That depends on the event's formality and your pocketbook. Both Communiques and Care Gift Baskets sell invitations that can slip through your laser printer, so you print them yourself. The stores also do in-house printing, or they'll send the invitations to a company that does engraving or offset printing. Remember, the invitation sets the tone. If you get a beautiful invitation, you want to buy a dress and put it on your schedule.
Rush jobs are available.
Normal turnaround, however, is three to five business days. Many guests opt for a bottle of wine. Decorative fabric bags with silk cords are gifts that keep on giving. The hostess can reuse it when she brings wine to someone else's party. Admittedly, alcohol can be inappropriate.