Best Places To Buy Wedding Invitation Cards

Wedding invitations are a significant part of your big day, offering guests a glimpse of your wedding style and theme. There are many options available to suit different preferences, budgets, and levels of customisation. From online templates to bespoke designs, you can choose from a range of styles, including rustic, floral, vintage, and modern. Websites such as VistaPrint, Minted, Zola, and Etsy offer customisable wedding invitations, with some providing additional services like free samples, digital monograms, and envelope addressing. You can also opt for traditional paper invitations or go for a more sustainable option with digital invites.

Online vs. in-store

When it comes to buying wedding invitation cards, you have two main options: shopping online or visiting physical stores. Both options have their advantages and can cater to different needs and preferences. In this article, we will explore the benefits of each option and provide an in-depth comparison to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.

Online Wedding Invitation Cards:

The internet has revolutionized the way we shop, and the wedding industry is no exception. Online retailers offer a vast array of options for couples looking to design and purchase their wedding invitation cards. Here are some of the key benefits of choosing the online route:

• Convenience: With just a few clicks, you can browse through countless designs from the comfort of your home. Online retailers often provide user-friendly interfaces that allow you to customize your invitations with ease.
• Variety: Online marketplaces, such as Etsy, offer a diverse range of options crafted by small businesses and independent creators from around the world. Whether you're looking for elegant floral designs or glamorous acrylic invitations, you're sure to find something unique that suits your style.
• Cost-effectiveness: Online wedding invitations can be highly affordable, especially when compared to bespoke in-store options. Websites like Zazzle and The Knot offer a wide range of designs at various price points, often with bulk pricing options.
• Time-efficiency: If you're working with a tight timeline, online retailers can be a lifesaver. Many offer quick production and shipping times, ensuring you receive your invitations promptly. Some even provide instant downloads for digital invitations.
• Eco-friendliness: For environmentally conscious couples, online paperless invitations are a chic and sustainable option. Websites like Greenvelope offer elegant e-vites created by independent artists, complete with guest messaging and auto-reminders.

In-Store Wedding Invitation Cards:

While online shopping has its perks, there's something special about visiting a brick-and-mortar store and experiencing the process of creating your wedding invitations in person. Here's why some couples prefer the in-store option:

• Personalization: In-store retailers often provide a bespoke service, allowing you to create truly customized invitations. You can work directly with a stationer who will guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right paper to selecting elegant fonts and envelopes.
• Quality: When it comes to invitation suites, the quality of the paper and printing can make a significant difference. In-store retailers often offer luxurious paper options, intricate letterpress designs, and high-end printing techniques that result in exquisite invitations.
• Tangibility: With in-store options, you have the advantage of being able to touch and feel the invitations before making a purchase. This can be especially important for couples who want to ensure that the invitations align with their vision and meet their expectations.
• Customer service: In-store retailers often excel in providing personalized customer service. You can develop a relationship with your stationer, who can offer expert advice, address any concerns promptly, and ensure that the entire process is stress-free.
• Additional services: Many in-store retailers go beyond just invitations. They can help you create a cohesive suite of paper goods, including save-the-dates, thank-you cards, menus, and day-of place cards. This ensures a consistent aesthetic across all your wedding stationery.

In conclusion, both online and in-store options offer distinct advantages. If you prioritize convenience, speed, and affordability, online retailers might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you value customization, luxurious quality, and personalized customer service, visiting a brick-and-mortar store might be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your unique needs, preferences, and budget.

Cost

The cost of wedding invitation cards varies depending on several factors, including the printing method, design complexity, paper quality, and quantity. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs involved:

Printing Methods:

The chosen printing technique significantly impacts the cost of wedding invitations. Digital printing, the most budget-friendly option, typically ranges from $0.35 to $2.00 per invitation. Other methods like offset printing, thermography, letterpress, and engraving are more expensive, with costs ranging from $800 to over $2,000 for 100 invitations.

Design and Embellishments:

The design complexity and any embellishments added to the invitations will also affect the cost. Foil stamping, for instance, can add $1,800 for a full set of 100 invitations, while gold foil accents would cost around $400. Other embellishments like blind debossing, embossing, bevel cuts, and wax seals can add $150 to $400 to the total cost.

Paper Quality and Quantity:

Thicker cardstock and luxury paper options will increase the cost of the invitations. The price per invitation typically ranges from $2 to $5, so for 100 invitations, the cost would be between $200 and $500. The total quantity required will also impact the overall cost, as higher volumes may qualify for bulk discounts.

Stationery Suites and Extras:

The cost of wedding invitations can also be affected by the purchase of stationery suites, which include items like save-the-dates, response cards, menus, and ceremony programs. These additional items can increase the overall expenditure significantly.

Shipping and Postage:

Finally, shipping costs and postage for sending out the invitations should be factored into the total cost. Heavier invitations or those with irregular shapes may require additional postage, so it's important to consider the weight and dimensions when budgeting.

In summary, the cost of wedding invitation cards can range widely, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the specific choices and requirements. It is essential to consider all these factors and allocate a suitable portion of the wedding budget for the invitations to ensure they fit within the overall financial plan for the special day.

Design

When it comes to designing your wedding invitation, there are endless possibilities. From the style and theme to the fonts and colours, you can create something that truly reflects your personality and wedding vibe. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

The design of your wedding invitation can be inspired by your wedding's theme, colour palette, or venue. For example, a rustic barn setting could be reflected in an invitation with wildflowers and distressed wood textures, while a city loft wedding might call for a modern font and minimalist design. You can also incorporate floral, rustic, boho, or simple black-and-white elements, depending on your taste.

