Designing Wedding Invitations With Dreamweaver: A Beginner's Guide

Designing a wedding invitation in Dreamweaver can be a fun and creative process. While it may seem daunting at first, there are many ways to add a personal touch to your invitations and make them truly unique. From choosing the right layout and dimensions to selecting romantic fonts and adding imagery, there are several steps you can take to create elegant and beautiful DIY wedding invitations. This can also be a cost-effective option, allowing you to keep expenses down while still adding a personal flair to your special day.

Choosing a shape and dimensions

When it comes to choosing the shape and dimensions of your wedding invitation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the overall design aesthetic you want to achieve. If you're going for a formal or traditional look, a classic rectangular shape in standard dimensions of 5" x 7" is a good choice. This size follows USPS standards for general mail, so you won't incur extra postage charges. It also allows for important accessories like direction cards, RSVP cards, and reception cards to be included.

If you want to add a modern twist, you could opt for a slightly smaller, more compact size, such as 4.25" x 6". This size is still classic but with a more contemporary feel. For an even more modern look, consider a square invitation, such as 5 ¼ x 5 ¼ inches, which is well-suited to modern designs.

Another factor to consider is your budget. Larger and more complex invitation sizes and shapes will be more costly. The number of elements included, such as inserts and envelopes, will also impact the price. If you're looking to keep costs down, stick to common invitation dimensions as these are likely to be more affordable.

Finally, don't forget about the weight and dimension restrictions of the country you're mailing the invitations to and from. Ensure your chosen shape and size comply with postal regulations to avoid additional charges.

With these considerations in mind, you can choose a shape and dimension that reflects your personal style and wedding theme, while also being mindful of practical concerns.

Selecting a colour scheme

Consider the Seasonality

The colours you choose for your wedding invitations can be influenced by the season in which your wedding takes place. For example, soft pastel hues like blush, sky blue, and ivory are popular choices for spring weddings, evoking a romantic and airy atmosphere. In contrast, summer weddings often embrace vibrant and energetic colours like hot pink, lime green, and turquoise. Autumn weddings may favour earthy tones and shades of orange, while winter weddings can opt for elegant metallics or deeper jewel tones.

Venue and Theme

The venue and theme of your wedding can also guide your colour choices. Consider the colours present in the venue, such as the carpet, walls, or lighting fixtures. Selecting colours that complement the venue will ensure a cohesive and well-balanced look. Additionally, if you have a specific theme, such as rustic, elegant, or modern, choose colours that align with that theme. For instance, a rustic wedding might favour natural browns and dark reds, while an elegant wedding might opt for navy blue and white or amber and salmon tones.

Personal Preferences and Surroundings

Another essential factor in choosing your colour scheme is considering your personal preferences and surroundings. Look at the colours you surround yourself with in your daily life, from your wardrobe to your home décor. These colours are likely to bring you joy and satisfaction on your wedding day as well. Additionally, if there are specific flowers, centrepieces, or other decorative elements that are must-haves for your wedding, ensure that your colour palette complements them.

Creating a Cohesive Look

When selecting your colour palette, it's essential to think about how the colours will work together. Choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, including a neutral shade to help blend everything seamlessly. You can also add an accent colour, such as gold or silver, to draw attention and add a touch of sparkle. This combination of colours can be applied to various elements of your wedding, from the invitations and response cards to the floral arrangements and table linens.

Experiment with Colour Combinations

There are several ways to combine colours to create a visually appealing palette:

• Complementary Colour Combinations: These are colours that lie opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as terracotta orange and sky blue. They create an energetic and playful vibe.
• Analogous Colour Combinations: This involves combining two to five colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel, like soft peach, muted mint, and charcoal. Analogous combinations offer a soothing and understated effect.
• Triadic Colour Combinations: Triadic combinations use three colours equidistant from each other on the colour wheel, forming a triangle. This combination creates a sense of peace and harmony.
• Tetradic Colour Combinations: Tetradic combinations feature one primary colour, two complementary colours, and an additional accent colour. This combination provides a well-rounded and dynamic look.

