With COVID-19 running rampant and online shopping being at an all-time high, there is simply not enough time to get beautiful printed invitations for smaller gatherings. This was a big problem for me as I was trying to navigate through delays and exorbitant shipping prices for only a handful of invites.
Every good hostess can tell you that a gorgeous invitation is a great way to set the tone for your party before it has even begun. Hence my dilemma.
I am in no means a photoshop expert and knew that if I were to make my own invitations, they would be downright terrible. I scoured the internet for ways to circumvent this shortcoming of mine and, to my surprise, found some amazing alternatives. To save you all the trouble I am going to share my three favorite new finds.
3. Canva
For those of you who don't know Canva, is a graphic design platform that is super easy to use for any beginner. They also have a wide array of easy to choose from designs that you can completely customize for your theme or event. Here is just one example of the invitations you can pick. If you are feeling up for a challenge, you can even design your own from scratch!
This template was 100% free to download but there are some that have "premium features" that you may have to pay for, so beware of that. Also, if you really want to print, you can buy them on the site!
2. Poster My Wall
Poster My Wall is a site that I love. It has amazing templates but you have to do some digging. They have a lot of user-created content to choose from so you will always find what you are looking for. Also, be on the lookout for their countless video options! They are so cute and it will pleasantly surprise your guests when they see the invitation moving.
These vary in prices, however, you can get the invitation for free if you are fine with having the watermark. For an invite such as the one above, it is $2.99 to purchase. In my opinion, I love these designs and it is so worth it to pay the $3 instead of purchasing print outs.
1. Paperless Post
This is my ALL TIME favorite new discovery... the future of invitations! Paperless Post recently came out with a "flyer" option that allows you to create your own webpage for your event. All of my guests could not stop raving about how amazing my invites were. I am not using anything else from here on out.
Click the photo above so you can have a first-hand preview of the invitation! You can send out personalized links that tell you exactly when your guest receives, opens and RSVP's to your event. They also have a ton of free options as well as premium options to chose from. You can also send updates to your guests about date changes, inclement weather, or anything else you need!
Just remember, the invitations are nothing if your event doesn't match. Stay on theme and make sure whatever you do fits your end goal. Also... don't forget the champagne!