Affordable Wedding Invitations: Where To Find The Best Deals

Wedding planning can be a costly affair, but there are ways to save money on invitations without compromising on style and quality. Basic Invite, for instance, offers a range of affordable options, from all-in-one invitations to luxe acrylic designs, with prices starting as low as $0.72 per invite. Ann's Bridal Bargains also offers a similar price range, with invitations costing under $1 each, and VistaPrint wedding invitations are another budget-friendly option. For those looking to save even more, Canva offers a DIY design platform with professional printing services, while Paperless Post provides free digital invitations with premium add-ons available for purchase.

Online vs traditional printing

Wedding invitations can be costly, but they don't have to be. There are many ways to save money on wedding invites, whether you opt for online or traditional printing services.

Online Printing Services

Online printing services are a great option for those who want to save money on their wedding invitations without sacrificing quality. These services offer digital printing on various types of paper stock and in most standard sizes. Some popular options include:

• Prints of Love: Offers high-quality printing with free 2-3 day shipping. Costs $0.90 per print for 100 5x7 invitations.
• Vistaprint: An inexpensive option that provides quality paper goods. Costs $1.28 per print for 100 5x7 invitations.
• Zazzle: Features thousands of wedding invitation templates that can be customized. Costs vary depending on the template chosen.
• Overnight Prints: Provides high-quality printing services for save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and day-of stationery. Costs $0.49 per print for 100 5x7 invitations.
• Canva: A DIY design tool and online printer that brings creativity to the masses. Costs $0.40 per print for 50 cards with envelopes.

Traditional Printing Services

Traditional printing services may offer more luxurious options such as custom foil, fancy inserts, embossing, or letterpress invitations. However, these options can also be more expensive and may not be as convenient as online printing services. Some couples may prefer the quality and expertise offered by traditional printers, especially if they plan to include photos on their invites. Here are some tips for choosing a traditional printer:

• Compare prices and read reviews before selecting a printer.
• Consider a local print shop for more personalized service and faster turnaround times.
• Ask for samples to ensure the paper quality and printing meet your expectations.
• Be mindful of potential hidden costs, such as addressing envelopes or cutting invitations.
• Plan ahead to allow for extra time needed for design, printing, and shipping.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Both online and traditional printing services have their pros and cons. Online printing services are typically more cost-effective and eco-friendly, with faster delivery and easy updates. They may lack the personal touch and tangibility of printed invitations, and there is a possibility of technical issues or invitations getting lost in email inboxes.

Traditional printed invitations offer a personal touch and attention to detail that digital invites cannot replicate. They create a sense of excitement and anticipation for the recipient and can be customised to match the unique style and theme of the wedding. However, printed invitations usually come with slightly higher costs and longer production and delivery times.

All-in-one invitations

Opting for all-in-one invitations can result in significant savings on printing and assembly costs. They are also more affordable to post, as they are typically smaller and lighter than traditional invitation suites.

Basic Invite, for example, offers all-in-one invitations that are both high-quality and budget-friendly. Their invitations are printed on 120lb cardstock and feature the latest in print technology, ensuring crisp text and a professional finish. With Basic Invite, you can also take advantage of their "Love It Guarantee", which offers a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied with your order.

Another great option for all-in-one invitations is Ann's Bridal Bargains. Their invitations start at just 99 cents each and include free RSVP cards. Ann's Bridal Bargains offers a range of themes and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect invitation to match your wedding's aesthetic.

When considering all-in-one invitations, it's important to keep in mind that they may not work for every wedding. If you require additional information or inserts, such as maps or accommodation details, a traditional invitation suite with multiple enclosures might be a better option. However, if you can include these details on your wedding website, all-in-one invitations are a cost-effective and convenient choice.

DIY options

If you're a crafty couple, you might want to consider making your own wedding invitations. This is a great way to express your creativity and cut costs. Here are some tips and ideas for creating DIY wedding invitations that look perfectly pretty and professional:

