Crafting Wedding Invitation Folders: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and stressful time, so it's no surprise that many couples are choosing to design and create their own wedding invitations. Making your own invitations is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to create a wedding invitation folder, from choosing the right materials to adding the perfect finishing touches. We'll also explore some of the latest trends in wedding invitation design and provide tips on how to create a cohesive wedding stationery suite that reflects your unique style and theme.

Choosing a design

When it comes to choosing a design for your wedding invitation folder, the options are endless. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect design:

Shape and Dimensions

The first step in designing your wedding invitation folder is deciding on the layout and dimensions. Traditionally, wedding invitations are rectangular, with dimensions of 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. This classic option can also help keep printing costs down. However, if you want to break away from tradition, other popular styles include horizontal rectangles and scalloped designs.

Location and Theme

The location of your wedding can be a great source of inspiration for your invitation folder design. For example, if you're getting married in a church, you may want to go for a romantic and elegant aesthetic. On the other hand, a rustic and natural look would suit a country or farm setting. Think about the overall theme of your wedding, whether it's rustic charm, modern sophistication, or something else entirely, and carry that through to your invitations.

Fonts and Typography

The font you choose for your wedding invitation folder can have a significant impact on the overall design. Avoid bold, blocky fonts, as they can appear too harsh. Instead, opt for cursive or calligraphy fonts, which are soft, romantic, and elegant. You can also pair these with a serif font for the rest of the text. Play around with different fonts and see which combination suits your style best.

Imagery and Personalisation

Using a photo of the happy couple is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your invitation folder. It gives your guests a glimpse into your relationship and can be a beautiful keepsake. If you don't want to use a photo, consider incorporating other personal elements, such as a shared hobby or interest, or even some inside jokes that are special to you as a couple.

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme you choose will set the tone for your wedding invitation folder. Consider the wedding's theme, location, and your personal style when selecting a colour palette. If you're having an outdoor ceremony, green is a popular choice, as it's associated with new beginnings. You can pair it with colours like rust or gold for a luxurious look. Don't be afraid to experiment with different shades of the same colour to add depth to your design.

Delivery Method

Finally, consider how you will deliver your invitation folders to your guests. You can opt for traditional postal mail, which allows for a more tangible and memorable experience. Alternatively, you can go for virtual e-vites or create a mini website for your wedding invitations, which is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

Adding personal touches

Choose a meaningful design

Select a design that reflects your interests, hobbies, or how you met. For instance, if you're both avid travellers, consider a travel-themed invitation with a small calligraphed globe or map. You could also incorporate illustrations of your pets, your new home, or even your favourite TV shows or Netflix series.

Include photos

Using photos of the happy couple is a great way to add a personal touch and give your invites a keepsake feel. You could also use photos of your guests on Polaroid-style cardstock for a fun, personal touch.

Add quotes

Incorporate quotes about love from your favourite films, TV shows, or books onto your invitations or place settings. This adds a thoughtful, intimate detail that your guests will appreciate.

Create a custom crest

Work with a designer to create a custom crest that includes your initials, the date of your wedding, and other meaningful details. You can then use this crest on your invitations, welcome signs, and other wedding stationery for a cohesive look.

Use meaningful colours

Choose colours that are significant to you. Perhaps you want to incorporate your favourite colours or the colours of your favourite sports team. You could also use colours that reflect the place you grew up or where you're getting married.

Add a personal item

Include a small, meaningful item with your invitation, such as a room spray in a modern, minimalist bottle or a personalised keychain. This gives your guests a memento of your special day.

Incorporate your culture

If you're having a traditional wedding or want to honour your cultural heritage, consider adding cultural touches to your invitations. For example, custom traditional Jewish yarmulkes or Indian wedding invitations with intricate details can be a beautiful way to incorporate your culture.

