Wedding stationary can get pretty expensive; well over $600 is about the average for just the invites and reply cards (for about 150 invites). Invitations can run anywhere from $1 (if you make them yourself) to $10 (hand-engraved lettering on 120 lb. cardstock). Costs start to really add up depending on wat you want to include in the invitation package. Here is a full list of items you can (but don't have to) include:
*Invitations (sometimes preceeded by a Save the Date card)
*RSVP card and envelope
*Reception cards (if reception is held at a different site than the ceremony)
*Direction cards
*Accommodation cards (for out of town guests or destination wedding)
*Seating cards (indicating the guest's table)
*Placecards (indicating guest's seat at specific table)
*Menu cards
*Wedding Programs
My recommendations:
-Order invitations and RSVP cards only, and create a wedding website to direct guests to for every minute detail they need. Make another insert with the site address and all the features they can find there (I'll address wedding websites in the next posting).
-Create an RSVP postcard instead of card and envelope; this will make the invitation package weight lighter (thus making the postage less money), and cost you less in postage (postcard postage is currently only 28 cents).
Here is a list of printing methods for invitations, from most expensive to budget:
Engraving A metal die is cut with lettering and applied against paper, resulting in raised lettering and an indented back surface. This method can be hand or machine engraved.
Letterpress Letters are pressed deep into the paper, giving the invitations a beautiful texture.
Thermography Resin powder is added to wet ink and heated to form raised lettering; it's a way cheper alternative to engraving.
Lithography The
inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. The finish is completely flat.
Home Printer The least expensive way to go. Laser or inkjet printers only print flat (no raised letters).
I shopped around for quite a while, looking at different printers and stationers (both online and in person) to find the best priced services for each printing method. Then I decided what would be the nicest way to go while staying within my budget. What you decide to spend is completely up to you; just make sure you're comfortable with how much (or how little) you're spending, and that you're happy with what your invitations look like. After much deliberation, I went with thermographic invitations from a well-known online stationer.
My savings were phenominal (around $275 for 100 invitations & envelopes, RSVP cards & envelopes, and wedding website info cards), and they look great; but remember, you get what you pay for: the paper weight is pretty light (around only 100lbs.), so they feel just a little flimsy. But they look great, and the weight difference is negligible to anyone who doesn't know much about papers (i.e., most people). Anyway, the money I saved on the stationary can go to the things I really want (music, wine and food).
Thanks for reading, I hope this was a helpful intro to wedding stationary!
Have more wedding planning questions? Email me!
ninnybride@yahoo.com
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