Diy Vietnamese Wedding Invites: A Cultural Craft Guide

If you're planning a wedding, you might be considering creating your own invitations. For a Vietnamese wedding, you can make bilingual invitations in English and Vietnamese. Etsy offers a range of customisable templates for Vietnamese wedding invitations, including modern, elegant, and traditional designs. You can also find templates on other websites, such as Canva. When designing your invitations, consider using the traditional Vietnamese outfit, áo dài, as inspiration for your colour choices and incorporating meaningful symbols such as the Song Hy character or a pair of dragons and phoenixes.

Choosing the right font

When creating your own Vietnamese wedding invitations, choosing the right font is essential to setting the tone of your event. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect font for your special day:

Legibility

It is important to choose a font that is easy to read. While some highly scripted or thin fonts may look appealing, they can sometimes be difficult for guests to decipher. Opt for a font that strikes a balance between aesthetics and readability.

Compatibility with Wedding Theme

Your wedding invitations should align with your wedding theme. If you are having a traditional or elegant wedding, consider using script fonts like Freebooter, Alex Brush, or Adelio Darmanto. These fonts evoke a sense of formality and elegance, perfect for a fairy-tale or classic wedding. If your wedding is more modern or minimalist, sleek sans-serif fonts like Lato or Neutraface 2 Text Light may be a better fit. These fonts offer a clean and contemporary look.

Accent Fonts

Using accent fonts can be a great way to highlight important information, such as names or the wedding date. Choose a font that stands out from the rest of the text to draw attention to these details.

Paper Weight and Texture

The type of paper you use can also influence your font choice. Heavier, textured paper pairs well with decorative and ornamental fonts, adding to the elegance of your invitations. However, if you are sending digital invitations, opt for simpler fonts like Lato or Neutraface 2 Text Light, which are easier to read on screens.

Font Combinations

When using multiple fonts, it is essential to create a harmonious combination. Limit yourself to two or three fonts at most. Choose a hero font that captures the essence of your wedding and pair it with a secondary font that complements it without stealing the spotlight. For example, pairing a script font with a sans-serif font adds elegance and legibility to your invitations.

Cultural Considerations

When creating bilingual Vietnamese and English wedding invitations, consider the cultural significance of certain fonts. Traditional Vietnamese wedding symbols, such as the Song Hy character, dragon and phoenix motifs, and a pair of love birds, can be incorporated into your font choices or used as decorative elements on your invitations.

Bilingual Invitation Etiquette

When creating bilingual invitations, ensure that the wording is consistent between the two languages. Pay attention to cultural nuances and use appropriate titles and honorifics in Vietnamese. The order of information may also vary between the two languages, so be sure to arrange the content in a way that makes sense to your guests.

In conclusion, choosing the right font for your Vietnamese wedding invitations involves considering legibility, aesthetics, and cultural relevance. By selecting a font that aligns with your wedding theme and reflects your personal style, you can create invitations that truly set the tone for your special day.

Bilingual invites

Bilingual Vietnamese and English wedding invitations are available from a variety of online vendors, including Etsy and Zazzle. These invitations typically feature elegant and modern designs, incorporating traditional Vietnamese symbols such as the dragon and phoenix, and come in a range of colours including red, blue, pink, and gold.

Etsy offers a wide selection of bilingual Vietnamese wedding invitation templates, including digital downloads and customisable options. Many of these templates are instantly downloadable and editable, allowing you to personalise the text and details. Some of the more popular choices include:

• Bilingual English Vietnamese Wedding Invitations featuring a Jupiter Red Roses design (5 out of 5 stars)
• A 7-piece custom Vietnamese Wedding Invitation set with a glitter gold envelope liner and wax seal (5 out of 5 stars)
• A 3-piece Vietnamese Wedding Bilingual Invitation Set in Blue Peony, including an RSVP and Thank You card (5 out of 5 stars)
• A 5-piece Bilingual Vietnamese Wedding Invitation Suite, including invitation and reception cards, response card and envelopes (sold by Bilingual Invitations) (5 out of 5 stars)

Zazzle also offers bilingual Vietnamese invitations with classic script, as well as modern designs. These invitations are often available at discounted prices, with savings of up to 50%.

Other online vendors that provide Vietnamese and English bilingual wedding invitations include Invitations by Tiffany, which has been recommended by users on The Knot community forum.

DIY costs

The cost of creating your own Vietnamese wedding invitations can vary depending on the materials and complexity of the design. Here is a breakdown of the costs involved in a DIY project for Vietnamese wedding invitations:

Materials:

• Paper: You will need cardstock or specialty paper for the invitations. The cost will depend on the type of paper, quantity, and whether you choose a single or double-sided print. Basic cardstock is available at craft stores like Michaels for $5.99 for 100 sheets. For specialty paper with a pocketfold design, prices can range from $33.99 for 50 sheets.
• Envelopes: Include the cost of envelopes, which can be purchased separately or as part of a stationery set.
• Ribbon: For embellishments such as belly bands, ribbons can add a elegant touch to your invitations. The amount of ribbon needed depends on the number of invitations. For 100 invitations, you may need around 31 yards of ribbon, costing around $20.
• Stamps: Don't forget to factor in the cost of postage stamps if you plan to mail your invitations.

