Selecting invitations is an essential step in wedding planning. Invitations hint at your upcoming wedding design, provide crucial details about the event and spread the excitement to your loved ones.
You have many considerations to make when choosing wedding invitations, from styles to fonts and phrasing. The invitations are your guests’ first glimpse of your big day, making each choice important.
We’re here to help. Read on for advice on how to choose wedding invitations.
6 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Invitations
Extra planning and research can help you select the best wedding invitations for your upcoming celebration. If you need guidance in getting started, here are some tips:
1. Create a Timeline
One of your first steps should be setting a schedule for invitations. It’s best to set a specific date for sending them out. Establishing a clear schedule can help you stay organized and on track throughout the process.
The timeline should give guests sufficient time to consult their calendars and RSVP. Some of your guests might have to take off work or book accommodations, making it essential to give them ample time. Many send invitations about six to eight weeks before the wedding to meet this need. However, the schedule is ultimately up to you and your partner. Avoid sending them many months in advance, which makes it easier for guests to lose track of time.
Once you select a shipping date, you can identify how much time you have to choose designs. For instance, if your wedding date is June 1, you might send invitations in the first week of April. That means you have until April to finalize your designs and complete the ordering process.
2. Set a Budget
After identifying a timeline, you should set a budget for the invitations. Weddings include many expenses, from purchasing wine to selecting desserts and renting the venue. Remember to specify a budget for your invitations, too. That way, you can stay within your overall monetary guidelines. Couples usually reserve 2% of their budget for stationery, which includes invitations as well as menus, thank-you cards and other items.
Invitation prices can vary widely, so setting a budget beforehand can make the selection process easier. For instance, you might request to only look at invitations within a certain price range. Your total cost will depend on factors like:
- Printing style: You can choose from various printing styles to find the best option that suits your preferences. For instance, you could choose digital, foil stamping or letterpress. Different options will vary in price.
- Vendor: As you browse invitation vendors, you might notice a wide range of pricing options. Some might offer special deals or bulk opportunities, while others might price by individual cards.
- Guest list size: Your number of guests will also affect your expense. The more guests you have, the higher your cost becomes. In addition to purchasing more invitation cards, you also have to buy more packaging materials.
- Location: Your location and that of your guests affect shipping costs. If your guests live nearby, your shipping costs will likely be lower. But if you reside a significant distance away from them, you might have to pay additional fees for shipment.
- Card specifications: The card dimensions, fonts and designs can also impact your fees. Basic designs or templates will probably cost less than customized ones.
3. Research Styles
With a timeline and budget in mind, you can explore various invitation styles. With so many designs available, choosing the right style can take some time. Invitation designs consist of:
- Fonts
- Patterns and images
- Dimensions
- Messaging
Many couples choose to incorporate their overall wedding aesthetic into the invitations. For instance, your style can reflect factors like:
- Your wedding theme: Your theme connects all the different aspects of your wedding into a unified vision. You might select a rustic, garden or beach theme. You can integrate this concept into your invitations by using images or fonts that reflect it.
- Your wedding color scheme: Your wedding likely has a color scheme to accompany its theme. The color scheme usually consists of at least two shades and is incorporated into different decorations. You can select invitations that reflect this color palette.
- Your wedding venue: You can also reflect your venue in the invitations. For instance, you could use a minimalistic design to display a warehouse or brewery setting. Or, use flowers and rustic designs to reflect a countryside wedding.
- Your engagement photos: Some couples integrate a photo or two from their engagement shoot into their wedding invitations. This addition creates a deeply personal invitation and a sentimental display for whoever you’re inviting.
A wedding planner can also help you narrow down style options and recommend the best designs.
4. Explore Printing Options
You should also research different printing options for invitations. Your chosen style impacts your invitation’s appearance and cost. Exploring different types can help you make the ideal selection for your needs.
These are a few printing options:
- Digital printing: Digital printing is a cost-effective and versatile option. Digital printers are simple to use and can produce a wide range of colors and images.
- Letterpress printing: The letterpress style uses metal plates to press ink onto paper. After this process is completed, it leaves a textured impression behind. Manufacturers often print letterpress on thick paper, adding an extra tactile feeling for guests when they receive them.
- Foil stamping: Foil stamping works similarly to letterpress printing. It uses metal plates to press foil onto paper, creating a shiny and attractive appearance.
- Engraving: Engraving gives your letters depth on the page. Manufacturers fill a die with ink and press it onto the paper to establish this style.
As you research different types, you can also consider how it would impact the invitation’s overall aesthetic and style. Think about their prices and how they would fit into your budget, as well.
5. Request Samples
Another excellent strategy for selecting wedding invitations is to ask for samples. Most vendors will provide free samples of your desired designs. That way, you can view the invitations firsthand and determine how well they fit your vision. You can order a variety of samples from different companies to explore different options. Or, you could ask for several colors to narrow down your choices. Requesting samples is also a great way to view vendors’ communication styles and customer service skills.
6. Proofread Again and Again
Proofreading is essential during the wedding invitation process. The invitations contain crucial details about your event, from the wedding time to the venue’s address. Even the slightest mistake could confuse your guests, making wedding planning more challenging.
It’s best to proofread your invitations on several occasions to ensure they’re correct. It would help if you also had multiple people check them to get separate perspectives. Set aside additional time in your schedule for proofreading. Once you’re sure everything is exact, you can order your invites and send them out.
Wedding Invitation Ideas
Looking closely at individual wedding themes and designs can help you find the best option for you and your partner. Here are some popular wedding themes and how they could incorporate into your invitations:
- Rustic: Rustic-style weddings are a staple option for weddings. This theme features natural and organic decorations. The weddings often occur outside in venues like barns or farms. Rustic weddings provide a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, making them popular for many. You could make your invitations reflect a rustic theme by using a wood design, imagery of the outdoors or other glimpses of your decorations.
