Designing Wedding Invitations: A Canva Guide

Planning a wedding can be expensive, so many couples are looking for ways to cut costs. One way to do this is by creating your own wedding invitations using an online platform like Canva. Canva is a free, web-based design tool that allows users to create and customize graphics, documents, and layouts. The platform offers a wide range of templates, including wedding invitation templates, that can be personalized with your own images, fonts, and colors. This allows couples to create beautiful and elegant wedding invitations that are original, diverse, and inspiring. By using Canva, couples can save money on wedding invitations without sacrificing quality and style.

Pick a shape and size

Designing your own wedding invitation starts with choosing the right layout and dimensions. Traditionally, wedding invitations are rectangular, measuring 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. This is a good option if you want to give your wedding invites a classic feel and keep printing costs down.

However, you can also break with tradition and opt for a different shape and size. In recent years, horizontal rectangles and scalloped designs have gained popularity. Square invitations, with dimensions of 5 ¼ x 5 ¼ inches, are well-suited to more modern designs. A slightly larger rectangle invitation of 6 ½ x 8 ¾ inches can also be a unique choice. For a slim and elegant option, consider a vertical or horizontal invitation measuring 4 x 9 ¼ inches.

Beyond North America, wedding invitations are often sized based on the A series or as squares. When using A series paper sizes, finding matching envelopes is easy as they correspond directly to their A series counterparts.

No matter what size and shape you choose, working with a template is the easiest way to get started. Canva offers a variety of wedding invitation templates that you can personalize to match your wedding theme and style. You can also upload your own images, customize color schemes, and use shapes and lines to make your invitations truly unique.

Choose a theme

Choosing a theme for your wedding invitation is a crucial step in setting the tone and style for your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to help you select and create a beautiful and cohesive wedding invitation theme using Canva:

Start with your wedding location as your theme: Consider the location of your wedding and draw inspiration from it. For example, if you've chosen a rustic barn or a country farm setting, reflect this in your invitation with a rustic and natural design. On the other hand, a church wedding might call for a more traditional and romantic aesthetic. The location of your wedding can be a great starting point for creating a cohesive and well-themed invitation.

Select a colour palette: Colour plays a significant role in setting the mood and atmosphere of your wedding invitation. Choose colours that reflect your personality and the overall vibe of your wedding. If you're going for an elegant and sophisticated feel, consider a neutral palette of beige, cream, and sage green. For a fun and vibrant theme, play with colours like pink, purple, or orange. You can also incorporate your wedding colours into the invitation to create a cohesive look.

Incorporate themes from your wedding: If you have a specific theme for your wedding, such as a beach, winter, or destination wedding, carry that theme through to your invitations. This could be through the use of tropical foliage, snowy landscapes, or travel-themed illustrations. Your invitation should give your guests a sneak peek into the style and atmosphere of your wedding day.

Add a personal touch: Include elements that represent you as a couple. This could be a shared hobby, an inside joke, or even your love story. For instance, if you're both scientists, Canva's Yellow and Green Flasks Save The Date template would be a unique and personal choice. By adding personal touches, your invitation will become a meaningful keepsake for you and your guests.

Play with fonts: The font you choose can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your invitation. Opt for romantic and elegant fonts, such as cursive or calligraphy styles, for a soft and sophisticated appearance. If you're going for a modern or minimalist theme, consider clean and simple sans-serif fonts. You can also mix and match fonts to create a unique and dynamic design.

In conclusion, when choosing a theme for your wedding invitation, consider the location, colour scheme, personal touches, and font styles. By using Canva's wide range of templates, design elements, and customisation options, you can create a beautiful and themed invitation that perfectly sets the tone for your wedding day.

Select romantic fonts

When creating a wedding invitation on Canva, it's important to choose a romantic font that reflects the overall theme of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect font for your special day:

Font Legibility

It's essential 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 style and legibility.

Accent Fonts

Consider using accent fonts to highlight specific information, such as the names of the couple or the wedding date. These accent fonts will stand out from the rest of the text and add a touch of creativity to your invitation.

Font Style

The font style you choose should align with the tone and theme of your wedding. For a formal event, select a font that is elegant and sophisticated. If your wedding is more casual or whimsical, a playful scripted or calligraphy-style font can be a perfect choice.

Font Combinations

Combining different fonts can create a beautiful contrast in your invitation design. Pairing a cursive or calligraphy font with a serif font for the rest of the text is a classic and romantic option. You can also experiment with pairing a slick sans serif font with a scripted font for a modern and elegant look.

Popular Romantic Fonts

If you're looking for specific font recommendations, here are some popular choices for wedding invitations:

• Libre Baskerville (used in Canva's Grey Textured Wedding Invite template)
• Didot (a great serif font option)
• Bodoni (a sleek and sophisticated sans serif font)
• Broadway (for a vintage 1920s vibe)
• Exmouth (a classic and readable scripted font)
• Yellow Rabbit (a chunky yet neat font with creative accents)
• Dancing Script (a feminine and distinctive serif font)
• Lemon Milk (a bold and trendy sans serif font)
• Roasting (a whimsical font resembling chalk writing on a blackboard)

Remember, the font you choose should reflect your personality and the overall atmosphere you want to create for your wedding. Take your time to browse through the various font options available on Canva and experiment with different styles to find the perfect romantic font combination for your wedding invitation.

Add images and illustrations

Canva gives you access to over 1 million premium images, graphics and illustrations. Many of these images are free, while the rest are priced at just $1. There are hundreds of beautiful options perfect for weddings that will suit the theme and feel of your day. You can also add a personal touch by uploading your own images for free.

Canva has a wide variety of elements to choose from, including clipart, photos, and illustrations. You can also purchase artwork online and import it into the Canva platform to utilize in your designs. There are many free line art styles, many of which can be customized by resizing them and selecting a color. There is also artwork such as watercolor illustrations that cannot be colorized.

You can also choose to download and email your invitations to your guests or send them to Canva Print and get them delivered to your door in a matter of days.

Canva also offers a Pro version with some amazing add-ons and upgrades that make DIY invitation design a breeze. You can get a free trial of Canva Pro for 30 days, which is more than enough time to create your invite designs. One of the primary reasons to upgrade to Canva Pro is that it gives you access to the best fonts, graphics, and images. Plus, you’ll be able to upload your own artwork, clipart, or even fonts if you’d like.

Include key information

Wedding invitations should include key information such as:

• A request for attendance
• The names of the bride and groom
• The date, time, and location
• Any additional information such as the wedding website address, gift list details, dress code, and catering situation

It is also important to consider the purpose of your invitation. For example, if you are sending out a "save the date" card, you may only need to include the names of the couple, the date, and the location. On the other hand, if you are sending out the final invitation, you will need to include more details such as the time, location, dress code, catering situation, and RSVP information.

When including the date, it is best to spell out the day of the week, the numbered date, and the year. For example, "Saturday, June 15, 2024". If you are feeling creative, you can also use numerals and a fun layout for the date.

Regarding the location, it is best to include the street name, city, and state, rather than the full address. If there will be a reception following the ceremony, you can include a "reception line" on the invitation, with additional details provided on a separate insert card or on your wedding website.

Frequently asked questions