| Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your | | | | the wedding colors or motif. After all, how many |
| guests will have of your wedding, but if you're not | | | | people (besides your closest friends and family) |
| careful, they can they can quickly cut into your | | | | are going to keep it as a memento? They'd |
| budget. Luckily there are many options available | | | | rather you use the money you saved on |
| that convey your sense of style and set the tone | | | | programs to help with your honeymoon |
| for your wedding - and are also very affordable. | | | | expenses, make a car payment or buy a lottery |
| INVITATIONS | | | | ticket. |
| Your invitations reflect the tone of your wedding, | | | | Menu CardsThe idea behind menu cards is that no |
| whether it's black tie or casual chic. More formal | | | | one likes to sit down to a meal when they have |
| weddings may require more formal invitations, | | | | no idea what they're about to be served (think |
| which are traditionally white or ecru and engraved | | | | school cafeterias). However, this can easily be |
| with black or charcoal ink. A square of tissue | | | | combined with the Reply Card (see above). And |
| paper is also inserted to protect the type. While | | | | of course if the meal is buffet-style, menu cards |
| classic and understated, the cost of these | | | | are not really necessary, since there is usually |
| invitations can quickly add up to the purchase | | | | something to please everyone. |
| price of a small car, but with slightly better gas | | | | If you do feel that menu cards are necessary, it's |
| mileage. What's a budget-minded bride to do? | | | | simple to print them yourself...just pick up some |
| More and more couples are veering from | | | | good old card stock. If there's a good story |
| standard invitations and choosing papers in unusual | | | | behind why you chose a certain dish (you're |
| sizes and colors, incorporating interesting textures | | | | serving New York Style cheesecake because you |
| and using graphics, motifs and monograms. Many | | | | met in New York or hot dogs because you met |
| couples are also doing away with the traditional | | | | at a ball game), including this story adds a unique |
| unsealed inner envelope, which not only reduces | | | | element to your menu cards. |
| costs, but also reduces waste. And besides, how | | | | One thing that may be very helpful to all involved |
| many of your guests are going to remember | | | | (you, the caterer, the bartender and your guests) |
| how many components were included in their | | | | is to create a drink card or two. If you're limiting |
| invitation? (Hint: if you DO have guests who will | | | | the open bar to a certain amount or type of |
| notice, seat them all together so they can drive | | | | drink, a drink card is the perfect place to spell |
| each other crazy) | | | | that out. Just get an easel or frame so the card |
| Another option is to purchase materials to create | | | | can be posted at the bar. |
| your own invitations. Thanks to the popularity of | | | | Place CardsAre you having a buffet-type meal at |
| scrapbooking and paper stores, it's never been | | | | your reception? If so, skip this section, since place |
| easier to create unique and memorable wedding | | | | cards are not necessary. For the rest of you, |
| invitations. Do you and your guy have a favorite | | | | place cards are tent-shaped cards that are placed |
| color, song, vacation destination or hobby? Don't | | | | at each place setting to show people where they |
| be afraid to incorporate it into your invitations. | | | | should sit. You can easily print them from your |
| Your guests would rather see a heartfelt invitation | | | | home computer, but why not make the place |
| than have to discard the tissue paper that | | | | cards for your reception a little unique? Make your |
| protects a random printer's work. (Not that | | | | wedding favors do double-duty by attaching a |
| there's anything wrong with using a printer. But | | | | name tag to each one and using them as place |
| hey...the cost of those little sheets really adds up!) | | | | cards. If you're making your own favors, it only |
| At this point, you might be saying, But | | | | adds one simple step, but saves you money in |
| traditional IS my style! How can I afford it? | | | | the long run. You can also use stones with |
| Put those fears to rest, girl! Make some | | | | hand-painted names or tie name tags around |
| test invitations on plain paper, playing with | | | | wrapped silverware. Use your imagination! Place |
| font size and type, then purchase blank cards and | | | | cards don't necessarily have to be one more job |
| matching envelopes (which are available at | | | | for the printer. |
