Belly Band Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Belly bands are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitation suite. They are narrow strips of paper that wrap around the middle of your invitation, keeping all the pieces together in a neat and stylish format. Belly bands are usually made of paper, but you can also find them in transparent vellum or with laser-cut patterns. You can choose from a variety of designs, colours, and printing techniques to match your wedding theme and personal style. They are fully customisable, allowing you to add monograms, dates, names, or any other creative elements you desire. Belly bands are the perfect way to elevate your wedding invitations and make a lasting impression on your guests.

Belly band materials: paper, vellum, laser-cut

Belly bands are a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding invitations. They can be made from various materials, each offering a unique look and feel. Here are some detailed instructions and ideas for creating belly bands using paper, vellum, or laser-cut materials.

Paper Belly Bands:

Paper is a classic and versatile choice for belly bands. It offers a wide range of colours and finishes to choose from. When selecting paper for your belly bands, opt for lightweight and flexible paper that is easy to wrap and fold. Pre-cut paper belly bands are available in standard sizes, such as 1 1/2 x 12 inches for 5 x 7-inch invitation cards and 1 1/2 x 14 inches for larger cards. Simply wrap the band around your invitation and secure it with adhesive at the back. You can also add a personal touch by choosing custom colours, monograms, or designs that match your wedding theme.

Vellum Belly Bands:

Vellum is a translucent material that adds a delicate and elegant touch to your wedding invitations. It is often used to create a romantic and ethereal look. Vellum belly bands can be customised with printed designs, monograms, or even laser printing in any ink colour. They are usually wrapped around the invitation, creating a clear translucent effect. Vellum is a versatile material that can be paired with other elements such as wax seals, ribbons, or twine for a more rustic or vintage feel.

Laser-Cut Belly Bands:

Laser-cut belly bands offer a unique and intricate design element to your wedding invitations. They are often made from paper or vellum but with a laser-cut pattern or design. Laser-cut belly bands can feature monograms, floral patterns, geometric designs, or even silhouettes of wedding themes like trees or leaves. These bands create a luxurious and elegant look, especially when paired with other invitation elements like vellum wraps or wax seals. Laser-cut belly bands can be customised with colours, glitter, or foil stamping to match your wedding colour palette.

When creating belly bands for your wedding invitations, consider the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. The materials you choose, whether paper, vellum, or laser-cut, can enhance the visual appeal and set the tone for your wedding invitations.

Belly band designs: monogram, floral, geometric, etc

Belly bands are a great way to add a personalised touch to your wedding invitations. You can select from a range of designs, including monograms, florals, and geometric patterns, or even a custom design that matches your wedding theme.

Monograms are a popular choice for wedding belly bands, as they can be designed to include the couple's initials in a stylish and elegant way. You can choose from a variety of fonts and styles, such as a minimalistic or geometric design, to create a sophisticated look. Monograms can also be incorporated into other wedding stationery, such as place cards and menus, for a cohesive look.

Floral designs are another beautiful option for belly bands, especially for spring or summer weddings. You can choose from a range of floral styles, such as elegant magnolias, wildflowers, or even tropical palm leaves for a beach wedding. Watercolour florals add a romantic and delicate touch to your invitations.

Geometric patterns are also a popular choice for belly bands, offering a modern and sleek look. You can choose from a variety of geometric designs, such as triangles, lines, or abstract shapes, to create a unique and eye-catching invitation suite.

In addition to these popular designs, you can also customise your belly bands with other patterns or motifs that reflect your wedding theme. Whether you're having a rustic wedding or a glamorous affair, there are endless possibilities to create a personalised belly band that completes your invitation suite perfectly.

Belly band colours: neutrals, metallics, etc

When selecting a colour for your wedding invitation belly band, you can choose to match it to the rest of your stationery or planned party decor, or use it as an accent piece. For instance, you could opt for a belly band in a similar colour palette to your invitation bundle, or go for a contrasting colour to achieve a bold, modern design.

Belly bands come in a wide variety of colours, including neutrals, metallics, and pastels.

