First impressions are important! The first impression a friend has of what kind of wedding you will have is the little card that comes in the mail: the wedding invitation. If you want your wedding to be impressive, you must have a nice invitation. However, the budget of most weddings is usually taken up by the few expensive items, like the photographer and the caterer, while the invitations are left by the wayside.

Alright, nice invitations are a must, but who has the money for those? The reality is, cheap and discount wedding invitations dont have to be poor quality, quarter-fold deskjet material anymore.

You can print non-streaking, nice looking invitations with a recent model printer and computer software that is relatively inexpensive. If you want a more modern invitation, with images, downloading clipart is a good way to go (clipart.com or google images). For a more formal look, pictures and clipart arent required, use any computer program or online templates.

First of all youll need card stock paper or something similar. Dont use ordinary inkjet paper, as it is flimsy and feels cheap. For paper styles, use Vellum, Deluxe Parchment, Strathmore Natural White, Strathmore White, Laid Natural White, Laid White--something that feels heavy and sits well in your hand . Colored papers can be used as well, as a secondary matte behind the invitation and they can be tied together with white ribbon. The matte should be thicker than the paper on top of it.

Secondly, choose the proper wording for your sort of occasion (see our wedding template). Choose a font, downloadable off the internet, or one of the many choices on your card making program or word processor. Then, center the writing on the page for a formal look.

A border helps keep a collected feel, but is not necessary. Gold or silver borders are appropriate, but would require special stationery. Black is fine.

Think about adding creative touches, such as a video CD, hand made paper, or an engagement photo--being unique is one of the advantages of making your own wedding invitations.