Designing Your Own Wedding Invites: A Creative Guide

Designing your own wedding invitations is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your special day. With the help of online tools and templates, you can easily craft elegant and unique invitations that reflect your wedding theme and style. Whether you're looking for rustic charm, modern typography, or a whimsical design, you can customize every element, from text and colours to images and paper type. You can even include special features like QR codes or gold foil accents. Designing your own invitations also allows you to include all the essential information, such as the wedding website and gift list details, in a way that suits you. So, if you're considering designing your own wedding invitations, there are plenty of resources available to make the process stress-free and enjoyable.

Design and customisation options

Designing your wedding invitations can be a fun and creative process, and there are many ways to customise your invites to make them unique and reflective of your wedding theme. Here are some design and customisation options to consider:

• Choose a template: Select a template that fits your wedding vibe from a wide range of options available online. Basic Invite, for example, offers over 1,200 design templates, including vintage, rustic, chic, and modern styles.
• Customise the text and colours: Add a personal touch by customising the text, colours, images, and even QR codes. Play around with different fonts and colour schemes to match your wedding theme. You can also include your wedding website address and gift list details.
• Upload your own photos: Many websites, like Canva, allow you to upload your own photos and images to create a truly personalised invitation. You can also access their library of premium images, graphics, and illustrations for a small fee.
• Select your paper type and size: Choose from various paper types, such as matte, pearl, linen, glossy, or hemp-blend, to complement your design. Consider the classic wedding invitation size of 5 x 7 inches, or go for something more petite or unique, like a 4.25" x 6" version or a long, thin 4" x 9.5" card.
• Add special features: Enhance your invitations with features like embossed foil details in gold, silver, or glitter. You can also include inserts, envelopes, and RSVP cards to create a complete wedding invitation suite.
• Preview and proof your design: Before finalising your order, take advantage of preview features to ensure your invitation looks perfect. You can also request a design proof to share your ideas with your partner, friends, or wedding planner.
• DIY options: If you're feeling crafty, you can design and create your invitations at home. Consider using online tools like Canva to design your invites and then print them at home or at a local print shop. You can also get creative with paper choices, ribbons, wax seals, and other decorative elements.

With these customisation options, you can design wedding invitations that truly reflect your style and personality, creating a lasting impression on your guests.

Printing and paper type

When it comes to choosing paper and printing for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider, such as the type of printer you'll be using, the thickness of the paper, and the overall look and feel you want to achieve.

Printer Compatibility

It's important to choose a paper that is compatible with your printer. If you're printing at home, desktop printers have limitations on the thickness of paper they can handle. Start with a lower weight paper, such as 80# cardstock, and gradually increase the weight until you find the perfect balance between thickness and print quality.

Paper Thickness

The thickness of the paper, also known as the weight, is an important factor to consider. The higher the weight, the thicker the cardstock, and the more luxurious your invitations will feel. A good range to aim for is between 100# to 130# cardstock. This weight will give your invitations a professional and elegant look.

Paper Types

There are several types of paper to choose from, each offering a unique look and feel:

• Solid White Cardstock: This is a medium to heavyweight paper with a smooth, matte finish. It's perfect for printing at home and is relatively inexpensive.
• Linen Cardstock: This cardstock has a delicate woven texture and a matte finish, giving it the look and feel of linen fabric. It's great for hiding imperfections and adding visual interest.
• Cotton Cardstock: Cotton cardstock is smooth, highly absorbent, and compatible with both laser and inkjet printers. It gives invitations a clean, modern look and is considered "photo-safe".
• Parchment: Parchment is a thin, semi-translucent paper with a slight marble effect. It adds a unique touch to invitations and layers well with other papers.
• Felt: Felt cardstock has a unique texture that falls somewhere between cotton and canvas. It gives invitations an air of sophistication but may not be compatible with all home printers.
• Kraft: Kraft, or recycled cardstock, has a rustic look and feel. It resembles coarse brown paper but with a smoother, more polished finish.
• Vellum: Vellum is a translucent paper that can be used as an overlay or accent to add depth to your invitations. It can also be printed on directly for a unique effect.
• Wood Grain Cardstock: This paper has a subtle wood grain texture embossed into it, adding a natural and decorative touch to your invitations.

Printing Techniques

There are several printing techniques to consider for your wedding invitations, each offering a different look and feel:

• Thermography: This budget-friendly technique gives a slightly raised text effect without the high cost of engraving or embossing. The ink is mixed with a special powder and applied with heat for a painted-on look.
• Engraving: A classic technique where paper is pressed between an inked plate and a metal plate, creating raised letters and texture. Each colour requires its own plate, making this option more expensive.
• Embossing: Similar to engraving, embossing creates a raised texture on the paper. However, the text or graphics remain colorless, so it is typically reserved for the invitation's design rather than the text.
• Foil Stamping: This technique adds shine to your invitations by pressing metallic foil onto the paper. It requires made-to-order metal dies and can be combined with other printing techniques for a unique effect.
• Letterpress: Letterpress uses a custom die format, usually made of plastic, to create a soft, romantic feel. The ink is absorbed into the paper, resulting in a vintage vibe.
• UV and Thermographic Printing: These newer heat-based methods add a slight shine to raised lettering. They are flexible and work well with various types of paper, including acrylic and thermographic prints.

