Creating Your Own 3-Fold Wedding Invites: A Simple Guide

Wedding planning can be stressful, but creating your own invitations can be a fun and easy way to get ready for your big day. Tri-fold wedding invitations are a great option for couples who want to include all the essential details about their wedding in a stylish and convenient way. In this guide, we'll show you how to design and create your own tri-fold wedding invitations, from choosing the right paper and design to adding special touches and sending them out to your guests. We'll also provide some inspiration and tips to make the process blissfully easy and fun!

Choosing a design

Colour Scheme

Decide on a colour scheme that complements your wedding theme and style. You can choose from a variety of colours like blush pink, burgundy, navy blue, gold, sage green, and dusty blue. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and select colours that will create a cohesive look.

Theme and Style

If you're having a rustic-themed wedding, consider invitations with rustic elements like kraft paper, burnt orange or terracotta colours, and floral designs. For a more elegant or luxurious affair, opt for invitations with foil details, laser-cut designs, or velvet envelopes. If your wedding has a beach or tropical theme, incorporate those elements into your invitations with tropical leaves, palm trees, or beach illustrations.

Personalisation

Add a unique touch to your invitations by including personal details or a photo of the happy couple. You can even include a timeline of your relationship or wedding plans to make it more special. This could be a fun way to introduce your guests to your love story.

RSVP Options

Decide whether you want to include an RSVP card with your invitations. You can choose to have a perforated RSVP section that guests can easily tear off and mail back, or opt for a separate RSVP card with an envelope. Consider what would be most convenient for your guests and fit your budget.

Paper Type and Printing

Select a paper type that suits your design and theme. You can choose from various options like premium paper, clear or coloured acrylic, or even wood. For printing, you have a range of choices, including letterpress, foil stamp, flat foil, metallic print, or digital print. Consider the overall look you want to achieve and choose a printing technique that aligns with it.

Remember, your wedding invitations set the tone for your special day, so choose a design that speaks to your personality and the atmosphere you want to create. Take your time, explore different options, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Adding text and photos

Adding Text

When it comes to adding text to your wedding invitations, you can opt to do this yourself using a font and text colour of your choice, or you can enlist the help of a professional designer. If you're designing the invitations yourself, consider using a website such as Zazzle, which allows you to fully customise your invitations with your chosen text and colours. On the other hand, if you'd like to enlist professional help, Paperlust offers a custom design service where, after explaining your design ideas, a design associate will create your perfect invitation. This usually takes around 7-10 working days.

Adding Photos

Adding photos to your wedding invitations is a great way to make them more personal and special. You can include photos of you and your partner, as well as any relevant images such as a venue or map. If you're creating the invitations yourself, simply upload your chosen photos to a website such as Zazzle or Etsy, and customise your invitation with your selected images. Alternatively, you can opt for a professional service such as Paperlust, which offers a range of printing techniques, including foil stamp, flat foil, and metallic print, to create high-quality invitations with your chosen photos.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to add text, photos, or both to your 3-fold wedding invitations, there are a variety of ways to personalise your invites to make them unique to you and your partner. By opting for customisable online templates or enlisting the help of a professional designer, you can create beautiful invitations that you and your guests will love.

Selecting a print type

Budget

Before you fall in love with a specific print type, it's essential to establish a budget. The cost of wedding invitations can vary significantly, ranging from budget-friendly flat digital printing to more expensive options like engraving and embossing. By setting a budget, you can narrow down your choices and avoid overspending.

Paper Type

The type of paper you choose for your invitations will impact the overall appearance and cost. Options include solid white cardstock, linen cardstock, cotton cardstock, parchment, felt, kraft (recycled cardstock), vellum, and wood grain cardstock. Each type has unique characteristics, such as weight, texture, and finish, which will influence the print type that will work best.

Printer Compatibility

Not all printers are created equal, and some may have limitations on the thickness of paper they can handle. It's important to consider the type of printer you'll be using, whether it's a home printer or a professional printing service. Test prints on different paper weights can help determine the maximum weight your printer can handle without issues like smudging or jamming.

Print Quality

Experiment with the print quality settings on your printer to achieve the sharpest prints. If you're using a home printer, you may also want to consider using textured cardstock, as it can help hide imperfections and give your invitations a more professional look.

