Guide To Displaying Wedding Invitations: Creative Ways To Showcase

Wedding invitations are a great way to showcase your personality as a couple and set the tone for your big day. Designing your own invitations can be a fun and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Whether you opt for a classic or modern design, there are many ways to make your invitations stand out. From choosing the right shape and dimensions to incorporating romantic fonts and imagery, the possibilities are endless. You can even include a photo of yourselves to give your invites a more intimate feel. But with so many options available, how do you decide on the best way to display your wedding invitations?

Framing

Choosing a Frame

When choosing a frame, consider the style and colours of your wedding invitation. For classic invitations with delicate script, creamy paper, and light colours, a traditional frame in a warm, antiqued champagne silver tone or antique gold will complement the elegant design without overwhelming it. Modern or colourful invitations can be paired with stronger frame options, such as black oiled-steel with small rivets for an industrial look, or a simple white or black frame.

Mounting the Invitation

The key to a perfectly framed wedding invitation is float mounting. This technique involves securing the invitation to a piece of foam core that lifts slightly above the mat, showcasing the edges and creating dynamic shadows.

Adding Extras

You can choose to frame just the invitation or create a more elaborate arrangement that includes other components of the stationery suite, such as the envelope, reception cards, or even a petal from your bouquet. Shadow boxes are a great option for displaying multiple items and creating a three-dimensional keepsake.

Frame Options

There are many different types of frames available, from simple photo frames to shadow boxes and floating frames. You can also choose between wall-mounted frames or freestanding frames to suit your display preferences.

Customisation

If you want to add a personal touch, consider customising your frame with engraved details such as your names and wedding date, or including a meaningful quote or lyric.

Decoupage plate

To create a decoupage plate, you can either engage a professional service or craft it yourself. If you opt for a professional service, they will use your wedding invitation and envelope lining to create a personalised plate. You can send them a digital copy or a hard copy of your invitation. Some services also offer customisation options, such as including a petal from your bouquet or altering the invitation design.

If you prefer a DIY approach, here are the general steps to create a decoupage plate:

• Source the materials: You will need a plate (preferably with a smooth surface), decoupage glue or medium, your wedding invitation, scissors or a craft knife, a paintbrush, and a sealant (optional).
• Prepare your invitation: Cut out the parts of your invitation that you want to include on the plate. You can get creative with the layout and arrangement of the different elements.
• Apply the decoupage medium: Using your paintbrush, apply a thin layer of decoupage glue to the back of each cut-out piece and carefully place it onto the plate. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles gently.
• Add additional layers: Once the initial layer is dry, you can add additional layers of the decoupage medium over the entire plate to protect the design and ensure durability.
• Seal the plate (optional): If desired, you can apply a sealant to give your plate a finished look and extra protection.

Display your decoupage plate in a place of honour in your home, perhaps alongside other wedding mementos, or gift it to someone special as a lasting reminder of your wedding day.

Keepsake box

A wedding keepsake box is a great way to display your wedding invitation and other mementos from your special day. When choosing a keepsake box, consider what items you want to store in it. If you plan to store larger items such as shoes or decor, you'll need a bigger box. For smaller items such as invitations, menus, and photos, a more compact box will suffice.

There are many beautiful options available for wedding keepsake boxes. You can choose from a variety of materials, including wood, glass, and fabric. Some boxes feature decorative details such as leather accents, metal reinforcements, or linen lining. You can also personalise your keepsake box with your names, wedding date, or a photo.

• A wooden box with a hinged lid and a photo frame inside. This box can be used to display a wedding photo while storing other mementos such as invitations and menus.
• A glass shadow box that functions as a 3D picture frame. You can personalise it with custom engraving and match the font to your wedding invitation.
• A fabric-covered, two-volume set of vertical files that offers a unique way to organise and store your wedding memories.
• A decorative photo storage box with a lid, perfect for safely storing your wedding photos, documents, and other mementos.
• A personalised wooden wine keepsake box, where you can store a special bottle of wine from your wedding for a future anniversary or occasion.