Adding imagery and illustrations

Inserting Images:

• Creating an "Images" Folder: It is recommended to create a dedicated folder for your images within your root folder. Name this folder "images" to keep your site organised. This ensures that all your images are in one place and easy to access.
• Inserting an Image: Go to "Insert > Image > Image" in Dreamweaver CC. Find the image you want to use in your designated folder and select it. Click "Insert", and the image will automatically be added to your page.
• Placing the Image: Place your cursor where you want the image to appear in your document (in Design View). Then, go to "Insert > Image" and select your desired image from the "images" folder.
• Image Tag Accessibility Attributes: In Dreamweaver CS6, you may see the Image Tag Accessibility Attributes dialog box if you have Accessibility options turned on in Preferences. Here, enter alternate text – a brief description of the image. This is read by screen readers used by the visually impaired and is indexed by search engines.
• Property Inspector: Dreamweaver CC uses the Property Inspector to set image attributes. After inserting your image, select it by clicking on it to view its attributes. The Property Inspector will display characteristics such as file size, ID, width, height, source, hyperlink, and more.

Editing Images:

• Brightness and Contrast: While it's best to use a professional graphics editor for fine-tuning your images, Dreamweaver offers some basic editing options. To adjust brightness and contrast, select the image, then click the "Brightness and Contrast" button in the Property Inspector. Make the desired adjustments, but remember that these changes are permanent and may distort the original image.
• Image Optimization: You can also optimise your images for web use. Select an image and click the "Edit Image Settings" button in the Property Inspector. Choose between JPEG, GIF, or PNG formats and adjust the quality to find a balance between file size and image quality.
• Cropping: Dreamweaver allows you to crop images without using external software. Click the cropping icon in the Property Inspector, and a dialogue box will warn you that the changes will be permanent. Adjust the cropping box over the image, then double-click the image to finalise the changes.
• Resizing: While you can change the dimensions of an image in the Property Inspector, be cautious as the aspect ratio is not locked. Changing the height or width may distort your image. It's recommended to use photo editing software to resize images before adding them to your document.

Selecting a font

When selecting a font for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider your wedding theme. The font you choose should complement and enhance your theme, not detract from it. For instance, if you're going for a traditional or romantic aesthetic, a bold, blocky font may be too harsh. Instead, opt for a cursive or calligraphy font, which exudes softness, romance and elegance. These styles also pair well with a serif font for the rest of the text.

Legibility is another important factor. While some highly-scripted or thin fonts may appeal to you, they can sometimes be difficult for guests to read. If you're set on a particular style, consider using it for headings or names, and pairing it with a simpler font for the rest of the text. This will also help to break up the design and highlight important information.

There are several classic font combinations to choose from. A cursive font paired with a sans serif is a popular choice, with the former adding elegance and the latter providing a stylish and functional subheadline. Playfair Display and Montserrat is one such combination, with the former's subtle transitions between thick and thin lines accentuated by the latter's uniform, straight lines. Another option is to pair a serif font with a sans serif font. The former lends a timeless appeal, while the latter is clean and modern. An example of this combination is Bodoni and Josefin Sans, which together create a vintage-contemporary pair that works well with simple designs.

If you're looking for something a little different, you could try a script-type font with a contemporary twist, such as Pinyon Script and Josefin Sans, or a whimsical and playful font like Modesty Regular. For a bold statement, a thick font like Didot or Neutraface 2 Text Light will do the trick.

Whatever font you choose, make sure it aligns with the style of your wedding and that it's easy to read.

Deciding on a delivery method

One option is to send your invitations through the mail. This is the most traditional method and can add a special, personal touch. Receiving a physical invitation in the mail can be exciting for your guests and also gives them something to hold on to as a keepsake. If you choose to mail your invitations, you can also include envelopes that fit the theme and aesthetic of your wedding. However, mailing invitations can be more expensive and time-consuming than electronic methods.

Another option is to send electronic invitations, or "e-vites." This can be a cost-effective and convenient option, especially if you have guests attending from all over the world. You can send e-vites via email or social media, or even create a mini website for your wedding invitations. This option saves paper and can be more environmentally friendly. However, some guests may prefer a physical invitation, especially if they are older or not comfortable with technology.

Ultimately, the decision of how to deliver your wedding invitations depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the needs of your guest list. Both mailed and electronic invitations can be beautiful and effective, so choose the option that feels right for you and your partner.

Frequently asked questions