Designing Wedding Invitations: Layout Tips And Tricks

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating the perfect wedding invitation doesn't have to be. Wedding invitations are a great way to express your love story and share your joy with friends and family. Whether you're looking for a classic and elegant design or something more modern and trendy, there are plenty of customisation options available to make your invitation unique. From rustic and vintage to minimalist and monochrome, there's a style to suit every couple's taste and wedding theme.

Matching the theme of your wedding

Your wedding invitation is a chance to give your guests a sneak peek of your wedding's aesthetic. Whether you're going for a rustic, elegant, modern, or minimalist vibe, there are many ways to ensure your invites align with your wedding's theme.

If you're planning a rustic wedding, consider printing your invites on recycled brown paper. This simple and cost-effective option is a great way to introduce your wedding's theme to your guests. You could also opt for a design with a floral or greenery border, or a floral frame and watercolour details. For a more elegant or vintage feel, you might choose a design with a classic or vintage floral frame, or a gold floral border.

If your wedding will be modern or minimalist, there are plenty of sleek and simple designs to choose from. A minimalist design could feature a single bold colour, like navy blue, sage green, or yellow. You could also opt for a design with a simple black and white colour scheme. For a more modern look, try a clear invitation, or a bold colour-blocked design.

If you're looking to include more personal touches, you can include a photo of you and your partner on the invite, or choose a design that allows you to upload your photos and overlay them with text.

RSVP cards

Setting a Clear Deadline

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before your wedding date. This will give you and your vendors enough time to finalise the details such as food quantities and seating arrangements. It is also helpful to send out reminders to your guests a week or so before the deadline to ensure they don't forget to respond.

Matching Stationery

For an elegant and cohesive look, ensure that your RSVP cards match the style and design of your wedding invitations. This could include using similar fonts and colours, and themes.

What to Include on the RSVP Card

The RSVP card should include the following essential information:

• A clear RSVP deadline
• A way for guests to indicate their attendance, such as checkboxes or fill-in-the-blank lines
• Space for guests to enter their names and the names of any additional guests, such as plus-ones
• Any dietary requirements or restrictions

You may also want to include:

• A special request line, such as song requests or drink preferences
• Your contact details, dress code, or a reminder of your wedding website URL

Breaking Traditions

While the traditional RSVP wording is "Accepts With Pleasure/Regretfully Declines", you can add a personal touch by changing the wording to match your wedding style and personality. For instance, you could say "Will be there with bells on" or "Will be toasting from afar".

Creative Flair

Your RSVP cards are a great way to inject your personality and wedding theme. You can include fun questions or requests, such as song requests, date ideas, or advice for the newlyweds.

Wording Ideas

• "Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (RSVP) Your response is requested before [date]. Name(s) :__________________ ▢ accept(s) with pleasure ▢ decline(s) with regret"
• "Kindly Respond We ask you to reply before [date]. Name(s) :__________________ ▢ will be there to celebrate ▢ will be toasting from afar"
• "Will You Be Joining Us? We kindly request your reply before [date]. Name(s) of our fabulous guests:__________________ ▢ will be there with bells on ▢ will be there in spirit"
• "Yay or Nay? When we say ‘I do’, will we be seeing you? Reply before [date]. Name(s) :__________________ ▢ Yes, you will see our/my face(s) ▢ Sorry, we’re/I’m busy that day!"

Choosing a colour scheme

Think about the mood and tone you want to evoke

The colours you choose should capture the mood and tone you want for your wedding. For example, if you're going for a rustic theme, you might choose earthy tones like browns and greens. If you want a more elegant and modern look, you might opt for a navy blue and gold colour scheme.

Consider your wedding narrative and theme

The colours you choose should tie in with your wedding narrative and theme. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you might choose colours like teal and ivory. If you're having a vintage-themed wedding, you might choose washed-out colours or mix in modern floral elements.

Keep it harmonious

Your colours should work well together and complement each other. A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral. This will help to blend the focal colours seamlessly.

Draw inspiration from your surroundings

Consider drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings of your wedding venue. The colours of the venue and the surrounding environment can be a great source of inspiration for your colour scheme. For example, if you're getting married in a garden, you might choose a green and ivory colour scheme.

