Weddingbee boards

I've always loved designing graphics and such online, so I figure it might be fun to try and see if I can put together our invitations and other stationary myself rather than pay someone else to. But I'm a little clueless as to what programs/equipment I would need to do so.

What are some good programs for designing invitations and the like?

What kind of printing equipment would I need?

I've wanted to do my own cards and other things for a while now, plus I'm in two weddings coming up in the next 3 years, so anything I bought would be an investment beyond my wedding.

Thanks much!

@BoiledPNut: Oooh, Cricut's website is so delightfully crafty :) Thanks for the info, I'll be spending my evening looking up letterpressing, Cricut and seeing if I have the MS Publisher program (does that come in the office suite?)

I used to design and print stationery in SF, and I worked with customers who wanted to DIY as well, so I can give you some general info. 

Designing: If you have a PC, you can design your invites in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, or even Power Point.  If you want specialized invite printing software, Printing Press by Mountain Cow is a really easy program, and even has a built in envelope addressing system.  The program's between $30 and $100 depending on the version.  If you have a Mac, you can design in Illustrator or Pages (smiliar to MS word, but easier, haha).  You can buy images or design motifs through websites like Veer.com, which charge a fee for the use of the image.  The fee is variable from a few dollars to $50+.  Or you can use CD-Rom books like those from Dover Publications, which have themese like Ornate Frames, Birds, Decorative Ornaments, etc.  These CD-Rom book sets usually run around $20, they're copyright free, and have hundreds of images per book.  You can also buy fonts from $20-$100+ from veer.com and myfonts.com.  Free fonts are available from dafont.com and fontsquirrel.com

Printing: Ink Jet printing will probably be your easiest for at home printing.  I love Canon Pixma's, which run from $75-$300, depending on the model.  The colors are crisp, the inks are sold individually, and cardstock and envelopes can be fed through easily.  The only downside is that you can't print on metallic papers.  If you want to print on metallic stock, you have to use a laser printer or have your work professionally printed.  Laser printers for home use are expensive, at least $400+, and can get much pricier if you wanting a Color Laser.  You can have your work professionally printed by a local printer, usually by a flat printing method, but this will be more than printing at home, obviously, and you may  be limited in what type of paper they will print on.

Paper: My favorite resource for paper and envelopes is www.envelopperinc.com  I like them because they have paper, cardstock, pockets, inner and outer envelopes, folders, tags, place cards, belly bands, folded cards... basically anything you can think of, all available in their full range of colors.  They have favor boxes and tagss, and have customization options, too, like hole punching, scoring, and custom cutting.  I especially like their euro style envelope flap, and the fact that you can get free shipping.  There're a few other sites for paper, too, like cardsandpockets.com envelopemall.com but I haven't been as pleased with their products.

Please let me know if you specific questions, as I'm always happy to share what I know.  Good luck to you!

@simplifiedbride: Oh my god, thank you so much for all of that glorious information! I will certainly look to you if I have questions, thanks once more :)

@hisgoosiegirl: I'm hoping for a homespun look to them, so the printing at home is what I'd like to do. Thanks for the tip, in case I do decide to get them printed elsewhere I'm glad to know that!

You're welcome, ladies!  Feel free to PM me if anyone has more specific or detailed questions.  Always happy to share.