Designing Your Own Wedding Card: Is It Possible?

Wedding cards are one of the most significant keepsakes of your lifetime. You can choose to design your own wedding card or use a professional service. Designing your own wedding card can be a fun and creative process, and it can also save you money. There are many online tools and templates available to help you create your perfect wedding card, such as Adobe Express, Canva, and VistaPrint. These tools offer customizable templates, easy-to-use editors, and options for printing and sharing your card digitally. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when designing your own wedding card, such as choosing the right printer, ink, and paper, as well as considering design elements like bleeds and color calibration.

Choosing a design template

There are several options available for those looking to design their own wedding cards. Many online services offer a range of design templates that can be customized with personal images, fonts, colours, and other elements.

When choosing a design template, it is important to consider the theme of your wedding. For example, if you are planning a rustic wedding, you might opt for a simple design printed on recycled brown paper. If your wedding has a more modern or playful theme, a minimalist design or a non-traditional layout with whimsical fonts and bold colours might be more suitable.

If your wedding has a specific colour scheme, you may want to choose a template that incorporates those colours. You can also consider adding a personal touch by including photos of you and your fiancé(e). This can be done by uploading your own images or using stock images provided by the service.

In addition to the overall design, you should also consider the size and shape of the card. The classic wedding invitation size is a flat, rectangular card measuring 5 x 7 inches, but there are also smaller and longer options available, as well as tear-out RSVP versions.

Finally, think about the tone you want to convey with your wedding card. Is it elegant and classic, or modern and trendy? Whimsical or romantic? Choose a template that reflects your style and the mood you want to set for your big day.

Customising your card

Customising your wedding card is a fun and creative process that lets you add a personal touch to your special day. There are many ways to make your card unique and memorable. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose a design that reflects your style: Select a design that fits the theme and feel of your wedding. Whether you prefer a classic, rustic, modern, or whimsical style, there are endless options available. You can browse through thousands of templates online or start from a blank canvas.

Add your own images: Upload your own photos or choose from a library of free stock images, icons, and designs. You can even feature your uploaded photos on the invitation with text overlaid. This adds a unique and personal touch to your card.

Customise colours and fonts: Experiment with different colour schemes and font styles to create a card that truly stands out. You can also match the colours to your wedding theme or use specific colours that hold a special meaning for you. Play around with different combinations until you find the perfect match.

Include special effects: Add a bit of sparkle to your card with foil lettering or accents. You can also try embossing or die-cutting for an extra special touch. If you're sending your invitations digitally, consider adding animated effects to make your message stand out and capture your guests' attention.

Don't forget the details: While customising the design is important, don't forget to include all the essential information on your card. This includes the full names of the couple, the date, time, and location of both the ceremony and reception, and how to RSVP. Make sure to proofread your invitation before finalising the design.

By following these tips and adding your own creative flair, you'll be able to design a wedding card that is truly one-of-a-kind and reflects your unique love story.

Printing your card

Once you have finalised your wedding card design, it's time to print it. You can print your cards at home or use a professional printing service.

If you decide to print your cards at home, you will need to research the type of printer and ink you have. Most inkjet printers use dye-based ink, which is great for a wide colour gamut, deep blacks, and brilliant saturation. However, it doesn't have the longevity of pigment-based ink, which is more expensive but produces prints that last much longer.

When choosing your paper, select a durable material with a weight of at least 80 pounds or 12-point stock to give your invitations a luxurious feel. Consider how much colour your design will use, as some types of paper don't take large ink coverage well. If your design includes photos, pair dye-based ink with photo paper to bring out the sharpness and colour. Generally, choose paper with a coating such as semi-gloss, gloss, matte, resin, or polymer when printing with dye-based ink to reduce bleeding.

If you are using pigment-based ink, you can choose from a variety of textured papers such as linen, feltweave card stock, or cotton rag. These papers are popular choices for wedding invitations and can be found at office supply stores or stationery shops.

To save on printing costs, set your printer to produce multiple invites, RSVP cards, or place cards on each sheet. You can also size your invites to be smaller, which will reduce paper waste and make them more cost-efficient to mail.

If you prefer to use a professional printing service, there are many online platforms that offer this service, such as Canva and VistaPrint. These services allow you to design your invitation using their templates and then place an order for high-quality prints to be delivered to your doorstep.

Printing your wedding invitations is a great way to add a personal touch and ensure they perfectly match your vision. Whether you choose to print them at home or use a professional service, there are many options available to make your invitations look beautiful and impress your guests.

Adding personal touches

Creative Table Names/Numbers:

Instead of the traditional numbering system, get creative with your table names. You can use places you've travelled to together, your favourite drinks, sports teams, books, music artists, or any other shared interests. This will not only add a personal touch but also be a fun conversation starter for your guests.

Personalised Place Settings:

Print your guests' names onto tracing paper or cardstock, perhaps with a photo or a fun fact about each guest. You can even add a quote about love from your favourite films, TV shows, or books to add that extra special touch for each person.

Handwritten Vow Backdrops:

Display your vows or special words/phrases in a beautiful backdrop. This could be your names, monogram, or any words that hold a special meaning for you both. It will not only look gorgeous but also add a deeply personal touch to your ceremony.

Monograms:

Create a custom monogram with your initials or wedding logo and use it throughout your wedding stationery, from save-the-date cards to invitations, napkins, drinks stirrers, and even the aisle runner. Monograms are a beautiful way to unify your wedding theme and add a personal touch.

Illustrated Wedding Stationery:

Include hand-drawn illustrations of yourselves, your venue, or even your pets on your wedding invitations. This gives your guests a sneak peek at your special day and adds a fun and whimsical touch to your stationery.

Remember, your wedding card is a reflection of you and your partner. By adding these personal touches, you'll create a memorable experience for both yourselves and your guests.

Paper weight and type

When making your own wedding card, the weight and type of paper you choose are important factors to consider. The right choice will depend on your printing method, invitation style, postage costs, and personal preference.

Printing Method

The printing method you plan to use is one of the most important factors when choosing the type of paper for your wedding card. Different printers have different capabilities, so be sure to check the maximum paper weight your printer can handle. Most consumer-grade home printers can print on 80 lb (216 gsm) to 100 lb (270 gsm) cardstock, but it's always good to consult your printer manual for specific information. If you're using a professional print shop, contact them to learn about their equipment and capabilities. Some popular printing methods for wedding invitations include offset printing, thermography, letterpress printing, and digital printing.

Invitation Style

The style of your invitation will also influence the type of paper you choose. Flat invitation cards, for example, are typically made with heavier cardstock, usually 80 lb (216 gsm) and up. Folding invitation cards, on the other hand, are made with lighter cardstock, typically between 65 lb (176 gsm) and 100 lb (270 gsm). If you're creating a layered card, it's recommended to keep the top layer light (80 lb or under) and attach it to a heavier card.

Postage Costs

Another consideration when choosing paper weight is postage costs. Invites weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage. If you want to keep postage costs down, opt for lighter cardstock.

Personal Preference

Finally, don't forget that the choice of paper weight and type is ultimately a personal preference. Some people prefer thick, heavy cardstock, while others prefer lighter, thinner stock. Choose the weight and type that works best for your design and budget, and don't be afraid to experiment with different options to find the perfect fit.

Frequently asked questions