How to Save on Invitations

by Isabel
(New York, NY)

My dad put my new husband and me on a very tight budget in terms of a New York City wedding ceremony and reception. The cost that surprised us the most was how much invitations cost! The prices were through the roof and way more than we could afford on our budget.

One day while we were in Target, I stopped in the stationary aisle and found these make-your-own type invitations, except better. They were by a company called Gartner Studios (gartnerstudios.com) and the kit included all the paper, envelopes, response cards, ribbon, even tape that you needed to design incredible, professional-looking invitations. They give you optional wording and you print them yourself.

My husband and I used a relative's laser printer (free of charge) and on invitations for 30 people spent a total (including stamps) of $60. My own parents thought that the invitations were done by a professional. Just be sure to have somebody spellcheck everything and look it over before you print them!