Photo by Sarah Parrott

Your wedding invites will probably be one of the first costs that you will run into while wedding planning, as everything else will depend on who and how many people are attending. Fortunately, the invitations are also one of the easiest aspects to save money on. Here are twenty ways to do so.

1. Become a Comparison Shopper

So you’re excited about your wedding and can’t wait to purchase the invitations and start mailing them. Slow down. It’s very important to take the time to shop around to make sure that you get the best deal. Although you may never have thought before to check out office supply stores, visit them and see what beautiful invitations they have to offer! Also check bulk stores and mail-order catalogues.

2. Buy Discount

One of the easiest ways to buy discount wedding invitations is to see what online retailers have to offer. These retailers often offer many discounts due to the sheer number of retailers that are taking their product online.

3. Compare Printing Techniques

When it comes to stationery, different printing techniques come with different price tags. Engraved invitations are very nice for a formal affair but can be costly. Check out thermography and laser printing to give you a better deal.

4. Eliminate Embellishments

Many wedding invitations come with different embellishments. Whether its bows, three layers of paper, or ribbon. All of these embellishments cost money. The classic printed invitation on white paper will still make a great statement and costs less.

5. Look at Packages

It is often nice to be able to have all of the stationery that goes along with a wedding invitation customized. You can save hundreds of dollars by comparing different packages that include the invitation, response card, and envelopes.

6. Only One Envelope is Necessary

It’s tradition that a wedding invitation arrives in an envelope within an envelope. This is to make sure that the invitation doesn’t get damaged en route and that it will still look perfect when it arrives to the recipient. By keeping only the outer envelope, you will save money. The inner envelope is really unnecessary anyway.

7. Stick to Standard Sizes

Many people believe that if they keep the invitation light, it will not cost them more in postage. Most invitations cost more than the regulatory one ounce anyway. Even if you can manage to keep them light, if they are longer than standard sizes or include items that will make them incumbent, it will cost you more per invitation.

8. Leave Out the Reception Card

Even if you’re reception is not going to be held at the same location as the ceremony, there is no need for one more piece of paper and one more cost. At the bottom of the invitation, simply print, “Reception to follow” and then the location of your reception venue. If the reception is at the same location, simply print, “Reception to follow.”

9. Proofread

When a mistake is made not only will the invite need to be reordered but reordered with usually a rush delivery, quickly adding up the bucks. Give them to a friend or someone that hasn’t been directly involved in helping you create them and have them make sure all your information is correct.

10. Order More Envelopes Than Needed

Yes, spending more money initially will save you money in the long-run. Everybody makes mistakes when addressing envelopes for the invitations so again, avoid rush charges and reordering by ordering excess in the first place.

11. Change the RSVP

Most RSVP cards are just that – cards within another envelope that has been stamped (meaning, postage paid) by the couple. Change this formality to a simple postcard and save on postage.

12. Omit the RSVP

Better yet, get rid of the RSVP card altogether. Of course you need to know how many people are planning on attending the wedding but set up the RSVP through emails or phone calls.

13. Use Virtual Invitations

These invitations are available through online retailers. You will never give or receive printed invitations but instead a company will send them all out for you through email. They will also keep track of the RSVPs for you.

14. Hand Deliver

Save more money on postage by taking invitations to those that live close by or that are very good friends and family. This will be more personal anyway.

15. Create Your Own

Software and specialty paper make it easier than ever to boot up your own computer to create beautiful and elegant invitations. The money you spend will be entirely up to you as you can decide what you want to include and where you want to get supplies.

16. Seal N’ Send

This type of invitation is just one small piece of paper. It folds up and after a stamp is sealed onto it, it can be thrown in the mail.

17. Go Black and White

Printing in color is going to make the prices soar even higher. Black and white print is usually already included in the price and gives your invite an elegant traditional feel.

18. Enlist Your Friends

You will call upon those close to you throughout the entire wedding planning process so start with the invitations. Have a party and use this time to get them to help stuff, seal and stamp envelopes. It will save you the cost of hiring someone to do this.

