1. Expect to pay up to $4-5 dollars a piece for invitations depending on how formal or fancy your invitations will be.

2. Order invitations at least four months before the wedding to allow plenty of time for their preparation, addressing and mailing. For engraved invitations order them even five months ahead.

3. Invitations set the theme and the mood for your wedding. So, keep that in mind when you make your selections.

4. Invitations need to be sent out four (4) to six (6) weeks prior to your wedding date!

5. Yes, you must put the appropriate postage on your return envelopes. This is not a place to try and save money!

6. Be sure to ask for some samples of recently performed work or created invitations when shopping for your invitations.

7. Order 15 to 20 more invitations than you think you need. It can be very expensive to order additional invitations at the last minute - and you may not get them in time! You'll need extra invitations for any mistakes made in addressing the envelopes, any "last minute" additions to the guest list, and a few for keepsakes.

8. Thermography looks very much like engraved invitations. The biggest difference is that it costs a lot less!

9. Have a friend or family member check the "draft" or pre-press copy before giving the final "OK".

10. Review your guest list to make sure that all the names are spelled correctly and addresses are up to date.

11. Count your invitations and proof them before leaving the place that prepared them for you.

12. It's likely, and appropriate, that a deposit will be requested by the printer/preparer.

13. Take a typical invitation "package" - what you will be sending to your guests - to the post office and have it weighed. Be sure to apply the appropriate amount of postage stamps so that your invitations are delivered on time and with no postage due!

14. All Children over the age of 16 should receive their own invitation.

15. Usually, the bride's family sends out the invitations. However, if the groom's parents are sharing in the expenses, then they can be on the invitation as well.