Invitations and Save the Dates - budget vendor recommendations

How about diy’g it?

View Quoted Comment I definitely spent more on Zola invites, because I did LOVE the pre addressed envelopes and coordinated online rsvp....but literally 5 of our guests used the online RSVP feature. I just have really bad hand writing and was seriously dreading writing out 60 addresses. I get really frustrated writing things out by hand too and basically paid extra to reduce stress, which was just a me thing.

HOWEVER I highly recommend the method I mentioned above anyway!!! My programs match my invites too since I used the same style from zola.

Thanks folks! I'm thinking about using Ann's Bridal Bargains now that you guys introduced me to me. It seems like the best 'deal' given that I do want RSVP cards too. I'm kind of amazed by their price. I just did some price shopping and wanted to share what I found:

For 75 - 80 Invitations and RSVP cards. Standard shape and no customized envelopes.

- Ann's Bridal Bargains $75

- Shutterfly $160

- Vista Print $168

- Zazzle $235 (the RSVP's were almost as much as the cards)

I have requested lots of free samples (InvitationsByDawn & elli have some of our current favorite designs), but we are still not sure who to go with for our invites, RSVPs, and save-the-dates. Where are some of the best places for printing/designing invitations? Will anyone be hiring a calligrapher to address envelopes, or will you do DIY invites?

edit: so far, I have requested FREE samples from:

Elli

InvitationsByDawn

minted weddings

Truly engaging by Magnet Street

The American Wedding

Wedding Paper Divas by Shutterfly

Vistaprint

some sites let your pick a few specific invites to sample, others will send a standard sample packet including menus, envelopes, paper samples, etc. A few places have sent napkins and save the date magnets.

View Quoted Comment Yup! Search groupon for deals. And ebates/Rakuten really works I've gotten like $300 back since I've been using it.

Also get clear labels for address and print urself. And do u need that many save the dates and invites? Your sending 1 per couple?

My save the dates will be one per person, only one envelope because they are concert tickets and everyone needs their own ticket! I am diy-ING them and figuring out the best place to print them, but I'm thinking staples and I'll use my cricut or my manual cutter to cut them all.

Invites I'll diy with my cricut.

I have used Designs Made Simple on Etsy for shower invites, programs, all kinds of things. Lauren is awesome, she customizes everything so nothing seems like you got it for nothing. She’s so quick and responsive, you’d think you were her only client. She just creates the design and sends it to you so you can print your own or order it (she also recommends a SUPER reasonable printer that you can use but aren’t forced to). Basically you get the custom experience and the not so custom price. Highly recommend, kind of regret being bratty and spending stupid money on the fancy invitations from Minted. I actually just ordered my wedding programs (that we decided to do at the last minute) from her and they’re shipping this week! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsMadeSimple?ref=ss_profile

I did my Save the Date’s on evite.com it’s like a text message type response. Totally Free without hassle of sending them. Our invitations are from Vistaprint.

We did email save the dates to save money and the environment. We got invitations through Minted. They offer 20% off for first time buyers. They turned out AMAZING!

I hear that Shutterfly and Vista Print always have sales but I would suggest skipping the STD's and just doing invitations. STD's are nice but not required. If you have a lot of guests coming from out of town, maybe send those invites out sooner than the others to give them extra time to arrange travels.

Great tips ladies. I am probably doing digital STD and invites. Will do canva for program and print at a local print shop.

We have a few people from out of town and may consider paper invites. Otherwise, to cut cost and paper may stick to digital.

I started looking at invitations and couldnt believe the cost. It was like an average of 550 dollars for 50. I dont need that many but that's usually the minimum. Thankfully I'm pretty talented and crafty so I'm ordering invitations from vista print and then making my own cut out envelope with ribbon for the outer shell. This will cut the cost by like 90 percent minimum because those costs are just insane in my opinion.

I’m using Zazzle. They are running a 50% off special right now. Here’s the link:
50% Off Save the Dates, Invites, Response Cards, Table Cards, Place Cards & Belly BandsCreate Your Dream Theme
DEAL ENDS2d 16h 45m 36sUSE CODEGANGSALLHERE

Vistaprint! You can make them 100% custom and they looks amazing.

I got my STD on shutterfly, I got the magnet ones, and I love them so much. So affordable.

I ordered free samples from a few invite companies (free shipping and all) and a ton of them came with discount codes. One of them even included free save the dates. You had to pay for the save the dates but they would send you a gift card that you would just put towards the invite cost!!

I used Basic Invite. They are priced extremely well for very beautiful STD and invites. I received so many compliments when I sent the STD outs because they are anything but basic

Vista print or you can just order the type of paper you want and do everything on the computer

We ordered ours for Basic Invite and absolutely love them. You get a 20% discount through wedding wire too

Might be alittle late but Etsy has great options you can print yourself!!