Creative Diy Wedding Invitations For A Unique Touch

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, but creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and creative way to prepare for your big day. Whether you're a crafting whizz or a novice, there are many ways to make unique DIY wedding invitations. From adding gold foil details or watercolour backgrounds to using letterpress or online printing services, the options are endless. If you're looking for something simple, you can find editable digital templates online or printable templates that you can personalise and print yourself. To make your invitations stand out, consider adding a personalised stamp, a ribbon, or a creative edge with punches. Whatever you choose, just remember to have fun and don't be afraid to get creative!

Editable templates

Finding the Right Template

Start by finding a website that offers editable wedding invitation templates. Greetings Island, for example, offers a wide range of free and premium invitation templates with custom options. You can also upload your own design to a blank template on websites like Papier. Consider the theme of your wedding and choose a template that reflects your style, whether it's floral, rustic, boho, or classic black and white.

Customisation Options

• Fonts and Text Treatment: Experiment with different fonts, font combinations, and text treatments (such as italics or uppercase) to create a unique look. Try websites like dafont.com for downloadable fonts.
• Font Size: Play with font sizes to highlight certain parts of the text, such as the bride and groom's names.
• Colours: Choose an ink colour that complements your overall colour scheme, including any decorative elements like paper or ribbon you plan to use.
• Alignment: Try a centre, right, or left-justified alignment, or even a combination of alignments, to create a modern look.
• Line Spacing: Adjust the line spacing to find a balance that is pleasing to the eye and works well within the space of your invitation.

Printing and Assembly

Once you've customised your template, it's time to print your invitations. You can print them at home or use a professional printing service. If you print at home, make sure to practice and test different paper types to ensure the best results. After printing, you can assemble your invitations by mounting them on backing cards, adding enclosures, or using paper sashes or ribbon for a stylish touch.

Additional Tips

• Paper Choice: Consider the finish and weight of the paper. Matte cardstock is a foolproof option that works with most printers. Order 20-25% more paper than you need for practice and mistakes.
• Envelope Liners: Add envelope liners for an unexpected touch. You can make your own using an envelope liner template kit or purchase pre-made liners.
• Return Address: Use a return address embosser to add your return address to the envelope flaps. This saves you from printing or handwriting your address.
• Assembly Line: Assemble your invitations efficiently by setting up stations for different tasks, such as applying adhesive, mounting invitations, and inserting them into envelopes.

Printable templates

There are many benefits to creating your own wedding invitations, from saving money to showcasing your personal style and creativity. By using a printable template, you can design invitations that perfectly reflect your unique wedding day.

Canva

Canva offers a wide range of free, printable wedding invitation templates that are easy to personalise. You can add photos, adjust the font, and change the colour scheme with just a few clicks. Some graphics may cost a few dollars to add, so be mindful of your budget when choosing a design. You can print the invitations yourself or use Canva's printing service.

Greetings Island

Greetings Island offers elegant, customisable wedding invitation templates. You can choose from various designs, including classic, modern, floral, rustic, and more. They also offer free, online invitation templates for those who prefer a virtual experience. You can download, email, and share the invitations directly through their site. Greetings Island also provides a printing service if you prefer a traditional mailed invitation.

Download & Print

This website allows you to enter the details of your wedding and customise the colours to create a unique invitation. A dotted line shows you where to cut the invitation to fit neatly into an envelope.

Lia Griffith

Lia Griffith offers printable wedding invitations, as well as place cards, table numbers, and thank-you cards. Each invitation template includes detailed instructions on how to DIY decor to tie the invite into your wedding day decorations.

Cards and Pockets

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

The Knot Invitations

The Knot Invitations provides an option for invites that are less hands-on but still customisable. You can personalise the fonts and colours, and free design assistance is available. You can also match your invites to your wedding website for added convenience, and they offer a printing service so you don't have to worry about printing.

From-scratch invites

If you're a crafting whizz, you can create truly unique wedding invitations from scratch. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own wedding invitations.

Planning and Design

First, decide on the style of your invitations. Do you want to include artwork or decorative icons, or will your invitations only feature text? Consider the formality and traditionality of your wedding, which might guide your design decisions. Search for wedding invitation samples online for inspiration.

Next, create a template for your invitation card size, and type out your invitation. Experiment with different fonts, font combinations, font treatments (such as italics or uppercase), font sizes, ink colours, alignments, and line spacing to create a beautiful, balanced design.

Printing

Printing your invitations at home is a good option if you want to work on your invitations in small chunks. However, you should test your paper and printer before buying large quantities, as printers can be finicky and may have limited paper options.

