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Okay, so weddings are beautiful and fun etc etc, but they’re also stressful and insanely expensive. No matter how small you keep it, the costs add up fast. And on top of that there are so many standards and trends we all end up following that everything starts to look like slight variations on the same theme.
I have a lot of experience with stationery. Honestly, too much. So I decided it was finally time to put all of my unsolicited advice in one place. I can’t help with how to cut venue costs or offer much other wedding advice besides saying elope! quickly! But I can share some tips to make invitations less expensive, or at least help you get more bang for your buck.
So for anyone deep in the chaos of planning, curious for their future self, or already planning their next marriage (jkjk), it’s time to cue up the Dixie Cups to set the mood, pop a Xanax for those currently in a wedding stress spiral, and let me take the wheel. I’m here to help you get your invitations in order.
To cut costs, taking on more of the production can usually save some money. That said, I understand why people shy away from this option.
When I say the options are vast, I mean the size of the ocean vast. There are literally millions of templates floating around the internet, and how do you find a good one in that sea? Kind of impossible.
I’ve spent, for fun and maybe out of a bit of masochism, a lot of time looking. Here are some options I think are great. Also some of the more simple templates have an opportunity to add a little color and fun. I love this invitation from Jenn Murray’s wedding, along with great inspo by Bernard Maisner and Henri Matisse.
Most are in Canva or Canva-like programs and are usually pretty easy to update. Some would require adding a font to the beautiful backdrop. The costs of templates vary from a few dollars to a few hundred depending on whether you want the designer to input your information or do it yourself. Some also offer printing services which I’ve indicated below.
Please Note: I may earn a commission on a few products purchased through links in this newsletter.
1. Custom Illustration Save the Date Digital Download | Ten Story $338*
2. Fleur Designed Digital Download Invite Suite | Good Gang Starting at $ 450*
3. Wild Ones Invite Suite Digital Template | A.M. Studio (My little studio with my friend Anni) $35
4.Handwritten Vintage Invite Suite Template | Wolf and Water Lab $16.18
5. Tomato Canopy Invite Template | Phthalo Ruth $10***
6. Custom Typed Out Invite | Hand Typed Boutique $9 per invitation suite**
7. Western Wedding Invite Suite Template | Lulloo $11.75
8. Swan Save the Date | Second Twin $12.99
9. Cupids Save the Date Digital Download | Ten Story $135
10. Formal Dinner Invite Template | Wonderfully Made 9.99 ***
11. Red Anthurium Illustration Border Digital Download | Lyrah Studio 31.73 ****
12. Modern Save the Date Digital Template | Second Twin $12.99
13. Vintage Bird Invite Suite Template | 37b Designs $ 8.08
* Fully designed by studio, can be printed for an additional cost
** Fully designed by studio includes printing!
*** Repurposing template for other occasion
**** Border design only, invitation would need to be designed
So now you have filled out the invite. You’ve got some options. I’ve broken it down into good, better and best scenarios.
We are going to go to the local print shop and get the thickest uncoated paper they offer and digitally print.
For a little whimsy you can get a fun colored envelope like one of these.
You can also print at home but this is a worthy corner to cut. Have FedEx Office print and trim your invitations. It is money well spent.
For the level up we are going to get a fancier paper like this. You can print at a local shop, just confirm their printer is compatible.
Another option here is letterpress which can stay relatively inexpensive if you keep it to one color.
There are so many great boutique print shops that offer this service. I love Inkello based in my home state of Kansas. Christy doesn’t know I’m shouting her out but she is a true craftsperson with competitive pricing that ships all over.
This is when we get into multicolored letterpress and foil stamps, etching, die cuts and engravings. Most specialty shops offer this or can point you to someone who does.
The best route here to get the sparkle is to do a one color foil. I think engraving, while beautiful, can often be accomplished by letterpress to get a custom feel.
Maybe you don’t want to fit within the mold. Why do you have to? A wedding is about you and your partner ultimately, and the more authentic you can be to yourselves the better.
I’ve always loved that ScarJo and Colin Jost reportedly sent their wedding invitations as simple handwritten note cards. Some people might clutch their pearls, but if I got something like that in the mail, I would love it and remember it forever.
Do what you think is fun and interesting. Ultimately, all an invitation has to include is the information people need to show up.
The big positive of doing something outside the wedding world is that the wedding surcharge is removed.
What if you love going to diners? Get a guest check booklet and fill it out with your information.
Postcards from your favorite museum or shared interest? A library checkout card? All incredibly simple, out of the box options.
I’ve also always loved matches and lighters as a save the date, but beware you can’t ship them internationally and they must go ground shipping.
Maybe you’re inspired by Balenciaga and do a printed receipt. A cool template found here.
The more you can think of something meaningful to you and the person you are marrying, the more it sets a tone of authenticity, which I think is always at the heart of good design and life.
I have never been a Minted gal, mostly because I never tried them, but I have received many in the mail for weddings and holiday cards.
My main complaint is the thickness. One of the telltale signs of luxury printing is the weight of the paper and the texture.
After doing some digging I found they offer 2x and 3x duplexing for weight and some uncoated papers, which made me take a second look.
So my advice here is if you are going to use Minted, get the extra weight of duplexing. It will give the invitations a completely different and more luxe feel.
Also the huge upside is that they print everything for you. So it seems like a great option and I have found some suites that I really love below.
I know I’ve just gone on (and on) about printed stationery, but honestly there are some really great digital invites out there by some of the best artists in the business (and some of Substack’s finest), including Carly Kuhn, Annie Atkins , and Kelly Wearstler .
If you are short on time, money or patience it may be the best thing you can do for yourself.
It tracks RSVPs, shows opens, sends reminders. It is basically your wedding invitation assistant.
If the whole invitation process is starting to feel overwhelming let this option sink in for a minute and look at some of the beautiful options on the market.
We are always trying to do the most and push to make everything perfect. Ultimately what you remember are the experiences with your partner, friends/family and the drunk wedding date that showed up unannounced.
So yes a pretty invitation is great, but take the pressure off. I stand ten toes down on any of these options.
If you want a bit more guidance, I’ll be opening my chat to subscribers with office hours where I can answer your burning printing and paper questions. I can’t wait.
Thank you so much for reading. If you want to support my letter you can do so by liking, sharing or subscribing. It truly helps so much.
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