How I Only Spent $100 On My Wedding Invitations
…and 8 Tips On How You Can Do It Too

Most brides have a similar focus when they finally get their hands on that first bridal magazine, or when they sit down in front of Google for that very first wedding-related search. That magical gown, the wedding dress.

For us craftier brides-to-be, the focus is a bit different. We dream of invitations, programs and stationery. Vellum and engraved and metallic and handmade and letterpress. Wedding invitations are little paper masterpieces, and for brides like myself, they set the tone for the wedding much more than the gown does.

Pretty paper is by no means cheap, though. And when you are on a tight budget, or you have a hefty guest list, wedding invitations can quickly become one of your most expensive items.

My Vision

I knew I wanted an invitation that was something extra special. But, I also knew that I, as well as my parents, could not handle the extra special price tag that went with it. So, DIY wedding invitations it was.

The inspiration for the basic shell of my invite came from one of Khris’ features in DIY Bride. The rest came from flying by the seat of my pants. I learned some great lessons and gained some truly invaluable tips along the way that I believe every bride can use in some aspect of her planning.

**Quick Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape or form promoting the DIY-invitation route as an EASY one. It takes time, work and lots of patience to create your invitations from scratch. You have to decide for yourself if the cost benefit is worth taking on such a large task. For me, it absolutely was.

1. Research, Research, Research

If you decide to do your own invitations, you need to start EARLY. I don’t mean start making them early, but start thinking about them as soon as you can. Search the internet, visit local stationery stores, order samples. You may already have a vision in your head, but seeing that vision in a tangible form may change your feelings.

I sat for hours in different stores around town, going through their books of invitations, making mental notes of what I liked, and what I couldn’t believe some people paid to have done to paper (Eek!). Oh, and don’t let the sales clerks pressure you. You don’t have to tell them you have no intention of buying anything, just say you are only looking today. If they still won’t back off, just leave. Most stores have all the same books anyway.

2. For Materials, Think Outside the Box…Waaaay Outside the Box

Now, I am just as partial to craft and hobby stores as any other DIYer, but when it comes to crafting a wedding invitation, using products from these kinds of stores will cost you – significantly. Get creative with your resources. Just because it doesn’t come pre-packaged and labeled as a craft item, doesn’t mean you can’t make it one.

Exhibit A: the pocket folder or “shell” of my invite. Oh, how I love Office Depot. These homemade folders are each made from a cardstock report cover from the office supply store. These navy papers have a beautiful linen finish to them, and are really easy to work with in terms of scoring and cutting, so that is an added bonus. The best part: $12.99 for a pack of 50.

3. Simplistic Designs are Often The Most Beautiful

When it came time for me to create the printed pieces of my invitation, I decided I wanted something to build around. If you are not experienced in design, this is a great tip to remember. Think about taking an element or a logo and adding to it, so that your entire invitation works as one unified piece.

I created a logo of sorts with mine and my groom’s initials. It took no more than 10 minutes to create in Photoshop, but it added so much elegance right from the start.

4. Get Back to The Basics

I don’t want to be misleading with my opinion on this one, because oh my, what I wouldn’t give for some yummy letterpress invites to send out for my wedding. However, if you can’t break the bank for letterpress, you can use what you’ve probably already got: a basic inkjet printer.

As for what to print your elegant designs on, you can get back to the VERY basics: construction paper. Yes, you read correctly. Do me a favor if you think I’m crazy. Just go buy a pack. Open it, and really look at the pieces of paper. Construction paper has that beautiful handmade texture, with all those little imperfections that give it character and, believe it or not, style.

My light pink construction paper ran through my HP all-in-one printer like a charm. Especially charming is the fact that it’s only 97 cents for a pack of 50 sheets.

5. Don’t Waste Your Scraps

If you are going to be crafty, you also have to be thrifty. In order to save yourself multiple trips to reload on supplies, try and find a use for your scraps.

With my Office Depot covers, I had a rectangular scrap that was cut off each one of them. I recycled all of those scraps and turned each one into a matte for the reception information card.

6. Shop Around for the Items You Can’t Make

I spent weeks looking around for envelopes because I wanted to make sure I found the best deal. And, boy did I ever. I must give a little shout-out love to Cutcardstock.com, for not only the most incredible deals, but incredible service as well. I got 250 white 6″ square envelopes for $26.00 plus S+H. Just incredible.

7. Don’t forget the “Yourself” in Do-It-Yourself

This is your project – a way to really put your own unique touch into your wedding. DO NOT FORGET THAT. Undoubtedly, you will hit a few bumps in the roads when you take on a project of this magnitude (I had 150 invitations brought back to my front door last Friday for not having enough postage – don’t get me started).

Just keep things in perspective, and don’t beat yourself up. Brides have so much stress and pressure put on them, and they put the majority of it there themselves. Take this project on as a way to relieve some of the other wedding planning stress you’ve already got  on your mind. You’d be amazed at how therapeutic cutting, folding and gluing can be for you.

Submitted by Kristen Phillips.

Images and text copyright Kristen Phillips 2008.