While brides swoon at every beautiful invitation cards featured in websites covering high-end weddings, there are many brides asking for more affordable ones that are within their spending budget and Inkpressive is challenged to develop new designs that still are:
~ Appropriate to the theme and color motif of the event
~ Fresh
~ Elegant
~ Pleasing to the eyes
I have listed SEVEN ways on how to help brides and grooms plan and select the type of invitation that won't break their piggy banks.
1. Choose the cheapest type of printing
Ask for
inkjet printing on special paper. It is the cheapest method. If the invitation requires no photo but with some color, then go for it.
If your invitation requires photo printing on special paper, or if you are critical about color quality, then ask for
Digital printing. It costs a bit more than inkjet, but the printing quality is very high.
2. Stay away from embellishments: gems, brooches, laces, shells, feathers etc.
Surely, these will make your invitations look more special, but they certainly come with additonal price.
Please take a look at the picture below. The cost of the brooch for example, can go anywhere from 30Php to 75Php depending on the kind.
A card with a brooch requires additional layer of paper, and the ribbon costs something too. The glue used to adhere these extras plus the service fee for the handmade process builds up the cost of this 1 piece card alone. Brooched invitations are bulky, therefore they need special envelopes, which are more pricey than the regular flat envelopes. Do I need to say more?
3.
Choose flat invitations over boxed types.
Box type invitations tend to be expensive because of the time and effort that goes to it, not to mention the embellishments in it. When it comes to shipping, it's really sad to be in a situation when brides order boxy kind of invitations and freak out over the shipping cost of an extra large packaging box. Be sure you are ready to pay for the shipping costs.
4. Choose Baronial over Pocketfold Envelope
 |
| Invitation with Baronial envelope (with liner) |
 |
| Pocketfold |
Pocketfolds are expensive because they require extra-long paper and special cutters to make the flap and the pocket. You would also need a belt to "hug" this so it won't open. Baronial envelopes are simple. Less paper, less work, less expense.
5. Stick to the normal sized cards.
Some invitations I've seen are really big. 7.5"x7.7" inches! They call these "statement" invitations. It's like putting a very large exclamation point at the end of the words, "we're rich". Large cards require more paper, and larger envelope. I don't need to say more, if you have read #4.
6. Avoid changing designs and layouts
Different suppliers have different policies when it comes to layout chages but they have one thing in common: additional fees for every change of design. While it is very easy for brides to change their minds over the layout done for them every time they see something new, they should also consider the time and effort the designer has put into the design that was requested before. Customised layouts are time consuming to create, unlike those ready-made designs where you can have the words changed instantly. So, if you don't want to find a lengthy bill, just stick to one design.
7. Choose to Do It Yourself
If you have the time and means to assemble your own invitations but want a designer look to the invitation cards, ask for a customised design from INKPRESSIVE and buy the files from the artist. You know, there's a big difference between amateur invitation layouts and designer layouts. You can then print the files at home and have your friends over to cut and help you put the prints together. What a bonding moment it would be!
There, I hopeyou find these tips helpful in your quest for the perfect wedding invitation. Don't get so anxious over the minute details and remember to enjoy the process. May your marriage be blessed with lots of patience and understanding!
XOXO,
Venus Fortuna, MD,MPH
Doctor of Medicine
Wedding invitation designer
