The wedding industry is a lucrative market, with couples spending thousands on their big day. Wedding invitations are a crucial part of the planning process, as they offer guests a first glimpse into the wedding aesthetic. While many couples opt for professional stationery design studios, some choose to design and print their own invitations to save money, personalise their invites, or simply express their creativity. This DIY approach can be more affordable, offer greater personalisation, and be quicker to produce than traditional wedding stationery. Couples can also choose to outsource certain aspects of the process, such as printing or design, to professionals.
What You'll Learn
- DIY wedding invitations can be more affordable than traditional wedding stationery, saving money
- DIY invites offer utmost personalisation, allowing for a unique design that reflects the couple's wedding style and love story
- DIY wedding invitations can be crafted in a single afternoon, saving time
- Couples can create the design and hire a stationery expert to print the paper products
- DIY wedding invitations can be elevated with embellishments such as ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners
DIY wedding invitations can be more affordable than traditional wedding stationery, saving money
Wedding stationery can be expensive, with the average cost of wedding invitations and other related stationery in 2022 being $510. This includes an average spend of $230 on invitations and RSVP cards combined. However, there are ways to save money on wedding invitations, and one of them is to make them yourself.
DIY wedding invitations can be more affordable than traditional wedding stationery. By creating your own invitations, you can save money while still achieving a beautiful and personalised design. Here are some tips to create DIY wedding invitations that are both cost-effective and stylish:
- Start with inspiration: Browse online for wedding invitation ideas and find a style that you like. Look for simple designs that can be easily recreated at home.
- Choose your materials wisely: Purchase coloured cardstock and envelopes that fit your design. Craft stores and online retailers often have a wide variety of specialised cardstock at affordable prices. Don't forget to use coupons and look for online deals to save even more.
- Invest in a good paper cutter: A paper cutter will help you achieve precise cuts and give your invitations a professional look. You can find paper cutters at craft stores or use the ones available at copy shops.
- Format your text: Create your invitation text in a word processing or design software, ensuring it fits the size of your cardstock. Print a test invitation to see how it looks and make any necessary adjustments.
- Consider printing options: You can print your DIY wedding invitations at home using a basic inkjet or laser printer. Alternatively, you can use online printing services or local print shops for a more professional finish. Flat printed invitations are usually the most affordable option.
- Simplify your design: Limit the number of decorative elements and keep your design simple. Choose one or two "must-have" elements such as foil pressing or calligraphy. Avoid adding too many layers or bulky embellishments, as they can increase the weight of your invitations and postage costs.
- Go digital: Instead of including multiple enclosure cards, create a wedding website where guests can find detailed information about the wedding, RSVP, and more. This will save on printing and postage costs.
- Proofread and order extras: Carefully proofread your invitation text to avoid costly reprinting mistakes. Order a few extra invitations to account for last-minute additions or replacements.
- Mail with care: Before finalising your design, take a completed test invitation to the post office to check the exact postage cost. Keep in mind that invitations over a certain weight may require additional postage.
By following these tips, you can create DIY wedding invitations that are both affordable and reflective of your personal style. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can save money on your wedding stationery while still making a statement.
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DIY invites offer utmost personalisation, allowing for a unique design that reflects the couple's wedding style and love story
DIY wedding invitations offer a highly personalised experience for couples and their guests. They are a unique way to reflect the couple's wedding style and love story.
Couples can choose to design their invitations from scratch, or personalise certain aspects, such as drawing a custom crest, adding a border, or hand-calligraphing the text. This allows them to include meaningful symbols that represent their partnership, such as a shared hobby or a beloved pet. For instance, a couple who loves to travel might include a small airplane or map design, or perhaps an illustration of their pet.
DIY invites can also be tailored to include quotes, Bible verses, song lyrics, or poems that hold a special significance for the couple. This adds a further layer of personalisation and helps to tell their unique love story.
The design and materials used for DIY invites can also be customised to match the wedding aesthetic. For example, a rustic barn wedding might feature invitations with earthy tones, kraft paper, and twine, while a glamorous city wedding could incorporate metallic accents, modern fonts, and sleek designs.
In addition to the design, couples can also personalise the wording of their invitations to reflect their personality and wedding aesthetic, whether it be traditional, conversational, or formal.
Overall, DIY wedding invitations offer a fun and creative way for couples to showcase their unique style and love story, creating a memorable experience for both the couple and their guests.
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DIY wedding invitations can be crafted in a single afternoon, saving time
DIY wedding invitations are a great way to save money and personalise your special day. With just a few simple steps, you can have beautiful, handmade invitations crafted in an afternoon.
First, you'll need to gather your materials. These include a digital application to design your invitations, such as Adobe or Canva, and a printer to bring your designs to life. If you don't have a printer, you can always send your file to a larger printer at a store like Costco or Office Depot. Don't forget to pick up some envelopes, too!