19. No Calligraphy, Please

Hiring someone to write this beautiful script on your invitations is very pricey. Simply ask a friend with nice hand-writing to do the addressing for you or print the envelopes out yourself on your computer.

20. Invite Less, Save More

This may seem like an easy solution but it can be tricky. Decide whom you must have at your wedding and invite only those people. The less invites you send out, the more you save.

Photo by aus_chick

An early wedding planning task and a popular choice for doing things yourself, DIY invites may seem overwhelming at first but in truth, they can be easy and can save you lots of money.

Draft what you would like your invitations to look like. This not only includes the wording but the type of paper to use, any embellishments, and font type. Create a list of everything that you need to make your invitations and do some comparison shopping at office supply and craft stores before finally buying.

Play around on your computer. Use a program such as Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP and Paint.net. Now it’s time to include anything that will be printed on your wedding invitations. Try different layering, different text sizes, and different fonts to discover which one you like the best. Choose a font that is elegant but can be easily read. Make your text large enough so that those with impaired sight (perhaps a few of your elderly guests) can read it.

The easiest way to print your invitations is by feeding the sheets through your printer one at a time. It takes longer but avoids paper jams and errors. Card stock is generally thicker than regular paper, it is a little bit trickier to print with and taking the few extra minutes will save you a lot of headache in the long run.

After printing, start collating. If you have hundreds of them, have an invitation party and ask friends and family to help you put them together.

For RSVPs you can include a reply card with every invitation. Design them in the same theme that your invitation is just make it smaller and use different text. Then address it with the recipient’s address as well as your own and put a stamp on it. RSVP cards aren’t a necessity. Save yourself time and money by including RSVP details, such as your phone number and email at the bottom of each invite instead.

Here are some ideas to get you started. Build and adapt on these concepts:

• Use a photograph of the two of you for the cover of the invitation.

• Use rhinestones, satin ribbon, or lace as embellishments on your invitation.

• Use natural elements for a theme wedding such as pressed leaves for an autumn wedding.

• Seal the invitations with wax and a stamp for an extra personal touch.

• Use vellum to write your text and then overlap it onto the background for a very elegant look.

• Use glitter or sparkles to decorate the invitation.

4 simple dos and don’ts for creating chic DIY wedding invitations your guests will love.

• Don’t create the entire thing from an invitation kit. Although these may seem to make it easier, it’s just as much work and they take the personal touch out of the entire thing.

• Do buy in bulk. Whatever supplies you will need, buy them all at once from the same store if you can. Often stores will provide discounts when you are making a very large purchase. If one isn’t offered, demand ask for one.

• Don’t buy precut sheets of paper. You may change your mind when you get home or the sizes may not work with the invitation you want. Cut the invitations when they are done to the size you want.

• Do lots of tests. Even if there’s one detail out of place that you’re not happy with, tweak the design until its right; otherwise, you’ll be looking back on the invitations, wishing you had changed them.

Etiquette for Addressing the Wedding Invitations

Addressing your wedding invitations is much trickier than it sounds. Because people on your guest list will have different titles (Mr. Miss, Mrs.), and because there may be situations that you’re not too sure how to handle properly, the simple task of writing out people’s names soon becomes very confusing and frustrating! Here are a few things to keep in mind when it’s time to address your invitations:

1. The full name of the invited guest should be included on the invitation even if the wedding and invitation are casual. You should never include nicknames and for formal invitations, the person’s title should always be included. You should also never include terms such as ‘Aunt’ or ‘Uncle’ on formal invitations.

2. If you are inviting couples that live together but are not married, you should write the male’s name first with proper title and full name and then the female’s name with proper title and full name. Example: Mr. Robert Smith and Miss Jennifer Scott.

3. If you are inviting people with children, you should only print the children’s names on the invitation and use first names only. If you are inviting the children, be sure to specifically state their names and to not simply write, “and family.” On both the invitation and the envelope, address the invitation to both parents, using both titles first, then the man’s first names, then their last name. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith.

4. If you are inviting divorced females, you should find out if they are using their married name or their maiden name and invite them as such using the term ‘Miss.’

5. If you are inviting guests who are doctors, in the military, or have other special designations, you should include this on the invitation.

