Crafting Unique Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitations are one of the first ways to get your guests excited about your big day. From creative DIY invitations to professional stationery designs, there are endless ways to make your wedding invitations stand out. Whether you're looking for elegant simplicity, bold colours, or unique personal touches, crafting the perfect wedding invitation can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this guide, we'll explore different ideas, tips, and tricks to help you create amazing wedding invitations that will impress your guests and set the tone for your celebration.

Customise with stamps, ribbons, creative edging, calligraphy, and watercolour

Adding some creative flair to your wedding invitations is a great way to wow your guests and get them excited for the celebration to come. Here are some ways to customise your wedding invitations with stamps, ribbons, creative edging, calligraphy, and watercolour:

Stamps

Custom rubber stamps are a great way to add a personalised touch to your wedding invitations. You can use them to make your invitations or add a return address to the envelopes. Choose from a variety of designs, such as script addresses, monograms, or whimsical themes. Stamps are a budget-friendly option that will make your invitations stand out.

Ribbons

Adding a ribbon to your wedding invitation is a gorgeous extra touch. It can also be functional, keeping together other elements such as travel information and RSVP cards. You can also add a little tag for an extra-special feel. If you're going for a rustic look, try twine and a custom kraft paper tag instead.

Creative Edging

Get creative with the edges of your invitations using a special punch or stamp cutter. These tools come in various sizes and designs and are available at craft stores and online. With a steady hand and a bit of time, you can create fancy corners or edges that will make your invitations unique.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a beautiful and traditional way to address your wedding invitations. It adds an elegant, formal look to your stationery. If you're feeling crafty, you can try your hand at calligraphy by taking a class or following online tutorials. Otherwise, consider hiring a professional calligrapher to elevate your invitations.

Watercolour

Watercolour invitations are a stunning choice, especially if you're going for a creative or artsy theme. You can print simple invitations on watercolour paper and add a watercolour wash for an elegant, handmade effect. For a winter or winery wedding, consider navy blue watercolour envelopes with light blue watercolour paper for the text. You can also add gold or silver foil for a touch of glamour.

Use gold foil, watercolour, textured paper, pins, and string

Gold foil, watercolour, textured paper, pins, and string can be used in a variety of ways to create amazing wedding invitations. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Gold Foil

Gold foil is an excellent way to add elegance and luxury to your wedding invitations. You can choose to foil stamp specific elements, such as the text or design details, or go for a more sparse and scattered approach. Foil comes in various colours, including gold, silver, rose gold, bronze, and black, allowing you to match any theme or aesthetic. Consider using gold foil to frame your photo or pair it with foil-pressed text for an elegant contrast.

Watercolour

A watercolour wash can give your wedding invitations an artistic and expensive look. Print your invitations on watercolour paper and add a watercolour background or wash. You can also paint the background with watercolours, creating a unique and individual look for each invitation while keeping the same colours and placement.

Textured Paper

Printing or writing your invitations on textured paper adds a handmade feel and elevates the overall design. Look for paper with a luxurious texture, such as a rich creamy cotton texture or a paper that showcases its unique fibre pattern. Textured paper is also a great choice if you want to include hand-drawn or painted elements, such as greenery or flowers.

Pins and String

If your wedding invitation consists of multiple sheets of paper, you can use pins or string to keep them together. Gold, silver, or rose gold pins can be used to fasten the corners, adding a professional finish. Alternatively, hand-tied string or ribbon can be used to secure the papers together, with the added benefit of a rustic or handmade touch.

Combining Elements

You can also combine these elements to create truly unique and amazing wedding invitations. For example, you could use gold foil on textured paper, adding a touch of glamour to the invitation's texture. Or, pair watercolour with string or ribbon for a soft, rustic look. The possibilities are endless!

Design with Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Etsy templates

Adobe InDesign is a powerful tool for creating beautiful and elegant wedding invitations. The software offers a wide range of customisation options, allowing you to choose from three standard wedding invitation sizes: large, medium, and small. Each size can be set up with custom page dimensions in InDesign, ensuring your invitation fits snugly into a standard-sized envelope.

InDesign also provides an extensive library of typefaces, including decorative and ornamental fonts perfect for creating formal, vintage-inspired, or kitsch invitations. The program's typography features and state-of-the-art design environment empower you to craft ornate and unique invitations.

