From save the dates and wedding invites to programs and thank you cards, there are several print materials involved in the wedding planning process. Each of these products is unique in purpose but serve to provide guests with an insight into the big day. While it would seem that purchasing a few hundred sheets of paper with some images on it would be cheap, wedding print materials can cost several hundred dollars.
If you’re trying to plan a wedding on a budget, any penny you can save is a plus. Below are a few practical solutions on how to cut the costs of your print materials.
Shop Around
When looking for a vendor to purchase your save the date cards, invitations, programs, and thank you cards from, you must shop around. There are several companies out there offering competitive prices to gain your business. Compare the prices of a few places before making a final decision. Also, keep a lookout for additional services. For example, if a company is offering free mailing and change the date options, then this would be the better choice.
Keep it Simple
When designing print materials for your wedding, keeping it simple could save you a ton of money. When couples choose fancy paper, large graphics, multiple colors, and other features, they pay more for the finished product. You can opt for a minimalist style and still design elegant items to give your guests. If you are planning to keep a guest book at your wedding for guests to sign and write comments before leaving the event, consider looking for sleek yet affordable options. You can check out websites like Loom Weddings or similar others to get various guest book options with a varied price range. To make this keepsake more valuable, you can also get it customized by engraving your partner’s and your name as well as your wedding date on it.
Go Digital
If you really want to save money on wedding print materials, going digital is a practical solution. Lots of couples are opting for social media wedding announcements, wedding websites, and thank you videos to give their friends and family. It’s a fun way to incorporate technology, convenient, and saves a ton of money on paper, ink, and postage.
Limit Your Guest List
The more people you have to send invitations and hand out programs to, the more you’re going to spend on print materials for your wedding. If you’re looking for an easy way to save money on this expense item, perhaps you should take a second look at your guest list. Removing even 25 people from the list can make a significant difference in costs.
Make Copies
If you’re really on a shoestring wedding budget, you can always order a few customized wedding print materials and then make copies. The originals should be given to close friends and family members while the copies should be handed out to everyone else. Copies are cheaper than individual prints and are a convenient concept for couples who plan on having a large wedding.
DIY
If you consider yourself creative and know how to work with basic technologies like image editing software and printers, you can make your own print materials. You’ll want to invest in a quality image or photo editing software and an advanced printer for the best results. From there, it’s just a matter of putting together the design, layout, and wording. Lastly, using high-quality paper and ink, print out the materials, and place them in folders for safekeeping.
While making your own print materials for your wedding could save you money, this is only true if you know what you’re doing. It’s common for couples to make mistakes that cause them to waste time, money, and resources. A good rule of thumb would be to try a few by yourself. If they come out right, you can continue making print materials at home. If, however, the results are unfavorable, you may want to look for an affordable service provider to assist you.
Weddings can set couples back tens of thousands of dollars as they begin their new lives together. As most people don’t have that kind of money to spare, they should set a budget and find ways to save. Though there are tons of opportunities to save on your wedding (including eloping), using the above advice will get you quality print materials at a fraction of the cost.