A wedding invitation is not only your request that guests attend your ceremony and reception, it is also the first glimpse they have of the overall theme of the event. The level of formality and tradition that will surround your wedding is usually indicated by the style of invitation you send out.

Tom Casey, owner along with wife Tahtianna of Philadelphia-based Sealed With A Kiss, had some interesting comments about the current trends in wedding invitations. He noted that thicker papers, like 100% cotton and letterpress, are growing in popularity. But that's not the only style change on the horizon, "We see pocket style invitations being requested more and more and we have responded with a greater selection."

Color is another area that couples are experimenting with. While white and cream are the most traditional colors, today's couples are looking for colors such as brown, red and metallic blue. As Tom puts it, "There is an entire world of paper out there and stepping outside the traditional colors can really make an impression."

We all know that hand calligraphy is an art; but computer-generated calligraphy is really coming into its own. It has several advantages including the ability to mimic hand calligraphy at a lower price and with a quicker turn around time. The folks at Sealed with a Kiss have been using computer-generated calligraphy since 1994 and they can produce a typical calligraphy job, which is about 100 pieces in just 5 days.

Of course, creativity in certain aspects of the invitation process can be fun like "Save-the-Date Cards' and "Destination Weddings", but Tom said that traditional invitation wording is still the preferred way to go when couples select the inside of the invitation.

Shannon Nella, Creative Director of the Harrison, New York-based Nella Creative Group, had her own observations about emerging trends. She said that there is a return to the classic look, but with a unique presentation. She added that diecuts, vellum sleeves, and invitations with pockets where the actual information about the event can be placed were all making a big splash.

No matter how beautiful an invitation might be it can only be of value if it reaches its destination. Before sending out your wedding invitations, be sure you have the right addresses for all the relatives, friends and colleagues on the guest list. Plaxo (www.plaxo.com) has developed a free software tool to help you get your online address books up-to-date. After guests update their contact information for you, they can also download Plaxo to join, and continue to stay in touch with you automatically.