Use colour schemes from wedding invitation templates

If you're using a wedding invitation template, you can draw inspiration from the colour schemes provided. These colour schemes are carefully curated to work well together and can be a great starting point for your wedding colour palette.

Experiment with different shades and tones

When working with a particular colour, don't be afraid to experiment with different shades and tones. For example, if you're using pastel colours, you can try combining paler and darker tones to create a more elegant look.

Add decorative elements

Incorporate decorative elements into your wedding invitation design to enhance the overall look. For example, the Art Deco style is popular for wedding invitations as it adds a certain elegance to the design.

Keep it consistent

Finally, remember to keep your colour scheme consistent across all aspects of your wedding, from the invitations to the decorations. This will help to create a cohesive and well-put-together event.

Adding photos

Choose the Right Photo

Select a photo that reflects your relationship and authentic style as a couple. Consider using a professionally-produced photo from your engagement session for a more elegant and formal feel. If you prefer a casual vibe, a candid snapshot could be a better choice. Think about the location and attire for the photo to ensure it aligns with the mood and theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a formal country club wedding, a casual beach engagement photo might not be the best fit.

Single-Photo Invitations

If you have one perfect photo that captures your love story, consider using a single-photo invitation template. This can be a modern or classic design, depending on your preference. You can upload a custom photograph from your own collection or choose from a design gallery. This approach allows you to showcase one special moment and can be an elegant way to introduce your wedding theme.

Framed Invitations with Pictures

If you want to include a photo but don't want it to dominate the entire invitation, consider using a framed template. This style combines a dedicated space for your wedding details with a frame that showcases your chosen photograph. Framed invitations can be rustic, romantic, and elegant, offering a balanced approach to incorporating visuals and text.

Multiple Photo Invitations

For a fun and casual approach, consider using multiple photos on your invitations. This is a great way to showcase your sense of adventure and personality as a couple. You can create a collage of custom photographs or choose a themed template, such as a nautical-inspired design if you love the ocean. Just be mindful to not overload the invitation with too many photos to maintain a cohesive look.

Custom Photo Invitations

You can also design stunning and personalized wedding invitations by uploading your custom photographs. Whether it's a picture of the happy couple or a unique landscape, your photo will set the tone and style for your big day. You can further enhance these invitations by choosing the perfect trim, colour palette, and unique wording to match your vision.

Printing and sharing

Once you've designed your wedding invitations, it's time to think about printing and sharing them with your guests. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

Printing Options

There are several options available for printing your wedding invitations. You can choose to print them yourself at home, or you can use a professional printing service. Online printing services such as Prints of Love, Vistaprint, Zazzle, and Overnight Prints offer affordable and convenient printing options. These services often provide a range of paper types, sizes, and orientations to choose from. Alternatively, you can explore local print shops or larger printers like Costco or Office Depot.

Paper Selection

When selecting paper for your wedding invitations, opt for something thicker, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock, to give your invitations a luxurious feel. Consider paper with texture, such as linen or felt. Visit specialty stationery stores or print shops to feel and see different paper options before making your final decision. It's also a good idea to test samples on your home printer to ensure compatibility.

Customization

Most downloadable templates will allow you to customize the design to match your wedding style and theme. You can change colours, fonts, and wording to suit your preferences. If you need help with customization, some designers offer this service for an additional fee. Remember to proofread your invitation design for any errors or mistakes before printing.

Assembly and Mailing

After printing your invitations, it's time to assemble them. Use a paper cutter with a sharp blade for clean cuts. For adding layers or envelope liners, glue dots or double-stick tape are recommended. Select envelopes that fit your invitations with a bit of room to spare. Consider adding envelope liners or choosing coloured envelopes for a pop of colour. Finally, take a complete invitation to the post office to have it weighed and to calculate the correct postage.

Digital Sharing

In addition to printed invitations, you may also want to share digital versions with your guests. This can be done via email, social media, or messaging apps. You can also create a wedding website to share all the details of your wedding in one place and include a QR code on your printed invitations that links to this website.

Frequently asked questions