STDs - worth the cost?

[ladyciel]

So, FI and I have been debating whether or not to send out save the dates, and we haven''t been able to make a decision. We would do postcards to save on postage, and it looks like we could do it for under $100 if we went that route. Part of me says hey, less than 100, who cares - just do it. But another part realizes that''s money that could go towards nicer invitations, nicer bouquet, corsages for our moms, and other things we might skip otherwise. I think everyone on our guest list who would really benefit from a STD uses email religiously, so if we don''t mail anything I could send out a mass email with a digital save the date attached as a PDF or something.

So, that said, is sending out hardcopy STDs worth it? What do you guys think? As guests, does it make much difference to you whether you have something sent to you that you can hang on your fridge, or is something digital you can print out just as good?

 

[anchor31]

That depends on your situation. In my case, only about 10 guests out of 90 are 1 hour or less from our wedding, and they all really need to be told where, when and at what time the wedding would be so they can plan their trip in advance. My hometown and its area are very popular tourists destinations year-round, so they need to book they hotels asap... I just send them on Sunday. They cost me 20$ on vistaprint, and they're worth it!

ETA: Not everyone on our list have Internet access, so email STD notices wouldn't have worked.

 

[ladyciel]

Ooooh, Thanks Anchor!! I hadn''t checked VistaPrint yet, and they have a sale right now on postcards.

 

[BlueKeet]

I did save the date magnets and cards and used VistaPrint. I had fun with them and am glad I sent them. Recently, I saw the consumer affaris complaint list about VistaPrint and hope I don't get charges to some monthly service where I have to cancel my credit card to get the charges to go away. They also did a couple other things I found shady on the complaint list. I was going to get RSVP postcards from them, but on principle I won't use them again. I haven't had any problems with extra charges yet, but the color quality and resolution on the magnets wasn't even close to when I printed the same uploaded file on my photo printer. Plus the magnet "dust" blackened many of the envelopes for the notecards. The magnets were cheap, so I didn't really worry about it.

By the way they always have a sale on postcards - 100 for free.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/online/vistaprint.html

 

[swimmer]

Hi Ladies!
With your vistaprint orders, did they all say vistaprint on the back? I ordered TY notes with our names on them, pretty cute but super cheap (in a good way) and was thrilled ''till turning them over and there was an ad for vistaprint on the back! (larger than a Hallmark sorta thing) Nowhere in my order did it say that this would happen. Annoying.
I had been considering doing invites for the rehearsal dinner and day after brunch with them but am not sure if I want to look like our wedding was sponsored by visaprint...now if they paid for it like Starr Jones'' wedding...just kidding! but wanted discerning stationary folks to know that vistaprint does this.

 

[BlueKeet]

Yep, my note cards had VistaPrint and their logo on the back.

 

[Pandora II]

I just did Vistaprint magnets - they came in at $100 for 100 - which was 50% discount (but our sales tax is 17.5%

) but I bet they are cheaper in the US.

They were even better than I had hoped for and the colour reproduction was spot on.

There was no logo or tradename anywhere on them.

The magnets are super-lightweight so no worries on postage.

All my guests are OOT and my wedding is in prime holiday period, so they were essential for me.

I also spent weeks on the design which I am using for menus, tableplans, favours etc so I am really please to have them to keep for our wedding album.