Text and Fonts

The text on your wedding invitation should include the full names of the couple, the date, time, and locations of the ceremony and reception, and the RSVP details, including a deadline. You can choose from a wide range of fonts, including classic, modern, whimsical, and elegant options, to suit your style.

Paper Type and Printing Style

The type of paper and printing style you choose can also enhance the design of your invitation. Paper options include matte, pearl, linen, glossy, and hemp-blend, each offering a different feel and look. Printing styles such as foil, letterpress, or digital can add a unique touch to your invitations.

Personal Touches

To make your invitations even more special, consider adding a personal touch. You can upload your photos to be featured on the invitation or include custom monograms, wax seals, ribbons, or other decorative elements.

If you need help with the design process, many websites offer custom design services. These services can range from free consultations to complete bespoke invitation design, ensuring you create something truly unique.

DIY Options

For those who want to design their invitations themselves, there are plenty of online tools and templates available. You can download and print your invitations at home or use digital invitations to save time and money.

Matching Stationery

Don't forget that your invitation is just one part of your wedding stationery suite. You can carry the design and theme through to your RSVP cards, envelopes, save-the-date cards, thank-you cards, and even your wedding website for a cohesive look.

With so many options available, you can let your creativity flow and design an invitation that truly reflects the happy couple's style and sets the tone for your special day.

Printing options

There are several printing options available for wedding invitation cards, each with its own unique look and feel. Here are some of the most popular printing options:

Engraving

Best suited for ultra-formal weddings, engraving results in raised letters on the front and indented marks on the back of the invite. This technique uses a metal plate etched with an image, which is then filled with ink. The paper is then pressed onto the plate, creating the raised type. Engraving works best on thick paper, such as cotton fibre, and can be used with multiple ink colours, although this is more time-consuming and expensive.

Thermography

Thermography creates a similar effect to engraving but without the hefty price tag. It uses a heat-based process to fuse ink and resinous powder, resulting in raised lettering. This method is best used with cotton fibre paper and darker ink, as it doesn't work well with pastel hues or pearlescent paper.

Letterpress

Letterpress printing is a labour-intensive method that creates indented letters on the front and raised marks on the back of the invite. The text or image is etched in reverse on a raised surface and coated with ink, producing a physical impression on the paper. Letterpress requires soft, bulky paper, such as cotton fibre or bamboo, and works best with white or light-coloured paper and dark ink.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is ideal for casual or funky wedding styles, as well as couples on a tight timeline or budget. This process uses thousands of tiny ink dots to form letters and designs on flexible, thin paper. While the ink may not be as dynamic as other methods, you have a wide range of colour options.

Offset Printing (Lithography)

Offset printing is similar to digital printing but offers higher quality and is slightly more expensive. It uses a rubber stamp-like cylinder to press ink onto the paper, making it ideal for textured papers like cotton or bamboo. The designs and lettering will be more vibrant than with digital printing, and you have more freedom with colour and design choices.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping is a dry printing process that uses a heated copper plate to push foil into the paper, leaving a metallic design behind. It complements luxe, romantic weddings but is also popular for whimsical and casual invites. Lighter foils on darker papers create a dramatic effect, and while the process is expensive, it adds a unique touch to your invitations.

Embossing

Embossing is a non-ink technique that creates raised-relief surfaces, resulting in a subtle yet modern look. It is typically done on thicker paper stock, such as cotton fibre, and can be combined with coloured ink for added flexibility in your design.

Extras

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are several additional items you may want to consider including. Here are some extras to think about as you plan your wedding stationery:

RSVP Cards:

Including a RSVP card with your wedding invitation is a convenient way for guests to respond to your invitation. It also helps you plan for the number of guests attending, making it easier to plan seating arrangements, catering, and other logistics.

Envelopes:

Envelopes are a necessary extra for mailing your wedding invitations. You can choose from a variety of envelope styles and colours to match your wedding theme. Some companies also offer free recipient addressing services when you purchase custom envelopes.

Save the Date Cards:

Sending out "Save the Date" notices is common, especially for destination weddings or if many of your guests will need to travel. These cards can be sent out several months in advance to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date.

Thank You Cards:

Thank you cards are a thoughtful way to express your gratitude to your guests for their attendance and gifts. You can order these at the same time as your invitations to ensure a cohesive look for your wedding stationery.

Place Cards and Escort Cards:

Place cards and escort cards are used to assign seating for your guests at the wedding reception. Escort cards direct guests to their assigned table, while place cards indicate the specific seat at the table.

Menus:

If you're having a seated dinner at your wedding, menus can be a nice touch. They inform your guests about the meal options and can be designed to match your wedding theme.

Programs:

Wedding programs are especially useful if your ceremony includes multiple components such as prayers, blessings, or songs. They outline the order of events and can also include information about the wedding party, readings, and other details.

Itinerary Cards:

If you're hosting multiple wedding events, such as a welcome cocktail hour or post-wedding brunch, itinerary cards can be helpful for your guests. These cards outline the schedule of events so your guests know what to expect.

Belly Bands or Ribbons:

Belly bands or ribbons are used to hold together multiple pieces of stationery, such as the invitation, RSVP card, and any additional inserts. They add a stylish touch to your wedding invitation suite.

Return Address Stamps:

Custom return address stamps can be used on your RSVP envelopes and other wedding correspondence. They save you time and add a personalised touch to your wedding mailings.

When planning your wedding invitation suite, consider which extras will be most useful for your guests and reflect your personal style. Don't forget to order a few extra invitations and stationery items to account for last-minute additions or keepsakes!

Frequently asked questions