Your invitation is a preview to your ceremony. The style-whether traditional or contemporary-sets the stage for what's to come. This is your first opportunity to impress your guests. Many brides express their style with custom invitations. Handmade papers pressed with flowers, found at specialty paper stores, can offer an especially romantic touch.

Graphic artists can create "one of a kind" invitations. Excite your guests with messages bedecked with bows, ribbons or good luck charms. While general printers are best for traditional invitations, other outlets have a wide choice of unusual packages that cost little more than standard invitations.

Invitation Basics. Wedding etiquette provides three invitation options. One of these formats will work for your ceremony and celebration.

• Use a combination wedding/reception invitation if your events are at the same place and all guests are invited to both. The phrase "reception immediately following the ceremony" typically appears on this invitation.

• Order separate wedding invitations if your reception will follow at another location or many guests are invited only to the ceremony. A reception card inserted into the primary envelope invites guests to the reception.

• A reception invitation is appropriate when only family and close friends are invited to the wedding. In this case, a ceremony card invites guests to the service.

An RSVP card should be inserted into the primary invitation envelope unless yours is a wedding only invitation. A response set, containing a reply card and self-addressed stamped envelope, is usually enclosed. Traditional etiquette frowns on such short cuts, but you'll get more responses faster with a response kit.

Choices. After you've selected the colors, paper and style of invitation, you'll need to consider printing options.

Engraved invitations are the most traditional and most expensive. Engraving raises the letters on your invitations so that you can feel each character when you run a finger across the back of the paper.

Thermography results in raised print that doesn't press through the back of the paper. The letters are shinier than engraved characters and less expensive.

Embossed large initials or borders are common. Embossing is great for formal invitations or if you want initials on your thank you notes or stationery.

What to say. Convey your deepest feelings or simply state the basics. Consider expressing yourself with a poem, quote or religious verse. It need not be lengthy, merely sincere.

Once you settle on a sentiment, remember the formalities. Invitations are always written in the third person. Spell out everything- date, time, numbers and names. The only acceptable abbreviations are Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Jr.