Choosing your invitations and other printed matter is often the first taste of all the creative wedding planning to come. You’ve entered a world filled with rich colors, regal monograms and shimmering papers—and wide-ranging costs. According to wedding industry survey site theweddingreport.com, the average price for 150 invitations and response cards is $245. Factor in save-the-dates ($114) menu cards ($114), programs ($108), thank-you cards ($92) and place cards ($77) for an average grand total of $750 (before postage).
Yet it’s possible to spend as much as — gulp! — $3,300 for a set of 150 engraved invitations alone. Clearly, some serious shopping around is in order. Get started with our guide.
Photo courtesy of Wedding Paper Divas
On Paper
The paper on which your invitations are printed is key to their overall effect. The heavier the stock, the more luxurious the feel, so many brides choose to save their price-cutting strategies for other areas (like the printing process) and indulge in slightly more upscale papers.
One-hundred-percent cotton paper is elegant, but is the most expensive."Linen stock with a woven, textured surface is always a good alternative, still a decent weight at 80 lbs, but significantly cheaper than some of the thicker nontextured stocks," says Elizabeth Seaton, owner and paper stylist at Posh Paperie, in San Diego, CA.
Matte or shiny? In many cases, shiny or metallic papers cost more. At stationery supplier Mountaincow.com, for example, matte papers cost $8.99 for 25, while metallic papers cost $16.99.
Kraft card stock and brown recycled paper are popular picks, especially for today’s rustic wedding styles. At some sources, they’re priced at 15 cents per 8.5” by 11” sheet as opposed to cotton’s 60 cents per sheet.
Natural papers such as bamboo can be surprisingly expensive, as can handmade paper and imported papers such as those from Nepal and Japan.
Printed Matters
The technique you choose greatly affects the cost of your order, since some processes require multiple steps. The methods, in order of expense from highest to least: Engraved and letterpress techniques create impressions in the paper in two distinct ways. The lettering in engraved invitations is raised, while in letterpress the letters are pressed down into the paper. Thermography delivers the raised print seen with engraving using heat and special inks.
Offset (also called flat) printing can cost half the price of thermography, according to Seaton. Digital offset printing is the least expensive. Says Olivia Suchman Joffrey, owner of Vigilante Paper: "It produces a crisp and colorful result and does not require creating a plate, which makes short runs (say, 150 wedding invitations) easier to produce. The result is quick, colorful and elegant."
Next: Pros reveal how to get a luxe design without spending a lot of money ►
Pro Paper Tips
Try some of these trade secrets for getting upscale, luxury paper effects without spending a lot of money:
Use specialty papers as accents. Samantha Chu, owner and designer of Papermints in Studio City, CA says, "One of the favorite paper options this year is shimmer metallic card stock," with its soft, pearlescent finish. Chu suggests using this paper in "hues such as gold and deep violet" as backing layers for invitations, menu cards and other print items.
Choose lighter-weight paper. Chu suggests selecting 80 lb. vs. 110 lb. paper, plus a single envelope and fewer inserts to cut down on the postage needed for each assembled invitation package. You’ll save 20 to 40 percent on postage.
Mix up paper thicknesses."Get your invitations done in letterpress, but cut costs by using thinner paper," says Darcy Sang, owner and designer at Pearl Beach Paperie. Or for any printing method, print invitations on thicker paper and then use thinner paper for the insert pieces.
Eliminate inserts. Extra print components like directions and maps can be cut from your order, with the information provided on your personal wedding website.
Layer once. A menu card affixed to a thicker, colored backing adds stylish flair and is a popular look. Save money by not adding additional layers, such as vellum overlays or two thick backings.
Order more than enough. According to Kerry Amidon, product manager at Massachusetts-based stationery company Checkerboard Ltd., "This is the biggest budget saver of all. If you think you’ll need 100 invitations, order 125 just to have extras. It’s smarter to pay a bit more for the slightly larger order of 125 invitations than to have to go back and place a second order, which at many companies may require a minimum re-order of 100." (Order extra envelopes, too.)
Photo courtesy of Pearl Beach Paperie
Design Details
"Keep in mind that layers, papers, pockets and other extra details will affect your overall price," says Sang. “Just like taking your car to the mechanic, the more hand labor that is involved, the more expensive it can get.”
Stick with two font styles for effect, since many companies will charge extra if you want to use more than two.
Stay with standard ink colors. Digital printing allows you to use multiple colors at no extra charge, Seaton says—but keep in mind that neon and metallic inks cost a lot more.
Stick to single-sided invitations and print items. Heidi Smith, brand manager of Invitations by Dawn says that while "Double-sided invitations add a fun kick of color and personalization to your invitation, this added feature costs almost 15 percent more per invitation."
RSVP postcards cost less than traditional response cards with envelopes, and postage is less as well. Seaton reports that one-third of her brides use postcards now—a good reason to jump on this evergrowing trend.
Forgo decorative liners inside envelopes and keep it classic, at a savings.
Single-panel cards use less paper than folded styles, a savings of 30 to 50 percent. Square invitations will add to your mailing costs, since the postal system universally charges more for this envelope shape. So think about going with a more traditional 5- by-7-inch invitation.
Minimize invitation size. For example: Ann’s Bridal Bargains offers petite invitations and enclosure cards for as little as 59 cents each in over 20 designs including floral and bordered styles.
Avoid rounded corners! Chu at Papermints says that invitations and print cards with rounded corners require an extra step of production that can cost an additional 25 to 50 cents per card.
Next: Five of the hottest wedding invitation trends ►
Trends We Love
1. Pastels: "The big look for weddings will be in the interesting pastels, like the lightly minted greens. It is amazing how many other colors you can use with these softened greens, because just as in nature, green goes with everything!" —Leatrice Eiseman, noted color specialist and Pantone consultant
Photo courtesy of Wedding Paper Divas
2. Blues:"This year’s hottest color is surprisingly…cool. Some of our freshest designs are taking ‘something blue’ to a new level with gorgeous options in steely slate, vivid aqua and classic navy. For the bride who wants to stand out, one of the chicest trends is to go ultra-modern, using striking geometric patterns — chevrons, stripes and dots—with a strong pop of color. If a romantic look is preferred, we love the elegance of the vintage deco trend, with flowing organic curves and ornamentation." —Amber Harrison, Wedding & Etiquette Maven at Wedding Paper Divas
Photo courtesy of Wedding Paper Divas
3. Watercolors:"We’re seeing a variety of trends: birds, feathers, chalkboard, vintage and circles. Floral and flourish designs will still be hot, and watercolors are a new trend that’s growing stronger. Color is trending, with ecru, white, purple, blue and orange being some of our top searches." —Ann’s Bridal Bargains, annsbridalbargains.com
Photo courtesy of The Occasions Group
4. Fusion: Digital and print integration. Checkerboard’s Fusion Invitations program combines the impact of paper invitations with a single online destination that allows you to streamline your envelope addressing, track and manage RSVPs, even search for addresses via social networks like Facebook. "We combined the best of both worlds: couples can not only design their own printed invitations, which reinforces the importance of the event and is etiquette appropriate, but also digitally manage those communications easily in a manner they are used to," —Micah Chase, president, Checkerboard Ltd. fusioninvitations.com
Photo courtesy of Checkerboard
5. Neon:"In 2013, top trends will include hand-drawn graphics, hand painting, spot calligraphy, neon, gold foil and embellishments — especially lace!" —Elizabeth Seaton, Posh Paperie, poshpaperie.com
Photo courtesy of Mary Healy Photography For Papermints
