Designing Dreamy Watercolor Wedding Invites

Watercolour wedding invitations are a unique and creative way to invite your guests to your wedding. The raw, romantic, and individual nature of watercolour invitations is a perfect way to add a personal touch to your wedding stationery. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to create your own watercolour invitations, from designing your stationery to assembling the final product. We will also provide tips and tricks to ensure your invitations look professional and elegant. So, whether you're a crafty bride or just looking to save some money, get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the world of DIY watercolour wedding invitations!

Choosing the right paper

Quality

The best watercolour papers are typically made from either wood pulp or a rag-content composition on mould machines. Wood pulp papers, such as Bockingford, tend to be less expensive, whiter, and have a less absorbent surface. On the other hand, rag papers, such as Saunders Waterford, will have a slightly off-white colour and will absorb paint more readily.

Weight

The weight of the paper, measured in pounds per ream (lb) or grams per square metre (gsm), is an important consideration. Lightweight papers will be more affordable but will require stretching before use. Heavyweight papers, such as those over 200lb/425gsm, will withstand multiple washes without requiring stretching, unless excessive amounts of water are used. The most popular art papers are 140lb (300gsm), 200lb (425gsm), and 300lb (638gsm).

Texture

There are three standard machine-made options for watercolour paper texture: Hot Pressed (HP), Cold Pressed (CP or NOT), and Rough. Hot Pressed paper is the smoothest option and is excellent for fine detail work. Cold Pressed paper has a medium texture that is versatile and compatible with various techniques. Rough paper, as the name suggests, has the most texture and is perfect for watercolour artists with a loose painting style who want to emphasise the granulation of their paints.

Material

Watercolour papers are typically made from either cotton or wood pulp. 100% cotton papers are considered professional quality and offer exceptional stability, ensuring your invitations withstand the test of time. Wood pulp paper, also known as wood-free paper, is a more affordable option and is suitable for amateurs and beginners.

Format

Watercolour paper is available in various formats to suit your needs. You can find loose sheets, pads, blocks, or rolls. Pads are great for portability, while blocks are ideal if you don't want to tape down your paper. Loose sheets offer the most flexibility, and rolls allow you to cut the paper to your desired size.

Remember, the paper you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your watercolour wedding invitation project.

Mixing paint colours

When creating your own watercolour wedding invitations, you may need to mix paint colours to achieve your desired shade. For example, if you want a turquoise or teal shade, you can mix two parts blue with almost one part yellow.

To create an ombre effect, you will need to mix varying amounts of paint with the same amount of water. Using three small dishes, ration out the paint so that one dish has the most paint, the second has a medium amount, and the third has a small amount. Then, add the same amount of water to each dish—for instance, 2 tablespoons. The ratio of paint to water will create the perfect watercolour ombre.

Before painting your invitations, test out your ombre on a piece of paper. Paint swatches of each colour and let them dry completely to see if you are happy with the shades. If you want to adjust the colours, you can add more water to lighten the shade or more paint to darken it.

Once you are happy with your colours, you can start painting your invitations. For a simple ombre effect, start with the darkest shade on the bottom, then use the middle shade, and finally, the lightest shade. Embrace the subtle differences that will occur with watercolour painting, and allow the paint to dry without touching or disturbing it.

Creating an ombre effect

Choose Your Colours:

Start by selecting two colours—one pale and one dark. You can experiment with different combinations to find the perfect palette for your invitations. Try mixing colours to create a unique shade that complements your wedding theme.

Prepare Your Paint:

Using three small dishes, ration out your paint. One dish will have the most paint (your darkest shade), the second dish will have a medium amount, and the third will have the least amount of paint (your lightest shade).

Add Water:

Add the same amount of water to each dish. For example, you can use 2 tablespoons of water for each dish. The amount doesn't matter, but it should be consistent across all dishes. By varying the amounts of paint and using the same amount of water, you'll create the perfect watercolour ombre.

