These invitations were screen-printed by Bird & Banner on vintage linens; some handkerchiefs were bought in Savannah, and others belonged to the bride's family.

Custom stenciled hankies, Sian Keegan.

With warm and fuzzy yarn accents, a plain stationery set becomes wedding-worthy. Make tiny dots where you want holes for stitches to be (or have them printed, if you can). Choose a textured stock and matching envelope (we lined ours with gift wrap), and a soft ink color to make cards refined.

Stamps in any size can be used to create invitations. But keep in mind that the larger the stamp, the greater the difficulty in making each imprint clear. A special T-square (available at specialty crafts stores) helps align the stamp on the card. Press firmly, and avoid rocking the stamp back and forth. Before working on the final version, practice on scrap paper. Have stamps made for the reply cards and envelopes as well.

Here's the secret to getting on the Most-Stylish list: Keep it simple (use basic invitations), and add one bold twist (embellish with fabric, for instance). To make these cloth-backed cards, get yourself an easy-to-use sticker-maker called the Xyron 500. After you've fed the material through the machine -- thin fabrics such as cotton work best -- trim the now-sticky piece with a rotary cutter, and then affix it to the back of the invite. For an added layer of texture, use paper in a coordinating color to make envelope liners.

Stationery doesn't have to be expensive to impress. Personalize invitations, programs, and thank-you notes by using an embosser to stamp prepackaged cards and envelopes; imprint card stock to cover matchbooks or make napkin rings.

A skillfully lined envelope hints at the elegant invitation inside.

Make your own envelopes with special decorative papers. Here, paper-backed wood veneer was used to create a gorgeous invitation suite.

Valentine's Day isn't the only occasion for paper doilies. Fashioned into envelope liners, they look chic, especially when paired with stationery in sophisticated, muted colors. To make, lay a 9-inch square doily face down, with a corner pointing toward you. Center invitation on top. Fold up bottom point, then side points, and finally the top.

One sure way to address for success? Create sleek, wrap-around labels. If calligraphy is too costly or your penmanship isn't perfect, this is a handsome, appropriate option that's easy to do.

Don't mar your invites by sticking a standard-issue stamp on the envelope. To build a cohesive stationery suite, upload your invitation design to a stamp customization website and create your own!

If invitations hint at what's to come, why not let the celebration begin on the envelope? Purchase vintage stamps that match your color scheme from online or specialty stores.

Every detail of a wedding invitation is important -- even the stamp that graces its envelope. Fortunately, it's easy to find distinctive postage stamps that reflect your interests or your wedding's theme. Order stamps online from the U.S. Postal Service, or search for discontinued stamps on auction sites such as ebay.