Selecting paper type

Selecting the right paper for your wedding invitation is crucial as it sets the tone and gives your guests a glimpse of what to expect at your wedding. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the paper type for your wedding invitation folder:

Paper Weight and Thickness

The weight and thickness of the paper impact its durability and luxurious feel. Opting for thick, heavy card stock or cover stock gives your invitation a more premium and elegant feel. The standard weight for cover stock is 120 pounds, but you can also choose thicker options, such as the 300 GSM or 500 GSM paper offered by Paperlust.

Paper Finish

The finish of the paper adds to the overall aesthetic of your invitation. A smooth matte finish is a popular choice for brides, offering a simple yet elegant look. You can also explore finishes like satin, silk, glossy, or linen, which adds a subtle texture to the paper. If you want something more unique, consider a pearlescent finish for a subtle shimmer or opt for recycled paper with a rustic, handmade feel.

Paper Colour

The colour of the paper can enhance the overall design of your invitation. White or off-white paper is classic and versatile, allowing for easy printing and customisation. However, if you want to add a splash of colour, consider Paperlust's coloured card stock options in shades like cobalt, aqua, black, navy, green, violet, or burgundy. You can also explore their specialty print paper, which includes options like blush, linen, metallic, and matt.

Printing Compatibility

When selecting a paper type, consider the printing technique you plan to use. Some papers may be better suited for certain printing methods. For instance, if you want to showcase photography or colourful designs, opt for paper that absorbs ink well, like cotton paper. On the other hand, if you're considering foil stamping or thermography, keep in mind that these techniques may have limitations with certain paper types, such as acrylic or vellum.

Budget

Finally, your budget will play a significant role in determining the paper type for your wedding invitation folder. Some paper options, like cotton fibre or specialty prints from Europe and Japan, tend to be more costly. If you're working with a tighter budget, consider more affordable options like recycled paper or standard card stock, and focus on limited embellishments to keep costs down.

Printing and packaging

Printing Options:

• DIY Printing: You can design and print your wedding invitations at home using online templates or design software. This option offers flexibility and creativity but may require more time and effort.
• Professional Printing Services: Companies like Cards & Pockets, Greetings Island, VistaPrint, and Etsy offer custom printing services for wedding invitations. They provide a variety of paper types, finishes, and printing techniques to ensure your invitations look elegant and sophisticated.

Packaging and Presentation:

• Envelopes: Envelopes add a professional and elegant touch to your wedding invitations. Choose envelopes that complement the theme and aesthetic of your invitations. Consider adding extras such as embossed seals or customised monograms.
• Folders and Folios: For a luxurious feel, presentation folders or folios can hold your invitation and any additional cards, such as RSVP cards and envelopes. These can be customised with materials like silk, velvet, linen, or vegan leather and embellished with brooches, ribbons, or foil stamping.
• Boxes: For an extra-special touch, present your invitations in boxes. These can be customised with colours, ribbons, or flowers to match your wedding theme.
• Online RSVPs: Consider including a QR code on your invitations to allow guests to respond digitally, reducing the need for physical RSVP cards.

Remember to plan the packaging and presentation of your invitations to ensure they arrive safely and create a lasting impression on your guests.

Envelope and postage

When it comes to wedding invitation folders, the envelope is an important part of the overall presentation. It is worth considering envelopes that fit the theme and aesthetic of your invites, and adding an embossed seal for an extra special touch.

If you are sending your invitations by post, you will need to consider the postage. The weight of the paper and the size of the envelope will determine the cost of the postage. Thicker stocks tend to feel more substantial and luxurious, while lighter stocks may have a more delicate feel. You will also need to consider the shape of your invitation – a non-standard shape may require additional postage.

If you are sending your invitations internationally, you will need to allow for additional postage costs. It is recommended that you send invitations 3 months in advance for a destination wedding to account for potential delays.

You can also add a personal touch to your envelopes by addressing them yourself. This can be time-consuming but is a nice way to make your invitations feel more special. Alternatively, you can use a printed address label or a custom stamp with your return address.

Finally, don't forget to include the correct postage! You don't want your invitations to be delayed or returned due to insufficient postage.

Frequently asked questions