Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Invitations

BRIDES magazine

has some helpful hints for ordering and sending out your invitations, whether you purchased them in a store or through a DIY website.

If you're thinking about...


...buying online invitations, remember that while purchasing them from a website may cost less, you'll be giving up the instant tactile preview.

...waiting to the last minute, DON'T! Mail your invitations four to six weeks before the big day, unless you're having a destination wedding or are getting married over a holiday. In these cases, send them even earlier: eight weeks ahead.

...an odd shape or size, reconsider. That square invite may look cute, but it'll cost more to mail, since it's difficult to process on a standard postal machine. Some teeny RSVP cards may be problematic, too. Get dimension requirements for standard mail at usps.com.

Related: Our Favorite Flowers and Decorations Ideas

When you're ready to mail them out...


... put your stamp on them. Vintage postage (that hasn't been postmarked) is in style. Buy it at a collector's shop; at sites like eBay and Champion Stamp Co.; or at a stationer, like Soolip.

...test the waters. Before you mail en masse, send one invitation to yourself and ensure that the enclosures look tidy and it all arrives intact.

See also: Save Your Money for the Wedding...Our Best At-Home Workouts

If you're interested in DIY invitations, consider...

MountainCow

Invitations by Dawn

My Gatsby.com

-- Brides Magazine

image via Ted Morrison/BRIDES

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