Invites dictating formality?

KeepMovingOn

I've seen this said on here numerous times-- the style of the invitations lets the guests know the formality of the event. This is often said to posters who want to tell guests what to wear (which I would never do, by the way). But I want to make sure I'm not choosing invites that don't match the formality and leave my guests feeling uncomfortable. For every wedding invitation I've received, I've never "assessed the formality" based on the invites. So can you all give me examples of what would make an invitation formal vs. more casual? 

emmyg65

The most formal wedding invitations are plain black script engraved on white cotton paper, with the formal style of wording. Once you start adding additional designs, fun colors, embellishments, less fancy printing, etc., things get less formal.

We had a casual wedding and chose invitations that looked like a blackboard, with informal wording, and put them in hot pink envelopes, addressed without titles. 

Inkdancer

This week I received a wedding invitation that was printed on cream cardstock with beautiful teal floral designs up one side. The wording was very traditional.  Like this, but better wording:


This wedding is being held in the late afternoon at a church. For this wedding, I am planning on wearing a cocktail dress and FI is wearing a suit.

My mother's wedding invitation was an e-vite. There were some pictures but it was mostly like a regular email. Her wedding was held on the beach. Most guests wore jeans or sundresses.

If I got an invitation like this (lots of pictures, fonts, colors) then I would assume it was a fairly relaxed wedding. I'd wear a sundress and FI would wear khakis and a button-up shirt.

KeepMovingOn

Thank you so much! The examples really help.

doeydo

More examples:
Formal:

Informal:

CMGragain

Personally, I prefer traditional wording on all invitations.  The other posters are correct in that a very formal wedding is on white or ecru heavy paper with raised or engraved printing.  Colors and fun designs indicate a more relaxed event.

theartistformerlyknownas

And I personally hate traditional wording. Our invitations look like this - gold foil embossed print, on heavy shimmer cardstock, layered with a backer card, wrapped up with a lace band and tied with a ribbon, calligraphy on the envelopes. The venue and time give a big clue too (we're at a private country club, 4pm ceremony/5pm cocktails/6pm dinner). I would expect at least sport coats on guys and cocktail dresses for ladies, but anything above khakis and sundresses would be appropriate there.