Creative Diy Wedding Invitations For Your Special Day In Philippines

Planning a wedding can be an expensive affair, but there are ways to cut costs, such as creating your own wedding invitations. DIY invitations can be a more affordable option and allow you to add a personal touch to your special day. If you're based in the Philippines and are looking to design your own invitations, there are several options available. From choosing the right paper and adding Filipino-inspired designs to deciding on the format and wording, creating DIY wedding invitations can be a fun and creative process. You can also seek inspiration from online templates or enlist the help of local invitation designers.

Using Filipino language, stationery, and materials

Using the Filipino Language, Stationery, and Materials

The Filipino language is a romantic language, and you can use this to your advantage when writing your wedding invitations. "Pag-iisang dibdib", for example, means the union of two hearts. You can also use Filipino honorifics such as "Ginoo" (Mr./Sir), "Ginang" (Mrs./Madam), and "Binibini" (Miss). These honorifics add a sense of tradition and formality to your invitations. If you want to create a more relaxed and gender-inclusive environment, you can use modern Filipino slang, such as "Wedding Barkada" instead of "Bridal Party".

When it comes to stationery and materials, there are many options to choose from that will add a Filipino touch to your invitations. You can use abaca paper or sinamay envelopes to bring the texture of the islands to your invites. Sinamay, a delicate and gauzy fabric woven from abaca plant fibres, can also be used as ribbons. You can also use Vinta Inks, which are specially formulated for fountain pen and calligraphy use, to make your invitations shimmer and shine.

To zhuzh up your invites, you can use Filipino-inspired decor such as natural fibres like raffia or jute to tie up your stationery. You can also fashion translucent abaca tissue into barong-inspired wrapping or insert capiz shell chips into the envelopes. These little touches will surely make your invitations stand out!

Adding Filipino-inspired decor

Embrace the Beauty of Capiz: Capiz, a type of seashell abundant in the Philippines, is known for its delicate translucence and iridescent beauty. Consider incorporating Capiz decor into your wedding invitations by using it as an envelope seal, as a decorative element on the invitation itself, or even as a liner for the envelope. The shimmering quality of Capiz will add a touch of ethereal elegance to your invitations.

Incorporate Natural Fibres: Rattan and bamboo are versatile and sustainable materials that are widely used in Filipino interior design. You can incorporate these natural fibres into your wedding invitations by using rattan paper, bamboo paper, or even rattan or bamboo-inspired patterns and textures. These materials will bring a rustic charm to your invitations while also embracing the eco-friendly principles of Filipino design.

Showcase Filipino Textiles: The Philippines is known for its vibrant and intricate textiles, such as the "banig" woven mats and the "t'nalak" textiles from Mindanao. Consider using these textiles as inspiration for your wedding invitation design or as a decorative element on the envelope or liner. You can even include a small piece of fabric with your invitations as a special keepsake for your guests.

Filipino-inspired Patterns and Motifs: Traditional Filipino patterns such as the "sinaluan" or "calado" can be incorporated into your wedding invitation design. These patterns often feature floral designs and geometric shapes, adding a touch of elegance and cultural flair. You can also use Filipino-inspired motifs, such as the Philippine sun, stars, or even Jeepneys, to create a unique and memorable invitation suite.

Filipino Food Art: Filipino cuisine is renowned for its bold flavours and colourful presentations. Consider incorporating illustrations or paintings of Filipino dishes, such as Sinigang or Chicken Adobo, into your wedding invitation design. This will not only showcase your cultural heritage but also add a fun and whimsical touch to your invitations.

By incorporating these Filipino-inspired decor elements into your wedding invitations, you will not only add a personal and unique touch but also pay homage to the rich traditions and craftsmanship of the Philippines.

Including an entourage card

When it comes to wedding invitations in the Philippines, the couple's names, the time and date of the event, and the location of the ceremony and reception are all standard. However, Filipino wedding invitations tend to be more elaborate and may include an entourage card, which outlines the wedding party, and an RSVP card.

