With a little creativity, there are a number of ways you can reduce the amount of money you spend on wedding invitations.  It’s not complicated, and you’ll quickly realize what your priorities are.

First and foremost, if you want to do both a save the date and a wedding ensemble, the first thing I suggest to brides is to keep the save the date as simple as possible.  Yes, it does “set the tone” for your wedding day, but you don’t want to do an over-the-top save the date that will overshadow your main invitation.  The invitation is what you REALLY want people to remember.  So save your money!

Printing Techniques:
The three most common types of invitations are Engraved, Thermographed or Letterpress.

Engraving was once known as the most prestigious of all printing processes (until Letterpress made its comeback!).  Engraved
invitations use plates, that are created uniquely for each invitation set.  The plates are placed below the paper, and a machine sandwiches
them in to create the raised lettering and ink.

Thermography is a more cost-effective way to get a “raised” ink. Basically, a resin-like powder is heated to create the raised letters on the invitation.  It is currently the most popular choice for wedding invitations because of its value and quality, particularly for smaller quantities (under 150 invitations).

Letterpress is hands-down my most favorite printing technique. The wording is stamped into the paper on a letterpress machine (and is often done with an antique machine and someone hand-cranking each invitation).   The best part of Letterpress is that it is mostly done on thick, handmade papers.  There is nothing more fabulous than a letterpressed wedding invitation.  And, if you stick to a one-color design, and need a larger quantity (125 or more invitations) you might be surprised to see they are actually a well-priced option.

There are many beautiful wedding invitations that use flat printing (also known as lithography).  You can even print them on your own laser or ink-jet printer.  However, BEWARE. I have had more than a handful of teary-eyed brides come into my store after spending weeks creating their own invitations, only to realize it is a complete disaster. It was both a waste of their time and their money.

Dare to do it yourself???
When a bride comes in to look at Envelopments (a create “do-it-yourself” paper company), I always tell them the same thing. Do NOT print your own invitations.  Unless you are a graphic designer, let a professional do your layout and printing.  That being said, assembling your own invitations often involves only a few rolls of double-sided tape, a couple of friends and a good movie.  It’s both a time and cost-effective solution.

Tips and Tricks:
If you are trying to keep your costs down, the first thing you should avoid is ribbon.  The second thing you should avoid is using multiple layers.  Both will cause your prices to quickly skyrocket.  Some manufacturers charge $1.50 PER invitation to add a flat ribbon or bow.  The next thing that will certainly add cost is using more than one ink color. Thermography companies usually charge $85 - $150 to add a second ink color.  Engraved and letterpressed invitations are at least $200 for a second ink color.  But, if you must have that second ink color, use it on the main invitation only.  The RSVP card gets mailed away, and your guests don’t get to keep it….so don’t pay for any extra bells and whistles on your RSVP card.  Wish you could have a two-layer invitation to add an extra dimension?  Consider keeping it one-layer, but add a fabulous envelope liner.  William Arthur is one company who has VERY affordable envelope liners (most are less than $80 for 100!).

Motifs and monograms are the best way to make an invitation “yours.” And, when you use motifs that are in the manufacturers’ albums, there is no additional charge.  You can put your monogram on all of the pieces of your ensemble — including the envelope — and you won’t pay extra as long as the ink color is the same as the text on your invitation.  In fact, if you want a hydrangea, a monogram AND a swoosh, you can add them all at no extra charge (not sure how they’ll all look together, but they won’t cost extra!).

The components:
Most wedding ensembles include an invitation, a reception card, and a reply set.  I have had a lot of couples this year who are having the wedding and the reception at the same location.  Emily Post would probably tell them they should still have a reception card. I do try to follow proper etiquette when advising brides, but also take into account “modern situations.”  You can definitely skip the reception card and add “Dinner and dancing to follow” or “The celebration continues after the ceremony” to the bottom of the invitation, which will save you from paying for a reception card.  A great trick with response sets is to do an RSVP postcard. This is a GREAT way to save money with letterpress invitations because you won’t have to get an RSVP card and an envelope made.  Many of our brides used RSVP postcards last year, with no issues! 4″x6″ is the preferred size.  Need a directions/accommodations card?  Use some pretty vellum and print that piece yourself. Buy 8 1/2″ x 11″ vellum and you can fit 4 or 6 direction cards per piece!  And, because GPS and online mapping sites are so popular, skip the directions and stick to specific street addresses and locations.

What NOT to skip:
When you first sit down to look at wedding invitations, I advise brides to focus on what they don’t like.  It’ll be easier to narrow things down and you’ll quickly focus in on what you DO like!  An experienced invitation consultant can guide you through motifs, envelope liners, color options and all of the extra charges. The one thing you should NEVER skip is a proof.  They are usually about $20 for your entire ensemble, and will guarantee your invitation will look exactly like you imagined.

Favorite Wedding Designers in 2009:

www.smockpaper.com — my #1 favorite because they are letterpressed AND eco-friendly
www.dauphinepress.com
www.williamarthur.com
www.wileyvalentine.com
www.crazydaisydesign.com
www.envelopments.com
www.thehappyenvelope.com
www.lusciousverde.com
www.pagestationery.com
www.lindaandharriett.com