How I saved money on my wedding invitations

Every couple needs to save money somewhere.  One of the ways I did this was through my wedding invitations.   Trust me, it wasn’t easy to pass on the gold foil print, laser cut details, and hand calligraphy addressed envelopes but I still feel like my invitations had character and quality. Here is how I did it:

Step 1: Shop Around

Determine where you want to get your invitations printed. It is important to know this ahead of time because your designer will need to know what size your invitations are going to be.  Believe it or not, each website may not offer all the sizes you are looking for or if they do, they may not offer the same finish in each of those sizes. For example, we chose with Vista Print and below is what we ordered.  (Other places to consider would be Zazzle, Kinkos, Office Max, etc.)

• Main Invitation for Ceremony - Flat Invitation - 5"x7" - Linen Finish
• Reception Card with Directions Printed on the Back - Flat Invitation - 5.5"x4" - Linen Finish
• RSVP Card - Flat Invitation - 5.5"x4" - Linen Finish
• Hotel Information Card - Signature Business Card - Linen Finish

Step 2: The Design

If you haven’t fallen into the Etsy trap yet, this will do it! I found someone to custom design my whole entire wedding suite… and then some! She worked with me on colors, fonts, wording, etc. Just go online to Etsy and search for anything along the lines of “Printable Wedding Invitation”. You can find plenty of great designers that will make a whole wedding suite for you starting around $20 and up.  Mine totaled about $70 for the entire design, but I had them create a few extra pieces, as well as, make custom designs for the front and back of each of my wedding pieces. Here are a few snapshots of the designs that the Etsy Designer (Melissa Ann Designs) made for me:

Note, before you confirm your design, make sure that you triple check spelling, dates, times, addresses, etc.!!! 

Step 3: Order Prints

You may have experienced with your Save The Dates that after you order, you received a promo code or coupons for your next purchase.  My advice to you is, if you can, order just a minimum number of invitations and wait for them to send you a coupon before you order the rest! I know it’s hard to wait, but you will enjoy the extra 20% or 40% off. Or maybe you will get lucky and catch a current online sale!

Also, before printing, you may also want to know where the “bleed line” falls.  In printing, the bleed area marks a small area at the edges of your card that isn’t a crucial part of the design. The diagram below provides an example of what I’m referring to.  You want a design that will fill the entire card but the darker interior should contain the crucial information and design you need.  After printing, the cutting may not be completely precise and some of the outside area may not make the cut.  Printers will specify how much bleed to use in your card.  

 

Once again, before you order, triple check everything, especially that all of your finishes match. 

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Step 4: Check Out Your Savings!!!!

We ordered 200 invitation suites total from Vista Print and, after applying an internet promo code, our subtotal was $305.  For this price, we got everything mentioned earlier in this blog including envelopes!  Add the $70 cost from Etsy for the design, and you’re looking at about $375.   

Then we checked to see what an apples to apples comparison would be from a popular wedding invitation site, such as Minted.com.  It would have cost us $1354. That is a total savings of $970!!!!! Just imagine all of the other wedding goodies you could buy with this! 

Hopefully this article has shined a light on one way you can save a little cash on your big day! 

Rhiannon Kirk 

All Events Planned 

Where Are They Now? - Chris & Maria Roberts

All Events Planned had the pleasure of being with Chris and Maria Roberts on their beautiful wedding day at the Hillbrook Country Club on October 19th, 2013.  Nearly three years later we are so happy to have had the opportunity to catch up with them and see how things are going.  And, WOW - How things have changed.  Check out our interview from Chris and Maria Roberts!

Q: What was your favorite or most memorable parts about the day? 

A: As the bride, one of the most memorable parts of the day was the first look with my dad and brother. The look on their faces when they saw me in my dress was a moment I will never forget. My mom did not know we were doing a first look so when she realized why my dad and brother were crying, she started crying (and laughing) too. It was a joyful moment. 

Also, since I did not do a first look with my husband, I was sure to pay attention when he saw me coming down the aisle during our ceremony! It was the most emotional I had ever seen him. It was also the moment I finally relaxed. The wedding day is quite nerve wracking, and seeing your love at the end of the aisle makes you remember what it's all about. 

We both really loved the end of the night as well. Everyone who stayed until the end all huddled together on the dance floor singing and dancing to one last song. Jumping, laughing, dancing and being merry. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness and relief that it all went so well!

Q: How did you feel the day after your wedding?

A: Dehydrated! Even though drinks and food were offered to me, I really didn't consume enough water on my wedding day. It happens. But I was still so happy that I just pulled myself together, ate a big meal and we got ready to head on our road trip "mini moon" to the smoky mountains :)

Q: What was your first dance song and why did you choose it?

A: "Rhythm of Love" by the Plain White T's.  This kind of became "our song" after going to see Plain White T's at a concert that turned out to be some sort of adult prom...it was bizarre since everyone was in ball gowns and suits, and we were in jeans. We just laughed and played along. One of our best dating memories.

Q: What was the most fun/most stressful part of planning then?  Looking back now, would you have the same answer?

A: The most stressful part was finding the right venue. The problem was that I doubted my initial instinct and kept looking after we found it. There were just too many choices in front of me, and I felt like I had to make a decision immediately before the dates were all booked! 

The fun part was the food tasting! We brought my parents to our reception venue and so they were able to offer input and made me feel better about food choices. It was a relaxing and delicious way to spend a day of wedding planning :) Looking back, there were high and low moments for everything, but we always went with our instincts in the end so everything worked out just perfectly. 

  

Q: Have you moved since the wedding day?

A: Three months after our wedding, I moved to Hong Kong where my husband had been working for a year! We have been here ever since.

Q: What is the most exciting thing that’s happened since you’ve gotten married?

A: Besides moving to Hong Kong, we have a fur baby now :) The cutest pug in the world. I now wish he was around for our wedding, he would have made an excellent ring bearer!

Q: Have you traveled anywhere fun as Mr. & Mrs.?

A: Living in Hong Kong makes it so easy to travel around Asia! We have been to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Korea, Macau, Taiwan, as well as a few other cities in China. We also just went to Munich for Oktoberfest (with a long layover in Istanbul)! Hoping to tick a few more countries off our bucket list before we move. We definitely caught the travel bug ;)

Q: What’s the most commonly asked question friends and family ask you after being married?

A: When are you moving back to the states and having a baby? Where will you move next? Is it difficult living in Hong Kong? You know, the usual questions =P

Q: What advice do you have for newlywed couples?

A: Relax! This is the time to have fun, and just be with each other. Don't let anyone pressure you into the "norm" of a married life (house, kids, etc). You just got married. You literally have your whole lives to figure it all out. Enjoy the ride and break away from the pack. We have SO enjoyed taking the road less traveled. 

Below are some pictures mostly from Chris and Maria's travels with a family pic thrown in. They added Oliver to the family just a month after moving to Hong Kong, when he was just two months old.  Isn't he cute!? 

Thank you so much for sharing, Chris and Maria! 

We wish you the best, and cant wait to catch up with you in another three years!