Crafting Your Own Wedding Invitations: A Creative Guide

DIY wedding invitations are a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. While outsourcing your wedding stationery to a professional is always an option, it can be expensive. If you're on a budget, or simply want to put your creative stamp on your wedding, DIY wedding invitations are a fun project.

There are various ways to approach DIY wedding invitations, from using editable templates to designing your invitations from scratch. You can also add personal touches like gold foil details, watercolour backgrounds, or floral wax seals.

Before you begin, it's important to know your vision, be realistic about your skill set, and practise your design. Don't forget to proofread your invitations and consider how they will be posted to your guests.

With the right tools, time, and creativity, you can create beautiful DIY wedding invitations that reflect your unique style.

Editable templates: Find an editable template online, personalise, edit and order

If you're looking for an easy and convenient way to create your own wedding invitations, consider using an editable online template. This option allows you to personalise and edit your invitations to your heart's content, and you can order prints directly through the website or download and print them yourself.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Find an Editable Template Online

Begin your search for the perfect editable template by visiting websites like Greetings Island, Canva, Download and Print, or Etsy. These sites offer a variety of customisable options, from elegant and classic designs to more modern and minimalist styles. Play around with different searches to find a template that suits your wedding's theme and your personal taste.

Step 2: Personalise and Edit

Once you've found a template that speaks to you, it's time to make it your own. Most templates will allow you to change colours, fonts, and wording to match your vision. You can also add personal touches, like uploading photos or including text overlays. Take your time to explore the customisation options and create an invitation that truly reflects your style.

Step 3: Review and Proofread

Before finalising your design, be sure to review it carefully. Check for any spelling or grammar errors, and consider having a fresh pair of eyes look it over as well. This step is crucial, as you want to ensure your invitations are perfect before printing.

Step 4: Order or Download

After you're happy with your design, it's time to decide how you want to receive your invitations. Many websites offer printing services, where you can order prints directly through them. This option is convenient and ensures a professional finish. Alternatively, you can download your customised invitation and print it yourself at home or through a local printing service.

Step 5: Assemble and Send

Once you have your printed invitations, it's time to assemble them. This may involve cutting, adding envelope liners, or sealing envelopes. Finally, address your envelopes, add postage, and send them off to your guests!

Creating your own wedding invitations using editable templates gives you the freedom to design invitations that truly reflect your personality and style. With a bit of creativity and attention to detail, you can produce beautiful invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Printable templates: Find a template, personalise, print at home or a shop

If you're looking to save money on wedding invitations, consider using a printable template that you can personalise and print at home or in a shop. This option allows you to put a personal spin on your wedding details while saving on the cost of hiring a professional designer.

There are many online resources for finding editable wedding invitation templates, with some sites offering free templates and others charging a small fee. These templates typically allow you to adjust various elements, such as positioning, font, and colour scheme. Here are some popular options:

Canva

Canva is a web-based alternative to image editing software like Photoshop. It offers a number of free wedding invitation templates that are easy to personalise. You can add photos, change fonts, and modify the colour scheme with just a few clicks. However, some graphics on the site may cost a few dollars to add to your template. After customising your design, you can download it as a "PDF Print" file and print it yourself or use Canva's in-house printing service for an extra cost.

Etsy

Etsy is a go-to destination for creative wedding invitation templates. You can find a wide range of designs to suit different budgets and styles, from rustic florals to modern geometric patterns. Etsy also offers cardstock and accessories to complete your wedding stationery suite.

Download & Print

Download & Print is a straightforward option for printing wedding invitations. Simply enter the details of your wedding, customise the colours, and cut along the dotted line to fit the invitation into an envelope.

Lia Griffith

Lia Griffith offers more than just printable wedding invitations. You'll find place cards, table numbers, and thank-you cards to print a complete invitation suite. Lia Griffith also provides instructions on how to DIY decor to tie your invitations into your wedding day decorations, such as paper hibiscus flowers for a tropical theme.

Cards and Pockets

Cards and Pockets offers free, elegant, colourful, and fresh wedding invitation templates. They also feature affordable embellishments like belly bands and wax seals, allowing you to transform your free printables into luxurious keepsakes.

Greetings Island

Greetings Island offers a range of printable wedding invitation templates, from classic and simple designs adorned with delicate illustrations to bright and punchy options that reflect the celebratory nature of your big day. The templates are free with a subscription plan, which costs $23.40 per year or $1.95 per month, giving you unlimited access to all available designs.

From scratch: Use a platform like Canva to design, then print or send digitally

Planning a wedding can be expensive, so creating your own wedding invitations using a platform like Canva is a great way to save money and add a personal touch. Here's a step-by-step guide to designing and printing your own wedding invitations using Canva:

Step 1: Sign Up for Canva

First, you'll need to sign up for a Canva account. A standard account is free, but the Pro version offers a 30-day free trial with additional features that make invitation design easier. Canva Pro gives you access to premium fonts, graphics, and images, and allows you to upload your own artwork, clipart, and fonts.

