The attire has been ordered; the flowers have been picked—what's left to complete the party? Oh yes, the guests! But how will you include them in your step-back-in-time day? It's simple—send them an invitation that will put them 'in the mood' at first glance!

The wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests will get into your wedding plans. It lets them know if the wedding is formal or casual, grand or small, low-key or festive. It tells them what to wear (sometimes implied, sometimes specifically, such as 'Black Tie' or 'Dress of the Era Encouraged') and what to expect for the festivities (for example, dinner versus cocktails and hors d'ouevres.)

Therefore, one must think of the invitation as a sort of sneak preview, if you will. You'll be able to let your guests know the theme of your wedding, and what's in store for them when the big day actually arrives. The right invitation will be the perfect way to hint at your vintage theme without revealing any of the key details!

Now for a history lesson…

In our favorite long-past eras, etiquette dictated wedding invitations, ruling our choices with a very strict hand. The proper formal invite was either white or ecru French-folded cardstock, engraved in black ink of course. When it came to choosing the correct font, your choices increased somewhat—why, you could pick from an elegant script or the slightly bolder Copperplate text!

Gradually, the heavy hand of tradition has been lifted, and your choices in invitations have increased vastly. Mind you, if you are hosting an elegant tribute to the days of yore, then Emily Post's recommended invitation is still an acceptable and timeless choice. You can choose to have a bit of fun with color (say, gold or silver ink) and with design, too—consider an elegant border, be it Nouveau, Deco or whatever suits your fancy.

For those looking to have a bit more fun, or hoping to inspire their guests to come dressed for the part, then feel free to step out from tradition. There are many possibilities, some whimsical and fun, some dramatic and glamorous, and all will make your prospective guests take notice—it may even be the deciding factor behind their attendance!

For the wedding that will take place in a non-traditional location such as an old theatre, consider creating an invitation in the shape of a play program. Or, go one step further and recreate a movie poster, with you and the groom in the starring roles.

For a garden wedding, think delicate florals—the invitation can be trimmed in old-fashioned lace, printed on soft vellum or on paper made of pressed flowers.

For the creative bride, designing her wedding invitations can be a fun planning exercise. For those less inclined (either talent or time-wise), enlist the help of a graphic designer, or chose a ready made invitation and personalize it to suit you and your theme.

There are even companies that specialize in products with a wonderful retro feel. Rock Scissor Paper ( www.rockscissorpaper.com), for instance, offers a small selection of invitations, thank you cards and announcements. With selections inspired by everything from 1930s glamour to 1950s kitsch, you are sure to find something that fits your style.

Wording can be varied depending on the formality of the wedding. Visit the etiquette mavens at Crane's (www.crane.com)—the place to purchase truly traditional invitations—for a quick lesson!

Other sources for retro invites include MyGatsby.com (www.mygatsby.com—check out the vintage couple designed by Rytex), Olivia Stationery (www.oliviastationery.co.uk/), Elegant Handmade Creations (www.eleganthandmadecreations.com), and Decodent Dezigns www.decodezigns.com).

When it comes to choosing the right font, you may stick with tradition, or consider something with a definite vintage feel (Magneto, Broadway, French Script, etc.) This is another subtle way of capturing the essence of a bygone era, and your guests will certainly enjoy this blast from the past. Sources for fun fonts include dincTYPE (www.girlswhowearglasses.com), Font Diner www.fontdiner.com), and Retro Ad Art (www.retroadart.com).

The Striking 1920s

My personal favorites are the lovely selections available through Olivia Stationary—lush, art nouveau confections that truly capture the spirit of the era.

The Divine 1930s

How about the 'Retro Classic' invite from You're Invited (www.youreinvited.net)? Featuring a vintage photo of a turn of the era couple, it has the fresh feel of love written all over it.

The Marvelous 1940s

The designer at Gaddis Design (www.GaddisDesign.com) offers up a wide range of elegant invitations, and has the talent to perfectly capture the feel of the big band era.

The Classic 1950s

Rock Scissor Paper has a number of stylish 50s styles. Their invitation section is "closed for remodeling" at the moment, but bookmark the site and check back later—it'll be worth the wait!

Well, there you have it—just a few quick pen strokes and the invitations will be in the mail. Next up, we'll look at choosing a location. Till then!