How Much Are You Spending On Your Wedding Programs?

Personally about $10. I'm just doing one large program and putting it out for people to see. There's nothing religious or complex about our ceremony and people would throw them out after anyway.

I'm confused. What do you mean by "I have gotten a printing press to recreate the look." Did you buy a printing press?? To DIY??? I assume that you mean you have spoken with a printing company about creating them for you . . .

I cant be very objective, because I paid NOTHING! I didnt not have them. I figured, most people throw them away. And everyone knows who we are, I dont need to tell them and not many people pay that much attention to the songs that are played.

So, I saved myself some headache

Gosekell, there is a printing company in my area that can re-create the programs that I like. Originally they would have been closer to $1000 if I had gotten them from the vera wang dealer. Maybe I'll ask the printer to come up with another design that would complement my invites but not cost so much.

Hi Andrene,

Every bride's budget is different and I don't think you should feel guilty about your stationery. If you, as well as your FH, is happy with the stationery and your budget allows for you to do so...I say go for it! Congrats and good luck!!

Andrene, that is a great idea. Most printers know what would cost less, and they should be able to help you find something to fit your budget. Do they offer digital printing services? These are much cheaper for small quantities than traditional printing, which is what it sounds like they are quoting you. My apologies, your post sounded as if you went out and bought yourself a press, which is not a wise thing to do

If you are worried about guests keeping them, include "Couple's new address" your new address of where the happy couple will live together, this often gets them taken home.

Budget really isn't the issue. If I knew people were going to keep them at the end of the day I wouldn't mind the expense but it's the thought of seeing them in the trash or left on the seats at the venue that have me thinking twice. Considering how much we've shelled out for other things this is probably a small thing to stand on ceremony for but I figure I need to try to be a little sensible about some of these purchases. We're staying in our condo for 1-2 years after the wedding (unless kids come sooner) so won't have a new address. The printer has been able to cut costs for a lot but the problem is I like thermography and a certain type of paper stock which tends to increase the cost. I've asked the designer at teh printer what she could create for me with a buget of $300. Considering what I like it's probably unlikely I'm going to get what I want for less. Will let you all know when I hear back.

Andrene have you checked etsy.com at all? I mean it's great if budget isn't an issue but at the same time why spend more than you need to? There are vendors who can design/print them for you. They can also design and send you the graphic file and you can have them printed locally.

It can be your existing address. ALso, you can always issue a "Recycling Ambassador" for your event. Simply have one of your bridesmaids go around and collect the leftover ones after the ceremony. They don't have to go in the trash either. Would the printer want them for samples in the future? Here at our print house, we encourage our clients to return their unused items for use as samples or to be properly recycled.

Ladylee, I have looked on etsy but the problem is finding someone who can match my invite paperstock and do thermography. Most etsy vendors can't do that.

I like the idea having the invites used as samples. Maybe I could find other ways to repurpose them.

The DIY approach shouldn't be that hard. I thought I wasn't a great DIY girl, but I am on a roll! I have done labels, invitations, and I definitely plan on doing our programs. All from Michaels Arts & crafts!

Yeah I spent about 5 dollars. I made them myself and I absolutely loved them.

Sorry, I just had a heart attack when I read $1300 for invitations...

If you're even second guessing the $600 programs- that's your answer. I promise you, the day of- your guests won't care if you have incredible programs. I can't even remember a wedding with programs I've even been to except one- a very long , complicated Jewish ceremony with many non-Jewish people in attendance. They have 6 page programs to explain alot of the traditions and why they were done. Other than that, no programs... ever.

Believe it or not the invites were on sale. We looked for a while and they were the only ones we both really liked so we just went for it. I had originally bugeted $300 for the programs as that was a figure that I thought would be reasonable and wouldn't give me as much heartburn if they got thrown out on the day of. I'm still waiting to hear from the designer at the printer about alternate solutions that will keep me on budget.

Not to hijack but I'm bookmarking this thread because I honestly don't know how much is too much for invites (I know this is about programs but honestly I didn't plan on spending much at all on those).

How much should these cost pp?

We spent about $300 on 100 invites, it included the invites, the RSVP cards, three envelopes (inner, outer and RSVP), personalized printing, thank you cards and envelopes, and tissue paper.

It really depends on what you are looking for. You can spend as little as $100 and as much as several thousand. I think all the budget tools I've looked at say you should spend 2% of your budget on all your wedding stationery. If you find something you like and it's out of your price range, you can also see if there is a local printer/stationery store that could re-create the look for you.

I plan to spend less that 50 on my programs :-) I am a pretty crafty person and I plan to use that to my advantage when making them! HA! Plus there are so many templates out there that help you create them yourself and I can take it to Kinkos and get the job done fast! (CHEAP AND LAZY) lol...just depends on what you are looking for. They usually go in the trash lol ( I have seen it done)

Nothing!!! Yeah, because we are having about 100 guests and they all know us very well so there is no need to go into detail there. There are no extreme religous or any cultural practices involved. And all the weddings I have been to they just get thrown away.

I completely agree that many programs do end up in the trash, but they don't have to. And yes, there is a wide range in pricing for printing. This is because there are so many different methods of printing and papers to choose from.

Andrene, I completely understand your appreciation for the fine stationery that is thermography. I mean, at what other time in your life will you have the chance to have something so fancy and perfect! Sometimes the difference between $300 and $600 can be something as simple as printing both sides of the paper, or trimming it differently.