As wedding planners, we know how important wedding invitations are in setting the overall tone for your wedding. For a lot of couples, wedding invitations are the first official introduction of your wedding vibe to the world, so it’s totally common for our couples to stress over this task.

Wedding invitations, like anything else in the wedding planning process, can be super overwhelming based on the sheer number of options available. From online marketplaces to local stationers, calligraphy vs typeface…there is certainly no shortage of styles to choose from! But we’re here to help you weigh the options and prioritize what’s important to you so you can have the wedding invitations of your dreams.

1. Consider your wedding invitation budget.

Before you can make any decisions on where to get your wedding invitations, you need to know what you want and more importantly, what you can afford. Ugh, we know the dreaded budget. But we promise, budget is where you need to start. This is going to be the driving force in where you shop, and what elements your wedding invitations will consist of.

Most of our couples are surprised to find out how much custom wedding invitations can cost from a local stationer or any business who creates custom suites. Depending on the design elements and quantity of wedding invitations needed, some wedding invitation suites can cost an engaged couple upwards of $10,000. So before you fall in love with a specific designer, or declare that you must have calligraphy, have a heart-to-heart with your budget. (FYI: this is where it’s really helpful to hire a full service wedding planner, so they can help breakdown what you should be spending per vendor, and point you in the right direction from the get- go).

2. Think about how “hands-on” you want to be.

Do you want guests to respond digitally on your wedding website? If so, then a formal RSVP card isn’t a necessity. Do you want the ease of finding something you like and being able to customize it yourself? Then an online wedding invitation marketplace might be a good idea for you (we love Minted.com, by the way). Do you loathe the idea of stuffing, stamping and mailing dozens, maybe hundreds of envelopes?! Then why not consider sending a digital wedding invitation? Our lead planner Kristen used Greenvelope.com for her wedding and it was seamless! And, of course, if you are excited about receiving mail that isn’t a bill or catalog, then a traditional printed suite with RSVP card and envelope is the right fit for you! Being “hands on” also blends into point number 3…

3. Hone in on your design must-haves.

Obviously, style is another initial thing to consider. For someone who would prefer to “window shop” and choose from a curated selection of wedding invitation designs, online marketplaces are fantastic and affordable. They also have a wide assortment of matching wedding day stationary and a fast turnaround time. A lot of our couples purchase their seating charts or seating cards from Minted as well, and they are delivered within 2 weeks.

Of course, if you are looking for something completely unique, you should go with a custom stationer. Same goes for if you favor a certain card stock or a bespoke technique like letterpress. A big bonus to custom wedding invitation design is that you get a one-on-one experience working with a professional. Typically, you’ll start with a design consultation where you’ll share inspiration photos, talk through your overall vision for your wedding, and explore different options. Then, you’ll participate in reviews and revisions of the designs until everything is just right! Most of our couples will use their stationer for all of their wedding day pieces so everything is cohesive! Since we’re a NJ Wedding Planner, we have to recommend our girl Becca at Suite Paperie. She is the best in the business.

Want more wedding invitation advice? Schedule a call with Well-Dressed Events to see how we can help you with your wedding invitations and more in your wedding planning process!