When you are planning a wedding, the budget gets strained, and it feels like everybody is just waiting to bill you for more services. Wedding invitations are not to be overlooked; you'd be shocked how much specialized card printers will charge you for them.
Because invitations are for every couple's own events and must be printed in bulk, sometimes they are a huge cost. Designing them at home could save you lots, especially if you go about it smartly. And even if money is not an issue, the do-it-yourself creation will provide you countless options for your own theme.
Choose Your Material
This is usually the initial and most critical step, because it will help decide your design and how you will envision the end product. You have options for the color, the pattern, the grain, the various types of cardstock… choices are unlimited. The easiest is to inquire with the printing company you will use. If you are looking forward to put the cards together yourself, stop at an art store to select your paper.
Software – It's All Available
Before you consider paying for specialized software, you probably want to look at what already on your computer; the typical computer is offered ready with enough tools to design pretty much anything. Microsoft Office offers useful tools to combine images and text, which is precisely the thing. Considering layout options and pictures, those are unlimited online. There are options to even download really beautiful fonts individualized for your own style.
Use Pictures
A typical way of creating an individual invitation is to include pictures of the happy couple into it. Websites like Mpix.com allow you to order prints of any photo in various sizes and forms, which you can either create the complete invitation or make a small part in it. If the pictures need a little re-touching, try using Photoshop. You can also find several free alternatives like Picasa or Gimp for instance. With the available programs, it's easy to make your photo black and white, crop backgrounds, or remove red-eye for example. A well prepared picture all but ensures that most guests will keep the wedding invite as a rememberance of your big day.
Original Packages
Designing your own is a wonderful chance to think up memorable ways to deliver your message; the only thing required of your invitation is that you have to make it fit into some sort of envelope. Examples of of real creativity include scrolls, invitations in a bottle (both of which can be challenging to ship), fold-up invites in one piece, so there are no pieces to lose, ransom notes, etc… Really creative invites are scary because you have no way of knowing how the person receiving your invite will respond to it, but they are often a hit.
Designing your own invitations is a pretty elaborate project. It is of course not for all couples, given the time, talent and effort you will need. But if you choose to give it a shot, it will be a labor of love, and it is a great way to get in wedding mood early on.