The entourage card is a traditional component of Filipino wedding invitations. It lists the members of the wedding entourage, who will stand on either side of the altar and at the front of the church during the ceremony. The entourage typically includes the principal sponsors, secondary sponsors, best man, maid/matron of honour, groomsmen, bridesmaids, bearers, and flower girl.

The principal sponsors, or ninongs and ninangs, act as witnesses during the ceremony and sign the wedding contract. They are usually close family members or friends of the couple and should be at least 18 years old. There should be a minimum of two pairs of principal sponsors, and they can be a combination of male and female.

The secondary sponsors are in charge of the cord, veil, and candle ceremony during the wedding. For each ceremony, a pair of secondary sponsors is needed, so at least six secondary sponsors are required if different sponsors are chosen for each task.

The best man is the groom's closest friend or brother and is in charge of holding the wedding rings and giving a speech at the reception. The maid/matron of honour is the bride's closest friend or relative and assists the bride with wedding preparations, such as choosing the wedding gown.

Groomsmen and bridesmaids are the couple's closest friends and family members, who provide support and assistance during the wedding. Their roles include ushering guests, handing out favours, and escorting the parents and grandparents of the couple.

The bearers are typically young boys who carry the wedding rings, coins, and Bible during the ceremony. The ring bearer carries dummy rings, while the real rings are kept safe by the best man. The coin bearer carries the arrhae, or 13 gold or silver coins, which the groom presents to the bride as a symbol of his promise to provide for her and their future children. The Bible bearer carries the Bible used in the wedding ceremony.

Finally, the flower girl, usually a young girl between the ages of three and nine, scatters flower petals down the aisle to prepare for the bride's entrance.

Specifying the dress code and wedding registry details

When it comes to specifying the dress code and wedding registry details on your DIY wedding invitations, here are some tips and suggestions to consider:

Dress Code:

• The dress code can be included in the RSVP card, which also confirms a guest's attendance and includes other details such as the reserved seat, contact person, and reply date.
• You can provide a visual style guide or a colour palette/swatch as a guide for your guests' attire choices.
• If you prefer a more formal event, you can specify "Event is strictly formal" or "Filipiniana and Barong are preferred but not required."
• For a semi-formal event, you could suggest "Suit and tie for men. Formal dresses for women."
• If you are having a themed wedding, you can incorporate this into the dress code, such as a "black-tie event."
• The dress code can be placed on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation or at the bottom centre of the design.

Wedding Registry Details:

• It is considered poor etiquette to include your registry information on your wedding invitation or as an insert.
• Instead, you can use fancy wording to politely indicate your preference for monetary gifts. For example, "Your presence is the only present desired. No gifts required."
• You can also mention this preference on your wedding website, if you have one.

Using free online templates

If you're looking to save money on your wedding invitations, using free online templates is a great option. There are many websites that offer free, customisable wedding invitation templates that you can download, print and send to your guests.

Canva, for example, has a number of free wedding invitations available. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to tailor designs to your taste. You can add photos, adjust the font and change the colour scheme with just a few clicks. You can also download your finished file as a "PDF Print" to print yourself.

Etsy is another great option for finding creative wedding invitation templates. You're sure to find an Etsy wedding invitation template to suit every budget and style, featuring designs with rustic florals to modern geometric patterns.

Greetings Island also offers free wedding invitation templates with a subscription plan. For $23.40 per year or $1.95 per month, you'll have unlimited access to all of the available designs.

Other websites that offer free wedding invitation templates include Cards and Pockets, Download & Print, Lia Griffith, and The Knot.

When using free online templates, it's important to consider the printing process. You'll need access to a high-quality printer and a good supply of ink. If you have a long guest list, you may also need to spend a significant amount of time feeding paper into your printer.

Overall, using free online templates is a great way to create beautiful, custom wedding invitations while saving money and time.

Frequently asked questions