Need a few ideas on how to save money on your invites?

1. Print the invitations yourself. You can find invitation kits at craft stores that make professional-looking invitations. The kit has everything you need, including instructions, a template, and the RSVP card. I would start collecting kits long before you need them; if you do this you can wait until they're on sale or the store provides a coupon for a percentage off. Now, making these invitations are rather time-consuming, but it will save you money and give you very beautiful and elegant traditional invitations. This is the route my family took, and because we got them on sale and with coupons at the same time, we spent a fraction of the normal cost.

2. Handmade invitations are also time-consuming, but they can be cheaper as well, depending on how elaborate you get. The Internet offers thousands of patterns and ideas and how-to's for crafty and non-crafty people alike. These invitations are fun and people love getting them. You can also outsource this type of invitation if you're not super creative. I have a stamping consultant friend who can stamp original invitations for weddings at a good price. Even with another person making them in this manner, they can still be inexpensive.

3. If you or someone you know is familiar with graphic design, you can design original invitations with programs. My best friend has experience in graphic design and a real eye for it, and she's designed a couple of gorgeous wedding invitations for some of our friends. All it cost was the printing. But also giving "Thank you" cash, even if it's a friend, is recommended.

4. Postage usually bites more than the cost of the invites. If you send all of your invitations through the mail and also provide a stamped RSVP card, that just made a dent in your pocket book. While this is proper etiquette (and I do recommend RSVPs and postage), there are a few options to consider that can save you money and still be effective.

• Don't provide a way to RSVP. Only do this, however, if you're giving an open invitation to your guests and you don't need to know the exact number of people attending. A good example of when you would do this would be for a cake and punch reception.
• Some people have guests RSVP via email or phone. If you decide this is the route for you, make sure you have some way to keep track of the replies, as emails get lost and phones call get forgotten. Well, you should always have a way to keep track of RSVPs.
• Some friends have mailed the invites to the out-of-town guests only and handed the rest out at church, which certainly saves a lot on postage. Be prepared to mail out invitations to church members, work friends, etc., if you don't see them for a couple weeks.

5. If you must send invites electronically (and who knows, with our changing world it may one day become the only option), there are some free resources you can use to send invitations to guests. Avoid Facebook, Google+, and email. Check out sites like evite.com or pingg.com. These sites offer template e-vites you can customize and send to people via email. They even offer ways for guests to RSVP, as well as email reminders as the RSVP deadline you set approaches. As much as it is in your financial power, send invitations in the mail, but it's understandable when sometimes you just can't.