Get Wedding Invitations Quickly: A Stress-Free Guide

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, so it's important to get them right. There are many options available, from hand-crafted calligraphy to digital designs, and it can be a lengthy process to get them ordered, sealed, and delivered. If you're looking to get your wedding invitations quickly, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider the timing. It's recommended to send out save-the-dates 8-12 months in advance for a destination wedding and 4-10 months for a local wedding. Wedding invitations should be sent out 8-10 weeks before the wedding, so aim to order them 4-5 months in advance. This will give you enough time to compare different stationers and choose the best option for your budget and style preferences. If you're short on time, consider using a website to design your invitations. Many websites offer a wide range of customizable templates, and some even provide free samples and consultations. DIY wedding invitations are also a budget-friendly option if you're comfortable with a little crafting. You can find downloadable templates online and print them at home or use a printing service.

DIY wedding invitations

There are many ways to create DIY wedding invitations, and it can be a fun and budget-friendly alternative to professional printing. Here are some steps and tips to help you create your own invitations:

Planning and Design

Before you begin designing, it's important to know your wedding style and colour palette. This will help guide the overall look and feel of your invitations. Consider whether your wedding will be formal or casual, modern or boho, and choose colours that complement your theme.

Next, decide on the wording and information to include. Traditionally, wedding invitations include the couple's names, wedding date, time, venue name, location, dress code, and whether a reception will follow. You may also want to include a response card or RSVP, enclosure or details card, and map or direction information.

When it comes to the design itself, you can use online tools such as Canva to create your invitations. Play around with different fonts, colours, and layouts until you find something that suits your style. You can also search for downloadable templates or work with a graphic designer to create a semi-custom or fully custom design.

Printing and Assembly

After finalising your design, it's time to think about printing. If you're printing at home, consider the thickness of the paper you'll be using, as many home printers struggle with thicker cardstock. Test print your design on different types of paper to ensure the colours and text look as intended.

If you don't want to print at home, you can use online printing services or local print shops, such as FedEx, Staples, UPS, or Vistaprint. These options often provide faster turnaround times and higher-quality printing than home printers.

Once your invitations are printed, it's time to assemble them. Consider adding embellishments such as wax seals, ribbons, or envelope liners. You can also include a QR code for your wedding website or RSVP. Use a paper cutter or craft paper cutter for clean edges, and glue dots or double-sided tape for a neat finish.

Postage and Mailing

Finally, take your fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed and to calculate the correct postage. You may also want to consider hand-cancelling your envelopes to avoid any potential damage during mailing.

Creating DIY wedding invitations can be a fun and creative process, but it's important to plan and test your designs before committing to printing and assembly. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to ask for help from friends or family!

Online templates

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get your wedding invitations done, online templates are a great option. There are many websites that offer customizable wedding invitation templates, with some even offering free templates. These templates can be personalized with your wedding details, and you can also change the fonts, colours, and images to suit your style. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your wedding invitations done quickly using online templates:

Step 1: Find a Reputable Website

Start by finding a reputable website that offers wedding invitation templates. Some popular options include Minted, Zola, Artifact Uprising, Zazzle, Etsy, Shutterfly, and Adobe Express. These websites offer a variety of templates to choose from, with different styles, themes, and customisation options.

Step 2: Choose Your Template

Browse through the website's selection of templates and choose one that fits your wedding theme and style. Consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding, and choose a template that hints at what your guests can expect on the big day. Whether you're going for a rustic, elegant, modern, or whimsical theme, there are templates to suit every taste.

Step 3: Customise Your Invitation

Once you've chosen your template, it's time to customise it! Add your wedding details, such as the couple's names, wedding date, time, and venue information. You can also personalise the fonts, colours, and images to make the invitation truly yours. Many websites offer easy-to-use editing tools that allow you to drag and drop elements, change colours, and upload your own photos.