- Vintage: Vintage weddings reflect the celebrations of previous decades. You could select a particular decade that aligns with your style and preferences. For example, a 1920s wedding might display the period’s glamorous parties and outlandish fashion. You can integrate your vintage style into the wedding invitations, too. To keep with the 1920s example, you could use art deco-inspired graphics or images of fountains, lights or other party-based imagery. These pictures give guests an idea of what to expect at your wedding.
- Modern: Modern weddings feature chic and contemporary styles. They often include black, white and other neutral colors, and simple, elegant arrangements. Your invitations are an excellent opportunity to reflect a modern design. You could use a minimalist design with a black-and-white or monochrome color scheme. You could also incorporate a clean design with even lines and spacing to display the understated design further.
- Beach: Many couples dream of beachfront weddings. You can excite your guests about the upcoming event by incorporating a beachy design into your invitations. Use ocean-related imagery, like shells or waves, to reflect the location. For a subtle take on the design, use calming, light shades of blue and green.
FAQs About Choosing Wedding Invitations
You have many considerations to make while choosing wedding invitations. The more you understand the process, the more confident you will feel while you craft the invitations. Here are some frequently asked questions about invitation selection and helpful answers:
1. Is It Cheaper to Buy Wedding Invitations or Make Them?
An alternative to purchasing wedding invitations from a vendor is making them yourself. You can use your own materials and applications like Photoshop to create designs instead of hiring a vendor. DIY invitations are an excellent option if you need to stay within a certain budget or if you’re having a smaller celebration. They are often less expensive than purchasing invitations because you avoid vendor fees and other related costs.
However, you might only save a significant amount of money if you already have design materials on hand. You would need materials like:
- Cardstock
- Cutting tools
- Embellishments, like lace or ribbon
- Envelopes
- A printer
- Ink
You also need to consider the extra time needed to prepare invitations on your own. Overall, DIY invitations can be a more cost-effective option, but only if they fit into your resources and available time.
2. What Is a Reasonable Amount to Spend on Wedding Invitations?
The average cost for invitations is between $400 and $650 for most weddings. This cost consists of all invitation-related expenses, including:
- Save-the-date pamphlets
- Invitation design costs
- Materials for invitations
- RSVP cards
- Packaging expenses
- Shipping fees
Your overall expenses will depend on the specific techniques you use during the process along with your guest list size and design. Whether you also choose printed envelopes or plain ones and mailing services also impacts the price.
3. Do Your Wedding Invitations Have to Match Your Ceremony Colors?
It’s not required to match your invitations’ color scheme with your wedding’s color scheme. However, most couples choose to sync the colors. That way, they can establish the mood and theme of the celebration months in advance. This strategy also makes it easier to narrow down design options.
4. How Many Months Before the Wedding Should You Send Invitations?
General practice is to send wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before your wedding. This time frame has benefits like:
- You give guests enough time to plan: Six to eight weeks is a sufficient amount of time for guests to plan for attendance. They can request time off work and arrange travel plans to ensure they make it on time.
- You can request RSVPs sooner: Sending the invitations around eight weeks in advance also allows you to receive RSVPs more quickly. Many couples request that guests return RSVPs around two to four weeks before the wedding. Then, you use the responses to finalize attendance numbers and seating charts.
- You keep the date fresh: While sending invitations, it’s important to find a balance between sending them too early or too late. If you send them too far ahead of time, guests might lose the date or be unable to plan. Between six and eight weeks is an excellent timeline for guests. The wedding is soon enough that the date remains fresh in their mind, but far enough that they have sufficient time to plan.
In some cases, you might want to send invitations earlier. Destination weddings, such as at a beach resort, might need more advanced notice. That way, guests have enough time to plan for travel and lodging.
5. How Can You Say BYOB on Wedding Invitations?
Another essential consideration for your wedding is alcohol. Many couples serve various types of alcohol at their weddings, from the initial champagne toast to wine served at dinner. If you decide to provide alcohol at your celebration, you face considerations like:
- Drink types: From beer and wine to champagne and hard alcohol, you have many options for your wedding. Your selection should depend on your overall preferences and your budget. You could also pick specific types that match your theme or food.
- Quantity: You should also think about how much alcohol to purchase. It’s important to have enough for all guests, but not buy so much that you have many leftover bottles.
- Bar availability: Some weddings also feature bars for ongoing drink services. Open bars provide unlimited access to drinks, while cash bars require guests to pay.
- Price: If you supply the alcohol, this adds an extra fee to your overall wedding expenses. However, many vendors provide affordable and bulk options for weddings, cutting your cost significantly.
If you want to feature alcohol at your wedding but are concerned about budget constraints, a great option is to encourage guests to bring their own drinks. BYOB weddings allow guests to select their drinks and remove significant financial pressure from the couple. Just check in with your venue to see if your guests can bring their own alcoholic beverages and if there are any restrictions.
You should alert guests ahead of time that your wedding will be BYOB. You can include a small description on your invitation to explain the situation, like, “This is a BYOB celebration.” Or, you can say that you’ll be serving a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, but guests are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages of their choice. That way, your visitors can plan accordingly and purchase their desired drinks before the big day.
Order Wedding Wine and Spirits From Marketview Liquor Today
From wondering how you choose your wedding invitations to planning an alcohol supply, your wedding has many important considerations. If you’re seeking a wine and liquor supplier for your wedding, choose Marketview Liquor. We offer an extensive inventory of wine and liquor, all at competitive prices. We can help you create the perfect wedding, from an unforgettable champagne toast to delectable wine sipping.
To get started with Marketview Liquor, browse our online selection today.
