He popped the question; you said yes. Now, the two of you have set the wedding date and things are starting to come together for the day of your dreams. With the myriad of details that need attending, the first order of business - ordering wedding invitations - may seem like an overwhelming task for a new bride-to-be. Whether you plan an intimate gathering of close friends and family, or a gala black tie event, you will want your wedding invitations to be just right.

For many couples, the wedding invitation becomes part of your family album; a piece of history to be shared with loved ones in the years to come. Your wedding day will be as unique as your love, and your wedding invitations should reflect this. The wedding invitations you chose will set the tone for your event.

When selecting invitations, you should take into account your personal style, wedding location, time of day, season, and your cultural and religious beliefs. You should also consider the style or theme of your wedding and your bridal colors. These aspects combined make your invitations personal and special.

Traditional wedding invitations, sometimes called formal wedding invitations, typically are one-sided white or ecru colored card stock, with black print on the front, and carry a very specifically worded invitation. While many couples still opt for these classic invitations, today's choices are much broader.

Ink colors abound in every shade of the rainbow, and inner envelopes can include matching foil linings. Cover designs include embossed brides and grooms, flowers, birds, churches, wedding bells, entwined rings, and a host of other romantic symbols. You can even have your invitations created with a photograph of you and your husband- to-be, or another image that is special to the two of you. To further personalize your invitations, you can choose from a wide variety of sayings and verses for the cover, or write one yourself.

Traditional paper colors are available alongside more modern options, from light violet to deep red and even black. You will also find that there are many options for the type of paper on which your invitations will be printed. Parchment, translucent paper, vellum, blended fibers, even recycled papers are available through most major companies. Borders and accessories like ribbons are available in just about every color. You can even choose how the edges of your invitation will look ? crisp and clean, scalloped, or softly torn.

Thanks to the Internet, busy brides-to-be can also enjoy the convenience of selecting wedding invitations on-line. You can browse through catalogs and compare selections at any time that fits into your schedule. Many invitation companies will happily provide free samples of their products so that you can make a decision in the comfort of your home. So relax, browse through our large selection of wedding invitations, and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.