Archive for the How To Category

I get so many phone calls and emails every week from brides and grooms who want to know the cost of wedding invitations. Spoiler alert: It’s not a straightforward answer with a simple cost. Wedding invitations may not be as costly as other wedding essentials like the dress or the reception venue. However, they still require careful planning and budgeting. Decide on your budget before your invitation consultation so that your designer can show you exactly what will fit within your budget so there are no financial surprises at the end.

Several factors affect the overall price:

Invitation Layout

The type of wedding invitation you choose will definitely affect the cost of the suite. The simpler the suite is, the less expensive the invitations will be. A flat 5×7 card with a reply card and envelope starts at about $5 each. And a 5×7 invitation inside of a pocket with multiple insert cards and layers will start around $10 each. The price difference is huge but for couples that are looking for that WOW factor, the cost is worth it.

Design

Custom designed wedding invitations are more expensive than simple cards simply because the designer is creating a unique design for you. Using a template can mean a cheaper invitation but keep in mind that it does not always perfectly match up with your wedding vision and anybody else could have the same invitation as you.

Quantity

How many wedding invitations do you need? The quantity will have a big effect on the cost of the overall expenses on the invitations. Printers price the invitations lower the more number of invitations you order from them. So while it may seem less expensive to order only 75 invitations, the cost per invite is actually higher than ordering 100 invitations. The biggest mistake I see my clients make is ordering too few and then having to order an extra 10-25 at a much higher cost than the original order. Always order extra!

Paper

The type of paper you choose to use for your invitations does not effect the price greatly, but it is still an important factor. You have a choice of a matte paper or metallic paper. Metallic paper is slightly more expensive, but it prints really well and looks really expensive! When choosing your paper, keep your theme in mind. Metallic paper can look amazing with a chic, classic design, but not so much with a rustic design.

Printing

Your printing method can greatly affect the cost of your wedding invitation. Specialty printing like thermography, letterpress, and gold foiling are so beautiful but much more expensive than offset printing which is similar to digital printing but gives you a much better ink coverage. Digital printing will save you the most money but it does not give you that hand-made look.

Add-Ons

Any kind of add on like a band, or a seal, or an envelope liner will increase the cost of your invitations. Choose them wisely because they add up quickly and can sometimes double the cost of your invites. They also add to the weight of your invitation, which I will get to next.

Postage

Postage rates are not getting any lower and they have quickly become a big expensive for couples who need to mail their invitations. Every invitation costs at least $1 (in Canada) and that does not include any of the extra weight added with the thicker cardstock, or the rhinestones. And you have to consider the depth of your envelope as well. Any ribbons or buttons that extrude out from the paper can definitely increase your mailing costs up to almost $5 (per invite!!)

When looking for wedding invitations, remember these things:

• Determine your budget as early as possible as well as the number of invitations you need. Knowing both these details will help you plan your budget in terms of what design, material, and kind of printing you need for the invitations.
• If you want to work with a custom invitation designer (hello!), meet with a few different ones to get a sense of their style and how well you would be able to work with them.
• Try shopping online for your wedding stationery and supplies.
• Match the style of your wedding invitations with the kind of wedding you are having. You can choose from formal, rustic, romantic, or fun depending on the wedding you are envisioning. The colours and design of the invitations should also reflect the theme and colours of your wedding.
• Always order extra invitations for your family and the bridal party and to cover last minute guests additions.

I think your paper selection is the most important part of your wedding invitation. Sure, a good design is nice to have, but print it on a plain piece of bright white office paper, and it will look like junk. Even the simplest type set invitation will look stunning on a specialty paper. Putting a little extra investment into paper can make a big difference. If you don’t work with paper often, it can be difficult to decide on the best stock for your chosen invitation design. This is a guide to help you select the best paper for your wedding invitations.

A few general guidelines:

• Use at least 100lb stock. Nobody wants a flimsy invitation.
• Keep in mind that if you have too many pages of thick stock, you may end up paying more for postage. You can get the cards weighed at the post office.
• Be aware of your wedding white. Are you going with a bright white or more of a soft, off-white tone?
• Make sure you can get envelopes in the size and colour you like before you print! Envelopes are usually the toughest piece to find, especially if you want a unique colour or size.

Matte Cardstock

This smooth paper is an inexpensive and practical choice. It takes large areas of colour well, and is neutral enough to go with any invitation design. It works well with most designs but can feel flimsy if the weight is not thick enough. Comes in a variety of colours and textures. Can be printed digitally, offset, or foil stamped.

Metallic Cardstock

Metallic papers are slightly more expensive than the matte alternative but they add that extra sparkle in a simple invitation. Depending on the look that you are going for, this paper can really transform a simple design into a sophisticated piece. Comes in a variety of colours and textures. Can be printed digitally, offset, or foil stamped.

Cotton Paper

Cotton stocks have a lovely heft and feel in the hands. It is durable and takes ink well. Designed for letterpress, but if your printer can accommodate it’s thickness it takes inkjet ink well. This paper will make any invitation design look great, but large coloured areas may not print evenly. This stock is most often seen in bright white or off-white but it is available in a variety of colours.