Neutrals:

• Taupe
• Black
• White
• Cream
• Brown
• Beige
• Grey

Metallics:

• Gold
• Silver
• Rose gold
• Bronze
• Pearlescent gloss

Other colours:

• Mint
• Green
• Blue
• Pink
• Red
• Purple
• Peach
• Yellow
• Orange
• Terracotta

Belly band printing techniques: flat, foil-pressed, gloss-pressed, etc

When it comes to belly band printing, there are several techniques and finishes to choose from. Here is a detailed guide to help you understand the different options available:

Flat Printing

Flat printing, also known as digital printing, is a process where ink is directly applied to the paper surface. This method offers flexibility in terms of colour options, allowing you to create any colour on the spectrum by blending the four primary colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK). Flat printing is suitable for a wide range of paper types, including coated and uncoated stocks. It is a popular choice for belly bands due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Foil-Pressed

Foil-pressed belly bands offer a luxurious and elegant finish. This technique involves stamping foil onto the band using heat, resulting in a shiny and eye-catching appearance. You can choose from a variety of foil colours, including gold, silver, rose gold, and more. Foil-pressed belly bands are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to wedding invitations or creating eye-catching promotional materials.

Gloss-Pressed

Gloss-pressed belly bands have a glossy finish that adds shine and vibrancy to the printed colours. This technique uses a coating on the paper stock to enhance the colour quality and create a sleek, modern look. Gloss-pressed belly bands are often used for brochures, product sheets, flyers, and posters, as the glossy finish provides an excellent base for rich process colour printing.

Embossing and Debossing

Embossing and debossing are techniques that create a three-dimensional effect on the paper. Embossing raises the surface of the paper, while debossing creates indentations. These methods add a tactile element to the belly band, making it stand out both visually and to the touch. Embossing and debossing are commonly used for monograms or to highlight specific design elements.

Letterpressing

Letterpressing is a process where ink is applied to a metal surface and then pressed onto the paper. This technique creates a luxurious and elegant look, adding depth and texture to the design. Letterpressing is often chosen for high-end invitations or promotional materials as it elevates the overall quality of the belly band.

Soft Touch and Velvet Lamination

Soft touch and velvet lamination techniques give the belly band a unique tactile feel. Soft touch lamination adds a sleek and smooth contrast to the band, while velvet lamination provides a velvet-like texture. These finishes are ideal for creating a sophisticated and premium feel, making them popular choices for wedding invitations or corporate branding.

When designing belly bands, you can also consider combining different techniques, such as foil stamping with soft touch lamination, to create a truly unique and customised look. Additionally, belly bands can be customised in terms of paper type, weight, shape, and size to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Belly band placement: ordering the invitation suite

Belly bands are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitation suite. They also serve a practical purpose by keeping all the components of your invitation neatly assembled. Here's a guide to help you order your invitation suite correctly:

• Determine the contents of your invitation suite: Typically, a wedding invitation suite includes the formal invitation, reception card, enclosure cards, and reply envelope. You may also include additional cards such as an RSVP card, insert card, or directions card.
• Arrange the components by size: In general, you should place the largest stationery items at the bottom, followed by the smaller pieces. The formal invitation is usually the largest piece and should be placed at the bottom. Arrange the remaining cards in descending order of size, with the smallest card on top.
• Use the belly band to secure the suite: Place the entire arrangement within the belly band and secure it closed using the accompanying sticker. The belly band will wrap around the middle of your invitation suite, keeping all the components securely in place.
• Insert the suite into the envelope: Once your invitation suite is assembled and secured with the belly band, place the entire bundle inside the envelope. The exterior envelope should include the addressee's name, and inner envelopes are usually left unsealed for guests to easily complete their RSVP and seal.
• Consider the timing of assembly: It is recommended to assemble your invitation suite, including the belly band, shortly before mailing them out. This will ensure that all the components stay securely in place during transit.
• Personalize your belly band: Don't forget to personalize your belly band to match your wedding theme and colours. You can add monograms, dates, names, or any other creative elements that reflect your style.
• Order extra belly bands: When determining the quantity of belly bands to order, consider ordering a few extras in case of last-minute additions to your guest list or any mistakes during the assembly process.
• Enhance with additional stationery: If you want a coordinated design across your wedding stationery, look for suppliers that offer matching items such as thank-you cards, enclosure cards, wedding programs, and menus that complement your chosen belly band design.

Frequently asked questions