Indian weddings are known as the Big Fat Wedding for a reason. Every ceremony is grand with the perfect blend in tradition, dipped in ethnicity. The country’s wedding market is estimated to be worth Rs. 1,500 billion (about$30 billion) with about 10-15 per cent growth every year. Therefore, marriage invites are becoming glitzy and exclusive affair. They may be Swarovski studded or could match the bride’s trousseau too.

NRIs are the major target of this market. For example, the lavish wedding of the Britain-based Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s daughter in 2004 was estimated to be a 30-million pound affair.

Gourav Rakshit, the business head of shaadi.com opines, “It’s been studied that NRIs based in the US, Britain, Canada, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand want their marriages to be complete Indian affairs and this desire propels them to visit India for the selection of cards, jewelry and venues.” Exotic invitation cards are also gaining popularity today.

 “People from around the globe are splurging on wedding cards like never before… This has added to the growth of designers, manufacturers and paper importers. Since cost and variety have gone up, there is no end to innovation,” says CEO of Kapco Press, Neeraj Kapoor, who has been active for 26 years now.

“People no longer want simple designs. More designers are entering. Prices have skyrocketed. Everyone, including the NRI, asks for the fanciest and most exclusive design even if it’s not worth the amount spent. Some even say Indian designs are simply outstanding and can’t be found anywhere else,” Kapoor adds.

Other classy designs include designs like oversized envelope with Lord Ganesha’s picture drawn on it to those exquisitely worded invitation.

Wedding card designer Raj Kapoor from brand Kaypee says,” Innovation is the key and keeping this in mind, ethnic designs have made a comeback. Also, personalized and handmade cards are a big trend nowadays as many people feel these add an emotional touch to the occasion.”

He adds, “There are people who ask for multi-folded cards which can be made to order, while others ask for scrolled out cards with matter printed on it.”

Shalini Punj owner of Vivaahsutra another prominent wedding card company in the country says, “The price of wedding invitation cards depends on the material used. A simple wedding card starts at Rs. 30 per piece and it goes into lakhs for the Swarovski embellished multi-folded cards with box attached to it.”

 “Vertical, horizontal and multi-colored stripes are termed as one of the most sought-after trends this season. Also, embellishing the invitation with small rhinestones, pearl-toned beads or Swarovski crystals makes a low-key invitation style fashionable. The list is endless,” says card designer Piyali Rana.

If is okay if you do not want to spend much on high-end designer cards. Shopkeepers in the capital city of India are ever ready to provide affordable options, especially in the Chawri Bazar of old Delhi. They have a wide range of options to offer, from paper to color to size to everything you can think of.

Indian wedding cards mostly reflect designs outlining Hindu gods and goddesses. Even if those are still popular, pocket-friendly cards have gone through various changes with satin and silk fabrics replacing paper in shades of color. Customers have become more creative today and so are the card designing shops.

Vipin Bharti, the owner of Card Gallery in Chawri Bazar sells as low as Rs.1 per card. They stock expensive ones too that range from Rs.200 to Rs.500. His company changes designs twice a year.

“We change designs after every six months. Sometimes, we use craft paper with digital printing or design it in a book form with pictures of Lord Krishna and Radha,” Bharti said.

Again a few entrepreneurs renew their stock in August. “We get a lot of customers in October, so we like to get new designs before that. The summer season is not that good in terms of business; so we avoid new ones during May or June. Apart from paper, we also use silk or satin to make cards,” states Sunil Khandelwal of New Age Cards.

Color has a huge impact on Indian culture. While black is barred, pinks, reds, yellows and blues are loved by many. Design also changes depending on gender and theme.

“When the bride’s side gets the cards made, they are usually in rani pink. Chocolate brown and golden appeals to both genders. People also like to get separate cards designed for ceremonies like the ladies sangeet and the cocktail – cards showing women dancing and wine bottles are some of the designs we offer for such ceremonies,” Khandelwal adds.

“Sometimes, brides want cards that match their lehengas and the decor of the venue. Once, someone wanted a lotus theme. We created a box in the shape of the flower. The card inside it looked like a leaf,” says Arvind Bhargava, owner of Sundram Cards.

As far as various cultures are concerned, colors and designs remain same but the symbol of the god changes.

“Hindus mostly go for Radha-Krishna designs, the Waheguru symbol is popular among Sikhs, Christians like church or couple-themed designs,” Bhargava elaborated.

The trend of using Hindi fonts is fast catching up. “If someone is following a traditional theme, Hindi fonts are generally used. It’s no longer just on the basis of literacy levels,” Bhargava adds.

Bhargava also designs special cards for the in-laws on demand. “The ones that we make are either silver-coated that cost Rs.4,500 or real silver which is more expensive,” he says. “The latter ranges between Rs.15,000 and Rs.18,000.”

“Boxes are in. Along with the cards, we fit a silver or gold bowl in the box. The cost depends on the size of the bowl and rates of the metal,” he further adds. These boxes contain dry fruits or chocolates along with the card. It will cost around Rs.200 per card.

Invitation card is the first encounter your guests have to your wedding. It is therefore made very thoughtfully with class and elegance. But all of them fall in the common type. If you plan on making the most memorable invites try making them laugh at the sight of the card. It will remain in their collection forever.

Today there are many witty, tongue-in-cheek card collection available in the market for you to choose from or at least get an idea that will guide you into making your wedding card.

I therefore have come up with a collection of the top 10 funny, weird and outrageous wedding invites from our Indian folks. Seeing these cards you are sure to rethink on the traditional ganesha motifes and palm leaves cards. Have a look!

1. Dairy Milk Chocolate Wedding Card

Seeing this card the only think that will come to your mind is that someone must have taken the kuch meetha ho jaaye jingle too seriously. And the fun part is the ingredients. Do not miss on that.

2. FIFA World Cup Wedding Invite

India is a cricket crazy nation but this invite reminds us that there are crazy football freaks too. This one even had the terms & conditions part!

3. Zoo Zoo inspired Wedding Invitation Card

Who does not love the Zoo Zoos – wonderful creation of Vodafone? Have a look at the Why section and yes! The website section which reads I-dont-have-a-website-4-marriage.com. Hilarious!

4. Funny Cartoon Wedding invitation

Now this one is directly out from the Archies gallery.

5. Hollywood Poster Wedding Invitation Card

This will remind you of old time Hollywood flick. I know what comes to your mind – Marilyn Monroe and her blowing skirt, right?

6. f**k you wedding invitation card

F**K you wedding invitation! You can make some of those to whom you do not want to invite to your wedding.

6. Mario Wedding Invitation Card

This is a brilliant idea for extraordinary game freaks. Let Mario rescue his little princess trapped in the castle.

7. Coffee Dates Wedding Card

The people from Bangalore, India are too much into coffee I guess. Really a lot can happen over a coffee!

8. Zombies inspired wedding invitation Card

I love this card. Even the sight of this makes me laugh out loud. The guys seem too determined to get married. Happy Wedding!

9. Wanted Poster Wedding Invitation

Now I have respect for its creator who has done complete justice to the card. Look at the criminal profile for instance.

10. Cordial Invite Card

Look at the wordings. It speaks exactly what the affair is going to be. Wow!

If you can think of any of such weird and funny wedding cards you have seen in India, please leave us your comments below. We would love to add them to our list.