Kraft Cardstock

With a warm neutral colour and enough texture to keep it visually interesting, this Kraft stock is a great choice for a natural or rustic wedding. May not feed through all printers, so be sure to check the paper weight. Darker paper colour requires darker inks for proper contrast. Can be printed digitally, offset, or foil stamped.

Textured Paper

There are so many uniquely textured papers that you can use. From linen, and eggshell for those romantic invitations, to silk, and leather for those more adventurous couples. Don`t be afraid to add some texture and incorporate it into the design. You wouldn`t want to spend money on a gorgeous paper and cover it up with ink!

As always, I am happy to help you in your paper selection process. I can find the best fit for your look and budget.

Choosing the best printing option for your wedding invitations can be confusing because there are so many options. And custom invitation printing cannot be tested until it is actually printed. Let’s go through each option in detail so you can make the best decision for your wedding style, guest list size, and budget.

Digital

Process: Similar to the desktop laser printer or inkjet printer you have in your office. These printers revolutionized the printing industry twenty years ago by giving us other ways besides offset printing to reproduce documents.
Pros: This option offers you the most versatility at the lowest price. Digital printing results in a crisp, precise look with no loss in quality. Your design options are virtually infinite because there are no restrictions as to what can be printed. You can print your invitations in small to large amounts with very minimal cost discrepancy.
Cons: Limited papers, no metallic inks, can not print heavy paper weights
Cost: $
With the money you save using digital printing, you can complete your invitation suite by adding place cards, menu cards, signage, ceremony programs, thank you notes and carry out your style and design throughout your entire wedding day and after.

Offset

Process: Offset printing is the most common printing method where an inked plate is transferred to a roller and is then transferred onto the paper.
Pros: High quality; exact ink color matches; ink permeates the paper and does not have the sheen that digital toner does; can handle heavier paper weights (120 lb +)
Cons: Can be expensive for smaller invitation quantities
Cost: $$

Letterpress

Process: Letterpress is one of the oldest forms for printing and is done by hand. After a reversed, relief plate is made, it is inked and pressed into the surface of the paper.
Pros: Luxurious, classic and very tactile; gives the simplest design a large impact; exact ink color matches
Cons: Full color photographs and large inked areas are not possible. only able to print one color at a time, which means, the more colors you want, your costs will rise.
Cost: $$$

Thermography

Process: Thermography is also referred to as raised printing and gives the appearance to engraving, but uses a completely different process. The design is printed with a plastic resin powder and pigment ink, which are later exposed to extreme heat and subsequently become embossed.
Pros: Provides a tactile feel, exact ink color matches, great for metallic and light-colored inks on dark papers
Cons: Surface of ink is slightly textured compared to engraving, small quantities can be expensive
Cost: $$$

Foil Stamping

Process: A metal plate is produced from the design where the foil is to be applied. Enough heat and pressure is applied to the plate to transfer a thin piece of foil substrate to the paper.
Pros: Ability to print light-colored, metallic and even clear colors on dark papers; completely opaque ‘ink’ coverage; endless paper options
Cons: Full color photographs are not possible, cost increases for each color used
Cost: $$$

Engraving

Process: A copper or steel plate is created and etched with your invitation design. Ink is smoothed onto it while paper is fed through a machine where extreme pressure is placed on the paper, pressing down the letters and design.
Pros: Sharpest detail; luxurious and very tactile, exact ink color matches, great for metallic and light-colored inks on dark papers
Cons: Full color photographs and large inked areas are not possible. Each color requires its own plate and a separate pass on the printing press
Cost: $$$$

Laser Cutting

Process: A laser is guided by the computer file of your design and is capable of cutting intricate designs. Read more about it here .
Pros: Beautifully intricate design
Cons: Cost increases with design intricacy and size, cost per piece does not decrease significantly with higher quantities
Cost: $$$

Along with these very popular printing techniques, you can choose a variety of paper and inks that fit your style. T he sky really is the limit. There are so many options and I would be happy to go over them with you during a consultation .

I always get this question . The most common mistake that I see is when clients assume that the number of guests you are inviting is the number of invitations that you should be ordering. This is incorrect and will lead to you overpaying for way too many invitations.  Typically, each couple or family gets one invitation. Remember to count one for each of the following:

• A Couple (married or living together)
• A Family (includes any children under 18)
• A Single Guest
• The Officiant (if applicable)
• Keepsakes & Last Minute Guests

Make sure you add yourselves, your parents, and your bridal party to the list. Don’t try to save money by not sending invitations to them. These are the people that will be the most excited to receive them! You should still send invitations to guests that may have already told you they will be unable to make it.

My recommendation is to count the number of groups from your list and add twenty. That should give you enough to send out to your entire guest list, plus a few extras if you make a mistake addressing an envelope, plus a few more in case you need to invite a few more people.