When people think of wedding invitations, a few features spring immediately to mind: enclosure cards, engraved lettering, and translucent vellum paper. Translucent vellum is a type of transparent paper often used as an overlay on formal invitations or documents like diplomas. Originally used to protect the card stock from smeared ink, vellum adds an air of formality to invitations by making a nod to that long-standing tradition.

Vellum can add class to even the simplest wedding invitations, as seen in these Anna Griffin Platinum Panel Vellum Sleeve Wedding Invitations. The simple ivory-bordered platinum panel is nicely accented by a deckle-edged vellum sleeve to spruce up the look of this invitation. Vellum can also add something extra to less formal invitations like these Her Day Vellum Invitations, perfect for a bridal shower or bachelorette party.

Can't get enough of vellum? Embrace the look completely with wedding invitations featuring your wording printed right on the vellum itself. These Leaf Fossil Vellum Panel Wedding Invitations feature your invitation wording amidst a scattering of pretty leaves, perfect for a fall wedding. If you like to keep things simple, go with these Vellum Square Wedding Invitations with Pearl Border for the lovely look of vellum accented by shades of shimmering pearl.

Vellum looks especially lovely printed, as in these Anna Griffin Pearl Damask Wedding Invitations featuring a damask-printed vellum overlay. An overlay is used to slightly different effect in these Colored Flowers & Overlay Wedding Invitations with the wording printed on the overlay itself, giving the announcement a pretty, dreamy look that can't be accomplished with simple linen. Want to make use of vellum without going for an entire overlay? A vellum band accents these Wedding Ride Column Invitations for a charming look that nods to the tradition without fully embracing it.