Invitations

Fast-moving stationery

The proposal has been made, the families have met, the shul and the hall have been booked. All you need to do now is invite the guests.

A captivating array of modern invitations is to be found at Ruth Kaye Design, in Primrose Hill, north west London.

"We're all artists here," says Mrs Kaye, "we can all design for our clients." As well as making innovative use of colour, they can work with unusual materials - a current invitation uses leather, for example.

"Our Jewish clientèle in particular are always looking for something a little different," says Ruth.

One exceptionally striking invitation by Ruth Kaye Designs looks just like a book from the outside. But it is made from substantial card. Inside, it reveals not only the details of your function, but an ingenious pocket that can contain the reply card, along with items such as a map.

Colours are not confined to the pale pink, cream or blue of yesteryear, but can be bold and rich, with contemporary patterns.

Ruth's clientèle is international, with orders going to France, Belgium, Spain, India and Nigeria. In fact, she was asked to create the invitations for the wedding of the daughter of the late president of Nigeria.

"I had numerous Nigerian customers when I worked at Selfridges and one of them sought me out especially for this job.

"I produced 12,000 invitations in 12 different designs. Not only did we do the invitations, but we ended up doing the tablecloths and various other items.

"It was incredibly hard work, but an amazing job to do - and it was great to see it all, as I was invited to the wedding."

Ruth leads a team of five, including her daughter, Sophie Lewis.

"We place enormous emphasis on customer relations and giving our clients what is in effect a bespoke service," adds Mrs Kaye.

Caxton in Temple Fortune, north west London and Radlett in Hertfordshire has been producing wedding invitations for 20 years.

In that time, it has seen the choice of printing methods increase dramatically, so that now customers can select from traditional letterpress, thermography, raised printing that emulates engraved, engraved printing itself and copperplate.

"The advancement of digital printing means we can now offer so many more different colours and designs," says Caxton.

"Digital printing has brought new tchniques to a traditional business and we can combine the two to produce spectacular results and personalise the invitations."

Caxton's invitations cover a wide range of costs. Once the materials and design have been decided, proofs are sent to the client at every stage.

"Customers who come to Caxton know they will benefit from receiving a personal service that will deliver exactly what they want, when they want it."

The company also stocks many leather gifts and luxury writing instruments.

Linda and Barry Minde have been providing bespoke invitations at U-Name-It in Pinner, Middlesex for 20 years. They will provide cards at prices to suit anyone, starting at just £2.50.

Linda Minde says: "The business has evolved over the years. We started making personalised paper napkins for parties. People asked us to do more, so it developed.

"At first we had a range of invitations from America, but then we decided to make hand-finished cards, which we then embellish with ribbons and bows, even diamanté, finished by hand. Each invitation can be personalised, with a guest's name printed on it as opposed to written in.

"People are being more economical in the current climate, but we can work to tight budgets."

U-Name-It keeps a close eye on fashion and has noted a trend towards minimalism.

"It can be a challenge to make an invitation look different with less on it," says Linda.

"Lace has also become popular and we can incorporate that into our invitations." Mrs Minde also praises the innovations brought about by digital printing.

Traditionalists who prefer letterpress printing should take a look at Hello! Lucky.

The business the brainchild of two sisters from San Francisco, who started with a vintage letterpress in their garage. Now their cards are in shops across America, Britain and a number of other countries.

Ian Bartlett is in charge of the company's UK outlet and reveals that from this summer people will be able to customise their own invitations via the company's website (www.hellolucky.co.uk).

"Our customers can already do this to a degree, but it will be improved in the summer or early autumn.," says Mr Bartlett.

Once customised, the design can be viewed online, but then it is printed by traditional methods. "It is very unusual to use the most up-to-date technology to see the choice available and then use the oldest printing method to print it," says Ian. "However, it will be more fun and more exciting this way."

In the British market, the demand is still mainly for a folding 8in by 6in card. However, in the American market, novelty card shapes have caught on.

"Brides are putting in more work themselves on invitations, rather than bringing in wedding planners," adds Mr Bartlett. "The trend is more and more brides deciding what they want, rather than allowing their parents to choose for them."

Prior to running Hello! Lucky's UK operation in London, Mr Bartlett was a dressmaker, creating dresses for many Jewish brides.

"Designing and buying the invitations is one of the milestones of a wedding, after the ring. It brings it home to the bride that this is real," he says.

The company has more than 70 types of wedding invitations and most of them can be seen online. All the design work is carried out in America, along with the letterpress orders.