Designing Your Own Wedding Invitation: A Timeless Guide

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of the big day. They are the first glimpse guests will have of the style and theme of the wedding, as well as providing essential logistical information. The timing of sending out wedding invitations is therefore an important consideration.

The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. However, if a large number of guests are travelling from abroad, it is advisable to send out invitations at least 12 weeks in advance.

It is also common to send out save the date cards in advance of the formal invitations. These are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings.

Design and customisation

Designing and customising your own wedding invitations is a fun and creative way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some tips to help you create beautiful, custom wedding invitations:

Choose a Template or Design

Start by selecting a template or design that fits your wedding theme and style. Many websites offer free or premium templates with customisable features. You can browse through various themes, such as rustic, whimsical, or elegant, and choose one that reflects your personality and wedding aesthetic. If you're feeling creative, you can also start from a blank canvas and design your own layout.

Customise the Details

Customise your template by adding personal photos, monograms, or logos. Play around with different colour schemes, fonts, shapes, and lines to make your invitations unique. You can also add special text effects, such as glitter or foil, to make certain elements stand out. Remember to include all the essential information, such as the request for attendance, the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and any additional details like the wedding website address.

Select Your Paper and Printing Options

Consider the type of paper you want to use. Thicker cardstock, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock, will give your invitations a luxurious feel. You can also choose paper with a textured finish, such as linen or felt. Test different paper options by printing samples on your home printer or taking your design to a local print shop. Decide whether you want to print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. Professional printing can provide a more polished look and may be better suited for complex designs or high-quality paper stocks.

Finalise and Share Your Invitations

Before finalising your design, preview it to ensure everything looks perfect. Check for any spelling or grammar mistakes and get a second opinion from a friend or family member. Once you're happy with the design, save and download your invitation. You can then choose to print your invitations or share them digitally via email or social media. If printing, consider using a service like Canva Print or a local print shop to ensure high-quality results.

Plan Your Timing

It's recommended to send out your wedding invitations two to three months before your wedding day. However, if you're planning a destination wedding or accommodating international guests, it's best to send them out earlier, around three months in advance. Give yourself enough time to design, customise, and print your invitations, especially if you're doing it yourself.

Printing options

Printing your own wedding invitations can be a great way to save money, but it's important to consider the printing method carefully as it can impact the overall look and feel of your invitations. Here are some printing options to consider:

Digital Printing

Digital printing is a budget-friendly and fast option that uses thousands of tiny ink dots to form letters and designs on flexible, thinner paper. The results are similar to what you'd get from a home laser printer but with higher quality. This method is ideal for casual or funky wedding styles and couples on a tight timeline or budget. The turnaround time is usually just a few days for production and shipping.

Offset Printing (Lithography)

Offset printing is similar to digital printing but with a slightly higher quality and a more expensive price tag. The letters and designs are flat, and it's a great budget-friendly option for casual designs. Offset printing offers more paper options than digital, including textured papers like cotton or bamboo. The turnaround time is typically a few days to a week.

Letterpress

Letterpress printing is a labor-intensive and costly method that creates a textural and sophisticated look. The letters are indented on the front and slightly raised on the back of the invitation. This technique requires soft, bulky paper, such as thick card stock like cotton fiber or bamboo paper. It's best to stick to white or light-colored paper and darker ink, as thin white or pastel inks can appear gray and dull. Letterpress printing can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the printer.

Thermography

Thermography is a heat-based process that creates raised lettering by fusing ink and resinous powder. It looks similar to engraving but is less expensive. Cotton fiber paper is usually a good option, while pearlescent or shimmery paper should be avoided. Stick to lightly colored paper and darker ink, as it's difficult to achieve pastel hues with this method. Thermography orders can often be completed in just a few days.

Engraving

Engraving is an ultra-formal and expensive printing method. The letters are raised on the front and indented on the back of the invitation. It works best on thick paper, like cotton fiber, and can be used on colored paper. The ink is thick enough to show up on dark paper, but using multiple ink colors is time-consuming and expensive. Engraved invitation orders can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping is a "dry printing" process that uses a heated copper plate to push foil into the paper, leaving a metallic design behind. It complements luxe, romantic weddings but has also become popular for whimsical and casual invites. Lighter foils, such as silver and white, create a dramatic effect on darker papers. Foil stamping is the most expensive printing process and can take up to two months, especially if the job is outsourced.

Embossing

Embossing is a non-ink technique that creates a raised-relief surface for added dimension. It is typically done on thicker paper stock like cotton fiber, and the designs show up with crisp lines and impressions. Embossing is perfect for monograms and bordering, and it can also be combined with colored ink for a delicate touch. The turnaround time is similar to letterpress and engraving, taking about three to five weeks.

Paper choices

There are many factors to consider when choosing the paper for your wedding invitations. Firstly, you should consider the printing process. If you are printing your invitations at home, you need to check the maximum paper weight your printer can handle. Most consumer-grade home printers can handle 80lb to 100lb cardstock, but not all. If you are using a professional print shop, you should contact them to understand their equipment, processes, and capabilities. Some printing methods, such as letterpress, work best with thicker, cotton cardstock.

Secondly, you should consider the style of your invitation. Flat invitation cards are usually made from heavier cardstock, whereas folding invitation cards are typically made from lighter stock. If your invitation has multiple layers, the top layer should be lighter, and the backer or pocket can be as heavy as you like.

Thirdly, the weight of your invitation will affect the postage cost. Any invite weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage.

Finally, you should consider your personal preference. Some people prefer thick, heavy cardstock, while others prefer lighter, thinner stock. It is your invitation, so the choice is yours!

