Type

Most Wedding Invitations can be put into one of three main categories.

• Pre-printed – Non personalised

Pre-printed wedding invitations are generally available off the shelf and are usually the cheapest option out of the three. They are available in a wide variety of designs with blank inserts that will need to be written out in their entirety.

• Printed – Personalised

There are many companies in the UK that specialise in made to order, personalised wedding stationery. There are literally thousands of designs available at varying costs and the inserts can be personalised with the text of your choice. Usually the main limiting factor is the colours each design is available in.

• Handmade – Personalised

Over the last 5 years there has been a large increase in the number of companies offering handmade wedding invitations. Generally handmade invites are more expensive then the other two options because of the time it takes to make each invite. They can usually be customised for each customer with a wide variety of colours.

Style

• Traditional Book Style

These invitations usually have the spine on the right hand side and open like a book or at the top of the card. Most printed invitations will be in this style.

• Flat Card Style

Flat Card invitations are probably the most basic of all the invites. Many companies that specialise in handmade invites offer these as a low cost alternative to there main ranges.

• Pull Out Pocket

Pull out pocket invites come in 2 parts – the wallet and then the insert that slides out. Again these usually come in the form of handmade wedding invitations and offer something a little unusual.

• Pocket Fold / Wallets

Pocket Fold invites also come in 2 parts – the wallet which works in a similar way to an envelope and then the insert which pulls out of the wallet. These are usually handmade and come in a wide variety of colours.

Budget

One of the most influential factors that will determine your choice of invite is budget. Remember to include all the items that you will need when calculating the total cost involved, otherwise your budget will quickly get washed away.

Typically you should expect to pay the following for the wedding invitations –

• Pre-Printed Invites (non-personalised) = 0.50p to £1.50

• Pre-Printed Invites (personalised) = £1.50 to £2.50

• Handmade Invites (personalised) = £2.50 to £4.00

These are just average price bands and it is always worth looking round as you may find a very similar design at a much lower price.

Colour

Wedding Invitations come in a huge variety of colours and shade. It may not always be possible for the manufacturer to match your colour choice for a specific design but you should be able to find a similar design that will match. It is always worth requesting samples before placing your order. The photo can occasionally distort the colour of the invite and once you have received your order, it may be too late to change your mind.

Theme

As well as a specific colour scheme some people also choose to incorporate a theme into their wedding day. Butterflies, flowers and hearts are all popular choices and most companies offer invites with these symbols incorporated into the design. If you cannot find a design that incorporates your theme, it may be worth speaking to the companies that produce handmade invites as they can often adapt there designs a lot easier then the companies that print the invites.