Best wedding invitations

Weddings are hell to plan -- so much work for a mere lifetime of bliss. But the invitation you send out is a symbol of what you want yours to be like, so pick the perfect one -- right down to the flourishes on the typeface -- with the help of someone who knows what she's doing. Deborah Bodian has been selling invitations out of her home for several years, but she recently opened Paper Talk, a little shop decorated with gauzy swags, wired ribbon and fresh flowers. She also sells party goods, photo albums, metallic gel pens and unusual cards. It's a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of brides and grooms all trampling their way toward the altar, and it will help you get over having to invite your spouse-to-be's crazy cousins.