Cost and quantity

The cost of designing your own wedding invitations can vary depending on several factors, such as the materials used, printing method, and quantity. Here is an overview of the cost and quantity considerations for creating your own wedding invitations:

Cost Factors:

• Materials: The type of paper, envelopes, and any additional embellishments will impact the cost. Cardstock, for example, can range from $0.15 to $0.50 per sheet, while envelopes can cost around $0.10 to $0.25 each. Ribbons, wax seals, and other decorations will also add to the expense.
• Printing: Printing costs can vary depending on whether you choose to print at home or use a professional printing service. Home printing may be more cost-effective, but it's important to consider the quality of your printer and the price of ink. Professional printing services, such as VistaPrint, Shutterfly, and FedEx, offer various paper options and packages that can be more convenient but may carry a higher price tag.
• Design: If you opt for a custom design or use a premium template, there may be additional costs involved. Basic Invite, for instance, offers a wide range of customizable templates starting at $0.72 per invitation. Canva is another popular platform for creating wedding invitations, and they provide both free and paid templates with access to premium images for $1 each.

Quantity Considerations:

When determining the quantity of wedding invitations to order, it's essential to consider the following:

• Guest list size: The number of invitations should correspond to the number of guests invited. It's recommended to include a few extra invitations (about 10-15% more) to account for last-minute additions or mistakes during addressing.
• Couples and families: Typically, one invitation is sent per couple or family, while individual guests receive their own. This will impact the quantity needed and should be considered when placing your order.
• Extras: It's a good idea to order a few extra invitations in case you decide to invite additional guests or need replacements due to errors.
• RSVP cards: Including RSVP cards with your invitations is a convenient way to gather responses from your guests. These cards can be included as inserts or attached to the invitations, and they often come at an additional cost per card.

In summary, the cost and quantity of designing your own wedding invitations depend on various factors, including the materials, printing method, design choices, and the number of invitations required. By carefully considering these aspects, you can create beautiful and personalized wedding invitations that fit within your budget.

Envelopes and postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, the envelope is just as important as what's inside. It's the first thing your guests will see, so it should create a great first impression.

Envelope Sizing

First, you'll want to ensure you have the right size envelope for your invitations. Common sizes include C5, C6, C7, DL, square, 5x7, and RSVP. You can also get envelopes for any wedding-day stationery, such as thank-you cards, which are smaller.

Envelope Colour and Design

Envelopes come in a variety of colours, including white, ivory, cream, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, grey, brown, black, silver, and gold. You can also get envelopes with a hammered, linen, or textured effect, or opt for a die-cut envelope for something a little different.

If you want to add a further personal touch, you can get custom-designed envelopes with your own artwork or your guests' names and addresses printed on them. This saves time handwriting each envelope and makes your invitations feel extra special.

Postage

When it comes to postage, it's important to consider the weight of your envelopes, especially if you're including multiple inserts or any decorations, as this will impact the cost of sending them out. It's recommended to send out your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, but if you're planning a destination wedding or have guests travelling internationally, it's best to send them out around three months in advance.

RSVP options

When it comes to designing your own wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you receive prompt RSVPs from your guests. Here are some tips and options to consider:

RSVP Cards

Including RSVP cards with your wedding invitations is highly recommended as it makes it convenient for your guests to respond and helps you finalise your guest list, confirm catering numbers, and arrange seating. While not mandatory, RSVP cards show that you value your guests' responses and appreciate their effort in letting you know whether they will attend.

Digital RSVPs

If you prefer to save paper or want to make the RSVP process even easier for your guests, you can customise the RSVP postcard as a digital response option. Many wedding stationery companies offer matching wedding websites where guests can RSVP online. This option also allows you to collect additional information, such as dietary restrictions or song requests.

RSVP Deadlines

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of 2–3 weeks before your wedding date. This will give you enough time to contact those who haven't responded, provide the final headcount to your caterer, and finalise your reception seating plan. Don't forget to include the RSVP deadline date prominently on your invitation or RSVP card.

RSVP Wording

Make sure your RSVP card includes clear and straightforward wording to indicate that guests should respond. Traditionally, RSVP cards would include an "M" followed by a line for guests to write their names. However, for a more modern approach, you can simply write "Name(s)" or "Guest Name(s)". You can also include a line for the number of invited guests and their meal selection, if applicable.

RSVP Response Options

The most important part of the RSVP card is where guests indicate whether they will attend or not. You can have some fun with the wording here, such as "accepts with pleasure" or "regretfully declines". You may also want to include a line for the number of guests attending and any additional requests, such as song suggestions or marriage advice.

Frequently asked questions