Is DIY cheaper? Best site for ordering invitations/stationary?

Re: Is DIY cheaper? Best site for ordering invitations/stationary?

• doeydo member

  

  September 2013

  I am thinking of using Vistaprint, Invitations by Dawn, or Wedding Paper Divas.  I think that DIY can actually get pretty expensive with all the ink and special paper that must be bought.  However, you could talk to your friend and ask if she would be interested in making your invitations, etc. and see what it would cost you.

  
  

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• bakerie member

  

  September 2013

  I would go with one of the kits from Michael's or AC Moore. I think those are your best bet, cost wise.

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• silver0319 member

  

  September 2013

  Ann's Bridal Bargains, Invitations by Dawn, and Vistaprint are all great options.  I semi-DIYed my invitations because I didn't find anything that I loved and fit my budget.  I would definitely recommend going the DIY route if you have the time, energy, and patience. 

  
  

  I spent a few days reading some how-to blogs, and designed my STDs in Powerpoint and my invites in Adobe Illustrator.  I uploaded my design and ordered STD postcards from Vistaprint.  They were great and I was really pleased with the finished product.  I also ordered place cards and notecards from one of their existing designs 

  
  

  I ordered my invitations and inserts (I designed them, they printed and cut the paper), and additional paper from Cards & Pockets, and found a bride unused pocketfolds on TK Classifieds. I ordered envelopes from Envelope Mall and had some custom return address stamps made on etsy.  The final cost of assembled invitations with 2 inserts will be under $2.50/each before postage.  If I had ordered a similar invitation from Invitations by Dawn, it would have cost me about $6/invitation.  

  

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• Micqs member

  

  September 2013

  Thank you!  I emailed my friend to see if she could help design everything.  She did it pro bono for two other friends so we'll see if I get the pro bono!  Haha.  My friend who used her for her invites said she works with to help design them then recommends places to print them.  She used vistaprint and a groupon and printed the invites off for 15.00!  So That might be my best option. 
  
  Thanks for all of your recommendations!
  

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• lovesclimbing member

  

  September 2013

  We got ours from Wedding Paper Divas.  We ordered 130 5x7 flat invitations for $226.20.  We went with the standard paper and the standard envelopes.  The paper was gorgeous.  It was thick and heavy and had a lovely texture.  It definitely didn't feel cheap.

   

  Then, we ordered 130 4x6 prints of one of our engagement shots from Shutterfly.  We got a first-time sign-up offer of 50 free 4x6 prints so we only paid $19.49.  The site says that offer is limited time but they've had it for months.  We bought a bulk package of tissue paper and cut it into 5x7 pieces with a borrowed paper cutter.

   

  We did not do STDs.  We did not do response cards because we were having a cake and punch reception and we had a good idea of how many people were coming.

  
  

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  It sounds awesome that you might get free designing.  I'm sure you won't, but just make sure not to bring it up, let her bring it up.  She may have had financial situations or whatever arise in her life where she's no longer able to offer her services for free.

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• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  September 2013

  We bought a few packs of invitations from the Michael's wedding aisle with 40% off coupons. We printed them  ourselves - it was super easy. We found it was easier to customize because we were able to pick exactly the same font we used for everything else and print in our wedding colors. Saved us a ton of money and they looked really good.

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• lizpanjian member

  

  September 2013

  I'm designing mine since I have the software, and getting them printed from various places online.  Check out nextdayflyers and smartpress.  I'm using next day flyers to print my RSVP postcards and other inserts.  I'll be using smartpress for my invitations.

  If your friend said she would design them for you, I would check ^these two websites out for printing.  I use next day flyers all the time at work to get postcards printed and they are always the cheapest option compared to uprinting and vistaprint.  Good luck!

  
  

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• Jean0715 member

  

  September 2013

  Its easy to design your own if your crafty with Microsoft Word or Pages. It can also be cheaper if you are planning on having menus/programs/escort cards. I need about 75 invitations and a bit over 150 escort cars/menus/programs/thank yous. I am hoping to do all of this for about 300 including postage. 

  
  

  Paper from Neenah Paper. Stack of 250 linen pressed for $35. For me this should be enough paper for invitations, RSVP, Menues, Programs and Thank Yous. 

  Envelopes

  
  

  LCI Paper for envelopes. Their envelope sets include the inner and outer envelopes and they have a lined option. 

  
  

  You can find templates online if you aren't that crafty. I decided to just create my own. Its a simple design and I will be embossing them with our monogram. 

  
  

  Hope this helps!

  
  

  My Blog

  
  

  
  

  

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• LydiaJoy12 member

  

  October 2013

  I actually bought a PDF from Etsy for $20 that included the invitation, RSVP, reception card, and extra enclosure card.  I bought linen paper in bulk online for $30 and am having staples print them for me for $50. So it was $100 for 150 invitations! My matron of honor did this for her wedding, and they were super nice and very impressive! (you could not tell at all that they were DIY!)

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