Crafting A Wedding Newsletter: A Guide To Getting Started

Wedding newsletters are a fun and creative way to share your love story with your guests. Whether it's through email or print, a wedding newsletter is a unique way to inform your guests about your big day. From save-the-dates to orders of service, there are many ways to use a wedding newsletter to build excitement for your wedding. In this guide, we will cover everything from choosing the right format and design to including personal touches that will make your newsletter stand out. We will also provide tips on how to distribute your newsletter and examples of what to include, so you can create a memorable keepsake for your guests.

Choosing a format: mini, tabloid, or broadsheet

Choosing a format for your wedding newsletter is an important step in the process. There are three different sizes to choose from: mini, tabloid, or broadsheet. Each has its own advantages and can be used depending on the purpose of your newsletter.

Mini newsletters are a great option if you want something compact and easy to carry. They are the smallest size available and can be easily distributed to your guests. If you plan on including a lot of content, such as detailed schedules or maps, a mini newsletter might not be the best choice as it may become cluttered or difficult to read.

Tabloid newsletters are the most popular format for wedding newsletters. They offer a good balance between size and readability. This format provides enough space to include all the necessary information, such as schedules, menus, and directions, without being too bulky. It's a great option if you want to include a variety of content and still have a newsletter that is easy to handle.

Broadsheet newsletters are the largest format available. They offer a spacious layout that can accommodate a significant amount of content. If you have a lot of information to convey or want to include large images or detailed maps, a broadsheet newsletter might be the best choice. However, keep in mind that this format may be more challenging to distribute and store due to its larger size.

When deciding on the format, consider the amount of content you want to include, the readability, and the ease of distribution. Ordering a sample pack can be helpful to compare the different sizes and choose the one that best suits your needs. Remember, each size can be used effectively, depending on your specific requirements and preferences.

Using a template or designing from scratch

There are many ways to create a wedding newsletter. You can use a template, design it yourself, or hire a professional designer. If you want to design it yourself, you can use a blank template or a themed template. Blank templates give you complete freedom to design your newsletter from scratch, whereas themed templates provide a layout that you can customise with your own images and text.

If you want a template, you can choose from a variety of free and premium options. Free templates are available for different software, including InDesign, Scribus, and Canva. Themed templates for Canva are available for the tabloid size. You can also purchase templates from Etsy or hire a professional designer.

When designing your newsletter, consider the following:

• Resize your images to fit the template.
• Use the zoom slider to get a closer look at your design and make small adjustments.
• Use the grid view to see all your pages at once.
• Group elements together to move them simultaneously and lock elements to avoid unintentional changes.
• Use the "Position" tool to align your photos and text or bring them forward/backward.
• Stick to a colour palette to maintain consistency in your design.

If you're designing with a partner or friends, you can collaborate by sharing a link to edit. However, remember that any changes are saved automatically, so keep a duplicate private copy to avoid overwriting your work.

Adding personal touches

Share Your Love Story

Create a section in your newsletter dedicated to sharing your love story with your guests. This could include how you met, memorable moments in your relationship, and any travels or adventures you've been on together. You could even include a customised crossword puzzle with clues related to your relationship for your guests to enjoy.

Get Creative with Design

Incorporate your personality into the design of your newsletter. Use a unique layout, add illustrations or sketches, and play with colours and fonts to create a newsletter that reflects your style. If you have a wedding theme, carry this through to your newsletter design. For example, if you're having a seaside-themed wedding, use coastal colours and illustrations in your newsletter.

Include Engagement Photos

Catch your guests' attention by including engagement photos in your newsletter. This is a great way to showcase your happiness and excitement in the lead-up to your big day. You could even create a timeline of your relationship, from the day you met to your engagement and upcoming wedding.

Personalised Content

Add content to your newsletter that is meaningful to you and your partner. This could include a playlist of songs that are special to you, your favourite recipes or dishes, or even a fun fact sheet about each other. If you have a shared hobby or interest, find a way to incorporate it into the newsletter.

Thank Your Guests

Use your newsletter as an opportunity to express your gratitude to your guests for being a part of your special day. Include a personalised welcome note or letter, thanking them for their love and support. You could even add a fun fact or anecdote about each guest to show how much they mean to you.

Customise with Monograms

Monograms are a classy way to personalise your newsletter. Create a joint monogram with your partner's first initial and yours, symbolising the two of you becoming one. You can use this monogram throughout your newsletter design, adding a consistent and elegant personal touch.

Including a welcome note and photos

A wedding newsletter is an excellent way to share your love story with family and friends. It can be a creative, fun, and witty way to give your guests all the information they need while also building joyful anticipation for your big day.

Welcome Note:

• Start with a warm and captivating greeting: Welcome your guests with a heartfelt message that reflects your personalities and sets the tone for the event. Thank them for their presence and support, and express your excitement for celebrating your special day with them. For example: "Welcome, family and friends! We're excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you."
• Include an introduction and overview: Let guests know what to expect from your newsletter and your wedding website. You can briefly mention the different sections or topics they can explore, such as the wedding itinerary, travel accommodations, and recommendations for things to do in the area.
• Add a personal touch: Inject your own style and voice into the welcome note. Whether it's a funny anecdote, a sentimental message, or a creative theme, make sure it represents you as a couple.
• Provide key details: While you don't need to include all the information in the welcome note, highlight a few important details such as the wedding date, location, and any special events or activities.
• Sign-off with a reminder and thank-you: End your welcome note with a friendly reminder about the wedding date and a heartfelt thank-you for your guests' love and support. You can also include your names or initials in the closing.

Photos:

• Engagement photos: Include some of your favourite engagement photos to give your newsletter a personal touch. These photos can showcase your love and happiness, adding a romantic element to your newsletter.
• Wedding venue and location: Consider adding photos of the wedding venue and surrounding area, especially if it holds a special meaning for you. This can build excitement and give guests a visual idea of what to expect.
• Wedding party: Share photos of the bridal party or close family members who will be standing by your side on the big day. Introduce them to your guests and let them know why you chose these special people to be a part of your celebration.
• Love story and proposal: If you have a "omonimaOur Story" section on your website, you can include photos that illustrate your relationship journey, from how you met to the proposal. These photos can make your newsletter more engaging and allow guests to connect with your story.
• Recommendations and activities: If you're suggesting things to do and places to visit in the area, enhance this section with visually appealing photos. For example, recommend a fun brewery or a beautiful park by including inviting images that will entice your guests to explore.

Creating a QR code

Firstly, you need to decide what you want your QR code to link to. This could be a Google Map of the wedding venue and local area, a Spotify playlist, or your wedding website. You could even create a custom map using Google's My Maps feature, which allows you to add places to your map.

Once you have the link, you can use a free QR code generator such as Adobe Express or QR Code Generator. Simply enter the URL into the generator and download your QR code. You can also customise the style and colour of your QR code to match your wedding theme or stationery.

Finally, test your QR code to make sure it works. You can do this by opening the camera app on your smartphone and holding it over the QR code. A notification should pop up, and you can tap this to make sure it directs you to the correct place.

And that's it! You now have a QR code to include on your wedding newsletter.

Frequently asked questions