Wedding Invitations by Chewing the Cud, II
I’ve had a few emails from readers lately, requesting more budget-friendly features on SMP. I know that we have a really wide range of readers out there, so I want to make sure that everyone is getting a little something that can truly inspire elements for their own unique wedding.
So, in an effort to really reach out to all of our brides, I am going to start offering a “Look for Less” style feature on many of our posts. Today, Viola from Chewing the Cud, is offering her tips on working with a budget when it comes to your invitations…
From Viola at Chewing the Cud…
–Combine your information into one component (for example, include the reception information on the main invitation, rather than purchasing a separate card)
–Eliminate the response envelope by creating an RSVP postcard.
–Figure out if some of the information be communicated online? Directions, things to
do etc. are perfect for your wedding website.
–Offer a trade with your designer…if you have a unique skill, offer to swap services…I did this with my photographer and it worked out great!
–If you are working with a designer, have him/her create a template for you, then print menus, place-cards etc at
home. Companies like Paper-Source are perfect to find cute, coordinating papers that are easy to print at home.
–Play the bride card and gather all your crafty girlfriends (and
boyfriends) for a crafternoon!
Thank you so much to Viola for sharing these great tips. I think that the one thing that I really want to convey on SMP is that even if you are working on a budget, you can still work with great designers, photographers and planners to help you execute your vision. It just might take a little bit of imagination and working outside the box.
Look for Less Tip…Figure out where you place value in your wedding…is it the flowers? the invitations? the food? Then, rearrange your budget so that the emphasis is on what you love…skimp on the rest!
Comment by Stefani on 7 April 2008:
Love the “Look for Less” ideas. Looking forward to many more of these posts.
Comment by Leasa on 7 April 2008:
I saved considerably by ordering my invitations from The Arc, an community organization committed to people with physical, mental and developmental disabilities. The organization provides the disabled with job training, and jobs, like assembling invitations and printing stationary. And 40% of whatever you purchase goes directly to Arc. In the end, you’ve supported a worthy organization, done some socially-responsible, and I think you can write off the 40% as a charitable contribution (but you should check on that since I’m not licensed to give out tax advice). : )
Comment by sierra on 7 April 2008:
The Chewing the Cud invites look awesome. So much fun! And these are great tips. Thanks!
Comment by ShopLittleGifts on 7 April 2008:
Really good ideas! Especially the RSVP postcard. And I totally agree with printing at home. The key is to use high quality paper and set your printer setting to “best”. I have an HP officejet and it does an excellent job for a invitations.
Comment by Heidi @ Zenadia Design on 7 April 2008:
We at Zenadia Design are concerned about brides on a budget as well. Our custom invitations start at $3.00 per set. We have found that we can still create personalized extraordinary invitations while keeping within a budget.
Comment by Meg on 8 April 2008:
Hooray hooray! More budget tips indeed. I keep going back to look at Avalon’s wedding and figuring out similar things that I can do. It’s not even that I don’t have a pile of cash to throw at my wedding, I’m sure I could do it (debt for me, debt for my parents, or just general straining of resources) but it seems like it wouldn’t reflect my values. It’s just a party after all. I’d rather be creative and resourcefull. Thats why I read SMP, so I’m so thrilled that there will be more focus on those of us with budgets that are not ginormous (PS, it’s shocking when you think about it, that $20K is now considered a budget wedding! 20K!)