30 Modern Wedding Invitations We Love

March 08, 2012
Chrisman Studios

Send out a trendy paper suite that'll impress your guests.

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Eileen Meny

We've all seen the traditional wedding invitation—plain white background, black cursive writing, and an ornate border. While there's nothing wrong with sticking to the classics, we can't blame you if you crave something a little different. Wedding standards are constantly evolving, as are rules of contemporary style. As the years have passed, wedding stationery has transformed, and modern renditions are constantly being dreamt up. From creative colors to abstract designs and everything in between, today's wedding invitations looks starkly different from those popular in the years past.

Depending on the formality-level, theme, or dress code of your upcoming nuptial celebration, you might be more inclined to switch up your paper goods and opt for something contemporary. Ahead, you'll find a range of modern suite inspiration that real couples used to invite attendees to their wedding. With tropical-inspired palm leaves (like this suite by Bonomo Paper Co.), abstract prints, minimalist text, and muted color palettes, the following invitations are the definition of contemporary style.

Although many people consider "modern" and "minimal" to mean the same thing, you shouldn't confuse the two. Our interpretation of contemporary paper goods definitely includes color and plenty of detail. We were particularly taken with swirly watercolor hues, gold-foil accenting, and splashy, retro-inspired shades. But if bold isn't your style, you will find plenty of subtle suites here, too, including typographical styles that emphasize text and textural designs made to mimic marble and agate.

Ready to discover all of these unique notes for yourself? Click through for tons of inspiration. These new variations on the typical or traditional wedding paper suite might just spark an idea for your own.

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Watercolor Blend

Pat Furey Photography
Discover More Watercolor Invites

Scribbled by Stuti created these colorful invites using the watercolor shades featured on the rest of the suite's cards.

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Connect the Letters

Maria Lamb Photography

This note, by Gather and Co, was a bit of a metaphor—the letters of the couple's names were connected, symbolizing their union.

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The New Black and White

Silvius James Photography

Modernity's new neutrals—blush and gold—added softness to a punchy black-and-white suite.

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See-Through

Anna Delores Photography

This transparent invite, by Prim & Pixie, conveyed just the basics: the couple's name, the date and time, venue location, and dress code.

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Deckle-Edge

Rebecca Amber Photography
Love Deckle-Edge? Check Out These Impressive Cakes

A rough edge gave contemporary white notes from Spread Love Events just a hint of old-world charm. The burgundy envelope—complete with a gray, merlot, and jet watercolor liner—brought it right into the 21st century.

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Tropical

Gantes Co.
More Tropical Wedding Ideas That'll Put You On Island Time

Illustrated palm and monstera leaves brought a touch of Maui to this barely-blush stationery by Odd Daughter Paper Co.

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Contemporary Crest

We Heart Photography
More Invites with Crests and Monograms

BerinMade put a spin on the traditional family crest with this French press, spectacles, wifi, and pup interpretation. It was used to top the graph paper suite (also by BerinMade) and a banner, which was hung during the reception.

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Portraits

Les Anagnou

Photos of the couple, dressed up in wedding-style clothing, made these otherwise simple invites a bit more personal.

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Gold Swirl

Josh Gruetzmacher
More Wedding Details You Can Gild

Imperfect gold foil adorned Found and Created's skinny invites, which were backed with classic love quotes.

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Mud Cloth

Mr. & Mrs. Wedding Duo

Sophia Loves Letters mixed leather with prints typically found on mud cloth to create this adventure-inspired suite.

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Mid-Century Modern Shades

White Woodland

Canary yellow and rust envelopes (lined with a state map) brought '70s vibes to an otherwise natural set by Saffron Avenue.

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Acrylic Slab

Matthew Moore Photography
More Minimalist and Modern Lucite Wedding Ideas

This paper suite wasn't a paper suite at all—instead, an ultra-thin acrylic square, embossed with gold lettering, did the job.

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Tissue Paper

Betty Clicker

The blush, cream, and cognac hues of this Goods Gang suite dressed up the straightforward, blocky text printed on the invite's translucent paper.

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Fashionistas

Jeff Brummett Visuals

Paper & Posies added model "sketches" to this fashion-forward couple's suite—a touch that was both personal and modern.

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Serene Stationery

Jodi and Kurt

Skinny, contemporary text and a pale-blue color palette gave these notes, by Lupa and Pepi, a calming vibe.

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Teal and Cerulean

Lauren Scotti Photography
Discover More Vintage-Inspired Wedding Invitations

This suite's vintage welcome and post-wedding brunch cards were welcome juxtapositions to the bright modern colors and blocky text of the invite and RSVP slip.

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Leather-Bound

Jessica's Photography

The couple went for a minimal, all-white set by Refine Studio, but wrapped the suite in ribboned leather for a touch of warmth.

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Moody

Rachel Havel Photography
Get the Best of Wedding Invitations

Tangerine Room Events and Oak + Pen combined their expertise to create this set. The moody artwork and dreamy calligraphy made for a modern suite.

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Anemones

Shannen Natasha of The Wedding Artists Collective
Go Inside This Fashionable Wedding

This bride enlisted her squad to help with these gorgeous, simplistic invitations. Megan Lorenzo of Tiny Bones Press designed the minimalist font, while Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York illustrated the envelope liner.

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Muted

Lucy Munoz Photography

This watercolor stationery suite featured a painting of the bride and groom. Lace and Lettering created the invitations. 

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Shades of Blue

Carmen Santorelli Photography

Sans-serif text, bright, bold blues, and a faded design made these invitations pop.

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Watercolor

Sophie Epton Photography

This modern, whimsical suite featured a brushstroke of purple, but an otherwise-minimalist design.

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Dip-Dyed

ali + julie
Go Inside This Boho Wedding

Chocolate Creative Design dip-dyed these one-of-a-kind invitations, which were mailed in white envelopes with eyecatching liners.

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Glitzy Glamor

Lance Nicoll

The interesting design on this berry-and-metallic suite featured a fresh take on florals.

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Bohemian

Julie Paisley Photography
Get More Boho-Chic Wedding Inspiration

These edgy invites, by Designs in Paper, included patterned envelope liners, a cool font, and lots of black.

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Simple and Sweet

Jose Villa

Taupe and white were the starring colors in this geometric stationery suite by Lazaro Press & Design.

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Geometric

Krista Mason Photography
See More Geometic Wedding Invitations

Beautiful shades of pink and purple brought refreshing color to these wedding invitations.

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Marbled

Tec Petaja
Go Inside this Chic Wedding

This foil-printed and letterpressed Bliss & Bone suite was placed in a marble-printed vellum pocket.

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Artsy

Jose Villa

From the envelope and the artwork within to the salmon seal and the unique stamps, this creative, fashionable invitation suite was certainly memorable.