Summer is often perceived as a more relaxed time of year with children out of school, people off on vacation, and commuters experiencing less traffic.

Summer weddings are often casual affairs as well and reflect all the beauty that makes summer so enjoyable: great weather and the beauty of nature in full bloom. Why should your wedding invitations stray from these feelings? Embrace the call of summer with these suggestions.

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Bold and Beautiful Summer Wedding Invitations

Although people tend to be more relaxed during the summer months, this doesn’t mean they aren’t aware of the stunning colors that come with summer. Bright blue skies contrast with white clouds and the bright yellow of the sun, and vibrant green grass is set against bold pinks, reds, and yellows of nature’s floral palette when you look down. Color is everywhere and if you love bold, bright colors, then don’t be afraid to use these in your wedding invitations.

Stripes are a rising trend, especially pinstripes and stripes with multiple thicknesses. Consider a bold, mustard yellow combined with a bright blue pinstripe on the outside with small blue and yellow flowers creating a border inside the wedding invitation. You could also choose dark and light pink, dark pink and lime green, or light pink and a forest green for summer contrast.

Another popular pattern is damask or paisley, and using any of these color combinations will create an upbeat, joyous summer wedding invitation.

Passive and Pastel Summer Invitations

Just because it’s summer, don’t feel that you must use bold color combinations if it isn’t your style. You can still have fun with pastels and create more passive yet equally impressive summer wedding invitations.

Pastels evoke romantic feelings, perfect for a wedding. You could incorporate pastel blues, pinks, greens, and a touch of yellow to create a subtle rainbow effect signaling you’ve found your pot of gold. You could choose one set of pastel colors and have a patterned border with a pastel center containing your wording. For example, you might choose a light blue and green paisley border with a touch of pink, and then pull that pink out into the center to host your wording.

Layered wedding invitations work especially well with pastels, and the vellum layer could be attached by a satin or chiffon ribbon, a flower, a pearl, or a wax seal containing your monogram. Of course, any attachment you choose should be a contrasting pastel color that will stand out from the wedding invitation, such as a light pink against a creamy vellum page.

If your wedding will be casual, consider a shape that will tie in with your summer theme. You could choose a robin’s egg blue paper and shape it like a robin’s profile. Or, if your wedding will fall near the 4th of July, you could choose a flag shaped invitation and faded reds and blues to unite a pastel and patriotic theme.

Whether you choose boldly colored invitations or a pastel, whimsical design, your wedding invitations are sure to capture the magic of summer and create excitement at the prospect of your summer wedding.

Whether you are planning a winter or a summer wedding, be inspired by the vast and sophisticated array of wedding invitations and bridal shower invitations that are available through today’s designers. Browse through wedding invitations and bridal shower announcements that will complement your wedding’s season perfectly.

P.S.: Plan your wedding on time and within budget — stress free! — with this wedding planning guide.