How to Save Money on Wedding Invitations, Thank You Notes, and Ceremony Programs

Want to save a bundle on wedding invitations, thank you notes, and programs for the actual ceremony? So many people do not understand that with new technology, the days are long past of depending on a company which is only out to make a profit by offering expensive invitations!

If you have access to a computer and a printer, then you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on these items. You just have to know where to look.

Wal-Mart carries wedding invitations and thank-you notes in their craft section. A package of 50 invitations runs from around $18 - $22. Often they are put into the clearance section as well and can cost around $11 or even less for 50. Some are plain, some have designs, and most are white or ivory. After you dig out an old invitation or search Google to find what goes on an invitation, then print them up yourself in any font you find appealing.

Thank you notes run about $10 for 50. They are very simply designed, often just featuring the words "Thank You" in an attractive script. These, too, are usually white or ivory. Recently my daughter spent around $200 on thank you notes she ordered online. She thought she was saving herself money, but she could have bought 200 thank you notes for $40 if she had just shopped around a little or asked me!

If you want to be original, you can buy cardstock at Wal-Mart or at Michael's and create your own design, color, and style for invitations or thank-you cards. Invitations can be folded in half with the fold at the left or at the top, and thank you notes take about a half sheet of cardstock, folded the same two ways. Simply punching holes and tying a gauzy ribbon at the top or sides, etc. can dress them up immensely, or you can feature a photo of the happy couple or dried flowers pressed between filmy sheets. Envelopes are easy to find in the stationery section of the store.

Just browsing through the craft section of the store can give a bride endless ideas for personalizing invitations and thank you cards. Some people like to include little heart or champagne confetti to fall out when the envelope is opened. Some brides even use rose petals or potpourri. Again, the sky is the limit on personal and unique touches.

The wedding ceremony program is another item that can be made easily from cardstock. The program can be folded in half to be used with the fold at the left or at the top, or they can be folded longwise with the fold on the left. These, too, can be enhanced with ribbon. There is also a small tool in the craft section that works like a hole puncher to leave a design in the paper. We had planned to use ribbon on ours, but they were so classy looking without them, that we just used them printed and folded. Less work and they looked fantastic!

Don't be afraid to do it yourself when it comes to wedding invitations, thank you notes, or ceremony programs. The results can be just as or even more attractive and much more personal than those selected from a vendor. Happy wedding planning!