Have you ever wondered where, how and why people started making and sending out invitations? Here is the brief history:
A Time Travel Back to the Era of the Town Crier
Long before the Gutenberg Press was invented in 1447 in Germany and printed invitations were sent, wedding announcements were typically verbalized by a town crier. Since most people back in the days were illiterate, the town crier played an important role in keeping the people informed. The town crier walked, broadcast, and literally shouted the wedding announcements all over town. Thus said, anyone within earshot was invited to be a part of the wedding celebration.
Monks and the Art of Calligraphy
In Medieval Times, although reading and writing were not common by majority of the people yet, families of higher social standing already started to use wedding invitations. European monks would be commissioned by noble families to write their announcements because they were exceptionally skillful in the art of calligraphy. Usually, these notices would be written in parchment scrolls and would contain the family crest as a symbol that they belonged to the higher class. The scrolls would then be rolled up and sealed with wax. This method was particularly expensive and could only be afforded by the nobility.
The Metal Engraving Trend
It was only in 1642—when metal plate engraving was invented—that wedding invitations were printed by a press. Metal plate engraving required that the appropriate text be written out backwards by an artisan using engraving tools. A stamp would be created through this which could then be dipped in ink and pressed onto the invitation. These invitations were known to smudge, so a tissue paper was used to cover and protect the press mark from smearing. Interestingly, although the modern ink does not blotch anymore, this practice is still observed until today. People have eventually learnt to write each of the guests’ names on the invitations.
It Used to Be More than One Envelope
Before the postal system developed and became reliable, families would hire someone to deliver notes/invitations they wrote for their relatives or acquaintances. Usually, the delivery man would ride a horse to quickly transport the letters. However, due to rough travel conditions, these invitations would often get damaged or soiled. In some caes, the delivery person would even pry into the contents of the letters. That is why the notes were placed inside two envelopes. So when the mail arrives, the invitee would be presented with the second, cleaner envelope, and guaranteed that it was sealed. This system lasted well into the 20th century until the postal system eventually evolved and became the reliable method that it is today.
These are how wedding invitations originated. In honor of their history, many of us still use mostly the same rituals that have been handed on from generation to generation. Such has perfectly justified the fact that marriage is something that should be thoroughly prepared.
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