That is, up until a few years ago, when clients wanted custom designs in a three-dimensional package. Invitations have never been the same.

Named for the container in which it’s sent, “boxed invitations” are specially made and often ornate. These invitations are typically placed in a box filled with small trinkets. They can be expensive with prices usually ranging from $15 to $40 dollars a box, not including an average shipping fee of $2 per invite. But the cost doesn’t seem to deter brides and grooms.

“Boxed invitations are one of my biggest sellers,” says Kristen Green, owner of Greenbean Designs (973-948-8353; www.greenbeandesigns.com) in Sandyston. “Couples now are more inclined to spend a little extra money on invites, and boxed invitations are the best way to give guests a glimpse into the wedding while getting them excited about the event.”

Boxed invitations, according to Green, are extremely popular for destination weddings, be it in Bermuda or a local park. For a wedding in Hawaii, Green designed tropical-inspired invitations that sat on a pillow of netting and was surrounded by an assortment of small shells, a starfish, and a fabric orchid.

Another trend features custom, lavish detailing. “Many of my customers are requesting rhinestone, gem, and silk embellishments,” says Heather Baird Loya, owner of le Papertique (201-232-4502; www.lepapertique.com). “Invitations are being placed in a silk boxes or envelopes, and I’ve even had a request for invitations to be monogrammed in rhinestones.”

Everyone loves getting boxes in the mail, and according to Robin Kornett, owner of the Hamilton-based Robin K Design (609-689-9199; www.robinkdesign.com), couples want to “wow” their guests by content, not just packaging. “Boxed invitations are usually expensive; why not give something to your guests that they can treasure,” says Kornett. “Receiving a boxed invite is like getting a gift. I always encourage my couples to put something special in the box that can be reused, or to make the box itself a keepsake.”

A recent couple Kornett designed for used pink leather heart-shaped boxes to house their invitations. For a wedding in Bermuda, she designed custom starfish brooches that the invitation requested guests to wear to the ceremony.

“Every detail of a boxed invitation can be customized,” says Stephanie Somodi, owner of Designs by Stephanie (609-812-1383; www.sdesigns.biz) in Little Egg Harbor. “Bride and grooms love that they can be designed to reflect their own personality and the style of the wedding. It’s a trend that both couples and guests can enjoy.”