Step 4: Download and Print

After customising your invitation, it's time to download it. Most websites will allow you to download your invitation as a high-resolution JPEG or PDF file. You can then choose to print the invitations yourself at home or use a professional printing service. Some websites even offer printing services, making it even more convenient.

Step 5: Assemble and Send

If you've printed the invitations yourself, it's now time to assemble them. Carefully cut the invitations to size, and consider using paper cutters for a clean finish. You can use glue dots or double-stick tape for a neat finish. Finally, take your invitations to the post office to mail them out. It's recommended to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date.

Using online templates is a cost-effective and time-efficient way to create beautiful wedding invitations. With a variety of customisation options, you can design invitations that truly reflect your style and personality. So, if you're looking for a quick and stress-free way to get your wedding invitations done, online templates are definitely worth considering!

Choosing a stationer

• Start early: It's recommended to order your wedding invitations six months in advance. This will give you enough time to find the right stationer, design the invitations, and have them printed and delivered on time.
• Know your wedding style: Decide on the style and colour scheme of your wedding before choosing a stationer. This will help you select a stationer who can create invitations that match your wedding's theme and aesthetic.
• Consider your budget: Wedding invitations can range from a few dollars to over a thousand dollars, depending on the design, materials, and quantity. Decide on your budget beforehand so you can choose a stationer that fits within your price range.
• Look for customization options: Choose a stationer who offers customization options so you can personalize your invitations. This includes adding your wedding colours, fonts, and other design elements that reflect your style.
• Read reviews: Research and read reviews of different stationers to get an idea of their quality, customer service, and timeliness. Reading reviews from previous customers can give you valuable insights into their work ethic and attention to detail.
• Ask for samples: Request samples from potential stationers to evaluate the quality of their work. This will allow you to see and feel the invitations before making a final decision.
• Communication and customer service: Choose a stationer who is responsive, communicates effectively, and provides excellent customer service. This is important in case you need to make changes, have specific requests, or need assistance during the design process.
• Experience and expertise: Look for a stationer who has experience in creating wedding invitations and understands the latest trends and etiquette. An experienced stationer will be able to guide you through the process and ensure that your invitations are both beautiful and functional.
• Printing options: Depending on your preferences and budget, consider stationers who offer different printing options such as letterpress, foil stamping, or digital printing.
• Additional services: Some stationers provide additional services such as envelope addressing, assembly, and shipping. If you want a more hands-off approach, look for a stationer who can handle these additional tasks.

Remember to take your time when choosing a stationer, as they will play a crucial role in setting the tone and style of your wedding invitations.

Printing options

Printing your wedding invitations at home is a cost-effective option for couples who are comfortable with a bit of DIY. There are many downloadable templates available online, which can be customised and printed at home. This is a good option if you're looking to get your wedding invitations done quickly.

There are a few different printing options available for couples looking to print their wedding invitations. These include:

• Print-at-home: This option allows you to print your invitations from the comfort of your own home. You can find many downloadable templates online, which can be customised to fit your wedding's style and theme. However, it's important to consider the cost of ink and paper, as well as any other embellishments you may want to add.
• Online printing services: There are many online printing services that offer wedding invitation printing, such as Minted, Zola, Artifact Uprising, and Vistaprint. These services typically provide a wide range of templates to choose from, as well as customisation options. They also often offer faster production times, with some services offering standard shipping within 5-7 business days.
• Local print shops: Another option is to use a local print shop to print your wedding invitations. This can be a good option if you want more control over the paper and printing options. Local print shops can also often provide advice on the best paper and printing options for your design.
• Calligraphers: If you're looking for a more traditional option, you could consider using a calligrapher to address your wedding invitations. This can be a more time-consuming option, but it adds a beautiful, personal touch to your invitations.

When choosing a printing option, it's important to consider your budget, timeline, and the level of customisation you require. It's also a good idea to order samples or create a prototype before committing to a large order, to ensure that you're happy with the final product.

