Wedding invitations are a must-have for every wedding, but choosing one that fits the couple is easier said than done.  There are literally millions of choices with wedding invitations today with differing price ranges, colors, and styles.

Choose Your Style

Before looking at hundreds of wedding invitation designs, determine your style and preferences. It will save you so much time if you can just have a rough idea of what you want in your invitation’s major design. Discuss with your hubby if you two want something traditional, cultural, fun, modern, serious, simple, or elegant.  Find out whether you like ribbons/bows on your invitation, a simple one page invitation, or an elaborate multi-page invitation with a picture of the engaged couple.  These are all things to rank in order of importance so that you can gage what price range you are looking at for your wedding invitations.

Ordering Invitations Online

Nowadays, many couples are turning to the internet to search for the right wedding invitations.  The good thing about doing this is that you can surf through many websites to find the right price and style for you right from home, saving you time and gas money.  Another great thing about web-based invitation companies is that you can get matching invitations, save the date cards, wedding favor tags, etc. all in a package deal and usually for a cheaper price than if you were to get everything at a local invitation design studio.  Additionally, the turn-around time for getting your invitations after you order them online is usually faster than if you were to order your invitations from a local store.

For the downside of ordering invitations online, there is the communication issue.  If there is a problem with your invitations or if you have questions, there should be a costumer service department that you can call to help you.  Additionally, you don’t get to feel the stationary or see the true color of the fonts through your computer screen.  Lastly, and most importantly, what will you do if there is a typo on your wedding invitation?  Does the website have a return and edit policy?  Will you have enough time to mail your invitations back to the company and get them fixed?  If you have names that are often misspelled, a specific graphic, or are picky with things like commas and italics, then perhaps ordering your wedding invitations online isn’t a great idea.

Ordering Invitations From a Store

The most common way to order wedding invitations is going to a local store.  This process involves a search through thousands of samples, selection of your favorite, limited customization, placement of the order, approval of the proof, and then the final delivery.  The great thing about ordering through a local store is that you get to see exactly what you’re going to get out of your wedding invitation through the proof.  You get to feel the texture of the stationary, see the embossing, and adore the ribbons.  Another great thing about ordering through a store is that the couple gets personal costumer service from the store’s staff.

The downfalls of ordering invitations from a store are increasing as time goes on.  When compared to ordering invitations online, the average store-ordered invites cost more.  Additionally, a store may not have all the elements like RSVP cards, thank you cards, and ceremony programs you need in stock when you are viewing your invitation samples.  Some larger stationary stores don’t offer many customization options, for example they may have only three different fonts available for a certain invitation style or only allow a specific selection of words for your invitation wording.  If you are very limited on time and money, you may want to steer clear of ordering invitations from a store.

Selecting the right invitation can become a long and costly process.  Some ways to save money are to make your own invitations or order invitations online.  Some ways to save time are to ask your wedding coordinator to help you select the right wedding stationaries or request a very simple invitation without many complications and details.  Enjoy finding your beautiful wedding invitation!