Set a budget - Whether you choose to print your invitations at home or seek the help of a professional stationer,
your predetermined budget will be a starting point and guideline. If you are unsure of your budget range, please visit
our blog or our pricing page for information on the average costs, depending on the styles you select.
Quantity – If you’re anticipating about 200 guests, you may want to start with 100 as a figure (one invitation per
couple) and add 15-25 extra invitations to ensure you have enough for those who may have slipped your mind, and
enough left over for your memory books.
Wording – Traditionally, the names of those hosting the wedding are included in the invitations. Wording samples
available on our wording page.
RSVP – Post cards are a very cost effective option for RSVPs and require less postage. A card and envelope will
cost a bit more, but are most traditional. Phone service and wedding web sites are equally effective and convenient
alternatives.
Enclosures – You will most likely need a separate reception card if the ceremony takes place in a different location
than the reception. If you are expecting many out of town guests, you may also want to include a map indicating the
easiest route to your wedding venue(s).
Coordinating Items – Most of your budget will be applied toward your invitations, but make sure you leave enough
room to purchase thank you cards or wedding programs, if you feel you’ll need these items.
Theme and Setting – Whether you are having a beach wedding, Tuscan winery theme, elegant ballroom or garden
setting, make sure you select the appropriate wording, papers, and fonts to convey this message.
Color and Design – White is no longer the norm! Feel free to experiment with a rich color palette as long as it
reflects your setting or theme.
Cost - Custom invitation designs with ribbons and pockets to hold all your enclosures, usually start at $8 a
set. If you’re looking to keep the cost down, look for something with less layers (minimizing the amount of materials
and manual labor), less embellishments, and no pockets.
Shapes – Invitations are available in different forms and shapes. There are squares, rectangles and some are even
mailed in presentation boxes or bottles. Whatever you select, make sure you’ve accounted for the additional postage
these square shapes or box mailers will require to ship.
Printing Options – Laser printing is a nice option, usually resulting in good quality, allowing you cut costs on
printing and upgrade on materials and embellishments. The nice thing is you can do this yourself! Offset printing costs
a bit more, but it allows you to print on a wider range on materials. Offset printing is what you see on everyday
magazines, brochures, greeting cards, etc. Thermography is a powder finish added to offset printing. It melts
when heated and fuses to the ink, creating a nice raised and glossy effect. When you touch the surface, you will
feel that the letters are raised from the surface of the paper. Letterpress is much more costly but a gorgeous
alternative, creating a carved or pressed lettering effect into soft cotton based papers.
Calligraphy – To save time, you may want to deliver the envelopes to your calligrapher while your invitations are
being produced, so that they both are completed at the same time. If your budget doesn’t allow for hand calligraphy,
your envelopes can be run through a laser printer for what is known as “computer calligraphy”, or if one of your
bridesmaids, friends or family members has beautiful writing, you can ask if they would feel comfortable taking on
this task for you. It will add a more personal touch to your invitations and get those close to you involved with your
wedding planning.
Customizing Options – You may also want to include a wedding logo or a photo to further customize your
invitations. A logo will certainly help brand your wedding, while creating harmony amongst all your stationery pieces.
Do It Yourself vs. Selecting a Designer
If you opt to create your own wedding invitations, keep in mind that it does take time to design, proofread, select and
purchase materials, print, assemble, adhere postage, stuff envelopes, address and mail all the invitations. This may
be a bit overwhelming if you are coordinating other aspects of your wedding.
If you decide to seek out the help of a designer, make sure their portfolio includes pieces that suit your taste. Don’t be
discouraged by distance! With the help of e-mail, web, phone, fax, and snail mail, the designer or invitation studio of
your choice can be located across the nation, and still provide amazing results! Most custom invitation designers
offer consultations via phone and e-mail, and are also able to sell you samples of invitations previously designed for
other couples, allowing you to become familiar with the quality of their work, pricing and procedures before signing
any contracts.
On a final note, don’t forget that a professional in their field should be able to not only offer their best product or
service available in a given price range, but also guide and educate clients about options that will allow for extra
savings or upgrades, as necessary.
Congratulations, and happy wedding planning!