Step 2: Start a New Design

In Canva, click the button in the top right corner to start a new design. You can choose a Portrait (tall) or Landscape (wide) orientation. The standard wedding invitation size is 5 x 7 inches, but you can also customise the size to your preference.

Step 3: Choose a Template or Create Your Own Design

Canva offers a variety of wedding invitation templates that you can customise with your own information. If you prefer to create your own design, you can use the Text tab in the left sidebar to create text blocks for each element of your invitation, such as the names of the couple, the introduction, the invitation line, and the wedding day details. Play around with different fonts and text sizes to create a design that reflects your style.

Step 4: Add Design Elements

Canva has a wide range of design elements, including clipart, photos, and illustrations, that you can use to personalise your invitation. You can also purchase artwork online and import it into Canva. Experiment with different colours, sizes, and arrangements to create a unique design.

Step 5: Customise Your Layout

Canva's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to move and rearrange your text boxes and graphic elements. You can also add a background colour, pattern, or texture to enhance the design. If you're using Canva Pro, you can upload your own fonts and custom artwork.

Step 6: Download and Print Your Designs

Once you're happy with your design, it's time to download and print your invitations. If you're printing at home, it's recommended to download your design as a PDF with crop marks and bleeds for easy trimming. Avoid full-bleed background colours and opt for black-and-white designs to save on ink.

Alternatively, you can use a professional printing service or order prints directly through Canva for convenience. If you're using an external printing service, check their file requirements and download your design in the appropriate format, such as a high-quality PDF, PNG, or JPG.

Step 7: Create Matching Invitation Pieces

With Canva, you can create a cohesive wedding suite by designing matching RSVP cards, direction cards, wedding programs, and more. Simply create a new design for each piece, size it appropriately, and follow the same steps as above.

By following these steps, you can create beautiful and personalised wedding invitations that fit your budget and style.

Paper and envelopes: Choose paper and envelopes in complementary colours and order 20-25% more than needed

When it comes to choosing paper and envelopes for your DIY wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider to ensure your invitations look and feel luxurious. Firstly, opt for paper that is thicker than standard printer paper; a cardstock of around 120 lb. will give your invitations a high-quality feel. You could also choose paper with a textured finish, such as linen or felt, for a more premium look.

To achieve a cohesive and stylish result, select envelopes that complement the colour and style of your invitations. Consider choosing envelopes with a Euro flap, which is a popular modern style, and opt for a size that is slightly larger than your invitations to allow for easy insertion. It's also a good idea to choose envelopes with a colour that is light enough so that the address can be clearly seen.

When ordering your paper and envelopes, it's important to allow for mistakes and spares by ordering 20-25% more than you need. This will give you some flexibility during the assembly process and ensure you have enough materials to work with.

Some online retailers, such as Amazon, offer wedding invitation kits that include paper, envelopes, and other embellishments. These kits can be a convenient and cost-effective option for those looking to create DIY wedding invitations.

By carefully selecting your paper and envelopes, and allowing for a buffer in your order quantity, you can create elegant and professional-looking DIY wedding invitations that will impress your guests.

Design and print: Experiment with fonts, sizes, inks, alignments and line spacing

Designing and printing your own wedding invitations can be a fun and budget-friendly alternative to hiring a professional. When it comes to the design and print process, there are several elements to consider, including fonts, sizes, inks, alignments, and line spacing. Here are some tips to help you create elegant and professional-looking DIY wedding invitations:

Fonts

The font you choose for your wedding invitations should complement your wedding theme and be legible. While there are thousands of fonts available, it's important to select one that is easy for your guests to read. Avoid highly scripted or thin fonts that may be difficult to read.

A good rule of thumb is to limit your design to two or three typefaces. Using too many similar fonts can make your invitation look messy. Instead, opt for fonts that have enough visual contrast to make each unique. For example, if you use two serif typefaces, ensure they have distinct features.

Additionally, different typeface styles convey different levels of legibility and aesthetic. Serif and sans-serif fonts are the easiest to read, followed by script, decorative, or hand-lettered typefaces. For smaller text, it's best to use a serif or sans-serif font to ensure your guests can read the information clearly. You can reserve decorative or script fonts for larger text, such as event titles or headings.

Sizes

When designing your invitation, it's important to consider the size and position of the text to create a visual hierarchy of information. You want your guests to notice the most important details first. For example, you may want to make the event name and date more prominent by using a larger font size than the location or address.

Inks

The choice of ink colour can impact the overall cost and printing process. If you choose a design with a colourful background or white font, you may use more ink, increasing the printing expense. Additionally, some home printers may not be suited for full-colour printing, resulting in imperfections and discolouration. To avoid this, consider using designs that allow the paper to show through, incorporating colour only in specific design elements.

Alignments

To achieve a cohesive look, maintain a consistent alignment throughout your invitation. If the body text is centred, ensure that all other text elements are also centred. This creates a balanced and elegant appearance.

Line spacing

Adjusting the line spacing can improve the overall appearance of your invitation. Increasing the space between lines of text can enhance legibility, especially for smaller text or text in all capital letters. Additionally, introducing a baseline grid based on the line height of the body text can help to tie all the design elements together.

Frequently asked questions