Wedding invitations are a way to share your good news and joy with friends, relatives, and loved ones, but they also provide the first impression of your wedding to all of these people. Your wedding invitations should act as a representation of you and yet set the tone for your wedding and inform your guests of all the details. When selecting your wedding invitations you will find that there are an endless number of choices. While you should definitely choose invitations that are visually appealing to you, here are some other things to keep in mind during the process.

Cost
The number of guests that you are inviting to your wedding can have a significant impact on which wedding invitations you decide on, especially with regards to cost. Wedding invitations can become very expensive depending on the cards you choose, as well as how many you plan on sending out. If you are planning on a smaller wedding then you may be able to afford more extravagant invitations but if you are inviting 400 people, you might need to opt for a simpler, less expensive, invitation.

 It is advisable to have your invitation list ready before purchasing wedding invitations so that you can calculate the total cost of your wedding invitations before deciding on one that might not fit in your budget. Also, don’t forget to factor in the cost of mailing the invitations. If you are mailing hundreds of invitations postage costs could significantly add to the cost of your cards. Make sure they are the appropriate size and weight to be sent regular mail at regular price.

Style
The style of your wedding invitations should reflect the style of your wedding as well as the tastes of both you and your spouse. Make sure to pick a style of card that you both find attractive, but that is also appropriate for the type of wedding you are planning. For instance, if your wedding is going to be a formal evening affair then your wedding invitations should probably also be on the formal side. However, if you are planning an informal beach wedding or a themed ceremony then you might want to reflect this in your invitations. Remember that there are many possible invitation types and styles, so make sure you find the one that is right for you and that fits your budget.

Information
While the style of your wedding invitation is important, the information your invitation contains is infinitely more so. Following is a list of information you might want to include in your invitation.

• Time, date and place are a must!
• Attire – let your guests know if they should dress formally or casually
• Driving directions to ceremony
• Driving directions to reception
• RSVP cards - make sure to enclose a pre-stamped return envelope as well
• Meal request – if you are having a sit down dinner make sure to include a place on your RSVP card where your guests can choose a meal option (i.e. vegetarian or chicken)
• Number of People – make sure your guest specifies if they are bringing a date or coming solo

Other options
While most people get their wedding invitations made and printed professionally through a service that specializes in wedding invitations, this is not the only option available. Following are some alternatives…

• Design the cards yourself and have them made according to your design
• Buy or make the paper yourself and have them professionally printed
• Do it all yourself to create more personalized and less expensive invitations that reflect your individual style and personality