• Editable Wedding Invitation Templates: Find an editable digital template online from companies like Papier. Personalise and edit the template to your liking, then order printed invitations to your door. This option allows you to customise the design without worrying about printing at home or paying extra for printing services.
• Printable Wedding Templates: Purchase printable wedding invitation templates from online marketplaces like Etsy. These templates can be personalised with your details, and then printed at home or at a printing shop. This option is usually more affordable, as you're mainly paying for the copyright of the design. However, you will need to consider the cost of printing.
• From Scratch Wedding Invites: Design your own wedding invitations from scratch using platforms like Canva. They offer free templates, design tools, and inspiration for creating your own invitations. Once you've designed your invites, you can print them at home or at a printer, or even send them digitally via email or WhatsApp.
• Crafting Supplies: If you prefer hands-on crafting, source materials from Etsy, Hobbycraft, The Works, The Range, or Baker Ross. You can create invitations completely from scratch or add DIY details like gold foil, watercolour backgrounds, or textured paper.
• Invitation Kits: Purchase wedding invitation kits from Amazon or specialty stationery stores. These kits provide all the necessary materials, including paper, envelopes, and embellishments. Some kits also include response cards and RSVP postcards.
• Embellishments and Finishing Touches: Elevate your DIY wedding invitations with embellishments like ribbons, wax seals, envelope liners, or gold leaf. Add handmade elements like hand-painted illustrations or handwritten messages. Consider using dried flowers or botanical leaves to adorn your invitations or wax seals.
• Time and Cost Considerations: Keep in mind that DIY wedding invitations can be time-consuming and may not always be cheaper than purchasing ready-made invitations. Be realistic about your skill set and the time you can dedicate to this project. Practise your design before committing to creating multiple invitations, and set a deadline for when you want them sent out.

Free RSVP cards

If you're looking for free RSVP cards to go with your wedding invitations, there are a few options to consider. Many companies offer free RSVP cards as part of their wedding invitation suites, which can include invitations, RSVP cards, and other enclosure cards. These sets are often available in various themes and styles and can be a cost-effective option. Here are a few suggestions for sources to get free RSVP cards:

Ann's Bridal Bargains

Ann's Bridal Bargains offers cheap wedding invitations starting at just 99 cents each, and they come with free RSVP cards. They have a wide range of themes and styles available, and you can customize the wording to include your online RSVP information. Their sets are also mail-able with a standard stamp, helping you save even more on postage costs.

Basic Invite

Basic Invite provides affordable wedding invitations without compromising on quality. While they don't explicitly mention free RSVP cards, they offer a "Love It Guarantee," allowing you to return your invitations for a full refund if you're not completely satisfied. They also have all-in-one invitations that combine the invitation, RSVP card, and other details onto a single sheet, which can save you printing and assembly costs.

VistaPrint

VistaPrint offers customizable wedding RSVP cards with various designs, colors, and styles. They also provide the option to include a QR code linking to your wedding website for online RSVPs. While not explicitly mentioned as free, VistaPrint's RSVP cards can be purchased separately or as part of their invitation suites.

Minted

Minted offers a wide range of wedding stationery, including RSVP cards that match their invitation designs. They have over 500 different RSVP card designs and provide many personalization options. While Minted doesn't advertise free RSVP cards, their options can be purchased separately or as part of a suite, allowing you to create a cohesive and stylish invitation package.

When considering free RSVP cards, it's important to read the fine print and understand what is included in the price of the invitation suite. Some companies may offer free RSVP cards with certain promotions or discounts, so be sure to look out for those as well.

Seal and send invitations

Seal and send wedding invitations are a unique, affordable, and high-quality option for your big day. They are long invitations that fold up into a self-mailing format, meaning no envelope is needed. This makes them easy to mail, fun to receive, and easy on your budget.

There are two types of seal and send formats: with or without an RSVP postcard. If you want to collect RSVPs the traditional way—with a postcard to be mailed back—then a seal and send invitation with a detachable RSVP card is the best choice. When your guests receive it in the mail, they open it up to find your invitation, with an RSVP postcard attached below. Guests simply tear away the response postcard along a perforated line, fill it out, and drop it in the mail.

If you want to collect RSVPs through your wedding website, text, or phone, choose a seal and send invitation without an RSVP postcard. These invitations have a pointed flap, creating a polished presentation when mailed. You can also add any custom wording to create the look you love.

Seal and sends are cheaper than regular wedding invitations because they are designed to use space more efficiently, making printing more efficient and less expensive. Their folded format also makes them a breeze to mail—all you have to do is fold, seal, and send.

Classic designs with a traditional twist are the most popular seal and send wedding invitation themes, but photo seal and sends are also a huge hit, creating a modern and personal look. Rustic and floral designs are also popular, with woodgrain backgrounds, vintage roses, white gardenias, and country sunflowers.

Frequently asked questions