Tips on Designing and Printing Your Wedding Announcements

Many times, couples will order their wedding announcements along with the wedding invitations, although they don’t need to be sent to the same list of people.  Obviously, the people who attended your wedding ceremony already know you’re married. Wedding announcements are usually reserved for those who you know well but weren’t able to invite to the ceremony, along with co-workers and acquaintances who you want to know about your wedding.

Wedding announcements are usually saved for many years as special mementos, so be sure to get something that you are pleased with.

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Do-It-Yourself Wedding Announcements

There are a number of ways that you can design and print your wedding announcements.  One option is to create your own wedding announcements. Some couples print their own announcement to save money, but others enjoy having creative control. The do-it-yourself method sometimes becomes more expensive than having the job outsourced. 

Working With a Commercial Printer

Many commercial printers will help you design your wedding announcements so that they fit your style and needs. There are a variety of commercial printers that can help you, ranging from large mail-order companies to tiny neighborhood print shops.

Search until you find a design that matches both you and your spouse's personal tastes and your budget.  Once you find a design and a printer that you are comfortable with, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make suggestions.  Your printer wants you to be pleased with the final product.

It’s a good idea to shop around in advance since many printers, particularly  small specialty presses, usually book out long in advance.

Get samples of the different papers and designs offered by the commercial printer, even if you’re doing all of your sampling through the mail.  You will want to avoid purchasing your wedding announcements until you have a clear idea of what you want your announcements to say and what you want them to look like.  This is because it is hard to change anything once your printer starts working on your project. 

Before your announcements are actually printed, your printer should give you proofs.   When you receive your proofs,  be  sure to proofread them carefully.  It's a good idea to have someone else double-check them.  We tend to see what we want to see, and it could be quite embarrassing to have a type or misspelling on your wedding announcements.

"Tips on Designing and Printing Your Wedding Announcements" contributed by Monica Sanchez