Next, it's time to design your invitations. Consider your wedding aesthetic and choose a style and colour scheme that reflects your personality and the tone of your wedding. Play around with different fonts, illustrations, and decorative elements until you find a combination that you love. Remember to include all the essential information, like the time, date, and location of your wedding, as well as RSVP details.
Once you're happy with your design, it's time to print. If you're printing at home, run a few tests to ensure the colours and text look just right. Adjust your printer settings as needed until you're satisfied with the results.
After printing, you'll need to cut your invitations down to size. The standard size for invitations is 5" x 7", but you can also add smaller insert cards with additional details. Using a paper cutter or craft knife will give you straight, clean edges.
Finally, it's time to assemble your invitations. Place your inserts inside the envelopes, add any embellishments like ribbons or wax seals, and seal your envelopes. Voilà! Your DIY wedding invitations are ready to be stamped and addressed.
By following these simple steps, you can create beautiful, personalised wedding invitations in just one afternoon, saving you time and money.
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Couples can create the design and hire a stationery expert to print the paper products
Couples who want to design their wedding invitations but need a little extra help can create the design and hire a stationery expert to print the paper products. This option allows couples to express their creativity while also ensuring that the final product is of high quality.
To get started, couples should outline all the various paper components they want to include in their invitations, such as the invitation card, RSVP card, and details card. They should also consider the quantity, size, type/thickness/brand of paper, and colour of each component. It's important to keep in mind that all of these components will need to fit inside the selected envelope sizes.
Once the design is finalised, couples can work with a stationery expert to select the best paper options and envelopes and ensure that the invitations are printed by a quality printer. The stationery expert can also help with any necessary trimming, scoring, or embellishing of the invitations.
In addition, couples can take advantage of the stationery expert's knowledge of standard sizing, weights, envelopes, and paper options. They can also guide couples on the proper invitation wording and etiquette.
By hiring a stationery expert, couples can save time and stress, especially if they are planning a DIY project for their wedding. The stationery expert can also provide guidance on budgeting and help couples make decisions based on their budget.
Overall, hiring a stationery expert to print paper products for wedding invitations can be a great option for couples who want a personalised and high-quality invitation without the hassle and stress of doing it all themselves.
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DIY wedding invitations can be elevated with embellishments such as ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners
DIY wedding invitations are a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Embellishments such as ribbons, wax seals, and envelope liners can elevate your invitations and make them stand out. Here are some ways you can use these embellishments to create elegant and unique wedding invitations:
Ribbons:
Adding a ribbon to your wedding invitation is a simple yet effective way to enhance its appearance. You can use ribbon to tie together all the elements of your invitation, such as travel information and RSVP cards. A simple ribbon band, knot, or bow can be used to secure your invitation suite elegantly. Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme, or opt for a luxurious silk or satin ribbon for a chic touch.
Wax Seals:
Wax seals add a touch of olde worlde luxe and are a popular way to decorate wedding invitations. They can be used to secure the flaps of your invitation envelopes, evoking a regal, vintage aesthetic. You can find wax seals in various designs, from traditional monograms to modern motifs, or you can even create your own custom seal with your monogram or wedding date. Using a self-adhesive wax seal is a convenient option if you don't want to make your own.
Envelope Liners:
Envelope liners add a surprise element to your invitations and can bring a smile to your guests' faces when they open them. You can choose from plain or patterned liners, or even create your own DIY liners with tutorials available online. Foil-lined envelopes come with pre-assembled liners, while some companies offer custom slip-in liners that can be easily adhered to the inside of your envelopes.
Combining Embellishments:
You can also combine these embellishments for an even more luxurious feel. For example, use a wax seal to secure a ribbon band around your invitation suite or add a personalised stamp to your envelope liner. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your wedding theme.
With these embellishments, you can elevate your DIY wedding invitations and create a suite that truly reflects the essence of your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
The average cost of wedding invitations in the US is $530, with regional variations. This includes save-the-dates, RSVP cards, and day-of stationery. The price per invite can vary from $1 to over $100 depending on design, ink, paper, and printing process.
In 2006, couples spent $428 million on non-invitation wedding stationery. This includes items such as engagement announcements, save-the-date cards, and thank-you cards.
A 4.5-inch-by-6.25-inch rectangular card is the traditional size. However, couples often opt for circular, scalloped, or square invitations. It's important to consider that non-standard sizes may increase postage costs.
It's recommended to start scouting stationers 9-11 months before the wedding and order invitations 4-5 months in advance. This allows enough time for printing and ensures the invitations can be mailed 8-10 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings or holiday celebrations, it's advisable to send invitations even earlier, about 12 weeks in advance.