WHAT is a wedding without guests? A small one, admittedly, and they do happen. But if you're organising a wedding, you're expecting guests and that means invitations.

Printed or engraved invitations are the most convenient and most stationers have samples, so look through a few sample books and get comparative quotations before choosing.

Sounds simple? Well actually it could be harder than you think as there's masses of styles, designs and cards out there.

To help, here are some terms stationers use:

* Blind Embrossing: Colourless letters and images with raised relief appearance.

* Calligraphy: Intricate handwriting done by specialist.

* Corrugated: Paper with thick grooves and ridges.

* Cotton fibre: Paper made of 100 per cent cotton.

* Deckle edge: Torn edge of handmade paper.

* Die: Metal plate used to created embossed images and lettering.

* Die-cutting: Cut paper shapes.

* Embossed: Letters and images with a raised relief appearance.

* Engraving: Letters appear slightly raised.

* Glassine: Thin, waxy, and shiny paper used for envelopes.

* Jacquard: Paper creating the illusion of layering.

* Letterpress: Images or letter inked and pressed onto the paper manually.

* Parchment Paper: Cloudy, see-through paper.

* Rice Paper: Thin soft paper.

* Stock: The thickness or heaviness of a paper.

* Typeface: The type of lettering, also known as font.

Once you have your invitations, post them least six weeks ahead to give people a chance to plan ahead and note down your replies for the catering numbers.