Mailing and postage

Now that you've designed and printed your wedding invitations, it's time to send them out! Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure that your invitations reach your guests without a hitch:

Organise Your Stationery

First, organise your stationery so that it's properly placed inside each envelope. The order in which you assemble the contents of your invitation suite may vary depending on the specific components you've chosen to include. As a general rule, place larger items at the back and layer the smaller pieces on top, with the invitation itself as the topmost item.

Determine Postage

Before purchasing a ton of wedding stamps, determine the exact amount of postage required, which could be more than the cost of a basic Forever stamp. Take one fully assembled invitation, complete with all its enclosures and envelopes, to the post office and have it weighed by a postal clerk. The price for mailing one invitation should be the same for the others.

Secure Your Envelopes

Licking the adhesive liner on a huge stack of envelopes is not only tiring but also unhygienic. Instead, moisten the envelope adhesive with a cotton swab or paintbrush to ensure it's properly secured. If your invitations are bulky or the envelope adhesive isn't working effectively, you can place your invitations under a heavy book or paperweight to reinforce the closure. As a last resort, consider using an additional adhesive such as a glue stick or double-sided tape, keeping in mind that this may make it more challenging for your guests to open their invitations.

Add Sufficient Postage

It's advisable to add sufficient postage before dropping off your wedding invitations at the post office. Arriving without stamps and hoping to mail your invites on the same day may result in a compromise in aesthetics and a higher cost for postage if stamps in smaller denominations are unavailable. Having your invitations ready to mail will also make your interaction with the postal clerk more efficient.

Hand-Cancelling

If your invitations are bulky or contain embellishments on the outer envelope, such as ribbon, twine, or wax seals, consider requesting the hand-cancelling service. Hand-cancelling involves manually marking or crossing out the stamp to prevent reuse, reducing the number of machines your invitation goes through and minimising potential damage. There may be a small additional fee per envelope for this service, and it will also take more time, so prepare for a longer wait at the post office.

International Invitations

If you're mailing invitations to international guests, double-check the postage requirements and restrictions on the USPS website. Mailing wedding invitations internationally is more expensive and may take longer to reach their destination due to customs clearance and shipping delays. Provide a digital RSVP option for international guests to expedite their response and alleviate the need for additional postage.

Timing

Mail your wedding invitations 8-12 weeks before your wedding. For destination weddings, it's advisable to mail them earlier, allowing ample time for travel arrangements. Sending invitations too early, such as 4-5 months in advance, may result in guests forgetting to RSVP as they may not have finalised their travel plans yet.

Final Checks

Before taking your invitations to the post office, double-check all the details, including proofreading addresses. This essential step will give you and your future spouse peace of mind once your invites start their journey to your guests' mailboxes.

Extra Invitations

It's recommended to order extra invitations to account for potential losses in the mail or last-minute guest additions. Ordering a few extra invitations upfront is more cost-effective than reprinting individual invitations later.

Return Address Format

When addressing your envelopes, consider the placement of your return address. While it's customary to put the return address on the back flap of the envelope, this may confuse the postal machines. To avoid this, format your return address to ensure it's distinct from the guest address. For example, limit the return address to two lines, omit names, and place the zip code on the same line as the city and state.

Invitation Address Colours

The postal machines can read almost any colour except red and its variations, such as maroon or burgundy. Ensure your colours have enough contrast for legibility, and for best results, use darker inks (charcoal, navy, or black) on light-coloured envelopes.

Wax Seals and Square Envelopes

Wax seals and square envelopes may require what's called a "nonmachinable surcharge" because they can't go through the postal machines and require hand-cancelling of the stamps. This currently costs an additional $0.20 per envelope.

Post Office Choice

Not all post offices are created equal. Some may be more familiar with wedding invitation processes and have more accommodating staff. Consider checking in with different local post offices and choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Mailing wedding invitations can be a tricky process, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can ensure your invitations reach their intended recipients without any issues. Following the above guidelines will help you navigate the postal system and get your invitations delivered efficiently and securely.

Frequently asked questions