Affordable Wedding Invitations - 5 Ways To Save With Style

Gowns, and shoes, and rings...oh my! While you've been dreaming about your perfect wedding since you were in grade school, you probably haven't been saving that long. The reality is that those girlhood fantasies can be expensive. But affordable wedding invitations can help you put your cash to good use. From the latest in technology to traditional stationery, here are 5 ways to be a frugal - but fabulous - bride. All you need is a little creativity and a home computer to make your affordable invites a reality.

1. Do it yourself - You don't need sophisticated computers or enormous printing presses to create your own affordable wedding invitations. You can design and print your invites at home using cardstock from a local or online craft store and a printer. Whether you print a simple text invitation or design your own photo wedding invites, DIY-ers will find it simple to save cash.

2. Email - While it's not exactly Emily Post, this is the ultimate in affordable invites. No printing. No mailing. That can mean a lot less fuss for busy brides. Email invites offer as much breadth of styles as the paper kind. You can send text only invites or create photo invitations. Online services offer stylish templates, making it easy to design your invite. These companies also offer services such as RSVP tracking and RSVP reminders. There is a fee to use these sites, but it's still less expensive than traditional paper invites. Remember, some guests, like Great-auntie Hazel, might not be wired, so you'll still need to make sure they get the information another way.

3. Less can mean more - in your pocketbook, that is. Another way to create affordable wedding invitations is by being choosy about what you spend money on. For example, you might splurge on a stunning printed invite or professionally-designed photo invitations but choose to print the map cards on your home computer. Add style to these homemade pieces by using crafting scissors, which can cut a design (like a scalloped edge), to trim the edges of the paper.

4. Downsize - Rather than investing in RSVP cards and return envelopes, consider using an RSVP postcard instead. Most wedding invitation specialists offer these postage-friendly items, but you can save money by printing them at home too. These postcards can be done in a variety of styles to suit any wedding theme. For a fun touch you may also want to add a picture of yourself and your future spouse--similar to the photo wedding invites that are increasing in popularity.

5. Be savvy - Even big-city fashionistas are frugal these days, so don't be afraid to shop around to get the best deals on invites. For example, one company might charge a fee to add images to photo invitations, while another firm might waive those charges. Keep an eye out for stylish close-outs for which there might be a discount.

Don't let a less-than-ideal budget frustrate your wedding plans. From photo invites to RSVP postcards, you have lots of options for affordable wedding invitations.