As many brides and grooms footing their own bill, we are on a very tight budget. In fact, we are even making our own invitations, although I think they are just as nice as professional ones.
I think it depends upon the formality of your wedding.
I made my invites (courtesy of Paper Direct) & I didn't use an inner envelope. However, my invites were somewhat informal - 1 2 part piece - stock w/a vellum overlay tied w/an organza ribbon - and I'm having a wedding of less than 100 people. It did cost me 33 cents to mail! I received many complements & not one question for the inner envelope!
If you're having a formal wedding, I'd say go for the inner envelopes. If not, then you can pass.
Karen, that's exactly what we're doing for invitations...vellum overlay on stock with a ribbon. Great minds think alike, huh??? :-)
The envelopes came with the invites. I had to print and assemble them but the cost for both was about $1.00 each. At my shower, one of the women asked me how I was able to get the printer to tie all those little bows! Such a compliment!
I printed the return address on the envelopes with a laser printer on the back flap.
For responses, I actually made post cards. Found the idea in my Bridal Budget book, though I do believe someone else posted that on this board at one time.
Thank you for your input, Ladies!!! I still welcome other comments...
I'm also making my own invitations. Silver stock paper on the back with a thick velum paper with silver star bordering on top tied with a lialc ribbon, the holes are being made with a star shaped puch, the response cards are vellum and already typed out with silver printing, I just need to fill in the date, the place cards are also vellum with silver stars, I'm doing without the innner envelope. The ceremony and reception are at the same place, so no reception card is needed. But the invitation itself looks pretty formal so I think the guests will get the idea that the wedding is formal. I would probably include an inner envelope if the invitation was not really formal looking or if you think your guests will think it's not formal.
My whole philosophy the entire wedding planning is, do what I want, I don't care what the etiquette books say. If the guests don't show up in suits who cares.
Good luck!