Test Your Ombre:

Before painting your invitations, test your ombre on a separate sheet of paper. Paint swatches of each colour and let them dry completely. This will allow you to see if you're happy with the shades. If adjustments are needed, you can add more water to lighten the shade or more paint to darken it.

Paint Your Invitations:

Now, you're ready to paint your invitations! Start with the darkest shade at the bottom, followed by the medium shade, and then the lightest shade at the top. Embrace the subtle differences that will make each invitation unique.

Embellish and Personalise:

You can further embellish your invitations by painting designs or adding calligraphy. For example, you could paint the letters "RSVP" using the medium shade of watercolour or mix it up with different colours. Get creative and add your personal touch!

Dry and Flatten:

Remember to allow sufficient drying time for your invitations. If your paper curls during the painting process, don't worry! You can stack the papers under heavy books or bricks for a week to flatten them out. If you're short on time, gently ironing them can also do the trick.

Creating a watercolour ombre effect is a fun and easy way to add a special touch to your wedding invitations. Each invitation will have its own unique character, and your guests will surely be impressed by your artistic flair!

Adding text and design

First, cut your watercolour paper to fit your desired size and shape. Then, print your chosen text onto the paper. You can download fancy fonts from sites like dafont.com or Google Fonts. Edit the wording and format the font sizes and text margins to fit your paper dimensions. You can make PDF files with multiple invitations per page to save paper.

If you want to add a special touch, consider painting lines around the text with watercolour paint. Use a small amount of paint and add a little movement to the brush strokes. You can also create an ombre effect by mixing different amounts of paint and water. Test out your colours on a separate sheet of paper and let it dry to make sure you're happy with the shades.

Remember, less is more with watercolour, so tap your brush on the edge of the dish to remove any excess paint before you start painting.

Assembling the invitation

Now that you have your design, paper, and envelopes, it's time to assemble your watercolour wedding invitation. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Cut the watercolour paper to size: Using a heavy-duty paper cutter, cut the watercolour paper into 8.5" x 11" sheets. This size will fit most home printers. You will also need to cut the paper to the appropriate size for your invitation card, RSVP card, and details card. The standard sizes for these are:

• Invitation card: 5" x 7"
• RSVP card and details card: 3.5" x 5"

• Test your printer: Before printing a large batch, it's important to test your printer to see if it can handle the heavy watercolour paper. Print a test page on a single sheet of watercolour paper to ensure that the printer can handle the weight and that the ink does not smear.
• Print your invitations: Once you are satisfied with the test print, you can proceed to print your invitations. Remember to use the correct paper for the invitation card and insert cards, as specified in the previous steps. Create PDF files with 2 invitations per regular 8.5" x 11" page and 4 insert cards per page to optimise paper usage.
• Cut the invitations and insert cards to size: After printing, use the paper cutter to cut the invitations and insert cards to their final sizes, as specified in the first step.
• Paint your design: Now comes the fun part—adding your watercolour design! Be careful not to use too much water, as this can cause the paper to warp. Refer to the previous steps on creating an ombre effect or simple watercolour designs. Allow the paint to dry completely before handling or stacking the invitations.
• Optional map insert: If you wish to include a location map, you can draw a 5" x 7" map by hand and scan it at your local library or using a home scanner. Print the map onto vellum paper, which adds a delicate touch to your invitation suite.
• Address and stamp envelopes: Using a calligraphy pen and ink, carefully address the envelopes for your invitations. Allow the ink to dry completely, and then treat the envelopes with hairspray to prevent smearing. Affix pretty stamps from your local post office, and you're almost ready to send them off!
• Assemble and mail: Place the invitation, map (if included), RSVP card, RSVP envelope, and details card inside the main envelope. You may need additional postage for thicker invitations or those being mailed internationally.

Your watercolour wedding invitations are now ready to be sent out to your guests! This project requires some time and effort, but the result is a unique and personalised invitation that your guests will surely admire.

Frequently asked questions