Invitation Card

It is wedding season time. Almost all the invitation cards that I have received are bulky, stiff and trace the family tree and other sundry details.

One card caught my attention and provoked this post. It had cloth, crystals, gilt and a thick coloured string too. The bulky cream envelope had another envelope inside it. Part of it was covered in sheer organza material. On opening, out popped two cards which had the past and present employment details of not only the bridal couple but also their parents and grandparents! The grandparents had retired from their jobs, and this detail too was mentioned. By the time one had navigated through the maze of private and government institutions, one forgot the purpose of the card. Do employment details or the lack of it influence one's decision to attend a wedding?! The card ended with "best compliments from loving brother". Isn't a wedding invite all about love and affection? Or does it have to be specially announced?

I mentioned about this trend of printing bulky, expensive and information-overloaded cards to Ponnu. She said, "Don't you know, a card is a forerunner to the majesty of a wedding?" I thought I hadn't heard right. I looked at her surprised. "It is all about announcing – now look forward to something even grander." Does it matter? "It is like the argument -- should anyone except close relatives and friends be invited for a wedding,” she remarked.

A friend is getting married next month. We got talking about his wedding plans and I asked him casually about his wedding card. "It is a vertical card," he said. What was special about that? "It is a vertical card printed on thin card paper. You know, a wedding card is also about the address to the venue. A vertical card makes it easy to fold and place it in your pocket or wallet." A card for convenience. Interesting concept.