Fun Companies To Send Wedding Invites To: Complete Guide

The Companies That Actually Make Ordering Wedding Invites Fun

Okay so you’re looking at wedding invitation companies and honestly the options are overwhelming. I’ve worked with like hundreds of couples over the past 15 years and the invitation part is where people either get really excited or completely stressed out. Let me just walk you through the companies that won’t make you want to throw your laptop out the window.

Minted – The Crowd Favorite For Good Reason

Minted is gonna be the first one everyone tells you about and they’re not wrong. They have this whole thing where independent designers submit work so you’re getting way more unique stuff than the basic templates you see everywhere. What I love about them is their sample program – you can order up to five samples for like $5 or something and actually touch the paper quality before committing.

The customization options are pretty solid. You can change colors, fonts, add photos, all that stuff. They also do this thing called “guest addressing” where they’ll print your guests’ addresses directly on the envelopes which saves SO much time. I had a bride in spring 2023 who was so overwhelmed with her job situation and planning that she literally cried when I told her about this feature because she thought she’d have to handwrite 200 envelopes.

Price range is mid to high but they run sales constantly. Like constantly. Never pay full price, just wait two weeks and there’ll be a 20-30% off sale. Their customer service is actually helpful too which is… refreshing.

Paperless Post – For The Digital Route

If you’re doing digital invites or save-the-dates, Paperless Post is kinda the gold standard. I know I know, some people are very traditional about physical invites and that’s fine, but for save-the-dates or even casual wedding events like welcome parties, this platform is great.

They have both free and premium designs. The free ones are nice but the premium ones are where it’s at – they have animations, fancy borders, all sorts of fun stuff. You can track RSVPs in real-time which is actually super helpful for planning purposes. The interface is really intuitive too, like you don’t need to be tech-savvy to figure it out.

What annoys me about Paperless Post is their “coin” system for premium features. Just tell me the actual dollar amount, you know? I don’t want to do math converting coins to money when I’m trying to budget.

Zazzle – When You Want Complete Control

Zazzle is interesting because you can basically design whatever you want. They have templates but you can also upload your own designs completely. I’ve had graphic designer brides who loved this because they could create something totally custom without going through a traditional print shop.

The product range is huge – invitations, programs, napkins, stickers, literally everything. Quality is generally good but it can be inconsistent because they use different vendors for different products. Always order samples first with Zazzle, seriously.

Prices vary wildly depending on what you’re ordering. You can find budget-friendly options or spend a ton. They also run constant sales like Minted, so again, patience pays off.

Artifact Uprising – The Minimalist’s Dream

If you’re into that clean, modern, photo-forward aesthetic, Artifact Uprising is really nice. They’re known for photo books but their invitation line is beautiful. Very minimalist, very high-quality paper and printing.

The thing about Artifact Uprising is they’re not gonna have like sparkly formal invitations with fancy script fonts. That’s not their vibe. But if you want something simple and elegant that lets your engagement photos shine, this is it. I used them for a client who was having a super intimate mountain wedding and the invitations looked like little art pieces.

They’re definitely on the pricier side but the quality matches the price. The turnaround time is usually pretty quick too which is helpful if you’re behind schedule (most couples are, let’s be honest).

Vistaprint – Budget Friendly And Totally Fine

Look, Vistaprint gets a bad rap because they’re known for business cards and people think they’re too “corporate” for weddings but nah, they’ve actually stepped up their wedding game. If you’re on a tight budget, you can get really nice invitations here without breaking the bank.

The design options aren’t as extensive as Minted but they have enough variety that you’ll find something. The paper quality is decent – not luxurious but definitely not flimsy. I’ve had plenty of couples use Vistaprint and their guests had no idea they were “budget” invitations.

They run sales literally all the time, like even more than other companies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone pay full price at Vistaprint. The customization process is straightforward, maybe a little clunky compared to fancier sites but it gets the job done.

Greenvelope – Digital But Make It Fancy

Greenvelope is another digital option but it’s specifically designed for weddings and events, unlike Paperless Post which does everything. The designs are really pretty and the whole experience feels more elevated than a regular email invitation.

You can track opens, RSVPs, and even send reminders to people who haven’t responded. As someone who has chased down RSVPs for clients, this feature is a lifesaver. The RSVP management is probably the best I’ve seen on any platform.

They also have a “gift tracker” feature which lets guests see your registry right from the invitation. Some people love this, some think it’s tacky, totally depends on your crowd. The pricing is per-envelope which can add up but it’s still way cheaper than printed invitations when you factor in postage.

Basic Invite – Unlimited Color Options

This company is kinda under the radar but they have this cool feature where you get like 180 color options for basically any design. So you can match your exact wedding colors instead of settling for “close enough.” For brides who have a very specific vision (and I’ve worked with many), this is huge.

They also do instant previews which is nice because you can see exactly what you’re getting before ordering. The sample program is good too – you can order samples of different designs to compare.

Price-wise they’re competitive, definitely more affordable than Minted but a step up from Vistaprint. The quality is solid. I used them for my own… actually wait, I was gonna say my own wedding but I eloped so never mind, but I used them for a big family reunion invitation and they turned out great.

Shutterfly – The One-Stop Shop

Shutterfly does everything – save-the-dates, invitations, thank you cards, photo albums, basically anything you could need for a wedding. The convenience factor is real because you can keep all your wedding stationery in one place with the same design aesthetic.

