Invite Types
With all of the excitement surrounding a wedding, it's easy to lose perspective of how simple some things can and should be. A perfect example of this comes when selecting invitations. As tempting as it may be to turn the process - and the invites - into something complicated and over-the-top, the best thing to do is keep it simple. Remember: In the end, it's just a piece of paper.

There are three classic types of invitations you'll probably choose from: traditional (formal), contemporary and informal. The traditional wedding invitation comes in a shade of white with raised black lettering. The printing is done on the top page of a double-sheet of thick-quality paper; the inside is left blank. Contemporary invites typically are individualized and make a statement about the bride and groom. Informal invitations often are printed on the front of a single, heavyweight card and may be either handwritten or preprinted.

There also are three types of printing you'll most likely choose from: engraved, thermography and offset printing. Engraving is the most formal - and expensive - type of printing. It also takes the longest to complete. With engraved printing, stationery is pressed onto a copper plate, which slightly raises the letters. Thermography is a process that fuses powder and ink to create a raised letter. This takes less time than engraving and is less expensive because there are no plates to be engraved. Offset printing, the least expensive and most informal option, is the quickest to produce and offers a variety of styles and colors.

That being said, there are some important things to keep in mind when deciding on invitations. To start, just because an invitation looks clean and plain doesn't necessarily mean it's going to cost less. "You really can't tell about the price from simple and overly adorned," says Sharon Naylor, a wedding expert and co-author of "What's Your Bridal Style?" (Citadel, 2007). Paper type can cause price to shoot up, so be sure to research the different base prices from the stationery companies, as they can vary based on the source. Recycled and imported papers also tend to be more expensive.

If you are planning a smaller wedding - say, one with 100 or less guests - it's not unheard of to go with a DIY invitation. That way, "You can design a very professional and very pretty wedding invitation for not a lot of money," says Alan Fields, co-author of "Bridal Bargains" (Windsor Peak Press, 8th Ed.). For those looking to pare a bit of costs but maintain a professional appearance, savvy brides-to-be can design the invitation themselves and then get the paper and printing done at a local stationery shop. This keeps the bulk of the grunt work away from the busy couple while adding a bit of a personal touch.

Keep Costs Under Control
There are a variety of elements that can drive up the price of invites, but the most likely culprit is all of the extras that typically come along with them. In addition to the invitation itself, response, reception and transportation cards are usually packed into the envelope. But while this may be the norm, it isn't always necessary. One way to save money (and material) is to simply print the reception information on the invitation itself. If you're looking to further cut down on excessive expenses, you can avoid an envelope lining and stick with a rectangular invite. Unusually sized invitations cost more to make and may require additional postage. Lastly, go with a single color, as opposed to multiple.

Befriend a Font
If you're ordering your invitations from a company, as opposed to making your own, make sure you stick with the basic font, color and style for that invite. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot more money for minimal change. As far as fonts go, it is critical to make sure you choose a font that is readable, so that even your oldest guests with the poorest eyesight can read it. Typically, wedding fonts are "Very fancy-schmancy," says Alan Fields, co-author of "Bridal Bargains" (Windsor Peak Press, 8th Ed.). "They tend to be elaborate. You certainly can go overboard with invites where the fonts are [over-the-top]."

Take a sample or proof invite and show it to a friend with less-than-perfect vision, and make sure they can make out the words before settling on a final design. Also, try to stick to just one font and - if possible - one size, as companies may charge extra for using too much variation.

Invite Impact
Want to make your invites really stand out in the eyes of their receivers? Go with an envelope lining or hand-designed calligraphy. Each will run about $1 to $2 an invitation, and they set up the invite with a splash of color. "It's like a first-impression issue," says wedding expert Sharon Naylor. "It definitely says to someone, 'This is important.'"

- Ben Larrison
(c) CTW Features