Planning a wedding is wild. It’s a lot to handle. You’re booking venues, picking guest lists, and trying not to blow the budget. Little choices start to feel huge. One of the biggest picks you’ll make is finding the best place to order wedding invitations.
These pieces of paper do way more than just tell people where to go. They show off the vibe of the whole day. They give guests a first look at what’s coming. Plus, they usually end up as keepsakes you’ll look at years from now. If you want to know where to start and how to skip the expensive mess-ups, this guide has your back.
We’ll look at what to look for, check out different shops, and help you pick the right spot for wedding save the dates and invitations that fit your wallet and your look.
Table of Contents
Why Picking the Right Shop Changes Everything
Wedding invites aren’t just mail. They tell your story. The fonts, the colors, and even how the paper feels tell guests if they should wear a tuxedo or flip-flops. If you pick the wrong shop, things can get messy. You might see typos you didn’t catch, thin paper that feels like a flyer, or a box that shows up three weeks late.
Picking a great shop keeps the stress low. When those envelopes show up and look exactly how you wanted, it’s one less thing on your giant to-do list.
Step 1: Pin Down Your Wedding Vibe
Start by figuring out what you want the day to look like. Your invites need to match that energy. If you pick a wood-grain rustic look for a fancy city ballroom, people will be confused.
Ask yourself:
- Is my wedding formal, semi-formal, or casual?
- Do I want a modern, minimalist, rustic, vintage, or luxury look?
- Are there specific colors or themes I want to highlight?
Finding these answers helps you skip the shops that don’t fit. Some places do great modern work. Others are better at gold-trimmed classics. I’d say jump on Pinterest or Instagram and save a few photos of what you like. When you see them together, you’ll know what you’re looking for.
Step 2: Set a Budget That Actually Works
Stationery prices are all over the place. Knowing what you can spend keeps you from falling for a design that costs as much as your cake. According to data from The Knot, most couples spend about 2% to 4% of their total budget on paper goods.
Typical price ranges:
- Cheap online shops: Great for big lists. You can find nice stuff for $1 to $3 each.
- Mid-range printers: Good mix of quality and custom looks. Usually $5 to $10 each.
- Luxury designers: Hand-made paper and custom art. These can go for $20 or more for every invite.
Keep an eye on the sneaky costs:
- Save the dates
- RSVP cards
- Putting addresses on envelopes
- Stamps (Heavier cards cost more to send!)
The best place to order wedding invitations is the one that gives you a look you love without breaking the bank.
Step 3: Online Shops vs. Local Designers
Online Websites
Most people go this route. It’s fast and usually cheaper.
The Good:
- Tons of designs from artists everywhere.
- You can change things on your screen and see it happen.
- Lots of sales.
- You can do it at 2 AM in your pajamas.
The Bad:
- You can’t feel the paper before you buy.
- You might be stuck with a template that won’t let you move things around much.
Local Print Shops
This is for the couple who wants to be very involved.
The Good:
- You talk to a real person.
- You can touch every paper sample in the store.
- Nobody else will have your exact invite.
The Bad:
- It costs more.
- It takes longer to get them printed.
If you want a look that is yours alone, go local. If you want it easy and fast, go online.
Step 4: Look for True Customization
Some shops say they are “custom” but they only let you change the names. Look for places that let you play with:
- Fonts: Can you mix a fancy script with a clean print?
- Colors: Can you match the ink to your flowers?
- Paper weight: Can you upgrade to something thicker?
- Envelopes: Can you get a liner or a fun color?
You want your wedding save the dates and invitations to feel like a set. If the shop won’t let you tweak things, keep looking.
Step 5: Check Paper Quality and Printing Styles
Paper makes a huge difference. If it’s too thin, it feels like a coupon. If it’s thick and heavy, it feels like a big event.
Ways to print:
- Digital: The usual way. Flat, clean, and cheap.
- Foil: Adds shiny metal bits like gold or silver. Looks great.
- Letterpress: Presses the words into the paper. It feels amazing to touch.
- Thermography: Uses heat to make the ink stand up off the page.
A good shop will tell you what they use. Always order a sample kit first. Most big websites will send you one for a few bucks. It is the only way to know if the “cream” paper is actually yellow or white.
Step 6: Read Reviews and Look at Real Customer Photos
Website photos are always perfect. They have the best lighting and pretty backgrounds. You need to see what they look like in a regular room.
Check the reviews for:
- Color: Did it look like the screen?
- Shipping: Did the box show up beat up?
- Help: Did they fix mistakes fast?
Look for photos from regular people. They show you the true look of the paper. If a company has thousands of five-star reviews from real brides, that’s a good sign.
Step 7: Nail the Timing
Don’t wait until the last minute. The post office and the printers need time.
The Schedule:
- Save the dates: Mail these 6 to 8 months out.
- Invitations: Mail these 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.
Ask the shop how long they take to print and ship. If you are in a rush, check for “priority” options. A smart shop will be clear about when your box will hit your door.
Step 8: Get the Full Matching Set
It looks way better when everything matches. Try to find a shop that does the whole suite.
What to get:
- Save the dates
- The main invite
- RSVP cards
- Detail cards (for the hotel info)
- Thank you notes
Ordering them all at once can save you money. Plus, the fonts and colors will stay the same across every piece of paper.
Step 9: Digital vs. Printed Invitations: Which One to Choose?
Digital invites are getting big because they save money and trees. But paper is still the favorite for weddings.
Pick Paper if:
- You are having a traditional wedding.
- You want something for your scrapbook.
- Your guests aren’t great with phones.
Pick Digital if:
- You are on a tiny budget.
- The wedding is super casual.
- You want to see RSVPs in real-time.
A lot of couples do “hybrid” now. They send a paper invite but ask people to RSVP on a website. It saves on stamps and you don’t lose the RSVP cards in the mail.
Step 10: Don’t Forget Customer Support
Things go wrong sometimes. You might find a typo after you buy. You want a shop that has a phone number or a live chat. See if they offer a “happiness guarantee.” If they make a mistake, they should reprint for free. A shop that disappears after you pay is a bad pick.
Common Mistakes to Skip
- Ordering too late: Give yourself a two-week cushion for shipping.
- Not checking your work: Read the dates and times five times. Ask a friend to look, too.
- Ordering the wrong count: You don’t need an invite for every guest. You need one for every household. But always order 10 extras just in case.
- Ignoring the envelope: Make sure the shop prints the return address. Writing that 100 times by hand is a nightmare.
Final thoughts
Finding the best place to order wedding invitations is about what feels right for you. Focus on your look, your money, and the quality of the work. Take the time to look at samples and read the reviews. When you find the right spot, your wedding save the dates and invitations will be the perfect start to your big day.
