Creating Wedding Invitation Cards: A Diy Guide

Wedding invitation cards can be expensive, so it's worth considering making them at home. There are plenty of downloadable templates available online, and customising them yourself can save you a lot of money. You can choose from a range of themes, from rustic to minimalist, and add your own creative touches, such as photos, fonts and colours. You can also print them at home or send them to a printing service.

Choosing a template and customising the design

There are many online platforms that offer a wide range of wedding invitation templates that can be customised to your liking. Canva, for example, offers hundreds of editable designs suitable for any wedding theme. Greetings Island also offers a variety of free and premium invitation templates that can be customised with different fonts, colours, stickers, and photos. Basic Invite has over 1,200 design templates with more than 160 colour options and over 100 distinctive fonts.

When choosing a template, it is important to consider the style and theme of your wedding. Do you want something simple and elegant, or bold and colourful? Perhaps a watercolour motif? It is helpful to create a Pinterest board as a mood board to identify your style and narrow down your options.

Once you have chosen a template, you can start customising the design. This may include changing the font or colour scheme, adding personal photos, or including wedding details such as the date, time, and location. If you are printing the invitations yourself, be sure to select a high-quality paper type and consider the ink usage, as this can impact the overall cost.

If you are unsure about customising the template yourself, many platforms offer the option to have a designer make the changes for you. This typically comes at an additional cost but can ensure a professional-looking invitation.

Selecting the right paper and printing options

Choosing the Right Paper:

• Paper Weight: The weight of the paper, measured in pounds or "lb", determines the thickness and sturdiness of the cardstock. For home printing, 80-90 lb cardstock is recommended as it can easily go through most desktop printers. Heavier weights like 100 lb or 110-130 lb cardstock can be used but may require testing to ensure your printer can handle the thickness without issues.
• Paper Texture: Adding texture to your invitations can enhance their visual appeal and hide printing imperfections. Linen cardstock, for instance, has a delicate woven texture that adds interest to simple invitations. You can also try cotton cardstock, which has a smooth feel and is highly absorbent, making it suitable for both laser and inkjet printing.
• Paper Colour: Opting for coloured cardstock instead of plain white can add a fun and cohesive look to your invitations. You can choose colours that match your wedding theme or opt for elegant options like pearlescent paper, which has a shimmery finish.
• Paper Finish: If you want to include illustrations or photographs on your invitations, consider using a linen finish or cotton cardstock, which can make the images pop. Avoid overly glossy finishes as they may affect the print quality.
• Paper Source: When selecting a paper source, consider buying from specialty stationery stores or print shops. These stores often have a wide variety of paper options and can provide guidance on choosing the right weight and texture for your printing method.
• Testing: Before purchasing large quantities, test different paper samples on your printer to ensure compatibility and the desired print quality.

Printing Options:

• Home Printing: Printing your invitations at home offers convenience and cost savings. However, it's important to consider the limitations of your printer, such as paper thickness and ink type. Test different print settings and use high-quality ink to achieve the best results.
• Professional Printing: If you want to explore more intricate designs or require higher quantities, consider using a professional printing service. Services like Minted, Shutterfly, and Zazzle offer affordable invitation templates and printing options. Alternatively, local print shops like Kinko's or FedEx Office can provide professional-quality prints at a fraction of the cost.
• File Format: Ensure your invitation file is in the correct format for printing. PDF files generally offer higher print quality than JPEGs, but confirm the file requirements with your chosen printing method.
• Ink Usage: Be mindful of ink usage, especially if you're printing at home. Designs with large areas of colour or white text on a coloured background can use a significant amount of ink. Consider designs with more white space to optimise ink usage.
• Computer and Printer Calibration: Calibrate your computer screen and printer to ensure that the colours on your screen accurately represent the final printed output. Test print and adjust settings as needed to achieve the desired colours.

Adding personal touches with photos, fonts and colours

Adding personal touches to your wedding invitation is a great way to make your invite unique and special. Here are some tips on how to add personal touches with photos, fonts, and colours:

Photos

Including a photo on your wedding invitation is a wonderful way to make it more personal and memorable. You can choose to upload your own photos or select from stock images, icons, and designs to add to your invitation. If you want to feature a photo, consider using a template that allows you to overlay text on the image or incorporate a creative layout that showcases the photo.

Fonts

The font you choose for your wedding invitation can help set the tone and style of your event. Consider selecting a font that aligns with your wedding theme and accessories. There are various font styles to choose from, including script fonts, serif fonts, and sans-serif fonts. Script fonts have a formal and traditional feel with flourishes and swooshes, while serif fonts offer better legibility with their extra "feet". Sans-serif fonts are clean and modern, making them an excellent choice for digital invitations. Play around with different font combinations to see which styles complement each other.