Printing Techniques

There are several printing techniques to choose from, each with its own unique effects and costs. Here are some popular options:

• Thermography: This technique creates a slightly raised text effect by mixing ink with a special powder and applying heat. It's a budget-friendly alternative to engraving or embossing.
• Engraving: This classic technique involves pressing paper between an inked plate and a metal plate, resulting in raised letters and texture. It allows for readability and can add a touch of luxury to your invitations.
• Embossing: Similar to engraving, embossing creates texture by pressing paper upwards. However, the text or graphic remains colorless, making it suitable only for the invitation's graphics.
• Foil stamping: This method adds shine to your invitations by pressing metallic foil onto the paper. It requires custom-made metal dies and can be combined with other printing techniques for a unique look.
• Letterpress: Letterpress uses a custom die format, typically made of plastic, to create a soft and romantic feel. It's slightly more affordable than foil stamping and is perfect for absorbing ink into soft cotton stock.
• UV and Thermographic Printing: These newer heat-based methods add a slight shine to raised lettering. Thermography, in particular, offers flexibility in paper type and colour options, including metallic hues.
• Flat Digital Printing: This budget-friendly option provides freedom, flexibility, and quick turnaround times. While it doesn't add tactile dimension, visual effects, embellishments, and paper textures can be used to enhance the design.

Remember, the right print type for your 3-fold wedding invitations will depend on your budget, the paper you choose, and the overall look and feel you want to achieve. By considering these factors, you can create elegant and personalised invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Adding RSVP cards

When making 3-fold wedding invitations, you can add RSVP cards for your guests to respond to your invitation. This will help you finalise the headcount, seating arrangements, meal selections, and more. Here are some tips for adding RSVP cards to your 3-fold wedding invitations:

Design and Customisation

You can choose from a variety of RSVP card designs, colours, and styles to match your wedding theme and invitations. Some websites offer customisation options, allowing you to change colours, add photos, and include personal details. You can also include a QR code that links to your wedding website, making it convenient for guests to respond online.

Timing and Mailing

It is recommended to send out wedding invitations with RSVP cards enclosed 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. For destination weddings, it is advisable to mail the invitations at least 3 months in advance. If you haven't received responses 2 weeks before the wedding, you can start sending gentle reminders.

Addressing and Envelopes

You can choose to address the RSVP cards with each guest's name, adding a personal touch. Additionally, consider providing self-addressed stamped envelopes with your invitations to make it easier for guests to send their responses.

Tracking Responses

To stay organised, create a spreadsheet or use pen and paper to track guest responses, meal choices, and other important information. This will help you finalise your wedding plans and ensure an accurate headcount.

Cost-Effectiveness

Including RSVP cards with your 3-fold wedding invitations can be more cost-effective than separate invitation suites. They reduce the amount of paper and envelopes needed, saving you money on printing and postage. Some websites offer wedding invitations with tear-off RSVP postcards, further streamlining the process and reducing costs.

By following these suggestions, you can effectively incorporate RSVP cards into your 3-fold wedding invitations, making it convenient for your guests to respond and helping you plan your special day with ease.

Sending out the invitations

Once you've designed and received your 3-fold wedding invitations, it's time to send them out to your guests. Here are some tips to make the process easier:

Guest List and Addresses

Before sending out your invitations, ensure your guest list is finalised and up to date. Double-check all the names and addresses of your guests to avoid any mistakes. It's important to have accurate information to ensure the invitations reach the right people.

Printing Addresses

You can save time and effort by using printing services to address your invitations. Provide your guest list and addresses to the printing company, and they will print the recipient addresses and your return address directly on the invitations. This option is usually affordable and saves you from the tedious task of handwriting each address.

Postage

When sending out 3-fold wedding invitations, you don't need to use an envelope unless you prefer extra protection or want to add a pop of colour. Calculate the correct postage for each invitation, considering the weight and size, to ensure they reach their destination without any issues.

RSVP Options

To make it convenient for your guests to respond, consider including a perforated RSVP section that they can easily tear off and mail back. This eliminates the need for a separate envelope and simplifies the process for both you and your guests. You can also include a QR code or a link to an online RSVP form to make it even easier for guests to confirm their attendance.

Timing

Send out your invitations with plenty of time before your wedding date. This will give your guests enough time to plan and respond, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. It's generally recommended to send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding, but you can adjust this timeline based on your specific circumstances.

Assembly and Display

Your 3-fold invitations can be folded and displayed in various ways. When assembling the invitations, ensure they can be easily opened and that all the necessary information is visible. You can also include instructions or a small diagram to guide your guests on how to unfold and read the invitation.

Sending out wedding invitations can be a exciting task as you anticipate the responses from your loved ones. By following these instructions, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free process, allowing you to focus on the other important aspects of your wedding preparations.

Frequently asked questions