Crafting Vintage Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Vintage wedding invitations are a great way to add a timeless touch to your modern wedding. Whether you're inspired by the bold shades of the 1970s, the subtle pastels of the mid-century, or the elegant calligraphy of the past, there are many ways to incorporate vintage elements into your wedding stationery. From Art Deco designs to rustic florals, and gold foil accents to lace details, vintage invitations can be tailored to match your unique wedding style and transported to any era.

Use lace, florals, borders, distinguished fonts and aged paper

When creating vintage wedding invitations, you can use lace, florals, borders, distinguished fonts, and aged paper to achieve a classic and elegant look. Here are some ideas to incorporate these elements:

Lace

Add a delicate and romantic touch to your invitations by using lace. You can choose from various styles, such as rustic lace, which gives a shabby-chic feel, or elegant gold lace for a vintage glam look. Consider using lace as a border or frame for your invitation, or even incorporating it into a laser-cut design.

Florals

Floral designs add a touch of nature and beauty to your invitations. Opt for subtle floral accents or go bold with colourful blooms. You can include floral illustrations, watercolour paintings, or even dried flowers pressed between the paper for a unique 3D effect.

Borders

Borders can be used to enclose your invitation's text, creating a sense of elegance and refinement. Consider a simple yet classic border or go for something more intricate, such as a lace or floral border. You can also experiment with different border styles, such as gold or silver foil for a luxurious touch.

Distinguished Fonts

The right font can set the tone for your wedding invitations. For a vintage look, consider elegant script fonts that resemble traditional calligraphy. Fonts with swooshes and flourishes will add a formal and ornate feel. You can also mix and match fonts, pairing a script font with a simpler serif or sans-serif font for legibility.

Aged Paper

To achieve the look of aged paper, consider using paper with a vintage-inspired texture or colour. Cream, beige, and taupe papers can give an old-fashioned feel. You might also want to explore deckle-edge paper, which has a frayed, uncut edge, adding to the antique aesthetic.

Remember, you can find many online resources and templates to help you design and create your vintage wedding invitations, allowing you to personalise every detail to match your unique style and personality.

Opt for bold shades of the 1970s or mid-century pastels

When it comes to creating vintage wedding invitations, colour can be a powerful tool to set the tone and style of your special day. If you're drawn to the bold and vibrant hues of the 1970s or the soft and subtle mid-century pastels, here are some ideas to guide you:

Bold Shades of the 1970s:

The 1970s were all about fun and optimism, and this can be reflected in your wedding invitation design. Think bold colours like burnt orange, red, and soft pink. These colours can be incorporated into your decorations, stationery, and flowers to create a cohesive 1970s-themed wedding. The 1970s invitations often featured era-appropriate orange accents and classic fonts with phrases like "Can you dig it?" and "It's All Groovy, Baby".

Stylish Typography:

Combine the bold colour palette of the 1970s with stylish typography to create a unique and colourful theme. You can customise your invitations with fun details and hints, such as accommodation and transportation information for your guests. The RSVP can be designed as a perforated panel that guests can easily tear off and return.

Mid-Century Pastels:

If you prefer a more subtle and romantic approach, mid-century pastels might be the way to go. Think dusty tones of blush, blue, and cream, or sage, French blue, pale pink, gold, and cream. These colours can add a touch of contrast while still maintaining a soft and romantic feel.

Customisation:

Basic Invite, for example, offers the ability to customise your mid-century modern wedding invitations by altering colours, fonts, and even adding photos. You can choose from over 160 individual colours and a variety of premium paper options to create your unique look.

Whether you choose bold 1970s shades or soft mid-century pastels, your wedding invitations will set the tone for a memorable and stylish celebration.

Include custom crests, monogram and scalloped edging

Adding custom crests, monograms, and scalloped edging to your wedding invitations is a great way to add a vintage feel. These design elements can be used to create a timeless look that blends antique and modern touches.

Custom crests are a generations-old tradition, especially for royal weddings, and can be a memorable addition to your invitations. You can design a crest that symbolises your marriage, incorporating your wedding colour scheme, florals, and even illustrations of your venue. This will give your invitations a whimsical and personalised touch.

Monograms are another way to add a timeless element to your wedding invitations. You can upload your monogram to be added to your wedding cards, or work with a designer to create a one-of-a-kind illustration. This could be a custom illustration of your venue, you and your partner, or even your pets!

