Making Homemade Wedding Invitations: Do's And Don'ts

Making wedding invitations doesn't require a degree in graphic design or an apprenticeship in printing. Using a little creativity and your own computer, you can plan a wedding invite that will set the tone for your special ceremony. Here are some do's and don'ts for making wedding invitations.

Do consider DIY kits.

DIY kits are homemade wedding invitations made easy. Kits contain unprinted pre-cut stationery. You might print the invitations on your home computer, or, to save the time it takes for a do-it-yourself printing project, take your template and paper to the local copy shop.

As you shop for kits, be sure you understand the contents of what you're purchasing. For example, some kits contain only invitations and envelopes and require you to purchase enclosure cards separately. However, other kits contain invites, enclosure cards and envelopes--so be sure to confirm exactly what you're getting.

Online printing specialists are making wedding invites easy to do yourself by posting downloadable templates on their websites. Templates are available to fit nearly any size and style of DIY kit and are typically available in common word processing programs.

Don't forget to order stationery samples.

Before you print a single invite, find out if you can order samples of the paper you'll be using. You can judge the quality of the paper, and you might be able to put a copy through your printer to confirm what the finished product will look like. With a stationery sample, you can also experiment with embellishments, such as ties, ribbons and charms.

Do call in the troops.

Printing, assembling and addressing all of those invites can be a daunting task for even the most enthusiastic bride-to-be. Ask friends and family to help make your homemade wedding invitations. Remember to enlist your bridesmaids, too, after all, that's what they're there for. You might need to bribe them into making wedding invites by providing snacks or drinks.

Don't forget to set a budget.

If you're going the homemade route to save on professional printing fees, make sure you set a budget for a do-it-yourself job. You can get caught up in designing a beautiful invitation that's just as expensive as anything you'd order from a boutique print shop. That simple text invitation you'd planned on can quickly turn into an elaborate budget-busting invite complete with a vellum overlay, ribbons, charms and a pocket-type envelope. Set a spending limit before you start designing a homemade wedding invitations--your bank balance will thank you!

Do shop online for the best deals.

For many years, brides were forced to order invitations through local print shops or through middlemen, like flower shops or bridal boutiques. While this process created one-stop shops for wedding day needs, it also added to the cost. Online wedding invite specialists, however, have made ordering stationery and embellishments for invites easy and cheap.

Do have fun!

Teeny-tiny budgets can force the most craft-phobic bride to rely on homemade wedding invitations. Approach the project with a get-it-done attitude. Who knows? Maybe you'll find an inner-craft maven you never knew you had. While you will invest your time, you'll also get the satisfaction of making wedding invitations yourself.