Hanson Ellis vs Shutterfly

If you're shopping for wedding invitation companies, you're in a thrilling stretch - the moment when one choice sets the stage for everything that follows. Invitations are the first glimpse of your celebration, traveling across the globe to reach the people you love and invite them to share in it. From paper stock to typography, the details you choose hint at your style and build anticipation for the big day. It's a small start that opens the door to a season of unforgettable moments.

An invitation's design speaks volumes about the couple and sets the tone - low-key and casual or fancy and formal, it cues guests instantly. It's often the first glimpse guests get of the celebration. With today's easy customization options, you can create exactly the invitation you're imagining, tailoring everything from colors and typography to paper and finishes. Thoughtful choices in these details help your wedding feel unmistakably yours.

Plenty of providers let you upload your own images, pick fonts, set colors and clipart, and move text around until it looks just right. If you love to tinker, you can craft a design from scratch - or start with one of the hundreds of thousands of ready-made wedding invitation templates, drop in your details, and be ready to print in minutes. Many tools now show live previews and let you save versions, so it's easy to share a proof with your partner before you place the order.

Your wedding invitation should cover the essentials - your names, the date, time, and venue, any dress code, and where you're registered - yes, so loved ones can shower you with gifts and money. Pick a printer that can turn them around fast so guests have plenty of time to digest the details and send a prompt RSVP. Consider adding your wedding website for updates, travel info, and easy online responses.

Beyond the invitation itself, many couples tuck in extra inserts to invite specific guests to a luncheon or dinner, the reception, or even pre-wedding bachelor or bachelorette plans. Choose envelopes that match your style - and, if you want, have the company print the addresses - then finish the suite with details like a fancy gold stamp to seal the invitations or embossed names. You can also include an RSVP card or a

We've done a lot of the important research regarding some of the best online companies that do custom wedding invitations. There are a few key details we recommend that you keep in mind when you are shopping around:

• Customization. Are you able to take a basic template and adjust every aspect of it to look exactly the way you want? Is it easy to use the website and figure out all the features and how to upload photos? You want your wedding invitations to feel perfect, so don't settle for somewhere that doesn't allow you to make many modifications to their templates.
• Cost. There are more than enough things to budget for when you're planning a wedding, so don't feel like you have to spend too much on your invitations. Compare your design across different sites and see who will print it for the most affordable cost. You'll often get bulk discounts, so the more you print, the cheaper they will likely be. Also consider the cost of shipping since this will add to the overall price.
• Production time. Once you've given the "okay" on your invitation design, how long does it take the company to get them printed and to your doorstep? Find somewhere that guarantees their shipping times and gives you the quickest turnaround time. You want to give your guests plenty of heads up about your wedding and be able to compile an accurate guest list of those who will be able to make it.

The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the most important things you'd want to consider when choosing a company to create and buy your wedding invitations from. We hope this information helps you have an enjoyable time designing wedding invitations that reflect your style and that you'll cherish forever!