A  few weeks ago, I found a website called Christian Graffitti which does beautiful wedding invitations. I called them up and asked for three samples. They gave up to three invitations for free. Only two have arrived but I thought I’d post them up so that others can see them. I spoke to a lovely lady on the phone who said she set up the business because she has tired of how everyone wanted to charge so much for wedding items. When I inquired how much her invitations were, I was actually quite suprised because they were about £3.50 each. I guess it doesnt work out to be too expensive if I order 50 for my wedding but I think I could still get them cheaper elsewhere. 

My fiance’s best friend spent £200 for 75 invitations at Debenhams and they did not look like the were worth that much. Maybe you just dont get too value for money in the UK? I think as a man, he just went for the first option without thinking about it too much. I’d like to spend my time properly researching the best invitations rather than picking the first option. Also, at the last wedding I went to, I noticed that the invitation was very bare with only the information about the venue and who was getting married. The bride and groom had attached three A4 pages with the invitation with all the other information. I think it would have been better to have a few pages on the invitation itself and then put the rest of the detailed information (such as how to get to venue) on the website. On a good note, the last wedding invitation I saw had a beautiful ribbon and it matched the chair cover ribbons. 

So here are the two I received: 

The material is called Gateway paper and it looks so beautiful. I really like how they’ve mixed the gateway paper with the ribbons. 

My cousin, the fashion designer didnt like the second one. He says it reminds him of a menu. Also, the top part where the red ribbon hangs from is ripped. My cousin thinks it looks like a bad finish whereas I think it makes the invitation look handcrafted. 

My cousin liked the first one but not the green colour. We like how it will match the gold theme for our wedding. However, we would probably pick a gold ribbon rather than the green one they have and put a different coloured gateway paper. 

My cousin says that I could make these invitations. He says all I have to do is buy gateway paper and ribbons from India which will probably be about 10% the price they charged in the UK. However, I realise it is a lot of work and I dont want to waste my time making them when I could easily order it. 

My cousin had a few tips for those who still want to make the invitations themselves. You will make substantial savings but it will take time and perhaps will only be worth it if you make a few. 

* He says you can buy the ribbons seperately and tie them up yourselves. 

* instead of having gateway paper all around, you could have only at the front. But I think it cheapens the whole invitation. I dont want to be like my fiance’s friend who send a postcard for her wedding invitation. 

* If you cant get gateway paper that is embossed, then you could draw on it or stamp it for a different touch. 

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