Wedding Invitation Kits - Things to Consider When Shopping for Your Invitations

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One of the most personal and important choices you will make when planning your wedding is your wedding invitation. When you are distracted and dazzled by all of the other happenings going on around you, it is easy to lose sight of exactly what type of invitation you need to choose. This time can be extremely challenging and finding ways to "shortcut" your to do list can often times seem daunting. An option many couples are choosing today is to purchase wedding invitation kits which not only can save you a bundle, but actually make it easy for you to make your own invitations and add that personal touch to your special day.

When shopping for the perfect kits there are some things you need to keep in mind to make it a successful plan for both yourself and your guests.

1. Set aside time to shop. Yes, this may seem like a no brainer but when planning a wedding, nothing is a no-brainer. There is so much on your plate, the time seems to fly by and often things catch up to you in a way you had not planned. So it is important to mark time on your calendar to do nothing but shop for your kits. The internet offers a large array of on-line retailers who offer a large variety of choices of wedding invitation kits and many retailers such as Walmart and Target have a nice variety directly off of the shelf. There are printable kits, diy kits and some are already pre-printed and ready to go, depending on personal preference. If you go the on-line route, remember that ordering early will ensure you get your invitations in plenty of time to add your own special touches and to be sure that they fit the bill. If there is a problem or issue, you will be able to adjust and make changes without causing yourself undue stress.

2. Know your color scheme and type of affair. Once you have set aside the time, make sure you know exactly what it is you are looking for in the way of an invitation. In other words, is your wedding formal and fancy or casual? Is your color scheme pink and white or hunter green and chocolate brown? Knowing these things ahead of time will help tremendously when shopping.

3. Set aside a budget. Although wedding invitation kits are much more budget friendly than professionally printed invitations, you can still spend a pretty penny on the "extras" if you haven't set aside a dollar amount for the invites. The whole purpose of choosing kits is usually twofold
a). You want to be involved in every aspect of the design, wording and outcome
b). You want to save money and cut costs without losing the beauty and elegance of your invitation

So knowing these 2 things are paramount to understanding exactly what it is you want to spend when starting to shop for your kits. Some things to consider when shopping are the type of card; do you want a single panel card only or are you looking for a more elegant touch by embellishing your invitation with vellum. Do you plan to print your own and add the reception information directly on the invite or have the traditional separate reception card? Do you want special seals, stamps, embellishments? All of the little extras and embellishments cost so just be sure you know what it is you are looking to spend.

4. Give your guests enough time to respond. Sometimes when preparing your own invitations you get so caught up in the design, shopping and wording you forget to be sure the project can be finished early enough to allow the guests time to respond. Remember, once the invitation is complete, you still need to stuff, address and seal the envelopes. Be sure to allot time for the back end of the invitation. Wedding invitations should be mailed out 8 weeks in advance of the wedding day. Many people need more time than that to make travel arrangements. If your budget allows, a "save the date" card can be sent anywhere from 4 to 12 months prior to the date so that might be a good option depending on your circumstances.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for your wedding invitation kits is to plan ahead before jumping into the water. Shopping without having a goal in mind is similar to getting in your car and driving without a destination. Creating your own wedding invitations is probably one of the most personal and exciting things you will do when planning a wedding. Make it fun and stress free so that the process is an enjoyable one and the end result is exactly as planned.

Anne Reese is a Consultant passionate about helping couples reduce stress and help take the guesswork out of do it yourself Wedding Invitation Kits by providing some basic information on cost, choices and where the best places are to find that one of a kind invitation for the happy couple's special day. For more information on where to find the best kits, diy invitations, designs, wording and etiquette, visit http://www.weddinginvitation-kits.com/.

Sample Wedding Invitations: Secrets to Creating Your Own Wedding Invitation Samples

Creating wedding invitations used to be unheard of in the past. Most brides chose the traditional route of picking a design, a font and an "out of the box" invitation with a little wording changed here and there. But today, it is not only possible to create a beautifully crafted hand-made invitation that rivals any professionally printed one, but a very accepted way of doing things especially in today's rough economical climate. Creating sample wedding invitations before you push the button is a great way to not only see the end result before you jump, but gives you the freedom to experiment while you are searching for that perfect invitation.

Now depending on whether you choose to create your invitation from scratch or create it using one of the many on-line sites which allow you to pick and choose your design, fonts and paper stock, doing it yourself is a great option for today's bride. By creating some samples first, you will be able to show them to friends and relatives to get some opinions before you make a decision.

Creating samples goes a long way in alleviating the biggest stress factor of all when planning any event. The "unknown" factor. Having a sample in hand gives you the assurance that the final product will be exactly what you expected with no surprises. And no bride wants the wrong type of "surprises" on her journey. The following are some secrets and quick tips to creating your own sample wedding invitations.

Word processing program. Essential if you plan on creating your own invitations from scratch. Word is the most universally known and works extremely well. Open office is also a free software which works great. It might be a little more quirky than word but overall for the price it can't be beat. Most software applications have downloadable templates for wedding invitations. Simply browse through the selection of templates and pick a few favorites so you can take a look at different styles. There are also many on-line sites which have templates that can be downloaded free of charge.

Pick a Card Stock. Decide on the type of card stock and buy a small quantity first to be sure it works well with your printer. If you are opting for layers or can't decide on the color, then buy a small quantity in the different colors just to get an idea of how each will look. Go small when making samples. The whole idea here is to find what you want before you spend. Be sure to use the same stock grade that you plan on using for your invite so you get a true picture of the look and feel of the invitation.

Decide on printing. Since you are creating wedding invitation samples, it is a good idea to be sure you have a high quality printer. Most invitations and card stock work well with home printers but some card stock is too heavy and should be professionally printed. By printing them off at home first you will get a much better idea of how the paper stock works with your printer. If you don't have a good quality printer, then you can always print a sample copy on plain white paper and take it to a local printer and have them duplicate the invitation on various stocks. The standard wedding invitation size is 8 1/2 x 11 but choose whatever size suits your tastes.

Final Touches. If your invitation is folded, then fold your invitation and trim away any excess. Embellish each invitation differently adding your own personal touches to each so you get a good idea of which ones look best.

Creating your own sample wedding invitations is a great way to get a glimpse into the style and type of wedding invitation which will look best for your affair without spending a small fortune up front. Eliminating the "unknown" factor will go a long way in reducing the stress and anxiety that comes with planning a wedding and will ensure that your invitation will be exactly what you had envisioned.

Anne Reese is a Consultant passionate about helping couples reduce stress and help take the guesswork out of do it yourself wedding invitation kits by providing some basic information on cost, choices and where the best places are to find that one of a kind invitation for the happy couple's special day. For more information on where to find the best kits, DIY invitations, designs, wording and etiquette, visit http://www.weddinginvitation-kits.com/.