Designing Diy Wedding Invites: Using Templates For Custom Creations

Creating your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. With the help of design templates, you can easily craft elegant and unique invitations that reflect your wedding's theme and style. Websites like Canva, Adobe Express, Greetings Island, and Etsy offer a wide range of customizable templates with various fonts, colours, and graphics. You can also upload your own images and photos to make your invitations even more special. By taking advantage of these online resources, you can design, print, and share your invitations with ease, ensuring that your wedding planning is a little less stressful and a lot more fun!

Choosing a design template

There are a few different approaches you can take when choosing a design template for your DIY wedding invitations. The first step is to decide whether you want to create your invitations digitally or by hand. If you want to make them by hand, you can source materials from Etsy, Hobbycraft, The Works, The Range, and Baker Ross.

If you want to create your invitations digitally, there are several online platforms that offer free and premium editable templates, such as Canva, Adobe Express, Greetings Island, and Papier. These platforms offer a range of customizable options, including fonts, colors, stickers, and photos. Some platforms also allow you to upload your own images and text.

When choosing a design template, it's important to consider the theme and style of your wedding. Are you looking for something classic, modern, traditional, or minimalist? Do you want to include floral, rustic, boho, or simple black-and-white elements? You can also find templates tailored to specific cultural and religious identities, such as Indian, Chinese, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Spanish, and Mexican weddings.

Another factor to consider is the level of customization you want. Some templates allow you to change the fonts, colors, and layout, while others may have more limited options. If you want to make more extensive changes to the design elements, you may need to pay a designer to make those changes for you.

Before finalizing your design, it's a good idea to practice and proofread your invitation to ensure you're confident in your design and there are no mistakes. Additionally, consider the cost of printing and the time it will take to create your invitations in bulk.

By browsing the various online platforms and considering your wedding theme and style, you can choose a design template that reflects your vision and allows for the desired level of customization.

Customising the template

Canva, Adobe Express, Greetings Island, and Papier all offer editable templates where you can change the text, images, colours, fonts, and other design elements. Canva, for example, gives you access to over 1 million premium images, graphics, and illustrations, with many of these being free. You can also upload your own images for free.

If you're happy to pay for customisation, you can ask the designer to change any design elements for you. This might include changing the colours or fonts, or adding gold foil details, watercolour backgrounds, or floral wax seals.

You can also add a personal touch by including a photo of you and your partner on the invite. This is a great way to make the design unique to you.

Finally, think about the wording of your invitation. This is where you can really let your personality shine through. You can go for traditional or contemporary wording, depending on the theme and style of your wedding. Just make sure you get someone else to proofread it before you print!

Printing and sharing the invites

Once you've designed your wedding invitations, it's time to print and send them out. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:

Printing Options

You can choose to print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. Printing at home gives you more flexibility and control over the process, but it can also be time-consuming and costly, especially if you want high-quality prints. On the other hand, professional printing services offer convenience and may provide a more polished look to your invitations. Some popular online printing services include Prints of Love, Vistaprint, Zazzle, and Overnight Prints.

Paper Choice

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your invitations. Opt for thicker cardstock, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock, for a more luxurious feel. You can also consider adding texture with linen or felt finishes. If you're printing at home, be sure to test different paper samples on your printer to ensure compatibility.

Customization

Most design templates will allow you to customize the text, fonts, colours, and other design elements. If you're comfortable with the available customization options, you can edit the template yourself. Otherwise, you can request the designer to make changes for you, although this may come at an additional cost.

Proofreading

Before printing, be sure to proofread your invitation for any errors or mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to read through the text for a fresh pair of eyes. Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.

Assembly

After printing, you'll need to assemble your invitations. Use a paper cutter with a sharp blade for clean cuts. For attaching layers or adding envelope liners, use glue dots or double-stick tape instead of liquid glue.

Envelopes

Choose envelopes that complement your invitation design. Ensure they are slightly larger than the invitation itself to allow for easy insertion. Consider adding a pop of colour or using envelope liners for a stylish touch. Don't forget to include RSVP envelopes as well.

Postage

Finally, take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and to calculate the correct postage. If you want to avoid potential damage during processing, request hand-cancelling by mentioning it to the postal worker.

Sharing the Invites

Once your invitations are ready, it's time to share them with your guests. The recommended timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This allows enough time for guests to make travel arrangements if needed. Don't forget to set an RSVP deadline of three to four weeks before the wedding so you can finalise numbers for your vendors.

Selecting paper and envelopes

Paper Type and Weight:

• Opt for card stock or cover stock paper, which is thicker and gives a more luxurious feel.
• The standard weight for cover stock is 120 lb., but you can go heavier for an even more premium feel.
• Consider the finish of the paper: satin, silk, glossy, or smooth matte are some options.
• For a rustic or DIY feel, kraft or wood-grain paper is a good choice.
• Cotton fiber paper is the most expensive option but offers a soft, durable, and imperfection-free surface.
• If you want to include translucent elements, glassine or clear vellum paper can be used.

Envelope Selection:

• Choose envelopes that are slightly larger than your invitations to allow for easy insertion.
• Consider using inner and outer envelopes to protect your invitations and add a luxurious touch.
• Select envelope colors that complement your invitation design and ensure the address remains visible.
• Envelope liners can add an elegant touch and are available in solid colors or decorative patterns.

Ordering and Testing:

• Order 20-25% more paper and envelopes than you need to account for mistakes and practice.
• Before committing to a large order, purchase a few samples to test on your home printer.
• Specialty stationery stores or print shops can offer guidance on paper selection.

Assembly and Mailing:

• Use a paper cutter for clean cuts and sharp scissors for trimming ribbon or other embellishments.
• Assemble your invitations using an assembly line method with each person handling a specific task.
• After assembling all the components, take a complete invitation to the post office to have it weighed and to calculate the correct postage.

DIY finishing touches

There are many ways to add a personalised touch to your wedding invitations. Here are some ideas for DIY finishing touches to elevate your homemade wedding invitations and give them a professional, luxurious feel.

Wax Seals

Wax seals are a traditional way to secure your invitations in their envelopes, adding a touch of charm and luxury. You can stick to tradition and use them to seal your envelopes, or pair them with a wrap or ribbon. Nowadays, wax seals come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and you can even get a bespoke monogram stamp made as a wonderful keepsake.

Vellum Wraps

Vellum wraps add an extra layer to your invitations, holding everything together and protecting them. The semi-transparent finish offers a glimpse of the design within. You can use anything from stickers or wax seals to silk ribbon or gold twine to tie or seal them shut.

Silk Ribbon

Bundling your invitations with silk ribbon adds a special touch. You can tie it in a bow, a minimal knot, or seal it with a wax seal. Choose a colour that matches your palette, but remember to factor in potential additional postage costs if the envelope becomes bulky.

Envelope Liners

Envelope liners are a great way to add a surprise element to your invitations, such as florals, venue illustrations, or custom crests. They also add an extra level of protection for your invitations.

Envelope Addressing

Nothing makes a first impression quite like a beautifully addressed envelope. You could opt for calligraphy done by hand or printed addresses. If you're feeling creative, you could even try your hand at DIY calligraphy.

Frequently asked questions