Colours

Colour plays a crucial role in setting the mood and aesthetic of your wedding invitation. Consider choosing colours that reflect your wedding theme or the overall atmosphere you want to create. If you're going for a simple and elegant look, stick to a neutral colour palette or add a pop of colour to make it bold and playful. You can also incorporate watercolour motifs or colourful backgrounds, but keep in mind that this may increase your ink usage.

When selecting colours, it's important to ensure that there is enough contrast between the text and the background to make the invitation easy to read. You can also use coloured envelopes or envelope liners to add a touch of colour to your invitation suite.

By combining meaningful photos, carefully selected fonts, and a thoughtful colour palette, you can create a wedding invitation that truly reflects your personal style and sets the tone for your big day.

Including essential information and wording

The wording and information included in your wedding invitation are crucial, ensuring your guests have all the details they need for your big day. Here is a breakdown of the essential elements to include:

The Host Line

The opening line of a wedding invitation typically names the hosts or those covering the wedding expenses. Traditionally, this would be the bride's parents, but nowadays, it could be the groom's parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of both sets of parents. If you're going for a more casual vibe, you can omit this line if the couple is hosting. Here are some examples:

• "Mr. & Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim."
• "Together with their families, Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne request the honor of your company at the celebration of their union."
• "We're getting married, please join us."

The Attendance Request

This is where you let your guests know they are invited to your wedding and can start their happy dance! You can be creative and fun with this line, reflecting your personality as a couple. Here are some ideas:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested."
• "Would love for you to join them."
• "Come party with us."
• "Join us as we get hitched."

The Couple's Names

The names of the happy couple usually follow the attendance request and are often displayed in larger, fancy text. Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's, using her first and middle names and the groom's full name and title. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order that sounds better. Here are some examples:

• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim."
• "Emily and Zara."
• "Chloe Marie Sinclair and Matthew James Denton."

Date and Time

The date and time of your wedding should be included, usually written out in full for formal invitations and using numerals for modern or casual invites. Be sure to spell out "o'clock" and include am or pm to avoid confusion. For example:

• "Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon."
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon."

Location

Provide the name and full address of your wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, include the country as well. You can also include the street address if there is a possibility of confusion or if the wedding is at the host's home. Here's how it could look:

• "Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington."
• "Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport, California."

Reception Information

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "reception to follow." Otherwise, include the reception location and time if it's not immediately after the ceremony. Very formal invitations may include this information on a separate card. Here are some options:

• "Reception immediately following at [venue name and address]."
• "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow."

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for your guests. It is usually mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite. Here are some ways to indicate the attire:

• "Black-tie required."
• "Black-tie optional."
• "Cocktail attire."

RSVP Details

Most couples include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return, or you can direct them to your wedding website for online RSVPs. Be sure to include the RSVP deadline to help with your planning. Here are some ideas:

• "Please respond by [date]."
• "Kindly reply by the third of June."
• "The favour of a reply is requested by the first of May."

Remember, the wording should reflect your personality as a couple and the style of your wedding. Feel free to add creative touches, but ensure you cover the essential information listed above. Happy crafting!

Assembling and sending the invitations

Once you have designed your wedding invitations, it's time to assemble and send them out. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:

Assembling the Invitations:

• Set up your workspace: Gather all the supplies you need, including the printed invitations, envelopes, and any other inserts or embellishments.
• Cut the invitations: If you have printed your invitations on a larger paper, use a paper cutter with a sharp blade to cut them down to size. This will ensure you have clean, straight edges.
• Add any embellishments: If you plan to include layers, envelope liners, or other decorative touches, use glue dots or double-stick tape for a neat and secure finish.
• Insert the invitations into the envelopes: Make sure the invitations fit comfortably inside the envelopes, with a little room to spare.
• Seal the envelopes: You can seal the envelopes with a dampened flap, wax seal, or sticker. If you want to add a decorative touch, consider using a custom wax seal stamp or a personalised sticker.

Sending the Invitations:

• Weigh the assembled invitation: Take a complete invitation (with all inserts and embellishments) to your local post office to have it weighed. The weight and size of the envelope will determine the postage cost.
• Calculate postage: Depending on your location, you may need to purchase stamps or use a postage meter to apply the correct postage to each envelope.
• Address the envelopes: Write the recipient's address on the front of the envelope and your address in the upper left corner on the back of the envelope. This will ensure that any invitations that cannot be delivered will be returned to you.
• Add postage: Attach the appropriate postage to the upper right corner of the envelope.
• Mail the invitations: Drop off your assembled and addressed invitations at your local post office. You can also request hand-cancelling to avoid any potential damage during processing.

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and RSVP. If you're planning a destination wedding or have guests coming from afar, you may want to send out your invitations even earlier, around the eight-to-twelve-week mark.

Frequently asked questions