Wedding Invitations 101

Your wedding invitations are important pieces of your wedding. In the strictest sense, no invitations means a person cannot attend your wedding unless they are there as someone’s date. It is a simple yet great way to trim your wedding list and keep the numbers down.

Invitations reflect the theme of your wedding and the kind of wedding you will have. A formal looking, very elegant invitation tells your guests that this is indeed a formal affair. The colors you use will give them an idea.

Now all couples have budget constraints. You have to decide which items you will spend on and which ones you can save on. The invitation ranks high on the expense scale if the couple doesn’t watch it since like the food, the cost goes up exponentially with each additional frill.

So here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your invitations:

First, trim down your guest list! You’ll hear this over and over. Keep the numbers down. The more guests you invite and have over, the bigger the expense. Control the numbers and you’ll be able to keep your expenses down.

Second, keep it simple. The fancier your invitations, the higher the cost will be. The price goes up the fancier your font, the more colors you use and the more expensive the paper you choose. Remember that less is more. Save the fancy stuff for your wedding dress and food for your reception. Your guests will not judge you based on the invitation.

Third, take the time to learn the lingo of printers. It helps to speak their language so that you know what exactly they mean when they talk with you. They are likely to offer you the most expensive options first, such as engraving, and not mention other options (assuming they are out to make money and not really to help you). Communicate with them using their terms and you may get a better deal.

Fourth, keep it light. We mean this literally. Choose paper that isn’t heavy or bulky. The thinner it is, the less expensive it is. It will also mean that the whole invitation will be lighter (no matter if you have an insert and a reply envelope inside) so it will cost you less to mail.

While we’re on the topic of mailing your invitations, instead of having a separate reply note with a self addressed envelope, why not just have a reply postcard? That will be less expensive for you.

Fifth, consider doing away with the extras. Many couples include lists such as the names of the entourage, a piece of poetry, save the date cards or directional maps. These may seem really nice, some may even be useful. Keep in mind however that every additional sheet is an additional charge to you. You might want to just include a phone number and URL for your website for any additional information that they need.

Sixth, shop around. There are bargains to be found everywhere. Your wedding planner/coordinator may sometimes be able to get you a better deal than going direct to a printer. Take the time to ask around and find out who can give you the best deal. You might even find that the best deals are online.

Lastly, feel free to make your invites yourself. Not everyone has the gift for crafts. If you are one of them feel free to dazzle your guests with your talent. It can save you quite a chunk and truly personalize your invitations at the same time.