Scalloped edging is a subtle way to add a vintage feel to your invitations. This style of edging is a timeless way to make your stationery feel more unique and can complement the overall wedding mood. Whether you choose standard, scalloped, or rounded corners, this detail can elevate your invitation design.

By incorporating these design elements, you can create elegant and sophisticated vintage wedding invitations that are sure to impress your guests. These thoughtful details will add a touch of history and make your invitations stand out.

Seal with gold wax for an old-fashioned touch

Adding a gold wax seal to your wedding invitations is a great way to incorporate an old-fashioned touch to your vintage-style wedding. Wax seals were used for centuries to secure envelopes and other important papers, and they are now making a comeback as a decorative element in wedding stationery.

If you want to create your own wax seals, you will need to purchase a few supplies. You can choose between using a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun and wax sticks to melt the wax. You can opt for the traditional metallic gold, or get creative and choose from a wide range of colours available. Once you have melted the wax, simply drip it onto the envelope and press an engraved metal stamp into the cooling wax to leave an imprint. You can customise your stamp with your monogram, wedding date, or any other design that reflects your wedding aesthetic.

If you don't have the time or don't feel comfortable making your own wax seals, you can purchase self-adhesive wax seals. These are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and can be customised with your initials or other details. Self-adhesive wax seals are also a good option if you are concerned about the wax seals getting damaged in the mail.

Whether you make your own wax seals or opt for self-adhesive ones, adding a gold wax seal to your vintage wedding invitations will surely impress your guests and make your invitations stand out.

Print on textured paper or send as an online invite

If you're looking to create a vintage wedding invitation, you can opt for printing on textured paper or sending it as an online invite. Here are some tips and ideas to help you achieve that timeless look:

Printing on Textured Paper:

Printing your vintage wedding invitations on textured paper adds a tactile and visual element to your design. It gives your invitations a sophisticated and elegant feel. Here are some options for textured paper:

• Linen Paper: This paper has a subtle woven or cloth-like texture, giving it a classic and versatile look. Linen paper suits almost any design and is inkjet and laser printer-friendly. It comes in two colours and three weights, with matching envelopes available.
• Gmund Felt: This paper has a modern linear texture and is part of the Gmund Color System, a luxury paper system with 48 colours and 4 finishes that can be mixed and matched. Gmund Felt has a distinct yet understated texture, adding style to your invitations. It is also printer-friendly and comes in nine classic colours with matching matte finish envelopes.
• Odeon Felt: Odeon Felt has an authentic felt finish with a distinct, velvety texture created by pressing felt blankets into the sheets during manufacturing. This paper gives your invitations a soft and sophisticated feel. It comes in three classic colours with matching envelopes and is best printed using conventional methods such as letterpress, offset, and stamping.
• Cotton Paper: Cotton paper provides a natural, elegant look and feel to your invitations. It is often handmade, giving it a unique texture. Cotton paper is also known for its durability and strength, ensuring your invitations withstand the test of time.
• Deckle-Edge Paper: This type of paper has a unique, irregular edge that gives your invitations a vintage or antique feel. It can be paired with calligraphy or elegant fonts to create a timeless suite.

Sending as an Online Invite:

If you prefer a more modern and eco-friendly approach, you can send your vintage wedding invitations as online invites. This option is also convenient if you're working with a tight timeline or have guests located around the world. Here are some ideas to incorporate the vintage theme into your online invites:

• Vintage-Inspired Design: Incorporate vintage design elements such as lace, florals, borders, and distinguished fonts. You can also play with colour palettes from different eras, such as bold shades from the 1970s or subtle mid-century pastels.
• Digital Embellishments: Add digital stickers, graphics, or even photos to your online invites to give them a vintage flair. You can find vintage-inspired digital elements online or create your own.
• Online Sharing Platforms: Utilise online platforms such as text SMS, Facebook, or WhatsApp to share your invitations. You can even create a wedding website or online event page to provide additional information and collect RSVPs.
• Customisation: Many online invitation platforms offer customisation options, allowing you to experiment with different fonts, colours, and even upload your own images. This gives you the freedom to create vintage-inspired invitations without the need for physical materials.

Frequently asked questions