5 ways to save on wedding invitations without sacrificing style or quality

Here is a quick list for the modern bride on how to save money on wedding invitations, without giving up style or quality:

1. Use rsvp postcards instead of the card and envelope, you will save by eliminating the envelope and save on postage.
2. Couples are now skipping the extra cards altogether and using wedding websites for rsvp, reception and map information. Try http://www.google.com/weddings or ewedding.com.
3. Eliminate the second envelope, it is not necessary. Just make sure the invitation envelope is a heavier 80# weight and opaque, avoid flimsy, see-through envelopes.
4. Hand address the return address on the envelope, instead of having it printed for a personal touch, you don’t need a calligrapher, just someone  with neat handwriting.
5. Print and assemble yourself using premium materials, embellishments add a unique touch that will provide a luxe look for less. Visit http://www.formal-invitations.com for affordable high-end invitation papers and embellishments.

For fall, winter and rustic wedding ideas, fresh cut cedar is ideal for centerpieces, wreaths and garlands plus it provides a fabulous fragrance. Visit Flyboy Farms at http://www.flyboynaturals.com/fresh-cedar.html where you can purchase direct.

We also love these unique chocolate brown invitations with white overlay, tied together with twisted lokta cording. Lokta is a native shrub in Nepal, harvested by cutting the stem, which regenerates in a few years. The inner bark is soaked and hammered, then spread into thin sheets and dried by the sun.  The cords are naturally colored using vegetables dyes and after making a simple tie, the ends are unwound to create a beautiful leaf shape (74¢ each, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/AOT-CHOC-CEDR.html).

teal wedding invitation ideas with feathers

We love this gorgeous feather accent comb from twigs and honey, which features a lovely spray of feathers and swarovski crystals to accent your hair. Inspired by the beautiful hair accessory, the latest addition to the exclusive feather invitations from Formal-Invitations.com at http://www.formal-invitations.com/feather-invitations.html includes a teal and vellum card accented with a white marabou feather and crystal aquamarine brad for a luxe look. ($1.18 each which includes heavyweight teal card, vellum, feather, brad and envelope, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/AFD-TEAL-AQUA.html).

wedding invitation idea with feathers

Feathers are a chic trend and we used the idea to create these new stunning wedding invitations. A heavyweight pale gray-blue background card and printed white overlay were wrapped with a romantic lace and white grosgrain wrap. The wrap was embellished with a silky white marabou feather and pearl brad to add a magical, unique touch.

Invites are offered from Formal-Invitations as an affordable diy kit for $1.62 each or custom printed $212/100, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/AF-FROS-LCPE.html).

idea for zoo, safari or exotic themed wedding/event

Looking for ideas for your zoo, safari or exotic themed wedding or event? For a ultra-chic look, we used a heavyweight Jet black background card and white overlay, wrapped with an unryu sash and zebra grosgrain wrap from Formal-Invitations.com ($1.38 at http://www.formal-invitations.com/AY-JET-UNZEB.html).

This sleek cotton cady Misha dress from J. Crew is the perfect marriage of modern lines and timeless sophistication. The one-shouldered frock features subtle pleating and would make your bridesmaids very happy ($235 available in 9 colors).

sunflower color palette

For a late summer wedding idea, we used a vibrant sunflower as inspiration for a pretty color palette. For easy designing, use 60% of our  main color, 30% of the secondary and 10% for the accent color throughout your event. For example select bridesmaid dresses in clove brown, with a marigold colored bouquet and sparkling tourmaline green jewelry… or a table set with artichoke green linens, clove brown settings and gold and yellow centerpieces. Visit http://www.formal-invitations.com/yellow-wedding-invitations.html for invitation ideas featuring vibrant yellow and goldenrod.

Pink baby shower invitation ideas with brass carriage charm

A lovely idea for a baby girl shower invitations, these invites feature a heavy pale pink background card, layered with a white overlay, then wrapped with a metallic gold cord which was strung with a keepsake carriage charm ($1.22 each from Formal-Invitations.com, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/ACC-MAGN-CARR.html). The overlay was printed with vintage artwork which could also be used for favor labels ($14 for a book/cd of 1268 images also from Formal-Invitations.com).

