Why are invitations so expensive? Help! Where did you get your invites?

I got mine from Vera Wang. They are a bit on the pricey side though. You may also want to check out these sites:

http://www.finestationery.com

http://www.magnetstreet.com/weddings

I brought some card stock paper and made my own pocketfold invitations. One of my DIY Project.

We ordered ours from InvitationsByDawn and are very happy with them. We were going for more fun and playful then serious. for 100 invites, rsvp cards, inner, outer and revp envelopes we paid about $240. Then I ordered magnetic business cards today as an insert card with our wedding date/names/wedding iwebsite info for $50 for 160 from 123print.

Check Party City if you have one near you. They have books you can look through. You have to be patient though, because some of the designs are awful. But for a simple, elegant raised lettering invitation, I think it's going to be about $300 for 150.

Gartner Studio invitations are available at Michaels, AC Moore, Staples and Joanne Fabric. They always have a coupon(except Staples).

Walmart also sells invites. They are Wilton Brand

I paid about $25 for 50, and it is just what we wanted, something simple, but appealing. I plan on getting them copied at Staples or Kinkos.

@Mrs Jay John.....Why would you not recommend Office Max for printing?

I'm getting ours from annsbridalbargains.com i'm getting 75 for around $120

Invitations can be expensive depending on the vendor, the invitation style (pocket fold, zig zag etc.) the quality of the materials and how much detail is required to produce such elegant vision. We offer affordable wedding stationery and some invitations can be customized to your wedding colors. Feel free to browse our collection and let me know if we can help.

Thanks, Jaemi and Laura. I have enjoyed working with both of you! Just to provide an answer to the question presented here, as to why invitations cost what they do, a fellow WW vendor wrote a great blog article explaining the whole thing:

http://theinvitationblog.com/2010/12/08/day-8-why-are-wedding-invitations-so-expletive-expensive/

One of the girls on this site just helped me do osme really nice ones on photobooth. We printed them using overnight prints.com and it was onl like 90 dollars for 200 invites reception cards rsvp cards and envelopes

I, too, have purchased Gartner Studio invitations from Michael's. I really love the design, and the kit is completely with everything. I have test printed one invite in my printer, and planed on printing them all myself, I honestly hadn't considered having someplace like Kinkos print them.

So I would also like to know why you wouldn't recommend Office Max, Mrs. Jay John?

@ Greyash - did you print all yours yourself? did you have any problems? how much ink did you end up using?

Etsy Alchemy. You can get exactly what you want for the exact price you want to pay. If you see something you want but it's out of your budget, post it on Etsy Alchemy. There is someone out there who wants your business.

Vistaprint.com is where it's at!! Their paper quality/printing is really good and they have GREAT customer service if there is a problem with your order.

And if you do vistaprint visit this website for all the tips and tricks: http://vistaprint-goddess.weebly.com/sample-email.html

for $50.12 (in 4 separate orders) total I got: (it was basically all free, just had to pay shipping)

1 custom "Just married" Car magnet

3 custom tote bags

50 thank-you cards

280 address Labels

1 Grooms shirt

25 kiddo activity brochures

10 pages of letter head

100 Save the date post cards

Stationary gift set - custom- for my MOH-pen, paper, cards

If you aren't sure you can order a free sample kit here: https://secure.vistaprint.com/wedding-sample-kit.aspx

Sign up for their emails, leave a few items in your cart and they send you awesome discounts.

Wow sorry that whole comment was a link...WW is still having problems with their code apparently

I found mine at Michael's. They were on clearance and in the set were the pocket invitations, RSVP cards, all envelopes, ribbon, and monogram stickies. In the end each invitation will cost me $.34 not including postage. These are the ones I bought.

http://www.michaels.com/BRIDES®-Black,-White-Green-Square-Invite/wd0529,default,pd.html?start=19&cgid=products-wedding-invitations

I am doing vistaprint.com but I like those invites you have up there? They are bright and fun and show a lot of personality.

I got my invitations, response cards, all the envelopes and FREE save the date post cards and it only cost me 115.00 for 150 of each from Vistaprint.com. Much, much more cheaper than ordering traditionally. I figure why spend so much money on invitations when people throw them away. I was able to find my colors and everything.

Hi Anticipating August 2011! Congrats on your upcoming wedding, at Awe Inspired Designs we offer custom invitations for very reasonable prices! If you are interested give us a call or send us an email! Best wishes!!

www.aweinspireddesigns.com

I got mine from annsbridalbargains.com and I paid $136 with tax and shipping! Mine are not super fancy though...they're called send 'n' seal. I just didn't want to pay a ton and I don't see the need for 3 envelopes and tissue paper and all that jazz. They had fancier options as well and I already got mine in the mail. They look great! Also, you can order a free sample if you're worried about the color/quality.

I ended up totally and I mean totally DIYing all parts of my invites. The most expensive part for me was probably the ink.

I ordered all my paper from Anchor Paper.