Gift Etiquette

Your wedding invitation is one of the few places that you can include your gift information, but it’s important that you never include the information in the actual invitation but instead write it on the back or include this separately with the invitation. It was once believed that asking for money or charitable contributions instead of a gift was tacky but with so many wedding traditions being modernized, it’s acceptable to do this as long as you word it correctly. Instead of “Monetary gifts will be appreciated,” say something such as, “What we really need is a honeymoon!” and your guests will get the hint. Also be sure to register somewhere for a few small items so that the guests who don’t feel comfortable giving money can still get you something special.

Church Wedding Invitation Wording

If the wedding is being held in a church, the tone of the wedding and the invitation will be formal. Such an invitation would be worded like this:

“Mr. and Mrs. Robert Webster
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter,
Shana Lynne Elizabeth
to
Mr. Danny Wood
at one o’clock in the afternoon,
Saturday, the 13th day of July
Presbyterian Church
New York, New York”

In the church wedding invitation, R.S.V.P. cards will either be included or an R.S.V.P. date will be included right in the invitation.

Bride or Groom’s Home Invitation

If the wedding is being held at home, the wedding invitation will be more casual in tone than one that’s held in a church. A home wedding invitation will be worded like this:

“Mr. and Mrs. Robert Webster
would love for you to attend
the marriage of their daughter,
Shana Lynne Elizabeth
to
Mr. Danny Wood
on Saturday, July 13
at
Twenty-two West End Avenue”

It’s important to note that more casual wording is used, such as ‘would love for you to attend’ in place of ‘request the honor of your prescence’. A wedding invitation for a wedding that’s held in either your parent’s house or the groom’s, it is not required to state who’s home it is but if the wedding is being held at a friend’s house it’s important to include the host’s name. Wedding invitations that are being held at a home also often include the phrase, “Please reply,” rather than “R.S.V.P.” as it’s also more relaxed wording.

Second Marriage Wedding Invitations

Whether one or both of you are getting married and it’s not your first, there are many different situations that could arise. If possible, your parents would still traditionally send the invitation if they are able to do so. The wedding invitation would then hold the same formality according to where it is taking place and the tone of the wedding.

If you are unable or choose not to have your parents send the invitation, you can send it yourself or you and the groom can send it together. If you send it yourself, it’s important that you don’t write it in the first person. Such a wedding invitation would be worded like this:

“The honor of your presence is requested
at the marriage of Nicole Parks
and Mr. Jared Betley
at four o’clock in the afternoon
on Sunday, the 6th day of June
at
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Boston, Massachusetts”

Again you will need to change the formality according to your own wedding.

1. Start thinking about what you want your invitations to look like about 7 or 8 months before the wedding, if you have that much time. Finalize who you will order the invites from 6 months before and order them 3 to 4 months beforehand.

2. The general rule of thumb is to order 25% more than you think you need. If you think you are inviting 100 guests, order 125 so you have some to play with for errors and last-minute invites, as well as one of course to put in your wedding book. Order as many envelopes as you order invites.

3. Get what you need but don’t go overboard. Often when you send an invitation, you’re not only sending an invitation. Although it’s perfectly acceptable to send an invitation alone, it’s also perfectly acceptable to include response cards, menu cards, reception cards, map cards, rain cards, and pew cards. Use all of them if you need to but keep common sense in mind. It’s not practical to send menu cards for a reception that’s a Victorian tea but may be in you’re holding a backyard barbecue with both steak and salmon options.

4. Always keep costs in mind as this is just the beginning of your wedding and you’re going to have many more expenses to cover. Invitations can become extremely pricey and so to save some cash you can order invites that are not overly bulky so you don’t pay extra in postage and include as few extra pieces ofstationery as possible. Also include an email address or a phone number that people can use to RSVP so you don’t need to spend money on return postage.

5. Choosing thermography is another way to cut costs. This type of printing looks much like engraving except that the back of the invite is left shiny and smooth, not imprinted as engraved inviteswould be. Thermography invitations are beautiful and have a lovely effect without the extra cost.

6. Hire a calligrapher to address the invites, as it’s customary to handwrite these instead of printing them. A calligrapher is a nice touch if you have many invites and don’t want your hands to cramp but is an absolute must if your own handwriting is illegible!