Eco-friendly display

There are several ways to display your wedding invitations in an eco-friendly manner. Here are some ideas to create a beautiful and sustainable display:

Recycled Paper Invitations:

Opt for wedding invitations made from recycled paper. You can find these in various colours, textures, and finishes to match your wedding theme. Recycled paper helps reduce the need for new paper production and minimises waste, making it an excellent eco-friendly choice. You can even design and print your own invitations on recycled paper to add a personal touch.

Plantable Seed Paper Invitations:

Choose plantable seed paper for your invitations. This special type of paper is biodegradable and embedded with wildflower or herb seeds. After your wedding, your guests can plant the invitations and watch them grow into beautiful flowers or herbs. This option not only reduces waste but also creates a lasting memory for your guests.

Digital Invitations:

Sending digital invitations is a convenient and eco-friendly alternative. They can be personalised, interactive, and easily shared via email or wedding websites. Digital invitations eliminate the need for printing and mailing, reducing waste and saving resources. They are also cost-effective and ideal for destination weddings or couples on a budget.

Reusable Invitations:

Consider sending reusable invitations that can be used beyond the wedding day. For example, send your invitations on tea towels or cups that your guests can reuse. This reduces waste and provides a creative and practical keepsake for your guests.

If you have extra wedding invitations or want to display your invitation as a keepsake, there are eco-friendly ways to do so. You can frame your invitation yourself or register for a double invitation frame. Alternatively, companies like Plywerk offer sustainable displays by mounting your invitation on eco-friendly wood or printing and mounting a scanned version.

Remember, your wedding invitations can be both stylish and eco-friendly. By choosing sustainable options, you can reduce your carbon footprint and showcase your commitment to the environment. Your guests will surely appreciate your eco-conscious choices!

Shadowbox

A wedding shadow box is a beautiful and artistic way to display your most special wedding day memories. Typically, they are displayed on a vanity, mantle, or wall for loved ones to admire for years to come.

There is no restriction on what you can include in your wedding shadow box. However, the most common items are invitations, save-the-date cards, flowers, photos, dresses, pearls, lace, and other decorative fillers.

Find Inspiration and Choose a Theme:

Start by gathering ideas for your shadow box. You can look on Pinterest or ask friends and family for suggestions. Decide on a theme that reflects your style and vision.

List Your Items:

Make a list of all the items you want to include in your shadow box. This will help you ensure you have everything before you start assembling, and it will also give you an idea of the size and layout you'll need.

Pick a Design and Layout:

Choose a focal point for your design and arrange the other items around it. Consider hanging some items, placing some on the interior side walls, and resting others on the bottom to create a visually appealing composition.

Get a Shadow Box Container:

You can purchase a pre-made shadow box from craft stores like Michael's, Walmart, or Target. Alternatively, you can order a custom-made shadow box from crafters on Etsy or independent artists. When choosing a container, consider the display options—for example, whether it can be hung on a wall or placed on a mantle.

Arrange Items:

Once you have your container and all your items, start arranging them inside. Try out different layouts and take photos to compare them. This will help you decide on the final arrangement.

Finalize and Secure Your Design:

Use temporary adhesives wherever possible, and allow any glue to dry completely before hanging or moving your shadow box.

Additional Tips:

• Size up your shadow box so that it is much larger than your invitation, giving you space to add other decorative elements.
• Consider adding silk flowers to your display. Trim them to fit underneath the shadow box, and glue them to a piece of foam core in an "L" shape.
• If your invitation came with a beautiful envelope, include that in the display as well, adding a ribbon for extra elegance.
• Use temporary adhesives wherever possible, and be mindful of the weight and transparency of the paper or cardstock you choose.
• You can also include a vintage postcard, a personalized dress hanger, printouts of speeches, or a family heirloom in your shadow box.

Your wedding invitation shadow box is now ready to be displayed and admired!

Frequently asked questions