Simply Sensible Budget Wedding Invitations & Accessories

If you are like many couples, you may be looking for ways to save money in your planning so why not start with your wedding invitations. The good news is that just because you spend less doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality and style.


A few months ago, we introduced our offering of Simply Sensible Budget Wedding Invitations. These 100+ unique selections are all very reasonably priced with some even costing less than $100 for 100 invitations (excluding extra options & insert cards).



We are now very excited to announce a couple of additions to our Simply Sensible Budget product line - thank you cards and personalized paper napkins.

Wedding Invitation Timeline - Part 2 (5 months to Wedding)

Here is the continuation of the wedding invitation timeline started in my last post.

4-5 months

• Finalize your wording and place your wedding invitation order. Remember to order some extras now so you won’t run out if there are last-minute guests to invite and so you also have a few as souvenirs. If the option is available, order some extra envelopes just to be safe.
  
• Review your guest list to make sure you have current addresses for everyone.
  
• Consider mailing your wedding invites using custom wedding stamps. Many online retailers provide you with the alternative of choosing from pre-designed wedding postage or simply uploading a photo to create your own stamp design. NOTE - Be sure to have one of your ready-to-mail invitations weighed at a Post Office BEFORE you purchase any postage stamps to make sure you are using the correct amount for each invitation.

3-4 months

• Fold and/or assemble your wedding invitations, if necessary.
  
• Hand address mailing envelopes and write guest names on inside envelopes, if they are included.
  
• Purchase and apply postage stamps to the response card envelopes or response postcards, if they will be included.
  
• Assemble all wedding invitation pieces and insert them into already addressed envelopes.
  
• Take one fully assembled and sealed invitation to the Post Office to have it weighed to determine the correct amount of postage needed.
  
• Purchase your stamps or order custom wedding stamps with appropriate postage amount required for mailing.

6-8 weeks

• Seal the envelopes, apply postage stamps and mail them all at the same time directly at a Post Office location.

3-4 weeks

• Prepare and mail any other related wedding invitations…rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, etc.
  
• Keep track of the response cards as they are returned by checking off their names from your guest list.

2-3 weeks

• Contact any guests who didn’t mail back their response cards.
  
• Provide final guest count to reception/dinner location.

That pretty much takes care of everything related to your invitations prior to your wedding. The only thing left to do is to write and mail out your wedding thank you cards, especially if you ordered them with your wedding invitations. They should be sent out about a month after the wedding and no more than three months after.

Again, this is just a guideline for your wedding invitations process but hopefully it will help you stay organized which is the key for all of your wedding planning.

Wedding Invitation Timeline - Part 1 (1 year to 6 months before wedding)

Wedding invitation planning…you may not realize just how many steps there really are to organizing and preparing your invitations. From creating your guest list to finalizing all your ceremony and reception details, many things affect your wedding invitation preparations.

Many of the steps in the wedding invitation process really have no definite deadlines. Although there are some general timeframes that you may find helpful to avoid last-minute rushing.

Here is a basic timeline to simply use as a guideline for your invitation planning:

9 months – 1 year

• Begin working on your guest list so you will know how many wedding invites (and maybe save the dates) to eventually order (one per single adult, couple or family invited).
  
• Start your wedding invitation shopping so you can narrow your choices down to only your favorites. Ordering samples, which are usually blank, will give you a chance to see the paper and design up close.
  
• If you are planning to mail out save the date cards to guests, begin searching for your preferred design of them as well.

7 to 8 months

• If you will be sending save the dates, place your order based on the number of guests to whom you will be mailing them as they are optional.
  
• Give some thought to how your wedding invitation wording will read by browsing through sample verses.

6 months

• If sending save the dates, prepare and mail them.
  
• Choose your wedding invitation design and record all the details for imprinting such as date, times, name and address of location(s), etc.
  
• Determine if you will also be ordering any wedding invitation enclosures or accessories - response cards, reception cards, direction/map cards, pre-printed return address on envelopes, decorative envelope seals, colored lining for inner envelopes, matching thank you or informal cards. Depending on your chosen style, not all of these options may be available. The option of ordering matching menu, place and table cards may be available for your design. You will save on separate shipping costs by purchasing as many items as you can all in the same order.
  
• If you are including response cards, check with your dinner location to see how far in advance they need your final guest count so you can select the RSPV date that will be printed on them (typically 2-3 weeks before wedding). You also need to decide whose address will be printed on the response envelope or postcard meaning they will receive the replies.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the wedding invitation timeline leading right up to your wedding day.

Save the Date Cards

With everyone's busy schedules today, it might be a good idea to send out save the date announcements so guests have plenty of time to plan their schedule around your wedding date. Save the date cards come in a variety of designs and styles so you are sure to find the one perfect for you.



Impress your guests with save the date photo cards. They are a great way to share a favorite photo or maybe your engagement picture with family and friends.






You can also be whimsical and creative by sending save the dates that are themed or even in a unique shape.






Another unique style for a save the date is a calendar design that shows the month of your wedding with your specific date circled for easy reference.



Save the date cards are just one of your style choices when it comes to announcing your upcoming wedding date. Check out other posts for more styles and ideas.

Fall in Love with Autumn Wedding Invitations

The design of wedding invitations can be themed to match the season of the year. Since planning is in full swing for weddings that will take place this fall, I thought I would highlight some gorgeous autumn wedding invitations.



Whether you are looking for an invitation to reflect the warm, rich colors of the fall season...






OR an elegant design featuring a fall leaf motif...







OR a stunning wedding invitation that displays a beautiful bold colored flower of the season...



Your chosen autumn wedding invitation design will perfectly announce your special day.

Save the Date Magnets

If you are planning to send out save the date announcements to give your guests advanced notice of your wedding date with today's busy schedules, magnets are both unique and practical. Guests can easily stick them to their refrigerator or any other metal surface as a simple reminder.



Save the date photo magnets also make great keepsakes. This is the perfect way to share a favorite photo or even your engagement picture with guests.





Wedding themes can also be shared using your save the date magnets, especially when you are planning a destination wedding. They will give guests extra time for making their travel arrangements so they can personally share in your special day.




Another unique style for a save the date magnet is a calendar design that shows the month of your wedding with your specific date circled for easy reference.



Save the date magnets are just one of your style choices when it comes to announcing your upcoming wedding date. I'll cover your other style options in future posts.

Tea Length Wedding Invitations

I'm sure you have heard of tea length dresses but how about tea length wedding invitations. Typically 9 1/4" x 4" in size, these modern wedding invitations are unique and sophisticated in their appearance.




The tea length style is available in both horizontal and vertical designs. Some of them include other modern features such as two ink imprint colors or even two different lettering styles. The mailing envelopes will also be sure to catch the attention of your wedding guests due to their intriguing size to properly fit the invitations.




Tea length is just one style of today's modern wedding invitations since it's quite distinctive and chic looking in both its size and design.

Pink Wedding invitations

Pink has always been an extremely popular wedding color so why not have pink wedding invitations.

There are several ways to use pink within your wedding invitation design. Pictured here is an invitation printed on a soft pink paper.



Another option is to choose a pocket wedding invitation design and in this case the pocket is again a delicate pink color for holding your invitation.





A blush pink border, either solid or patterned, also adds a dainty touch to wedding invitations. Depending on the design, the border may not appear on all four sides but maybe just on a single side or it could be a simple line border.





This style incorporates a graceful pink rose design and also features a matching pocket.






As you can see there are different ways to create your own version of elegant pink wedding invitations if pink is your passion. You may also consider a brighter more vibrant shade of pink like fuchsia shown here.