The History Of The Invitation

The history of the invitation goes back quite a ways. It has a very long history and adds to the evolution as we know the invitation today. The invitation was used for only social events by the aristocracy in England and France beginning in or around the 18th century. Kings, Queens, Ladies, Lords, Dukes, Duchesses, or as we know them today as High Society, would be the only ones who used such a thing. They would send out hand written announcements of an event or party that they wanted to invite others of the High Society group to. These would usually be written by the wife, butler, or the secretary. Calligraphy was the elegant way of showing that they were well educated. This is how each invitation was written. Calligraphy showed perfect penmanship, but by today’s standards, it is considered a work of art. The wording was written in the same way as we would write out an invitation today. The differences were that everything was spelled out; even the date and time were written out. After the invitation was written, it was placed in a hand made envelope; we now call that the inner envelope. On the front of it would be included the invitees' names.

After the names were added, it would be sealed with a wax seal containing the crest of the family who sent the invitation. When the early invitation was sent in the mail, it was not sent by trucks or planes and then to the post office to be issued out to each house as they are today. They were sent on horseback in all sorts of weather conditions and hand delivered. This is what made the need for the outer envelope. This outer envelope kept the dirt and water from destroying the information on the invitation itself. The invitation has made it a long distance since the 18th century. There is no more handwriting now, most can be done right on your home computer or by a printing company.