It’s easy to see how wedding invitation templates are becoming increasingly popular with couples looking to save money on their wedding.
I think you’ll agree with me when I say, wedding invitations can quickly become an expensive item in your wedding budget. The cost can really sneak up on you, and seemingly out of nowhere.
The invitations you had your eye on that were $1.00 per invite have suddenly morphed into this monstrous $600+ expense that leaves you wondering how you got there.
According to Shutterfly, the average cost of wedding invitations is anywhere between $400-$650. However, according to Brides.com it can be much higher. Brides.com reports high end invitations with all the bells and whistles (letterpress, gold foil stamping, embossing, etc.) will cost you anywhere between $5,000-$8,000. Yikes!
I firmly believe that is waaaaay too much to spend on something people will look at for 10 seconds and throw in the trash after the wedding. That sounds harsh but, it’s the truth. Sorry, not sorry.
Enter – the wedding invitation template solution.
What Are Wedding Invitation Templates?
If you’ve never heard of wedding invitation templates before, you may be asking, “Jen, what are you talking about? How would I DIY my wedding invitations?? I’m not a designer!”
I was once asking myself the same question. Until I took a printables course and opened my Etsy shop, I had no idea wedding invitation templates were a thing! (I’m an avid DIY’er so this is more than a little embarrassing…)
DIY’ing your wedding invitations generally involves purchasing a wedding invitation template and customizing it as much or as little as you’d like. Most templates will allow you to, add/remove text, move graphics around, change the font, change the background, etc. The possibilities are seriously endless!
You don’t have to be a designer to create a gorgeous invitation from a wedding invitation template. The work is mostly done for you. Simply add your wedding details to the template, download, and print.
Below is an example of a wedding invitation template suite from my Etsy shop in the Templett design space. I use a program called Templett that allows you to edit your templates right in your browser.
Wedding invitation template suite in Templett design area.
Top 3 Reasons to USE DIY WEDDING INVITATION TEMPLATES
Wedding invitation templates are becoming increasingly popular with couples looking to save money on their wedding. I’m going to share with you below the top 3 reasons more and more couples are DIY’ing their wedding invitations.
Save Money on your wedding
This one is a no-brainer. Since you will be doing the editing and printing, the cost will be substantially lower than a service that will do it all for you. By saving money on the invitations, you’ll have more money to put towards more important wedding priorities.
There are few options when it comes to wedding invitation templates. I’ve had personal experience with, and recommend, the following:
Templates from Etsy will allow you a little more freedom in the printing process. There are a lot of shops on Etsy that use programs like Templett and Corjl that will allow you to edit the invitation in your web browser. No additional software required.
These programs give multiple download options so you can print at home or send your design off to a professional printer.
Templates, like those available on Vistaprint and Zazzle, have limited printing options since you are required to print with the company that provides the template.
No matter where you get the template, you’ll still be saving a bundle on your wedding invitations.
Bond with Family
As an Etsy shop owner, I am always surprised at the number of messages I get I from mother-daughter teams who are working on the wedding invitations together. They message me because they have questions or to show off their handy work- which I love!
I think this is such a neat way to bring your family in on the creative planning process. DIY’ing your wedding invitations is a great opportunity to bond with family and/or friends.
Add a Personalized Touch
When you DIY your wedding invitations you have more control over the finished product. Don’t like the font on the invitation? Wish the wreath graphic was a little smaller? Want a burgundy background to match your wedding colors?
For most wedding invitation templates, this is all doable. DIY’ing your wedding invitations means you can add a touch of personalized creativity and walk away with exactly what you want.
Pro tips for using wedding invitation templates:
- Always read the listing description. You’ll want to know exactly what you are getting before you purchase the template.
- Try the free demo link, if available.
- Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to reach out to the seller or a customer service representative if something is not addressed in the listing description.
- I highly recommend printing with a professional printer. It adds a touch of elegance that makes it look like you spent more than you did. I recommend Prints of Love to my customers because of their quality and excellent customer service. However, you could just as easily print at a local office supply store like Staples, Office Depot, etc.
- Take advantage of coupon codes offered by professional printers. Vistaprint and Prints of Love offer these codes frequently on their sites.
- To save money, opt for the no-frills matte paper. Gloss and linen papers tend to be more expensive.
- If printing at home, use paper that is 100 lb. or heavier.
- To save money on printing, use a digital wedding invitation template and/or have guests RSVP via your wedding website.
Now that you know everything there is to know about wedding invitation templates, it’s time to get out there and find the perfect template for your invitations! Start by visiting my Etsy store. Happy shopping! 😍
Related: How to Make a FREE Wedding Invitation Using Canva