'Fusion' and 'east meets west' invitations are the most popular design choices for corporate event organisers, according to the owner of a New York invitation boutique.
Alina, the brains behind MajesticInvites, com explained that bold colours, with matching themes, interesting materials, graphics and styles were all highly successful motifs.
Unusual colours such as orange, pink, fuchsia and turquoise are far more eye-catching than traditional white or cream backgrounds, she explained.
The best-selling colour so far in 2008 is purple, with metallic colouring on the rise. Alina went on to point out that gold and silver were timeless options, particularly for formal events.
Theming invitation colours to match the venue or destination city is another popular choice.
Growing numbers of companies and couples have chosen to brand their invitations with graphics and monograms that can be replicated or modified with ease, the MajesticInvites owner continued.
She also suggesting looking at handmade or vellum card papers, as well as velvet and wooly alternatives, distinctive font types and even invitations with gifts attached.
To conclude, the expert stressed that invitations should be striking and bold, but said it was more important to reflect the theme of the event and the personality of its protagonists.