"Dio"
Creative Director / Founder
Dio Selina Custom Designs
Pepper Kittymonkey Stationery
your predetermined budget will be a starting point and guideline. If you are unsure of your budget range, please visit
our blog or our pricing page for information on the average costs, depending on the styles you select.
Quantity – If you’re anticipating about 200 guests, you may want to start with 100 as a figure (one invitation per
couple) and add 15-25 extra invitations to ensure you have enough for those who may have slipped your mind, and
enough left over for your memory books.
Wording – Traditionally, the names of those hosting the wedding are included in the invitations. Wording samples
available on our wording page.
RSVP – Post cards are a very cost effective option for RSVPs and require less postage. A card and envelope will
cost a bit more, but are most traditional. Phone service and wedding web sites are equally effective and convenient
alternatives.
Enclosures – You will most likely need a separate reception card if the ceremony takes place in a different location
than the reception. If you are expecting many out of town guests, you may also want to include a map indicating the
easiest route to your wedding venue(s).
Coordinating Items – Most of your budget will be applied toward your invitations, but make sure you leave enough
room to purchase thank you cards or wedding programs, if you feel you’ll need these items.
Theme and Setting – Whether you are having a beach wedding, Tuscan winery theme, elegant ballroom or garden
setting, make sure you select the appropriate wording, papers, and fonts to convey this message.
Color and Design – White is no longer the norm! Feel free to experiment with a rich color palette as long as it
reflects your setting or theme.
Cost - Custom invitation designs with ribbons and pockets to hold all your enclosures, usually start at $8 a
set. If you’re looking to keep the cost down, look for something with less layers (minimizing the amount of materials
and manual labor), less embellishments, and no pockets.
Shapes – Invitations are available in different forms and shapes. There are squares, rectangles and some are even
mailed in presentation boxes or bottles. Whatever you select, make sure you’ve accounted for the additional postage
these square shapes or box mailers will require to ship.
Printing Options – Laser printing is a nice option, usually resulting in good quality, allowing you cut costs on
printing and upgrade on materials and embellishments. The nice thing is you can do this yourself! Offset printing costs
a bit more, but it allows you to print on a wider range on materials. Offset printing is what you see on everyday
magazines, brochures, greeting cards, etc. Thermography is a powder finish added to offset printing. It melts
when heated and fuses to the ink, creating a nice raised and glossy effect. When you touch the surface, you will
feel that the letters are raised from the surface of the paper. Letterpress is much more costly but a gorgeous
alternative, creating a carved or pressed lettering effect into soft cotton based papers.
Calligraphy – To save time, you may want to deliver the envelopes to your calligrapher while your invitations are
being produced, so that they both are completed at the same time. If your budget doesn’t allow for hand calligraphy,
your envelopes can be run through a laser printer for what is known as “computer calligraphy”, or if one of your
bridesmaids, friends or family members has beautiful writing, you can ask if they would feel comfortable taking on
this task for you. It will add a more personal touch to your invitations and get those close to you involved with your
wedding planning.
Customizing Options – You may also want to include a wedding logo or a photo to further customize your
invitations. A logo will certainly help brand your wedding, while creating harmony amongst all your stationery pieces.
Do It Yourself vs. Selecting a Designer
If you opt to create your own wedding invitations, keep in mind that it does take time to design, proofread, select and
purchase materials, print, assemble, adhere postage, stuff envelopes, address and mail all the invitations. This may
be a bit overwhelming if you are coordinating other aspects of your wedding.
If you decide to seek out the help of a designer, make sure their portfolio includes pieces that suit your taste. Don’t be
discouraged by distance! With the help of e-mail, web, phone, fax, and snail mail, the designer or invitation studio of
your choice can be located across the nation, and still provide amazing results! Most custom invitation designers
offer consultations via phone and e-mail, and are also able to sell you samples of invitations previously designed for
other couples, allowing you to become familiar with the quality of their work, pricing and procedures before signing
any contracts.
On a final note, don’t forget that a professional in their field should be able to not only offer their best product or
service available in a given price range, but also guide and educate clients about options that will allow for extra
savings or upgrades, as necessary.
Congratulations, and happy wedding planning!
"Dio"
Creative Director / Founder
Dio Selina Custom Designs
Pepper Kittymonkey Stationery
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