Choosing The Perfect Wedding Invitation For Your Big Day

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will get of your special day, so it's important to get them right. From the paper type to the font, theme, sizing, inserts and cost, there's a lot to consider. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about choosing the perfect wedding invitation for your big day. We'll discuss different styles, themes, colours, and how to incorporate your personality into your invites. We'll also provide a timeline for sending out your invitations and offer tips on how to keep costs down. By the end, you should have all the information you need to pick wedding invitations that wow your guests and set the tone for your celebration.

Budgeting for invitations

Budgeting for wedding invitations can be tricky, but it is possible to find beautiful options that won't break the bank. Here are some tips to help you stay within your budget:

Compare Prices

Before placing an order, it's worth comparing prices from different vendors. Some popular options for inexpensive wedding invitations include Ann's Bridal Bargains, Zazzle, Minted, The Knot, and Vistaprint. You can also design your own invitations using software like Canva and then print them at places like Walgreens, CVS, or Snapfish during sales.

Choose All-in-One Invitations

All-in-one invitations combine the invitation, RSVP card, and other details onto a single sheet of paper or cardstock. This option can save you money on printing and assembly costs. They are also usually smaller and lighter, which can reduce postage expenses.

Skip the Extras

Consider skipping extra inserts like RSVP cards, direction cards, or maps. Instead, direct your guests to your wedding website for all the necessary information. This will help you save on both printing and postage costs.

Standard Paper Stock

Opting for the standard paper stock offered by the vendor can help you save money. Often, the standard option still has excellent quality, and you may not need to upgrade to a heavier weight or specialty paper.

Online RSVPs

Instead of including RSVP cards, consider asking guests to respond through your wedding website. This can be a more efficient and cost-effective option.

Weigh Before Sending

Before sending out your invitations, take a full invite suite to the post office to have it weighed. This will ensure that you are using the correct postage and can avoid any unexpected costs.

Look for Discounts and Sales

Keep an eye out for discounts, sales, and promo codes offered by vendors. For example, Basic Invite has a "Love It Guarantee," where you can return your invitations for a full refund if you're not satisfied.

By following these tips and comparing prices, you can find affordable wedding invitations that fit within your budget without sacrificing quality or style.

Choosing a theme and colour scheme

Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding day, so it's important to choose a colour scheme that hints at the formality of the event. If you're going for a classic and elegant wedding, consider a simple colour palette of ivory, cream or white card stock, paired with a black or gold font. For a modern wedding, silver and grey make a versatile pairing, while a rustic wedding might feature shades of brown, from ivory and cream to chocolate.

If you're having a seasonal wedding, consider choosing colours that reflect the time of year. For a spring wedding, opt for airy pastels like lilac, blush and pale green, while a summer wedding calls for bright sunshine yellow or ocean blue. A fall wedding might feature warm tones like red and orange, and a winter wedding could include rich jewel tones and metallics.

When choosing your colour scheme, it's important to pick colours that harmonise well together. A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral. You can then add an accent shade, such as gold or silver, to use sparingly throughout.

• Blush, blue and cream: A romantic and soft palette, perfect for a wedding in a grand, 18th-century castle.
• Hunter green, cream, black, gold and rust: An elegant combination for an upscale city wedding.
• Sage, French blue, pale pink, gold and cream: A romantic and classic palette with a hint of contrast.
• Mauve, navy and maroon: A warm palette for a late summer or fall celebration.
• Purple, peach, green and pink: A vibrant palette for an outdoor wedding in Northern California.
• Raspberry, soft grey and light blush: A bold anchor colour balanced by subtle hues.
• Cream and gold: A versatile combination that can be adapted for a summer estate wedding or a regal winter ballroom affair.
• Dusty blue and brown: A rich palette that plays off the stone accents of your venue.

Remember to consider the legibility of your invitations when choosing colours. Avoid light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds. Yellow and pastels can be tough to read, so ensure the background contrasts enough for the words to pop.

Selecting inserts

• RSVP card and envelope: The RSVP card and envelope are staples in any invitation suite. You can include cards with blanks for guests to fill in the names of those attending, or you can indicate the number of seats reserved for them. If you are keeping RSVPs traditional and via postage, include a self-addressed envelope with a stamp and a hard deadline for responses. Alternatively, you can use postcard RSVPs to save on postage.
• Wedding website card: Most weddings have a website that compiles all the necessary information such as dress code, registry, and other details. Your "Info" or "Details" insert card is a great place to put the URL for your wedding website.
• Reception card: If your reception is at a different location than your ceremony, include a reception card with the time and location of the reception, as well as any relevant directions or parking information. If your ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can skip this card and include "reception to follow" on the main invitation.
• Pre-wedding and post-wedding events card: If you are hosting any pre- or post-wedding events that won't have separate invitations, include the date, time, and dress code on an insert. This is especially useful for destination weddings, where you can include an overview of travel options and accommodation information.
• Custom map: Consider including a custom map or illustrated map with key guideposts such as landmarks, parking areas, and entrances. This is a beautiful addition to your invitation suite and can be helpful for guests.
• Registry card: While some etiquette experts suggest skipping this, you can include a separate registry card with your invitation suite or include registry details on your wedding website.