Their designs tend to be a bit more traditional/classic rather than super trendy, which some people prefer. The customization is pretty easy even if you’re not computer-savvy. My mom could figure out Shutterfly, that’s saying something.

They have good sales and also do this thing where if you sign up for their email list you get constant coupons. Quality is consistently good – I’ve never had a client complain about Shutterfly quality. Their customer service is also really responsive which matters when you’re on a timeline.

Etsy – For Something Truly Unique

Okay so Etsy isn’t technically one company but I gotta mention it because some of the best invitation designers are on there. You’re working directly with small business owners and designers who can often do custom work.

The range is literally everything from printable templates you download and print yourself to fully custom letterpress invitations. Prices vary wildly – you can find super affordable options or spend hundreds per invitation if you want something really elaborate.

The thing with Etsy is you need to read reviews carefully and communicate clearly with sellers. I had a situation in summer 2021 where a client ordered from an Etsy seller who had great reviews but then just… disappeared? Like ghosted completely with her deposit. It was a whole thing. So just make sure you’re ordering from established sellers with lots of recent positive reviews and clear policies.

Paperculture – The Eco-Friendly Option

If sustainability is important to you, Paperculture plants a tree for every order. They use recycled paper and eco-friendly inks. The designs are really nice too, not just “eco” looking if that makes sense.

The customization options are good and they have this thing where they’ll send you a free sample of any design before you order which is nice. No limit on samples either, though I wouldn’t go crazy because that defeats the eco-friendly purpose.

Prices are comparable to Minted, maybe slightly less. The quality is good – the recycled paper actually has a nice texture to it that feels more expensive than it is. My cat knocked over my coffee on a Paperculture sample once and the paper held up better than I expected, so there’s that very scientific quality test for you.

Mixbook – Photo-Heavy Designs

Mixbook is another one that’s known for photo books but has really nice wedding invitations. If you want to feature your engagement photos prominently, they have lots of options for that. The layout tools are really user-friendly.

They do this thing where you can see what other customers created with the same template which is either inspiring or overwhelming depending on your personality. I find it helpful to see real examples rather than just the company’s perfect mock-ups.

The quality is consistently good and they have frequent sales. Turnaround time is reasonable. They also do matching thank you cards and other stationery which makes coordinating everything easier.

Things To Consider When Choosing

Alright so when you’re actually deciding which company to go with, think about your priorities. Is it budget? Design variety? Eco-friendliness? Customization level? You can’t have everything unless you have an unlimited budget, which most people don’t.

Also consider your timeline. Some companies have rush options but they cost extra. If you’re already behind on your invitation timeline (happens to like 60% of couples honestly), factor that into your decision.

Paper quality matters more than you think. Order samples. Touch them. See them in person. What looks good online might feel cheap in person or vice versa. I’ve seen couples change their entire invitation choice after feeling the paper samples.

The Sample Strategy

Here’s what I tell clients – order samples from like 3-4 companies max. More than that and you’ll just confuse yourself. Pick the companies that have designs you’re drawn to and order one or two samples from each.

Look at the paper weight, the print quality, the colors (do they match what you saw online?), how the envelope feels. Have your partner look at them too because sometimes you’re so deep in wedding planning that you can’t see clearly anymore and need a fresh perspective.

Don’t order samples from every company I mentioned here or you’ll spend a fortune on samples and waste a bunch of paper. Just the ones that really speak to you based on their websites.

Timing And Ordering

Most companies say to order invitations 3-4 months before your wedding and mail them 6-8 weeks before. That’s the traditional timeline. In reality, you can compress this a bit if needed but don’t wait until the last minute because printing delays happen, shipping delays happen, you might need to reorder if something’s wrong… or you might just forget to actually mail them after they arrive because you’re busy with other wedding stuff.

When you’re ready to order, double-check everything. Like triple-check. The date, the venue address, the time, spelling of names, all of it. I had a client who ordered 150 invitations with the wrong ceremony time and didn’t realize until they arrived. That was an expensive mistake.

Also order like 10-15 extra invitations. You’ll want them for keepsakes, last-minute guest additions, or mistakes. They’re cheaper to order with your main batch than separately later.

The Envelope Situation

Some companies include envelopes, some charge extra, some have upgrade options for fancier envelopes. Figure out what’s included in the base price. Also think about whether you want envelope liners (they’re pretty but add cost), return address printing (helpful but not necessary), and guest address printing (huge time-saver).

If you’re doing calligraphy addressing or hand-lettering, order extra envelopes because mistakes will happen. Or consider printed addressing that looks like calligraphy – several companies offer this now and it’s way more affordable than hiring a calligrapher.

Digital Versus Print

I know I mentioned some digital options but let me just say – there’s no right answer here. Some people are totally fine with digital invitations, some think they’re too casual for a wedding. It really depends on your crowd and your wedding vibe.

Digital makes sense for destination weddings where you need information to be easily accessible and updatable. It also makes sense if you’re eco-conscious or on a tight budget. The RSVP tracking alone can be worth it because chasing down paper RSVPs is honestly one of the most annoying parts of wedding planning… which reminds me, whatever you choose, make the RSVP process as easy as possible for your guests or they just won’t do it and you’ll be texting people individually asking if they’re coming.

Print invitations feel more formal and traditional. There’s something nice about getting a beautiful invitation in the mail. Your older relatives will probably prefer them. They also don’t require your guests to have email or be tech-savvy.

You can also do a hybrid approach – digital save-the-dates and printed invitations, or vice versa. Lots of couples do this to save money while still having something physical for the actual wedding.