Paper for wedding invitations comes in a variety of textures and colours. Some common textures include:

• Smooth paper: ideal for any design and works well with a lot of colour
• Linen: a light, woven texture that looks and feels like linen; ideal for sophisticated invitations
• Eggshell: a soft, luxurious texture with a thick feel; ideal for elegant and formal invitations
• Vellum: an opaque, text-weight paper ideal for layering on top of a design or wrapping around as a folder
• Duplexed: two sheets of paper glued together, allowing for unique designs
• Cotton: soft and buttery, giving a luxurious feel; ideal for letterpress printing
• Handmade: an artisanal craft that comes in some lovely colours; soft and fibrous, it is ideal for hand-deckled designs but not suitable for digital printing

You can also add some glamour to your design with glitter paper, which usually comes in silver, gold, or rose gold.

When choosing colours, consider the tone you want to set for your wedding. For example, if your wedding is black-tie, you might want to use white letterpress paper with crisp, burgundy lettering.

Design considerations

Designing your own wedding invitation is an exciting task and gives you the opportunity to add a personal touch to your big day. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Shape and Dimensions

Traditionally, wedding invitations are rectangular, measuring 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. This classic option can help keep printing costs down. However, you can also opt for horizontal rectangles or scalloped designs for a more modern look.

Location

The location of your wedding can greatly influence the design of your invitations. For example, a church wedding might call for a more traditional and romantic aesthetic, while a rustic or farm setting would be better suited to a natural and relaxed style.

Fonts

The choice of font is an important consideration. Avoid bold and blocky fonts as they can appear too harsh. Instead, opt for cursive or calligraphy fonts, especially for the couple's names, as they are soft, romantic, and elegant. These fonts pair well with a serif font for the rest of the text.

Imagery

Using a photo of the couple is a great way to make your invitations more personal and meaningful to your loved ones. Black-and-white photos with watercolour textures or simple colour schemes can be very effective.

Creativity

Feel free to think outside the box and inject your personality into the design. You can incorporate personal jokes, switch up the format, or include illustrations that represent your relationship. For instance, you could use a timeline format that maps out key moments in your relationship.

Colour Scheme

Agreeing on a colour scheme can be tricky, but it's important to find a combination that reflects your tastes and the overall tone of the wedding. For instance, green is a popular choice for outdoor weddings, evoking a sense of new beginnings. You could also try pairing purple with brown, blue with white, or gold with almost any colour.

Purpose

Consider the purpose of the invitation and the information you need to include. If you are sending out "save-the-date" cards in advance, you only need to include your names, the date, and the rough location. For the official invitation, you will need to add the time, location, dress code (if any), catering details, and RSVP information.

Delivery Method

Finally, decide on your delivery method. You can send physical invitations by post, which is more traditional and gives your guests a keepsake. Alternatively, you can send electronic invitations or create a mini website for your wedding, which is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Cost and budgeting

The cost of wedding invitations can vary depending on several factors, such as the printing method, design complexity, quantity, and wedding style. Here are some tips to help you plan and budget for your wedding invitations:

• Set a realistic budget: It is generally recommended to allocate 4% to 6% of your total wedding budget for wedding stationery, including save-the-dates, invitation suites, and postage. Additionally, consider allocating another 1% to 3% for day-of pieces like programs, menus, signage, and escort cards.
• Consider the big picture: Take into account all the stationery items you will need throughout the wedding planning process and the wedding day itself. This includes save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes, day-of pieces, and any other matching items like favor tags, coasters, and napkins.
• Quantity matters: The number of invitations you need will impact the cost. While a smaller quantity may seem more affordable, keep in mind that higher quantities often come with price breaks. For example, printing 50 invitations may cost $5 per set, while printing 300 could reduce the cost to $3 per set. It is also a good idea to order about 10% more invitations than you need to account for last-minute guest list changes and to keep some as keepsakes.
• Wedding style and printing method: The formality of your wedding and the printing method chosen will significantly impact the cost. For instance, a formal, black-tie event may call for luxurious details like gold foil, letterpress printing, double-thick stock, or envelope liners, all of which increase the cost. In contrast, a more casual event may require simpler designs and less costly paper accessories.
• Prioritize your splurges: Decide which elements of your invitation suite are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. If you have always dreamed of those beautiful patterned liners or gold foil accents, it may be worth the extra cost to create a memorable invitation suite. On the other hand, if you want to keep costs down, opt for a basic invitation and envelope suite.
• Look for opportunities to save: If your budget is tight, consider ways to simplify and save. For example, instead of including a separate RSVP card and envelope, opt for an RSVP postcard, which reduces printing and postage costs. You can also print your details card double-sided instead of including an additional accommodations card.
• Consult a stationer: A professional stationer can provide detailed estimates based on your specific requirements and offer creative suggestions for cost-saving measures. They can also guide you in choosing the most cost-effective options without sacrificing style and quality.
• A 100-piece invitation suite with luxe cotton stock, including invitations, reply cards, and fully printed envelopes, can range from $595 to $1,200, depending on additional features.
• The average total cost of wedding invitations and stationery in the US in 2023 was $530, including save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, and day-of stationery.
• The cost of printing methods varies: digital printing for 100 invitations typically ranges from $500 to $800, offset printing or thermography from $800 to $1,800, letterpress printing starts at about $1,500, and engraving is the most expensive, starting at $2,000 for 100 invitations.
• Add-ons like foil stamping, blind debossing, embossing, edging, bevel cuts, wax seals, envelope liners, and insert cards will increase the cost, typically ranging from $150 to $500 or more per element for a set of 100.

Remember, your wedding invitations set the tone for your special day, so choose a design and budget that reflects your style and priorities.

Frequently asked questions