Designing Your Wedding Invitation Booklet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitation booklets are a creative way to invite your guests to your wedding. They are a great option for couples who want to share multiple photos and include detailed information about the wedding. This type of invitation is usually chosen for larger weddings. Invitation booklets can be highly personalised, with options to customise the paper type, photos, fonts, and text. They are a unique way to give your guests a glimpse into your wedding aesthetic and tone.

Choosing a paper type

Choosing the right paper for your wedding invitation booklet is an important step in setting the tone for your big day. Here are some tips and options to consider when selecting the perfect paper type:

Card and Cover Stock

Graphic designer and stationer Joy Scott Montgomery recommends using card stock for wedding invitations. Card stock is a medium to heavyweight paper made from tree pulp or cotton, with a smooth or textured finish. It gives your invitations a luxurious and expensive feel. The weight of card stock can vary, with 80# being suitable for most home printers, while 100# can cause issues in some home printers. For a more professional look, opt for 110# to 130# card stock, which will be the heaviest weight you can print yourself. If you're considering a higher weight, you'll likely need to outsource the printing to a professional printer.

Cotton Fiber

Cotton fiber is the costliest option but offers a super soft, durable, and imperfection-free surface. It absorbs ink exceptionally well, making it ideal for techniques like letterpress and resulting in rich colours. Cotton fiber ages well, giving your invitations a timeless look.

Kraft and Wood-Grain Paper

Kraft and wood-grain paper provide a rustic and on-trend look, perfect for outdoor or DIY-themed weddings. They offer a textured, fibrous look and feel, adding a touch of personalized intimacy to your invitations.

Glassine and Clear Vellum Paper

Glassine and clear vellum paper are classic non-opaque options that provide depth and interest to your invitations. These papers are flexible, translucent, and very thin, allowing you to create borders or mute underlying stock or graphics. However, keep in mind that glue will show through these papers, so consider using grommets or ribbons for assembly.

Parchment

Parchment is a thin, semi-translucent paper with a slight marbled effect. It adds a unique touch to your invitations and layers nicely with vellum or cotton cardstock. Parchment is an excellent choice for spring or small, intimate weddings.

Other Options

Other paper options include felt, which has a unique texture similar to canvas, and simple coloured cardstock, which is incredibly smooth and comes in various colours and weights. You can also find wood grain cardstock with a subtle embossed texture, perfect for accents and enclosure cards.

When choosing your paper type, consider the printing technique you plan to use, your budget, and the overall style and tone you want to convey. Remember to do a test print on your selected paper to ensure it works well with your printer and achieves the desired result.

Adding photos

Choosing the Right Photos:

• Consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding: Choose photos that match the theme and style of your celebration. For example, select formal posed portraits for a black-tie wedding or casual candid shots for a more relaxed event.
• Convey the right message: The photos should reflect the tone and mood of the wedding. For instance, fun, casual shots for a light-hearted celebration or formal portraits for a traditional affair.
• Opt for high-quality images: Ensure the photos are clear, well-lit, in focus, and high-resolution.
• Feature the couple prominently: The happy couple should be the focal point of the photos, avoiding busy or cluttered images.
• Think about the layout: Choose vertical or horizontal photos that work well with the orientation and design of the invitation.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Photos:

• Cut-out shapes: Use craft scissors or a die-cut machine to cut photos into unique shapes, such as hearts or the couple's initials, and attach them to the invitation.
• Overlay: Create a layered effect by placing a transparent overlay with the photo over the text or background of the invitation.
• Polaroid style: Add a white border and a caption to give photos a fun, instant camera feel.
• Filmstrip: Arrange several small photos in a filmstrip layout, with the wedding details included between each image.
• Collage: Create a visually interesting design by arranging multiple photos in a collage.
• Envelope liner: Surprise your guests with a photo envelope liner, adding a unique touch before the invitation is even opened.

Using Microsoft Word:

If you're using Microsoft Word to design your invitations, here are the steps to insert photos:

• Format your invitation document: Before adding photos, format your text by choosing the font, size, colour, and placement.
• Insert a photo: You can insert a photo by copying and pasting, inserting it from a file on your computer, or using Word's clip art.
• Resize and position the photo: Experiment with resizing and positioning your photo to suit your invitation design. You can move and resize the photo by navigating to the "Format Picture" menu and selecting "Layout" and then "Behind Text."

Using a template

To get started, simply select a template that reflects the theme and style of your wedding. You can then customize the template to match your specific requirements. Most templates allow you to edit the text, fonts, colours, and images. You can also upload your own photos and add personal touches to make your invitation booklet unique.

When using a template, it is important to consider the amount of information you need to include in your invitation booklet. Basic information such as the full names of the couple, the date and time of the ceremony and reception, venue details, and RSVP information should be included. You may also want to include additional details such as accommodation options for guests, transport arrangements, or any other relevant information for your guests.

Once you have customized your template and included all the necessary information, you can preview and download your invitation booklet. You can then choose to print it yourself or use a professional printing service offered by some platforms. Some platforms also allow you to share your invitation digitally via email or social media platforms.

Assembly and printing

Booklet wedding invitations are typically bound with two staples directly in the crease of the card. If you're planning on including photos in your invitation, it's recommended to use coated paper.

You can either opt for a classic paper invitation or send digital invites that direct your guests to a wedding website. If you choose to send physical invitations, you can include multiple inserts to inform your guests in style. You can also include RSVP cards with prepaid postage to make it easier for your guests to respond.

When it comes to printing, you can either work with a local stationer or choose a custom design and print the invitations yourself at home. If you're printing at home, make sure you have the right type of paper and printer to achieve the desired look and quality.

Finally, pay attention to the placement of the content on the pages to avoid overlapping with the tab area to the right of the pages.

Mailing

When it comes to mailing your wedding invitation booklets, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider using a service like Postable, which offers custom wedding invitations and will mail them out for you. This can save you time and effort, especially if you have a large number of invitations to send out.

If you prefer to mail the invitations yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you have the correct addresses for all your guests and that you have purchased the correct amount of postage. It is a good idea to weigh your invitation booklets at the post office to ensure you are applying the correct amount of postage. You don't want your invitations to be returned due to insufficient postage.

Consider using a nice envelope that complements the style of your wedding. You could also add a wax seal or a personalised stamp to the envelope for a special touch. If your invitation booklet is thicker or has an unusual shape, you may need to pay extra postage to mail it. Check with your local post office to ensure you have the correct postage amount.

Finally, create a mailing timeline to ensure your invitations are sent out in a timely manner. Aim to mail your wedding invitations at least six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary travel arrangements.

Frequently asked questions