Adding A Personal Touch To Your Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are often a couple's first chance to give their guests a glimpse into their special day. While it can be tricky to know how to make your invitations stand out, there are many ways to add a special touch. From bespoke designs to DIY decorations, a few simple additions can make your invitations unique and memorable. Whether you opt for a personalised stamp, a watercolour wash, or elegant calligraphy, there are endless ways to customise your wedding invitations and wow your guests.

Custom stamps and monograms

Adding a custom stamp or monogram to your wedding invitations is a great way to add a special touch and make them feel more personal. You can design a stamp with your monogram or a motif that represents you and your partner, and use it on everything from invites to seating cards.

There are a few different types of custom stamps to choose from. You can go for a regular rubber stamp, which gives you the flexibility to switch up ink colours, or a self-inking stamp, which is easier to use but usually limited to a single colour. You could also opt for an embosser, which imprints a design into the paper for a textured finish.

If you're looking for custom stamp options, Etsy is a great place to start, with thousands of sellers offering personalised products. Paper Source also offers a wide range of custom stamp designs and styles, including monograms and return addresses, starting at $29.95. Overnight Prints is another good option for self-inking stamps, which can be a time-saver if you have a lot of items to stamp.

Custom stamps can be used in a variety of ways beyond just your invitations. You can use them on favour tags, napkins, gift wrap, and even framed photos. They're a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding and can also be used long after the big day on outgoing mail or when hosting gatherings.

Creative edging with punches

Adding creative edging to your wedding invitations is a simple yet effective way to make them stand out. All you need is a special punch or stamp cutter, which can be easily sourced from craft stores or online. These tools are available in a variety of sizes and designs, so you can choose one that suits your style and theme.

To get started, ensure you have a good, sturdy table to work on, and take your time. It's important to have a steady hand when using punches or cutters, as it can be easy to make mistakes if you're tired or rushed. With a steady hand and a bit of practice, you can create fancy corners or edges on your invitations, adding a unique and elegant touch.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try your hand at more intricate designs. Online craft stores and marketplaces, like Etsy, offer a wide range of paper punches in various shapes and sizes. From basic circles and scalloped edges to more intricate leaves, holly, and snowflakes, the possibilities are endless. With the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can truly elevate the look of your wedding invitations.

So, if you're looking to add a special touch to your wedding invitations, consider investing in a punch or stamp cutter. By taking the time to create unique edging, you'll add a personal and elegant flair that will wow your guests and set the tone for your celebration.

Calligraphy

How to Use Calligraphy for Your Wedding

You can use calligraphy for your wedding invitations, envelopes, escort cards, place cards, programs, personalised menus, and seating charts. You can also use it on non-traditional surfaces such as tiles, stones, shells, and bottles.

The price of wedding calligraphy depends on the calligrapher's level of experience and the local market. For envelope addressing, most calligraphers charge between $3.50 and $5.50 per envelope.

How to Find a Wedding Calligrapher

You can start by looking at your local calligraphy guild or association. Most states or major cities have a calligraphy group, and many of them have listings of local calligraphers or can put you in touch with their members. You can also ask for recommendations from someone who has had calligraphy wedding invitations that you liked.

When to Hire a Wedding Calligrapher

It is recommended that you book your calligrapher as early as possible, as client lists tend to fill up quickly.

Watercolour wash

Firstly, design your own stationery, leaving room for the watercolour designs. Choose a simple font and design as the watercolour will be the standout feature. Cut pieces of watercolour paper to fit your design and print it out.

Next, it's time to mix your paint. You can create your own unique colour by mixing different paints. To create an ombre effect, use three small dishes and put varying amounts of paint in each, from most to least. Then, add the same amount of water to each dish – the varying amounts of paint and the same amount of water will create a perfect watercolour ombre. Test out your ombre on a piece of paper and let it dry to see if you are happy with the shades. If not, you can add more water to lighten or more paint to darken.

Now, you can start painting. For a simple design, paint lines around your text with a little movement, using the different shades you've created. Remember, less is more with watercolour. You can also try painting the letters "rsvp" in your chosen shade.

If you want to get fancier, you can paint an entire sheet of watercolour paper with the dark, medium and light shades and let it dry. Then, cut it down and print your table numbers onto the paper.

For a more subtle and modern look, colour a one-inch strip at the bottom of your 140 lb watercolour paper with your chosen colour. Then, use a paintbrush to wet the ink and drag the water up the paper horizontally to create a gradient effect. Once the paper is dry, add your text.

Some other tips to keep in mind: don't overdo the watercolour, or the paper will become misshapen. Practise makes perfect! If your paper curls, place it under heavy books or bricks for a week to flatten it out, or iron it.

Wax seals

History of Wax Seals

Choosing Wax Seals for Your Wedding Invitations

Today, wax seals are used mainly for decorative purposes, especially for those seeking a vintage or classic aesthetic. You can choose from a variety of designs, including monograms, floral motifs, tropical greenery or even animal silhouettes. Wax seals can be used on different types of paper, such as card stock, vellum, linen paper or cotton fibre.

Customisation Options

If you want to personalise your wax seals, you can work with a professional stationer to create a custom design featuring your monogram, wedding date or any other detail that reflects your wedding theme. You can also choose from a variety of colours, including traditional metallic gold and silver, or create your own marbled wax by mixing different colours.

Self-Adhesive Wax Seals

If you're short on time or don't feel comfortable making your own wax seals, self-adhesive wax seals are a convenient alternative. These seals are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and can be customised with your initials or other personal details.

Mailing Wedding Invitations with Wax Seals

When mailing wedding invitations with wax seals, you may want to consider using outer envelopes to protect the seals or opting for hand-sorting at your local post office to avoid potential damage. Self-adhesive wax seals may also require a protective outer envelope as the adhesive can sometimes be less permanent.

Wax Sealing Supplies

To make your own wax seals, you'll need a wax seal stamp and a way to melt the wax. You can use a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks or a glue gun with round wax sticks. Practice pouring the melted wax to create the perfect seal, or leave them uneven for a unique, rustic look.

Frequently asked questions