First impressions count. Whether you like it or not, the invitation suite—as those in the biz like to call it—is your guests’ introduction to the theme and scheme of your wedding. Because these paper products basically serve as the beginning of your wedding’s “branding,” we’ve asked two women who know a thing or two about that subject for their thoughts. Dana Constantino and Brooke Kleinman started Love Detailed—a company that helps wedding professionals and lifestyle brands connect with millennial couples through strong marketing—and are well versed in the importance of aesthetics. “We value what’s trending, but also tradition and practicality,” says Brooke. “When it comes to wedding invitations, you should have an awareness of what’s new so you can take it into account and incorporate it if you want, but ultimately the goal is to create something that represents you as a couple.” Looking ahead to 2017, the Love Detailed ladies foresee metallic, velvet, greenery, and marble as the major trends. “You can incorporate these elements without overdoing it,” says Dana. “You might not want to look back on a marble invitation 10 years from now, but you may want to consider adding a marble detail to an envelope liner or staging your stationery on a marble slab. The same rule of moderation applies for greenery, velvet, and copper. And, if you’re set on a classic black and white invitation, you can add a subtle touch with an etched floral pattern,” says Dana. “This element can carry through to your actual event with a similarly patterned linen—or even on your cake!” Here, we give you 5 examples that show you how to mix in trends while still maintaining classic, timeless invites; this way your personality comes through, but you’re still creating something you’ll love forever!