Jay Bernard of Jay Design Soaps & Gifts (412/683-1184, www.jaydesign.com) in Lawrenceville, part of Pittsburgh’s burgeoning 16:62 Design Zone, a stretch of more than 100 shops, galleries and studios that extends from the 16th Street Bridge in
the Strip District to the 62nd Street Bridge in Lawrenceville, offers three elegant
and romantic invitation ideas. A parchment invitation is rolled and tied with a two-
tone satin ribbon and imported silk rose, with an attached potpourri of lavender and rose petals. Next, Jay uses a natural-fiber paper-envelope sachet (pear and cinnamon) affixed with an ivory chiffon ribbon and a rhinestone heart ornament. Finally, one of Jay’s handmade soaps is wrapped in natural-fiber paper with the invitation printed on it, tied with ombré ribbon and embellished with silk rosebud and ivy leaf. In this case, Jay’s Roses and Cream soap was used. There are 20 fragrance choices altogether, including Lavender Rosemary and Almond Oatmeal. All designs can be customized to coordinate with the wedding’s color schemes, flower choices or other motifs.
Jody Stein of Create Studio (412/916-8880) was commissioned to design an invitation for a “destination wedding” in Jamaica. The design includes an invitation, response card and a booklet with information about the resort, travel arrangements and schedule of events. A matching folder with a sewn fabric “bellyband” holds the package together. The theme includes an orchid native to Jamaica, a monogram created for the couple and ink colors chosen to evoke the palette of the island. The color scheme extends to the hard-to-find bronze metallic envelope addressed by hand using a hand-mixed tropical pink ink.

Palate Partners (412/391-8033) in the Strip District affixed a printed label invitation to one of its unique “won’t-find-this-in-a-State-Store” bottles of wine. Invitations also can be affixed to candy jars or other containers and filled with treats.
A photo of the happy couple adds personal appeal to any invitation. Brenda Knoll at Picturesque Photography & Gifts (412/688-0240) in Lawrenceville can add a photo of the happy couple to a stein for a toast-worthy invitation. Text and photos can be imprinted on a wide variety of items, from tile and wood jewelry boxes to mouse pads. The invitations can range from funky to sophisticated, depending on your personal style.

But wait, there’s more. Why not make your invitation lighter than air?
Print your invitation on a helium-filled balloon. Make it a Mylar balloon to give your invitation some extra, um, pop, and to allow it to last longer. Tie a card with driving directions or a decorative bag of candy to the balloon weight at the end of the ribbon, pack in a box and ship. When the box is opened (you may want to print, “Do not use knife ” on the outside) the invitation will float out.

Make your invitation sing
Create a CD of your favorite songs or the music that will be played at your wedding. Print the invitation on your CD cover. Inside, include “liner notes” with directions to the ceremony and reception, photos and any personal thoughts you’d like to share, including the significance of the songs you’ve included. For the first track of the CD, you and your spouse could even record a greeting, telling the recipients how much you’re looking forward to seeing them on the big day.

Make your invitation class with glass
What’s more romantic than a message in a bottle? Beautiful glass bottles, especially ruby, amber or cobalt-blue, are a decorating favorite. Roll up your invitation (printed on parchment, perhaps?), tie it with ribbon, cork the bottle and send. Perfect for invitations to weddings on the shore or at sea…or on the Mon.

So how do they reply?
You can’t expect your invitees to send back an empty wine bottle with “We’ll be there” written on the label. And you
wouldn’t want to get back a CD with Uncle Bob singing, “Regrets, I’ve had a few….” A reply card can be tucked in with the package (discreetly, so as not to detract from
the invitation).

Even more avant-garde
Don’t forget that the stationers, the invitation pros, can be your best source for creative invitation ideas. They’re the ones who can make sure you’re including all the information your guests will need; can present you with options for mailing, printing and replying; and can help you with coordinating items like thank-you notes.
Although traditional invites still fill most of the stationers’ books, eclectic choices are building a following.
Marjie Allon Fine Stationery (412/621-1373) in Shadyside features a lighthearted invitation by Lallie Inc. called “Smile & Celebrate.” Couples can choose from a variety of simply illustrated faces to match their real-life mugs. Lots of celebs use Lallie invitations. Comedian Adam Sandler and his wife, Jackie Titone, chose this particular design (see page 56) for their wedding.

Stationers can help you embellish paper invitations with dimensional elements to add visual and tactile interest. Ideas include ribbon, silk or pressed flowers, raffia, metal charms, beads, decorative bindings and wax seals.
Jonathan Wander is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Pittsburgh magazine’s Weddings.

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