your vintage invitation in a beautiful way. House of Hannah did just that with the hand-drawn map featured on various elements of this couple's suite.

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Illustrated Invites

Credit: Laura Gordon Photography

Don't limit yourself to romantic drawings. This couple included a sentimental postcard with a photo from their proposal in their Appleberry Press suite.

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Darker Tones

Credit: Shannon Moffit

These Letterlyn vintage invitations, which featured slate gray envelopes and gold calligraphy, still evoke an antique feel with their somewhat masculine colors.

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Pop of Color

Credit: Tenth & Grace

In a monochromatic, vintage suite, try adding a pop of color in the form of an illustrated flower. While guests will be wowed by beautiful calligraphy, like Shasta Bell created for this suite, a picture will be a surprising, colorful feature in your invites.

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Blue Suite

Credit: Abigail Thomas Photography

27 Cool Blue Wedding Ideas You'll Love

Owl Post Calligraphy created this nature-inspired, sky-blue suite for an outdoor wedding.

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Minimal Embellishments

Credit: Anneli Marinovich Photography

Nothing says vintage quite like a hand-drawn monogram and simple gold calligraphy on white paper. Judy Broad Calligraphy created this gorgeous example.

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Marble Elements

Credit: Brandon Kidd Photography

39 Elegant Marbled Wedding Ideas

Wiley Valetine combined old-fashioned and modern by adding calligraphy on top of a marble background for these invitations.

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Personal Touch

Credit: Caroline Logan Photography

Click here for more ways to include your pet in your wedding

Invitations lend themselves well to personalization. The bride's grandmother's handwriting and a picture of the couple's dog were brought to life in beautiful vintage style in this suite by Amanda Day Rose.

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Modern Letters

Credit: Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Although these invites were designed to have an Old-World feel, Isidore & Augustine added contemporary features—like clean, capitalized letters—for balance.

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Rustic Details

Credit: Daniel Kim Photography

46 Elevated Ideas for Your Rustic Wedding Invitations

For this couple's desert destination wedding, Kara Anne Paper snuck in western motifs while still maintaining a vintage vibe. Here, illustrated cacti and an unexpected font came together in a unique way.

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Clearly Classic

Credit: Ether and Smith

When it comes to a traditional wedding, blush tones are a must. Invites with pink calligraphy, like this design from Seniman Calligraphy, were a no-brainer for a classic celebration.

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Typed-Out Invites

Credit: Kate Weinstein Photo

This Evr Paper Co. suite featured vintage-style illustrations of the couple's wedding venue for an added personal touch.

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Quirky Additions

Credit: Katie Pritchard Photography

These Simply Rooted Calligraphy invites came right out of the past with their use of script, but their custom drawings made them a fit for today, too.

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Undeniably Vintage

Credit: Kenzie Victory Photography

Ink & Press Co. used scrawling calligraphy on deckled-edged paper for a simple, vintage feel.

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Delicate and Simple

Credit: Lance Nicoll

November Letters added intricate flowers and fine calligraphy to this suite's deckled-edged paper, giving it an old-school look.

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Small and Colorful

Credit: Lucy Munoz Photography

Traditional style can still be statement-making. Lace and Lettering designed this stationery with a watercolor reproduction of the couple on deckle-edged paper.

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Postcard Style

Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

For a new take on vintage stationery, Le Belle Histoire created invites that looked like an Old-Word postcard.

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Preppy and Simple

Credit: Emily Wren Photography

Ornate accents may feel most indicative of a vintage style, but you can make your stationery simple. That's what Clover Event Co. did here. Understated calligraphy and type were paired with a traditional monogram.

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Eye-Catching Wax Seal

Credit: Gabe Aceves

Wax seals are an important facet of most vintage invites, so make sure yours stand out. Christa Alexandra Designs opted for a bronze seal to provide contrast against the light blue and white colors in this suite.

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Natural Touches

Credit: Renee Hollingshead

Upgrade a vintage wax seal by placing a small piece of greenery beneath it. Vie de Vic illustrated and designed these gorgeous invites.

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Detailed Envelope

Credit: Jenna McElroy Photography

20 Pretty Envelope Liners That Dressed Up Wedding Invitation Suites

Transform an otherwise vintage invitation suite, like this one created by The Inviting Pear, into a work of art by adding a statement envelope liner. Here, it was in the form of a floral pattern.

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Vintage Stamps

Credit: Clean Plate Pictures

Here, Manifest Events utilized vintage stamps and a map envelope liner to drive the vibe of this Old New York-themed suite home.

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Light Green Suite

Credit: Les Anagnou

20 Beautiful Ways to Add a Pop of Green to Your Wedding

The Vintage Inkwell used seafoam green throughout this suite, proving that bright color still has a place in vintage invites.

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Personal Silhouette

Credit: Austin Gros

Get creative with your personalization by having individual silhouettes screen-printed onto your envelopes like this suite created by Erik Johnson.

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Handkerchief Invitations

Credit: The McCartneys Photography

The Polka Dotted Bee designed this suite on a vintage handkerchief as a keepsake for the couple's guests.

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Ivy Border

Credit: KT Merry

Although the ornate calligraphy in these Mr. Boddington's Studio invites already evoked a vintage feel, the illustrated-ivy border added a colorful touch.

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The Prettiest Vintage-Inspired Wedding Invitations

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Earth Tones

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Destination Details

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Illustrated Invites

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Darker Tones

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Pop of Color

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Blue Suite

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Minimal Embellishments

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Marble Elements

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Personal Touch

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Modern Letters

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Rustic Details

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Clearly Classic

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Typed-Out Invites

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Quirky Additions

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Undeniably Vintage

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Delicate and Simple

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Small and Colorful

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Postcard Style

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Preppy and Simple

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Eye-Catching Wax Seal

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Natural Touches

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Detailed Envelope

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Vintage Stamps

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Light Green Suite

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Personal Silhouette

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