Creating A Wedding Invitation Belly Band: A Step-By-Step Guide

Belly bands are slim, paper bands that fit around wedding invitations, holding all the pieces together. They are a great way to add a special touch to your wedding invitations and make them feel like a little present for your guests to unwrap. In this paragraph, we will discuss how to make your own belly bands for wedding invitations, including choosing the right materials, customising your design, and assembling the final product. We will also explore some tips and tricks to ensure a snug fit and elegant presentation.

Choosing the right size belly band for your invitations

When it comes to choosing the right size belly band for your wedding invitations, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to measure the width of your invitation set and double that measurement to ensure the band will fit comfortably around it. It's also a good idea to add an extra 25mm to the total width to allow for overlap, ensuring the band can be securely fastened with a sticker, wax seal, glue, or tape. This will give your invitations a neat and polished look while holding all the pieces together.

For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, a belly band measuring 11 x 2 inches should work well. This size will provide enough coverage and allow for a secure overlap. However, if you have a custom card size, you can adjust the belly band measurements accordingly by doubling the width of your card and adding an extra inch. This will ensure a snug fit that holds your invitation set together without being too tight and causing bends or creases.

When creating belly bands for thicker paper stocks or multiple card sets, you may need to add an additional 3-5mm to the width to accommodate the extra bulk. This will ensure that the band is not too tight and doesn't distort the shape of your invitations. It's always a good idea to test the band on your invitation before finalising the design to ensure a perfect fit.

If you're looking for a more unique and creative approach, you can explore belly bands made from materials other than paper. Transparent vellum or laser-cut designs can add a touch of elegance by offering a glimpse of the invitation within. These options may require additional adjustments to the standard measurements, so it's important to consider the thickness of your chosen material when finalising the size of your belly bands.

Remember, the key to choosing the right size belly band is to ensure it fits snugly around your invitation set without being too tight or too loose. By following the measurement guidelines and considering the specific dimensions of your invitations, you can achieve a sophisticated and elegant look for your wedding stationery.

Selecting the best paper for your belly band

Belly bands are a great way to add a special touch to your wedding invitations. When selecting the paper for your belly band, there are a few things to consider to ensure it looks and functions as intended. Firstly, it's important to choose the right thickness of paper. Belly bands are typically made from thin paper that can easily wrap around your invitations without adding too much bulk. A text weight of 60-70# (roughly 90-100 gsm) is ideal. This type of paper can usually be found online or at your local office supply store.

The size of your belly band is also crucial. For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, the recommended size for the belly band is 11 x 2 inches. If you're creating custom-sized invitations, a helpful formula to determine the belly band size is to double the width of your card and add an extra inch for overlap. This will ensure a snug fit that holds all the components together neatly.

When choosing the material for your belly band, there are several options available. Standard belly bands are often made from lightweight paper stocks such as Nettuno, Tintoretto Gesso, Kraft, or Vellum. If you want to add a touch of glamour, consider foiled belly bands in colours like gold, silver, rose gold, copper, blue, or red. These are usually printed on thicker paper stocks like silk, recycled silk, or uncoated paper.

In addition to the paper type, you can also enhance your belly bands with special finishes. A semi-gloss or matte finish can add a touch of elegance to your invitations. If you're looking for something unique, consider speciality finishes like foil stamping, soft-touch lamination, letterpressing, or white ink printing.

When assembling your belly bands, consider using glue dots, stickers, or double-sided tape to secure the ends. Scoring the paper slightly with scissors before folding can help you achieve a neat and precise finish.

How to fold and secure your belly band

To fold and secure your belly band, you will need to follow these steps:

• Prepare your materials: Ensure you have your printed belly bands, a glue stick or double-sided tape, and a bone folder (optional).
• Trim the belly bands: Use a paper cutter or an X-acto knife to cut out the individual bands. If you see tiny lines in the corners, these are trim guides to indicate where to cut. Adjust your printer settings to "No Scaling / 100%" and select the accurate paper size to ensure the correct size.
• Fold and glue: Fold one flap of the belly band around the invitation. Use a bone folder, if desired, to create a more defined crease. Apply a small amount of glue to the end of the flap and fold the other flap on top, creating an overlap. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue dries.
• Assemble the invitation suite: Flip over the stack so that the invitation is face down with the belly band at the bottom. Stack your cards from largest to smallest, with the invitation at the bottom, followed by the reception card, enclosure cards, and finally, the reply envelope. Tuck the RSVP into its envelope flap, if applicable.
• Secure the belly band: Center the belly band on top of the stacked cards. Ensure a snug fit by adjusting the band so that it holds all the cards neatly together without bending the edges of the invitation. Secure the band closed using a sticker, glue dot, or wax seal.
• Insert into envelope: Place the entire assembled invitation suite, with the belly band, into the envelope.

By following these steps, you will create elegant and securely assembled wedding invitations with belly bands.

Where to buy belly bands or belly band materials

If you're looking to buy belly bands or the materials to make them, there are several options available to you.

You can find belly bands in stationery stores, craft stores, or online. Websites such as Etsy, Minted, LCI Paper, and Envelopes.com offer a wide variety of belly bands in different colours, styles, and materials. These websites also allow for customisation and personalisation of your belly bands, including monograms, dates, and names.

When it comes to buying belly band materials, you can opt for paper, cardstock, vellum, ribbon, or fabric. These can be purchased from local craft stores or online retailers. If you're looking for paper, a 60-70# text weight (roughly 90-100 gsm) works well for belly bands and can usually be found at your local office supply store or online.

By purchasing belly bands or the materials to make them yourself, you can add a special touch to your wedding invitations, creating a cohesive and elegant look that your guests will surely notice.

How to personalise your belly band

Belly bands are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding invitations. They are slim paper bands that fit snugly around your invitations, keeping all the pieces of your set together. Here are some ways to personalise your belly band:

• Customise the design: You can add your own creative flair to the belly band by choosing a design that reflects your wedding theme or colour palette. Consider incorporating elements such as monograms, dates, names, or other personalised details that showcase your style.
• Select the right material: Belly bands can be made from various materials, including standard paper stocks or more luxurious options like vellum or laser-cut designs. You can even opt for foiled belly bands that add a touch of dazzle with radiant foiling colours like gold, silver, or rose gold.
• Choose the appropriate size: Ensure that your belly band fits securely around your invitation suite. The standard size for a belly band is 11 x 2 inches for a 5 x 7-inch invitation. If you have a custom card size, simply double the width of your card and add an extra inch for overlap.
• Add a special finish: Elevate the look of your belly band by incorporating special finishes. You can choose from options like gloss, foil-pressing, or velvet lamination. These finishes not only add a touch of luxury but also enhance the overall invitation-opening experience for your guests.
• Secure with style: There are several ways to secure your belly band, and you can personalise this aspect as well. You can use invisible options like glue dots or opt for stickers, wax seals, twine, or even split pins to add a decorative touch.
• Assembly and presentation: When assembling your invitations, pay attention to the order of the cards. Place the cards from largest to smallest, with the formal invitation at the bottom. After securing the belly band, place the entire bundle inside the envelope, creating a neat and elegant presentation for your guests to receive.

By following these steps and adding your own creative touches, you can design belly bands that perfectly complement your wedding invitations and showcase your unique style.

Frequently asked questions