For a sweet favor idea, the Vosges Pink Champagne truffles combine Piper Heidsieck brut rosè Champagne in 65% cacao dark chocolate, rolled in fragrant rose bud poudre.

Japanese inspired wedding invitation idea

Lyric scenes of exquisite beauty and a mastery of line and composition have characterized Japanese art for thousand of years. Dover Publications offers a treasury of permission-free Japanese clip art cd plus a printed book of the scanned images. We used the idea to create beautiful wedding invitations with decorative brads. We used a lovely crane design to print on our overlay, then fastened it to a Anjou pear green heavyweight background card with a Amethyst jewel brad. Supplies to create the invitation were only 78¢ each, including an envelope made from 100% post consumer fibers, from Formal-Invitations.com. They also offer the clip art cd and book for $14, which can be used for your wedding program, favors, menu cards and more.

military, patriotic, july 4th or campaign invitations

A perfect invitation idea for a military, campaign, July 4th or patriotic wedding and events, these elegant invitations feature a red, white and blue striped grosgrain wrap. The black heavyweight card is layered with a printed white overlay, then wrapped with an unryu wrap and the grosgrain ribbon for a substantial look and feel ($1.38 each from Formal-Invitations.com, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/AY-JET-UNRWB.html).

Shown with the Freedom Red Rose from Fifty Flowers (200 for $249), A large, lustrous bloom with gently rolling petals create this perfect rose. A traditional lipstick red, this rose will add a elegant charm to any event; lay stems across each place setting at an evening function, arrange vases to be taken home as party favors or carry them down the aisle.

Melon and Tiffany Blue Custom Printed Wedding Invitations with Medallion

We love the cool combination of coral and turquoise, shown in Instyle magazine, and used the idea to createa these chic custom printed wedding invitations from Formal-Invitations.com with Melon and a custom turquoise blue. A gorgeous vintage Indian medallion was also added from their artwork collection to complete the look. The heavyweight cards can be printed in any color and artwork combination and were an affordable $164 for 100, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/PC-ICON-MEDL.html. Beautiful!

premium invitation supplies & templates available at formal-invitations.com

Invitations with sashes are an great way to add a pop of color and pattern, perfect for weddings and special events. We have provided easy instructions how to create these  unique, layered announcements.

For convenience and cost savings, select from premium diy kits which include pre-cut heavyweight background cards, standard sized overlay, pre-cut sashes, glue dots and envelopes at http://www.formal-invitations.com/sash-wedding-invitations.html, or mix and match components to create your own design:

• Select a heavy weight background card at http://www.formal-invitations.com/invitation-cards.html, available in 50+ colors and patterns, pre-cut to fit in our envelopes. If you are using your own stock, it should be at least 80-110# cover weight and cut down to 5.125″x7″.
• Laser and ink-jet Printable white opaque overlay 65# cover sheets at http://www.formal-invitations.com/CO-OVER-65WH.html, do not use text weight or translucent paper. We recommend purchasing water resistant ink jet ink or using a laser printer or copier, for better durability.
• Fine paper sashes in pretty florals, modern graphics and hand marbled designs, rustic zebra blockprint, delicate unryu, metallic accents, sparkling glitter or beaded textures at http://www.formal-invitations.com/invitation-sashes.html, pre-cut to wrap around invitations. If you are using your own sash paper, cut to 1.5″x11″.
• Ultra thin glue dots, three per invitation at http://www.formal-invitations.com/invitation-tools.html.
• Envelope, liners and seals http://www.formal-invitations.com/invitation-envelopes.html, use a 80# text weight envelope instead of the standard 70# (which are thinner and more see-through) if you are using your own.

Easy diy instructions how to make invitations with sashes, allow about an hour for setup, proofing, printing and cutting plus a 30 seconds each to assemble:

Papaya orange shower invitations with metallic cording and umbrella charm

April showers bring happy celebrations for chic brides and moms-to-be. For help in planning a shower, checkout the Knot’s guide for tips and ideas at http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/bridal-shower-ideas.aspx. For ideas and inspiration we made these super cute invites using a trendy orange card wrapped with sparkling metallic cording, then strung with a metal umbrella charm ($1.22 from Formal-Invitations.com, order at http://www.formal-invitations.com/ACC-PAPY-UMBR.html.