If you don't want to print your invitations yourself, you can use an online printing service or a local print shop. Local print shops often let you bring your own paper and use their paper cutters for free.

Paper and Envelopes

Order 20-25% more paper and envelopes than you need to allow for mistakes and practice. Choose paper that complements your wedding colour palette, or go for a classic white or ivory. If you're environmentally conscious, opt for recycled paper.

Embellishments

There are several ways to take your invitations to the next level:

• Enclosures: These hold your invitation and any additional components such as response cards. Some have pockets, while others have sides that fold in.
• Backing: Mount your invitation onto a flat card that's slightly larger, creating a thin border and adding heft.
• Paper sashes or ribbon: Wrap these around your invitation or enclosure for a pop of colour or pattern.
• Envelope liners: Choose a solid colour or a decorative paper with a pattern or texture.
• Outer envelopes: These protect your invitation from postal service machines. They're also useful if you want to use a dark-coloured envelope but don't want to worry about addressing them with special ink or a pen.

Assembly

Use an assembly line method to put your invitations together quickly and efficiently. Divide the assembly process into stations, and assign one person to each station. For example, one person can run the printed invitations through an adhesive machine, while another adheres the invitation to the backing.

Paper and envelope choices

Types of Paper

When choosing paper for your DIY wedding invitations, consider the following options:

• Uncoated cardstock: This is the most popular choice for wedding invitations as it has a high-quality, luxurious look and a durable feel.
• Textured paper: For a more unique appearance, opt for paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. These options add a tactile element to your invitations, making them stand out.
• Specialty paper: If you want to incorporate a theme or your personality into your invitations, consider specialty paper, such as seeded paper that guests can plant and grow.
• Eco-friendly paper: If sustainability is important to you, look for recycled paper options with post-consumer waste content. This way, you can create beautiful invitations while being mindful of the environment.
• Colour and weight: Consider the colour and weight of the paper to match your wedding theme and ensure it is compatible with your printer. White paper comes in various shades, from pure white to ivory, allowing you to achieve the exact look you desire.

Envelope Choices

Your envelopes are just as important as the invitations themselves. Here are some tips for choosing envelopes:

• Colour and style: Envelopes come in various colours, styles, and textures. Consider incorporating your wedding colours or choosing envelopes with pockets, belly bands, or ribbons to add a creative touch. Square envelopes do require extra postage.
• Size: Ensure the envelopes are slightly larger than your invitations to accommodate any additional inserts, such as RSVP cards. Don't forget to order envelopes for both your main invitation and any RSVP cards.
• Liners: Envelope liners add a surprise element and a touch of elegance when your guests open their invitations. You can choose solid-coloured liners or opt for decorative paper with patterns or textures that complement your wedding theme.
• Embellishments: Consider adding wax seals, stamps, or stickers to seal your envelopes. Personalised wax seals with your initials or dried flowers add a luxurious and unique touch to your invitations.
• Outer envelopes: If your invitation suite includes delicate embellishments, consider using outer envelopes to protect them during mailing. Outer envelopes also allow for a more formal presentation, especially if you're using inner envelopes with informal addressing.

Design and layout

The layout of your text is important in defining the style of your invitation. Consider whether you want to include artwork or decorative icons, either printed or through rubber stamps, or if your invitation will feature only text. Also, think about how formal or traditional your event will be, which might guide your design decisions.

• Font & Treatment: Play around with different fonts, font combinations, and treatments (such as italics, uppercase, and lowercase) to see what suits your taste. A font can dramatically change the look of your invitation and can turn a DIY invitation into a professional-looking masterpiece.
• Font Size: Your font size will determine how your text fills the space of your invitation card. You can also use varying font sizes to highlight different parts of the text, such as the names of the bride and groom.
• Inks: Consider your invitation package as a whole, along with any other decorative elements such as paper or ribbon you might be using, and select an ink colour that complements your overall colour scheme.
• Alignment: Traditionally, wedding invitations have been centred, but you might also see invitations using a right or left-justified layout or a combination of alignments. Your alignment will help decide how you fill the space.
• Line Spacing: Spacing between lines is an important finishing detail. Aim for a balance that's pleasing to the eye and that works within your invitation space.

If you're not confident in your design skills, you can find many places online to buy an invitation design. Websites like Etsy, Canva, and Papier offer editable templates that you can personalise. You can also find free templates on Canva and download generic envelope insert templates.

Before finalising your design, create a few different versions and get some input from family and friends. Ultimately, choose the design that you feel the most connected to!

Frequently asked questions