Five Questions to Ask Before You Make Your Own Wedding Invitations

Let's face it: Your wedding is going to cost moreIf you must do this, forget the multiple pieces of
than you thought it would. You were lucky to findpaper. Put the 'please RSPV by' at the bottom of
that reception hall. You could have chosen thethe invitation. See 'Making Your Own Wedding
cheaper wedding dress. But the one you boughtInvitations' below.Provide liquor and/or chocolate
was perfect. Making your own invitations mightto your invitation-making crew.Making Your Own
seem like the way to make up for that.But is it?Wedding Invitations--Go to a specialty paper store
Will you save money?and finger the samples.
Or will you simply invest in needlessEven if you end up buying online. You need to
aggravation?Before deciding to make your ownknow what 60-85 pound paper feels like.Hint: it
invitations ask yourself these five questions#1has to do with the thickness. Printer paper is
Am I willing to spend entire days putting togethersomewhere around 20-25 pounds. Invitations
invitations?An invitation made out of threetypically weigh in at 65-85 pounds.--Keep it simple.
different papers looks gorgeous. But is it worth it?Extra layers mean extra hours. And extra
Making even simple invitations takes time. Pictureexpense.Invitation 'kits' (which include blank
hours of tedium.This is on top of the time youinvitations, envelopes, reply cards, etc.) will make
spend addressing the things.Remember, whateveryour life easier.Be sure to buy paper that's
time you spend on invitations is time taken awaycompatible with your printer. If you have an
from other parts of your wedding.#2 Do I hate allink-jet, for example, don't buy laser-jet
the ready made invitations I've seen?Do a lot ofpaper.--Automate.
research before you answer this. Hundreds ofConsider purchasing an invitation making
companies make invitations. Check out at leastcomputer program. You'll get some nice fonts.
half a dozen before you give up.If you absolutelyAnd customizable templates.Three Ways To Save
hate everything you've seen, see the tips underMoney--Watch your weight
'Making your own Wedding Invitations' below.#3The post office charges extra for heavy and/or
Do I have a crew of reliable people who haveoversized invitations. Check with them before you
agreed to help me?This answer can make ormake your invitations.--Bulk Up
break you. Please don't try to make 200 weddingBuy fancy paper in bulk. Save even more by
invitations alone. It's a good way to drive yourselfprinting two invitations on one 8 1/2 X 11 sheet.
nuts.Or it can add unnecessary stress if youEach invitation will be a long rectangle. Very
make invitations as a couple.A reliable crew willmodern.--Mooch
turn invitation making into a social occasion insteadDon't buy specialty equipment to cut those
of a blood bath.#4 Is my budget so small thatinvitations. Go into your local copier store like you
this is my only option?Then that's just the way itown the place and use their equipment. Bring a
goes. See 'Making Your Own Weddingfew sheets of something to photocopy if they
Invitations.'#5 Am I having a small wedding?Ifgive you the hairy eyeball.These questions and
you're only inviting 10-20 people, go for it. You'll stillyour answers will help you decide if making
be at it for hours if you make complex invitations.wedding invitations is right for you. And help you
But they'll be beautiful.30-80: The upper limit ofavoid common mistakes if the answer is
sanity.yes.Happy planning!Amy Lee Johnson is a
Try to have enough invitation makers on yourfreelance writer who often contributes to a site
team to keep the 'invitation to person' ratio atthat gives useful hints and tips such as buying
15:1.80+: Frustration here we come.wedding invitations or writing wedding vows.