Remember, the more cards you include, the higher your costs will be for both print and design. Keep in mind that you don't need to include any pieces beyond the standard four pieces (invitation, RSVP card and envelope, reception card, and return envelope).

Picking a font

When it comes to picking a font for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider both style and legibility. The font should complement the style of your wedding, while also ensuring that your guests can easily read the information. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the perfect font:

Font Styles

There are several font styles that you can choose from for your wedding invitations:

• Serif fonts have small lines attached to the end of letters and are popular for classic, traditional invitations. An example of a serif font is Times New Roman.
• Sans serif fonts lack these small lines and are known for their clean, modern look. Helvetica is a commonly used sans serif font.
• Script fonts mimic handwriting and are often used in wedding invitations for their elegant, formal appearance. Windsong is an example of a script font.
• Unique fonts fall outside of the above categories and can include hand-drawn or digitised designs.

Font Combinations

You may also want to consider using a combination of fonts to create contrast and add interest to your invitations. Here are some popular font combinations for wedding invitations:

• Great Vibes (cursive) + Montserrat (sans serif)
• Playfair Display (serif) + Montserrat Light (sans serif)
• Josefina (sans serif) + Times New Roman (serif)
• Montserrat (sans serif) + Hammersmith One (sans serif)
• Bodoni (serif) + Josefin Sans (sans serif)
• Playfair Display (serif) + Montserrat (sans serif)
• Josefin Sans + Josefin Slab
• Pinyon Script (script) + Forum (serif)
• Playfair Display (serif) + Arialle (serif)

Legibility

While choosing a font that fits the style of your wedding is important, it's crucial to select a font that is easy to read. Avoid highly scripted or thin fonts that may be difficult for your guests to decipher. If you have your heart set on a more intricate font, consider using it for headings or names, and pair it with a simpler, more legible font for the body text.

Accent Fonts

You can also use accent fonts to highlight important information, such as the names of the couple or the wedding date. These fonts will stand out from the rest of the text and create a visually appealing contrast.

Adding imagery

Choose a Theme or Style

Decide on a theme or style that reflects your personality and the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Some popular options include rustic, vintage, elegant, simple, traditional, floral, and modern. For example, if you're having a rustic-themed wedding, you can incorporate images of wooden patterns, burlap, or barn accents into your invitation design.

Use High-Quality Photos

Select clear, well-lit, high-resolution photos that feature the happy couple prominently. Consider including formal posed portraits, casual candid shots, engagement photos, landscape shots, or silhouette photos. You can also add a creative twist by using vintage-style photos with a sepia tone or collage-style layouts.

Play with Shapes and Overlays

Experiment with different shapes and overlays to make your photos stand out. Try die-cutting your photos into unique shapes, such as hearts or initials, or adding a transparent overlay with the photo on top of the invitation's text or background. This adds a layer of elegance and sophistication to your design.

Incorporate Nature and Florals

If you're having a wedding filled with florals, consider adding images of flowers and nature-inspired designs to your invitations. This could include floral borders, wreaths, or even a photo of the happy couple surrounded by beautiful blooms.

Use Colour Effectively

Colour plays a crucial role in wedding invitation design. You can match your invitation colours to your wedding colour scheme or opt for classic options like ivory, cream, or white card stock with black or gold font. If you want to add a pop of colour, consider using colourful or metallic fonts, envelopes, or liners. Just remember to always keep readability in mind when choosing colours for your text.

Add a Personal Touch

Incorporate personal touches that reflect your love story. This could be a photo of the two of you in a meaningful location, a silhouette of your shared initials, or even a custom wax seal with your monogram. These details will make your invitations unique and memorable.

Work with a Designer

If you're unsure about adding imagery or want a completely custom design, consider working with a graphic designer or stationer. They can help you choose the right images, layout, and colour scheme to create elegant and cohesive wedding invitations that you and your guests will adore.

Remember, your wedding invitations are a prelude to your special day, so have fun with the design process and don't be afraid to get creative!

Frequently asked questions