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Updated Oct 14, 2024Wedding Invitation Samples Help Ensure Your Big Day Stationery Is on Point
Up in the air about which invitation to choose? Wedding invitation samples allow you to see the real thing before you commit.
Your wedding invitation sets the tone for your entire day, since it often serves as your guests' first glimpse into your wedding day aesthetic. If you're stuck between several choices, ordering a wedding invitation sample can be the easiest way to decide if you've truly landed on "the one."
The good news is that lots of companies generously allow you to snag a sample, and you can also order samples on The Knot. In this article, you'll learn how, where and when to order samples of wedding invitations to help you narrow it down and choose the perfect stationery for your big day.
In this article: Why Are Wedding Invitation Samples Important? | When Should You Order Sample Wedding Invitations? | Where to Order Sample Wedding Invitations | How to Order Free Samples From The Knot Invitations
Why Are Wedding Invitation Samples Important?
When you're making the huge decision of which invitation or stationery suite will represent your wedding day, wedding invitation samples make it easier to decide on a winner if you've fallen in love with more than one design. Experiencing them in real life—rather than just on a computer screen—can definitely help you narrow things down. Even if you already have your heart set on a particular invite style, having physical sample invitations with your exact wedding invitation wording and details helps you confirm that decision and ensure there are no unexpected surprises when your full stationery order arrives.
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Another big pro to ordering sample stationery? You'll get a much better idea of the type of paper your invites are printed on. The final look and feel of your stationery is impacted by the paper you choose in a big way. If you want to figure out if heavier cardstock is worth the extra wedding stationery cost, or you're torn between a matte finish or a glossy finish, ordering sample wedding invites is a must.
When Should You Order Sample Wedding Invitations?
The best time to order wedding invitation samples depends largely on whether you're going to send out save-the-date cards that match the rest of your wedding stationery. In that case, you'll want to get started many months ahead of your big day. We recommend getting those save-the-dates in the mail as early as eight to 10 months before your planned wedding date.
If you're skipping save-the-dates, or sending out a generic card (or even an email!), you'll have a bit longer to plan. According to wedding invitation etiquette, you should send wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, which means placing your final order four to five months ahead of the big day. So ordering samples about six to seven months before your wedding is a reasonable timeframe that allows you plenty of time to receive the samples and see them in person to help you decide which one to go with.
Where to Order Sample Wedding Invitations
When you're deciding where to buy wedding invites, keep an eye out for companies that offer free sample wedding invitations, so you don't have to shell out money while you're still narrowing down which invitation is your favorite. The vendors below conveniently offer samples you can browse from the comfort of your own home.
- The Knot Invitations: Head over to The Knot Invitations to browse tons of wedding invites in just about any aesthetic you desire. Whether you're looking for sample rustic wedding invitations or something more modern or formal, The Knot has what you're looking for in our impressive selection. Many of our invitations and other stationery pieces coordinate with designs on The Knot Wedding Websites. Once you start to narrow your wedding stationery down, keep in mind that The Knot offers three free personalized samples. After that, you can order additional samples for just $1.99 each.
- Papier: Upscale stationer Papier offers an array of high-quality wedding stationery. Quality cardstock and minimalist designs offer an elevated vibe. Papier offers one free formal wedding invitation sample of your choice, except for foil invitations, using the code ENDLESSLOVE. Subsequent samples are $1.50 each, and you can order as many as you'd like.
- Shutterfly: Popular online photo site Shutterfly offers one of the most generous free samples of wedding invitations out there. Choose from their selection of samples featuring several of their most popular invitations to give you a sense of the quality you can expect. If you have a specific design in mind, Shutterfly will send you up to five wedding invitation free samples (with no additional shipping charges) to help you decide which is best for you.
- Zazzle: Zazzle doesn't offer free samples of wedding invitations, but we felt they belong on this list because they allow you to order a single invitation (often costing you only a dollar or two) rather than requiring you to order in bulk. This helpful feature, not offered by many competitors, allows you to preview exactly what your invitation will look and feel like before placing your final order. Paired with their affordable wedding invitation prices, this option makes a great alternative to free wedding invite samples.
How to Order Free Samples From The Knot Invitations
Ordering wedding invitation samples from The Knot couldn't be easier. Follow these simple steps to have them delivered right to your doorstep.
- Browse our extensive collection of invitations, save-the-dates and other stationery.
- Select "order a sample" on up to three different unique wedding invitations of your choice.
- Use the discount code 3FREE at checkout (no credit card necessary).
- Expect your free wedding invitation samples to be delivered within 7–10 days.
What comes in a wedding invitation sample kit?
The Knot wedding stationery sample packs include one example of each of your chosen invites or save-the-dates. For most designs, you can sample your preferred paper and color palette, but foil invitation samples are printed on signature paper with a specified color scheme. You can still get an idea of the other available color combinations, as each wedding invite sample kit also includes a color chart. Additionally, you'll receive sample envelopes and a stationery timeline to help keep you on track. If you want to sample more wedding invitations or save-the-date cards, you can do that too for a small extra cost.