For those seeking a more accessible option, Canva offers free, printable wedding invitation templates that are easy to personalise and customise. With hundreds of editable designs, you can choose a style that reflects your wedding theme, whether it's rustic, modern, or minimalist. Canva also allows you to include photos of the happy couple on the invite, adding a personal touch.

If you're short on time but still want a unique design, Etsy offers a vast collection of wedding invitation templates created by independent sellers. From elegant acrylic invitations to rustic letterpress designs, you're sure to find a template that suits your style. Many sellers provide customisation options, ensuring your invitations are truly personalised.

Whether you choose to design your invitations with Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Etsy templates, you'll be able to create stunning and memorable wedding invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Assemble with glue dots, double-stick tape, and envelopes

When it comes to assembling your wedding invitations, glue dots and double-sided tape are your best friends. These adhesives will make the process easier and help you achieve a neat and professional finish. Here are some tips and steps to guide you through the assembly process using glue dots and double-stick tape:

Prepare the Materials:

• Gather your wedding invitations, envelopes, glue dots, and double-sided tape. You can purchase these supplies from craft stores or online. It is recommended to have about 10% more supplies than you need in case of mistakes.
• If you have created your invitations with multiple layers or inserts, such as RSVP cards, make sure you have all the components ready.

Using Glue Dots and Double-Sided Tape:

• Glue dots are perfect for securing layers or adding envelope liners. They provide a strong bond and give you some flexibility if you need to make adjustments.
• Double-sided tape is ideal for attaching invitations to backing boards or for sealing envelopes. It creates a neat and invisible bond.
• When using glue dots or double-stick tape, apply a small amount to the corners or edges of the invitation or envelope liner.
• If you're using a backing board, consider using glue dots in the centre of the board to provide extra support.

Assembling the Invitations:

• Start by placing your invitation base on a flat surface. This could be your main invitation card or a backing board if you're using one.
• If you're using a backing board, attach your invitation card to it using double-sided tape. Ensure the invitation is centred and secured firmly.
• If you have any additional layers, such as vellum overlays or belly bands, use glue dots to attach them carefully.
• For envelope liners, apply glue dots along the edges of the liner and secure it inside the envelope. Make sure the liner is centred and fits well within the envelope.
• You can also use glue dots to attach any additional inserts, such as RSVP cards or information sheets, to the main invitation.
• Once you're happy with the assembly, insert your invitation suite into the envelope.

Final Steps:

• Seal the envelopes using double-sided tape or glue dots. Ensure the adhesive you choose is strong enough to keep the envelope closed during transit.
• If you have a large number of invitations, consider investing in an envelope moistener or a sealing sponge for quicker and easier sealing.
• Before sending out your invitations, weigh a fully assembled invitation at the post office to determine the correct postage. The weight and size of the invitation will impact the postage cost.
• Consider hand-cancelling your invitations to avoid potential ripping or damage during transit. You can request this service at the post office when purchasing postage.

Finalise with wax seals, vellum jackets, and envelope inserts

Now for the fun part—finalising your wedding invitations with wax seals, vellum jackets, and envelope inserts. These special touches will elevate your invitations and give them a luxurious, elegant feel.

Wax Seals

Add a touch of olde worlde luxe to your wedding invitations with a wax seal. You can find wax seals in specialist paper or craft stores, as well as on Etsy. Practise makes perfect with wax seals, so take some time to get comfortable with the process before you seal all your invitations. You can also experiment with different types of wax, such as vellum wax, which has a semi-transparent look. Vellum wax requires more wax per impression and has a longer heating time than traditional wax. You can decorate your wax seals with gold ink or powder, dried flowers, or even stickers.

Vellum Jackets

Vellum jackets are a great way to make your homemade wedding invitations look professional and elegant. These translucent jackets add a soft aesthetic to your invitations and allow you to experiment with different envelope colours and paper types. You can find pre-folded vellum jackets on Etsy, or you can fold them yourself to ensure a perfect fit for your invitations.

Envelope Inserts

Personalising your envelope inserts is a great way to add a special touch to your wedding invitations. You can find generic templates online that you can download, print, and cut out yourself. This is an easy and affordable way to add a DIY element to your invitations without having to create everything from scratch.

With these final touches, your wedding invitations are sure to wow your guests and get them excited for your special day!

Frequently asked questions