Other Supplies:

• Printer: If you don't have a printer at home, you may need to budget for printing costs at a local print shop or online service.
• Ink or toner: The cost of ink or toner for your printer, depending on how many invitations you need to print.
• Double-sided tape: Adhesive is required to secure the different layers of your invitation together. A package of double-sided tape strips can cost around $1.99.
• Cutting tools: You may need a paper cutter or craft knife for precise cuts, especially if you're working with large quantities.

Design and Customization:

• Monogram: Creating a custom monogram or logo for your invitations can add a personalized touch. You can design it yourself using software like Microsoft Word or hire a freelance designer.
• Translation: If your invitations are bilingual, ensure accurate translation by hiring a professional or enlisting the help of a native speaker.
• Fonts: Choose fonts that support the language(s) on your invitations and complement your design aesthetic. Some fonts may require a license for commercial use.

Time and Effort:

Creating DIY wedding invitations can be time-consuming, especially if you're making a large number. Consider the time spent on designing, assembling, and addressing the invitations. If you're short on time, you may need to simplify your design or enlist help from family and friends.

Sample Cost Breakdown:

• Pocketfold cardstock: $33.99 for 50 sheets
• Light purple cardstock: $8.99 for 100 sheets
• White cardstock: $5.99 for 100 sheets
• Envelopes: $10 (estimated)
• Ribbon: $20 for 31 yards
• Double-sided tape: $1.99
• Stamps: $0.60 per invitation x 100 = $60
• Total estimated cost: $140.97, or approximately $1.41 per invitation, excluding printing costs and other supplies.

Remember, this is just a sample cost breakdown, and your actual costs may vary depending on the materials, quantity, and level of customization you choose for your Vietnamese wedding invitations. Happy crafting!

Printing and proofreading

When it comes to printing and proofreading your Vietnamese wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they look polished and perfect.

Printing:

• Choose your paper wisely: Select a nice, thick cardstock for your invitations to give them a luxurious feel. You can find cardstock in a variety of colours, so pick one that complements your wedding theme and aesthetics.
• Consider printing shops: While you can print your invitations at home, printing shops often offer higher quality printing and can handle larger quantities. They may also have additional services like paper cutting and envelope addressing.
• Proof print: Before printing your entire batch, do a test print to ensure the colours and text look as intended. Check for any typos, misaligned text, or formatting issues.
• Print extras: It's always a good idea to print a few extra invitations in case of last-minute guest list changes or printing errors.

Proofreading:

• Language accuracy: If your invitations are bilingual, ensure that the translation is accurate and that the text flows well in both languages. Ask a native speaker or a professional translator to review your text.
• Formatting and layout: Check that the text is aligned correctly and that there are no widows or orphans (single words or short lines at the beginning or end of a paragraph). Make sure there is enough white space around the text to make it easy to read.
• Typos and errors: Carefully review your text for any spelling or grammatical errors. Read it aloud, as this can help you catch mistakes that your eyes might gloss over.
• Consistency: Ensure that names, dates, and other important details are consistent throughout the invitation.

By following these steps for printing and proofreading, you'll be well on your way to creating elegant and error-free Vietnamese wedding invitations.

Invitation design

When it comes to designing your own Vietnamese wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, bilingual invitations are a great way to include your fiancé's culture and can be done in a variety of ways. You can choose to have the invitation in both English and Vietnamese, with the Vietnamese text translated by a native speaker to ensure accuracy. Alternatively, you can use Google Translate, but be aware that the accents may not appear correctly, so proofreading is essential.

When it comes to the design, you can opt for a traditional Vietnamese style with meaningful symbols or a more modern look. The colour choices are also important, with red and gold being traditional colours for Vietnamese weddings, and white being reserved for the couple. You can also incorporate other colours such as purple or green, but it's best to avoid black, grey, and brown, as these colours are considered unlucky.

• Use a deep purple pocketfold with a light purple or light green cardstock. This creates a elegant contrast and allows you to include multiple colours, which signify happiness for the couple.
• Include a belly band made of white ribbon. This adds a delicate touch to the invitation and can be used to secure the different elements together.
• Create a monogram using Microsoft Word and a cut-out stamper to add a personal touch.
• Use double-sided tape strips or a different type of adhesive for a more seamless look.
• Opt for a bilingual invitation suite, which includes both the invitation and RSVP card in English and Vietnamese.
• Incorporate traditional Vietnamese symbols such as the Song Hy character, a pair of dragons and phoenixes, or a pair of love birds. These symbols represent happiness, love, and a happy marriage.
• Use a traditional Vietnamese font or a pretty script font for the names.
• Include "Ong Ba" for the Vietnamese names and "Mr & Mrs" for the English names, to differentiate between the two languages.
• Remember to proofread and edit your text to ensure there are no errors.

By incorporating these design elements and paying attention to the small details, you can create beautiful and unique Vietnamese wedding invitations that honour your fiancé's culture.

Frequently asked questions