Are you getting married soon? Here are 6 things to consider when it comes to shopping for wedding invitations.
Top 3 wedding invitation tips
1. Know your time line
Start shopping as soon as you've set a wedding date. Invitation turnaround times start at two weeks, but typically take longer with boutique invitation makers or for large orders. If you choose a backordered paper stock or add-ons, such as appliqué or ribbon, it could take months of waiting before production can even start.
2. Narrow down the style and format
Start by thinking about your dream, price-isn't-even-an-issue invitation. Would it be traditional, with crisp black text on a heavy cotton parchment? Or artsy, with hand-lettered calligraphy on hand-pressed Japanese paper? Or an eco-friendly option printed in soy ink on biodegradable, seed-impregnated paper meant to be planted in the garden after reading?
Maybe your ideal invitation – particularly if you have a small guest list – isn't even a paper invitation. It might be a pair of flip-flops with a postcard directing guests to the website or Facebook page where you've posted the details of your destination wedding.
Find inspiration in bridal magazines, event invitations you've received in the past, or on the web.
3. Set your budget
Next, consider your print run and budget. Invitations cost from $1 each (custom postcards without reply cards) up to $30 or more per four-piece invitation set.
Do some cursory research online and through word of mouth to find potential invitation makers fitting your general style and budget. Make appointments to meet with consultants or designers to look at samples, discuss your project and set a realistic budget.
Page 1 of 2 - Have invitations added to your list of wedding anxieties? Learn three more tips for handling RSVPs on page 2.