| scrapbooking and hobby stores and mass retailers | | | | Thank You CardsOk, brides. You all know what |
| nationwide) to print the real deal. | | | | these are, and there's really no need to have |
| No matter what kind of invitation you choose, be | | | | them printed. Simple thank you cards are readily |
| sure to mail them 8-10 weeks prior to your | | | | available almost anywhere, and as a bonus, most |
| wedding so your guests have time to plan...and to | | | | of them even say thank you. Your |
| shop for a really awesome gift! | | | | handwritten message inside is what's important, |
| WAIT...THERE'S MORE | | | | so invest most of your time there. As a |
| Remember when you were a little girl and you | | | | reminder, these should be sent out no later than |
| dreamed about your perfect wedding, right down | | | | one month after your honeymoon. If you receive |
| to the invitations? Why didn't anyone tell us about | | | | gifts prior to the wedding, those thank you cards |
| the reply cards? Or the reception cards? Why are | | | | should be sent out immediately. |
| there so many cards? | | | | Save the Date CardsWhat? No really...I didn't |
| Response CardsResponse cards are usually sent | | | | know what these were. Here's the scoop: save |
| with your invitations and include a self-addressed | | | | the date cards are sent to guests pretty much |
| stamped envelope. These are used to help | | | | the second after the groom pops the question, so |
| determine how many people will be attending and | | | | that guests can plan ahead. If you send out your |
| usually include menu options for your guests to | | | | announcements 8-10 weeks prior to your |
| choose from. But I'm going to tell you a secret: | | | | wedding, there is probably no need for save the |
| you can create your own reply cards. Just | | | | date cards. However, if you have friends or |
| purchase small cards with matching envelopes, | | | | relatives who will be traveling great distances |
| print them yourself and then insert them into the | | | | (especially from other countries), a little heads-up |
| invitations when you are addressing them. Best of | | | | would be nice. However, this can be done by |
| all, you can do this whether you're making your | | | | greeting card, letter or phone call. That should be |
| own invitations or having them professionally | | | | sufficient to save the date. If you do feel |
| printed. | | | | that you need to send save the date cards, you |
| Reception CardsReception cards are included | | | | can easily make them yourself. |
| inside wedding invitations to let guests know when | | | | IN A NUTSHELL |
| and where the post-wedding festivities will begin. | | | | Creating your own invitations and other stationery |
| Traditionally, this is a small card that asks guests | | | | items can save you lots of money, freeing up |
| to join the newlyweds and their families for a | | | | your wedding budget for other things. Just keep a |
| celebratory reception, and gives the date, place, | | | | couple of things in mind: |
| and time. But remember the Response | | | | - If you are printing pieces yourself, try to use a |
| Cards secret I revealed above? It works | | | | consistent or complementary font on all of the |
| here, too! Print them yourself or even (gasp) print | | | | pieces you create. |
| the reception information inside the invitation itself. | | | | - Before addressing invitations, be sure to have |
| It will give your guests one less thing to keep | | | | complete addresses available. This will help reduce |
| track of and save you lots of money. | | | | the number of mistakes made during the |
| AND EVEN MORE... | | | | addressing process. (The less mistakes you make, |
| Believe it or not, there are still other paper-related | | | | the fewer invitations you have to use. This saves |
| items to think about. | | | | money!) |
| Wedding ProgramsSure, wedding programs | | | | - You don't have to do it all yourself. Your family |
| provide useful information and make charming | | | | and friends will be more than willing to help create, |
| mementos, but there's no need to break the | | | | print and assemble your invitations and other |
| bank. While some couples choose to do a booklet | | | | items. After all, isn't that what you keep them |
| type program, budget-minded couples are using | | | | around for? |
| simple card stock with a vellum overlay, tied | | | | With a little imagination and a lot of determination, |
| together with a ribbon that matches your color | | | | your budget-friendly wedding invitations will be |
| scheme. Others are simply printing them at home | | | | just as beautiful as big-budget invitations, but at a |
| (or a friend's home) on unique paper that plays up | | | | fraction of the cost. |