Invitations

Most people have access to a computer and printer and with even a small amount of artistic flair you can produce perfectly respectable invitations.

If you have an artistic friend, maybe she could design an invitation for you, then you could have a girls night in making them up. If you are looking  inspiration, check out 'Create and Craft' on digital television for ideas (but beware of buying too many goodies from them - they are very tempting but the prices can add up) or try  www.weddingcrafter.co.uk.  Craft shops sell all sorts of bits and pieces such as ready made 'toppers' for you to make your own invites but remember that unless you are buying ready made card blanks with matching  envelopes, it is much easier to get the envelopes first and design the cards to fit them rather than the other way round!

 Make your own Orders of Ceremony and place names to match the invitations.

If you know how to use a data base/mail merge system it would save a lot of time to organise a db for the wedding.  You could print out invitations with the guests names printed on, envelopes, name cards, seating plan, keeps tabs on who has replied etc and even use it for the thank you letters (Yes, I know they should really  be hand written!)