Pretty invitations can be very expensive after custom artwork, calligraphers, multiple inserts and so on. You can save a lot of money by doing your invitations yourself. Based on your skill level and time available, there are several options for DIY invitations.
Buy a Kit: Craft stores, like Michaels, and online retailers such as weddingpaperdivas.com and paperdirect.com, sell pretty invitations in kits. Kits from Michael’s tend to cost less money, but require more prep work including printing the text and putting the invitations together. Kits from Paper Direct cost a similar amount as Michaels, but each item (invitation, RSVP, thank you cards, etc.) is sold individually allowing for greater customization. Kits from Wedding Paper Divas are more expensive, but come pre-printed and ready to assemble. Also, you can purchase extra items that aren’t always available in the craft store kits, like matching save the dates, enclosure and thank you cards.