When the date has been set and it’s time to invite your guests, you want an invitation that reflects you and your bride or groom. Sure, you can go with the tried-and-true, standard invitations, but will they really reflect what you want them to say? Will it speak in a style that reflects you?

Instead, why don’t you try a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding invitation? The best thing about DIY invitations is you can set the style. That means you can determine the color scheme, theme and overall feel. And whatever pattern you establish with the invitations can be carried through to the RSVP cards, placecards and more.

Here are a few good reasons to think about DIY wedding invitations:

• The standard, pre-made invitations can be very expensive. If you are at all concerned with cutting costs, this is the first place to start.

• It can be extremely hard to find one that accurately reflects you and the sentiments you and your soon-to-be-spouse want to send your guests.

• Save yourself some time. The hours you spend going to a print house to pick your invitations could be spent at an arts and crafts store choosing the right materials. Or it could be saved by surfing the Web to find the style that fits you.

If it’s a small audience, opt to decorate your invitations by hand. If this is overwhelming, ask for help from the bridal party. You can use rubber stamping, hand calligraphy or just nice handwriting. Your guests will not judge the format. They’ll just be happy to be included in the big day.

Another option is to pick out blank cards that can be printed at a local copy shop. With this option you only have to come up with one invitation that can be copied. There won’t be any variation from one invitation to the other, as you can expect consistency from the print shop.

If you’re not the creative type, don’t give up. There are services you can check out online that can make this an easy task. One of the classiest styles available is a black baroque, damask wedding invitation kit. It comes in a print-at home invitation kit with 50 5.5-inch by 7.75-inch invitations with black lined envelopes, folded response cards and envelopes. And to give it that extra special look, the wedding kit also includes 50 silver double hearts seals. Most of the invitation kits are compatible with most ink jet and laser printers. You pick the font and everything else that goes in the middle of the baroque frame and print them up. Your guests will be enchanted.

You can even do something special by printing your photograph in the background of the invitation and your invitation wording over it. With the invitation kite, you print the photograph the back card and your invitation wording on the vellum overlay. Tie the two together with a sheer white ribbon and you’ve got a very professional looking invitation. The invitation kit contains with 25 5.5-inch by 7.75-inch photo cards, vellum overlays, sheer white ribbons, invitation envelopes, response cards and envelopes. It also includes easy-to-use template instructions.

Want something more casual? Try the Baby’s Breath wedding invitation. It features a botanical silhouette – a theme that is carried over to the envelopes and response cards. The invitation kit includes 50 5.5-inch by 7.75-inch invitations with brown-lined envelopes and 50 response cards and envelopes.

For a striking invitation consider the Black and White Pocket Wedding Invitation kit. It alternates between the colors – starting with a white invitation. The cover envelope is black, opening vertically (instead of the normal horizontal open). And the mailing envelope is white. The invitation kit includes

25 5.5-inch by 7.75-inch invitations, cover envelopes, mailing envelopes, response cards and envelopes.

If you want some color on your invitation, think about the Sage Green Vellum Gatefold invitation kit.

It includes a vellum wrap and an ivory ribbon tie. The kit consists of a printed vellum jacket that goes over the printed insert card – all tied with a sheer ivory ribbon. The envelope is lined with the same sage green used in the invitation. It is truly a lovely invitation that many will want to save. The kit includes 25 invitations, response cards and envelopes – as well as assembly instructions to save you any confusion.

A similar style is the Ivory Vellum and Bow wedding invitation kit. This includes a back card and a vellum overlay for printing. Tie the two together with an ivory-colored satin ribbon. The kit includes 50 invitations, coordinating printed envelopes, response cards and envelopes. If you prefer sage green over ivory, there is an invitation kit available in that color choice, too.

After you’ve finished your DIY invitations, complete the look with a personalized block stamp that uses your new return address. These stylized stamps can be personalized in any way you choose. The stamp impression is 1 inch and comes with black ink, but there are nine colors that can be ordered separately.