7. Keep in mind your guests’ schedules when you send the wedding invitations. While 6 to 8 weeks before the date of the wedding is generally fine to send them, if you’re having a wedding out of town, are expecting a lot of visitors from out of town, or are having it during a really busy time of year (such as Valentine’s Day), be sure to give your guests extra time to change or make their plans.

Are Invitations Necessary?

Unlike other events associated with your wedding such as your bridal shower, your engagement party, and all the other celebrations, invitations to the rehearsal dinner are not actually necessary. If you choose not to send out invitations, you can invite the guests by simply spreading the message by word of mouth. However, invitations can not only give the members of the wedding party something to remember the whole occasion with! Invitations can also be a good reminder to those who are the busiest just before the wedding (you!) and will have a lot on their minds.

Who and When

Traditionally it is the groom’s parents who host the rehearsal dinner and so the invitations should be sent by them. Of course, if someone else is hosting the dinner, such as your parents or the best man, invitations should be sent by them.

Rehearsal dinners are generally small affairs and this is one of the reasons why proper invitations are not actually necessary. The only people to be invited are generally the wedding party, both sets of parents (if no set is doing the inviting) and any other close friends you choose to be there. The officiate of the wedding should also be invited.

Rehearsal dinner invitations are usually sent two weeks before the wedding but if you think that everybody will have too much on their minds to send out the invites then, they can be sent as early as 6 weeks before the wedding.

The Design of the Invitation

It’s perfectly acceptable that the rehearsal dinner invitations be ordered at the same time and from the same vendor as the wedding invitations. This is also a very practical solution as the vendor may offer a discount for the bulk order. However, because it is the bride’s parents that send out the wedding invitations and the groom’s parents that send out the invites for the rehearsal dinner, the groom’s parents may want to do something separate and special for the invitations. The design can be anything from formal, engraved invitations to informal fold-outs. They can also be ordered from a stationer or they can be created at home. One of the greatest things about rehearsal dinner invitations is that there aren’t a lot of rules attached to them!

What to Include

Wedding announcements can be sent by the parents of the bride or the parents of both the bride and the groom. They can also be as informal or as formal as you would like them to be so although there are some things that you must include, you can also get a little more creative with these announcements than you may have been with your other wedding stationery. Because the wedding announcements not only inform people that you have gotten married but they also let people know if you have changed your name as well as what your new address is, they need to always include: the name of the bride and groom, with the bride’s maiden name listed; the new address; the date of the ceremony; and the location of the ceremony. You can also include some details of the ceremony to make the announcements more personal.

From the Bride’s Parents

Traditionally the bride’s parents are the ones to send the announcement. This is a sample of a wedding announcement from the bride’s parents with a formal tone:

Victoria and Peter Smith
have the honor of announcing
the marriage of their daughter,
Kathryn,
To
Mr. Brent Thomas Elliott
on Saturday, the 16th of August
2008
Little Rock Church
Little Rock, Arkansas

But even if tradition states that the bride’s parents send the wedding announcement, it doesn’t state that it must be formal. If your parents wish to send the announcement but want to keep it within a fun tone to fit a fun wedding, they may wish to word it differently such as,

“Kathryn and Brent just got back from the beach…
….where they eloped!”

Just be sure that all the other important information is included as well. If the groom’s parents wish to send the wedding announcements and the bride’s parents are in agreement with that, the same formats can be followed but the groom’s parents’ names would be placed at the top of the announcement and the son’s name would be announced first.

From the Couple

It’s also perfectly acceptable for you to send the wedding announcements with your fiancé and this is a very popular choice among couples who have just returned from eloping. These too can be either formal or informal, depending on which you prefer and the tone of wedding you had. Here’s a sample of a wedding announcement sent by the couple:

“We’re so excited to tell you…
We got married!!!
On a beautiful day, on a beautiful mountaintop,
Tamara Morgan and Michael Lavery
began a beautiful marriage!
The ceremony was held on
June 7, 2008
Although you couldn’t be there, please know you were in our thoughts as we started
our lives together!”