Jaipur: Rajasthan's elite is saying it with precious stones when it comes to wedding invites as designer cards mark the latest craze for dazzling and decorative embellishments in gold, diamond and 'kundan' (stone).

"Gone are the days when invitation cards were simple and plain. People now prefer designer cards with lots of decoration work," Atul Vyas of Atul Printers here said. 

"Normally, the cards could cost Rs.40 to Rs.330 apiece. But really, there is no upper limit," Vyas told IANS.

"Sometimes people demand pure gold and diamond work on the card, which ups the total cost to Rs.700-Rs.1,000 per card.

"Sometimes people want to give gifts with their invitation cards. The gift has to be attached in a special box along with invitation cards," he added.

Handmade paper is used as a base for the card as people no longer prefer the previous cardboard base. Silk, silver, metal and cloth bases are also in demand.

It is now the customer who has a clear picture of what he wants - mostly he wants his card to be different and personalised.

"It was a customer demand for a small marble idol of (Hindu god) Ganesha atop the card that eventually caught on in the market. The marble was replaced with gold and other precious stones," Vyas said. 

Cards in leaf format are also popular. In such cards, each leaf describes a particular function associated with the nuptials.

Besides this, book style and box cards are also in fashion that generally cost between Rs.30 and Rs.300.

"The invitation style is invariably connected to status. Affluent members of the business fraternity will naturally opt for designer cards," said Deepesh Jain, a businessman. 

Weddings are an auspicious event and no one wants the very beginning - at the inviting level itself - to be tacky or cheap, he said.

Besides, marriage ceremonies are usually once-in-a-lifetime affairs and due cost is accorded to them, he added.

With the big, fat Indian weddings getting more dazzling, the cream of Rajasthan's society is pulling out all stops to impress their guests and it all begins with the wedding card.