Creating Classy Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitations are an important part of any couple's big day, offering more than just the time and place of the event. They are an introduction to the celebration and the couple's aesthetic. Whether you're opting for a casual backyard gathering or a glamorous ballroom affair, a classy invitation sets the tone for the wedding. Classy invitations are timeless, transcending time and appealing to any generation. They can include colourful florals, ornate calligraphy, custom crests, and gold leaf accents. This article will explore the different ways to make classy wedding invitations, from choosing the right paper material to adding elegant details.

Use elegant calligraphy

Calligraphy is a timeless art that adds a wow factor to your wedding invitations. It is a traditional style of writing that brings an elegant, formal look to your wedding stationery. It is usually done using a pointed pen, broad-edge pen, chisel-tip pen, or ink brush.

Choose the Right Tools

Having the right tools will help you create professional-looking DIY wedding invitations. You will need Sumi or India ink, a screw-top container to store the ink, a cup of water, laserjet paper, a ruler, an eraser, Nikko G nibs, a non-fibrous cloth, needle-nose pliers, a pencil, and a straight or oblique pen.

Prepare the Materials

Before you start writing, prepare your materials. Put your ink in a screw-top container, and have a cup of water ready in case your ink isn't flowing smoothly. Use laserjet paper for practising your calligraphy skills, and create guidelines with a pencil and ruler to ensure symmetry and proper spacing.

Practise Different Calligraphy Styles

There are different styles of calligraphy to choose from, including modern calligraphy, formal calligraphy, and flourishing calligraphy. Practise these styles using printable calligraphy practice sheets, and watch videos or search for inspiration on Pinterest to improve your skills.

Take Care of Your Calligraphy Pen

To create various calligraphy styles, you'll need different types of nibs and writing techniques. After use, wash your pen holder and nib in lukewarm water and mild soap, and pat them dry with a non-fibrous cloth to prevent rust and damage.

Find Inspiration

Look for inspiration in your wedding venue or local culture. For example, if you're getting married in a forest, consider using a canopy of trees or monstera leaves as a motif. You can also add personal touches, such as your custom crest or the colours that represent your relationship.

Keep it Simple

You don't need elaborate illustrations or bold colours to make a statement. A simple white backdrop with elegant calligraphy can be very effective, especially for vintage or minimalist weddings.

Use the Right Paper

While paper is the usual choice for invitations, consider using acrylic for a striking and unexpected alternative. Acrylic's see-through surface can be adapted to fit any wedding theme, from glitzy soirées to seaside celebrations.

Know When to Hire a Professional

Calligraphy is an art form that takes time and practice to master. If you don't have the time or confidence to do your own calligraphy, consider hiring a professional stationer or calligrapher. They will be able to create beautiful, handmade invitations that will impress your guests.

Opt for a deckle-edge design

If you're looking for a classy wedding invitation design that will never go out of style, a deckle-edge design is an excellent choice. This style features hand-torn paper, resulting in a feathered appearance along the edge of the invitation, adding a touch of luxury and old-world elegance to your wedding stationery.

The deckle-edge design is a modern classic that exudes texture and romance. The hand-torn edges can be paired with a romantic calligraphy font and a modern, minimal layout to create a stylish and elegant invitation suite. The beauty of this design lies in its simplicity, making it ideal for modern or minimalist nuptials.

When opting for a deckle-edge design, you have the flexibility to customise every detail to match your wedding theme and colour palette. You can choose from a variety of ink colours, paper colours, and envelope colours to create a cohesive and personalised invitation suite. Whether you prefer a timeless black and white design or want to incorporate your wedding colours, the options are endless.

To elevate your deckle-edge invitations even further, consider adding some embellishments. From wax seals to envelope liners featuring vintage fine art, these extra touches will make your invitations even more memorable. You can also opt for double-thick paper to give your invitations a luxurious feel and make them stand out even more.

When it comes to the wording on your deckle-edge invitations, you can choose to include a romantic quote, a meaningful verse, or a simple yet elegant message conveying the necessary information. Don't forget to include your return address and guest address on the envelopes for a polished look.

Choose a unique paper shape

When it comes to making classy wedding invitations, choosing a unique paper shape can be a great way to add a touch of creativity and elegance to your design. Here are some ideas and suggestions to consider:

Think outside the rectangle: The first step to making your invitations stand out is to move away from the traditional rectangular shape. Consider opting for a square, circular, or even a more intricate shape like a seal, which will undoubtedly catch your guests' attention. Basic Invite offers a bold new collection of shaped invitation suites, allowing you to stack and layer cards in various combinations to create a truly one-of-a-kind invitation.

Embrace asymmetry: Asymmetrical shapes can be a unique and modern approach to invitation design. Consider a design with a strong diagonal line or an off-centre layout. This approach adds a dynamic element to your invitations and can be especially effective when combined with clever use of white space.

Go for a deckle-edge: For a classy, timeless look, a deckle-edge invitation is an elegant choice. This style features a hand-torn paper edge, resulting in a feathered appearance that befits any type of celebration. For a modern or minimalist wedding, pair the deckle-edge with a neutral background and cursive writing in black.

Play with layers: Layering is an excellent way to add depth and dimension to your invitations. Consider using multiple layers of paper in different shapes and sizes. For instance, a square invitation with a circular cut-out in the centre, revealing a contrasting paper shade or pattern underneath, can be a stunning and unique design choice.

Opt for a unique trim: Adding a unique trim to your invitations is a subtle way to elevate their appearance. Basic Invite offers various paper trim options, such as ticket trim, bracket trim, rounded trim, and square trim. These small details will not go unnoticed by your guests and will showcase the time and energy invested in creating these special invitations.

Consider a fold-out design: A fold-out or book-style invitation is a unique way to present your wedding details. This format allows you to include more information or visuals without cluttering the design. You can play with different folds, such as a bi-fold or tri-fold, and even incorporate cut-outs or windows to add interest.

Remember, the shape of your invitation is just one aspect of its design. Be sure to also consider other elements such as paper type, colour, font, and any additional embellishments to create classy wedding invitations that truly reflect your style and the tone of your special day.

Add gold foil

Gold foil is a great way to add a touch of glamour to your wedding invitations. It can be an expensive addition, but there are ways to do it yourself without breaking the bank. The DIY approach also means you can add your own personal touch to the invitations and make them unique to you.

Firstly, you will need to decide on the design of your invitations and print them onto cardstock. It is recommended to use a heavy-duty cardstock for a more professional finish. You can either print at home or use a professional printer. If you are using gold foil, it is important to use a coated cardstock, as paper that is too porous will not transfer the gold foil cleanly. You will also need a laser printer, as gold foil will not stick to inkjet ink. If you don't have a laser printer, you can send your design to a printing centre or photocopy your design onto cardstock.

Next, you will need to gather your materials. As well as your printed invitations and cardstock, you will need gold foil and glue. You can buy gold foil in sheets or on a roll, and a roll is often a more cost-effective option. You will also need a laminating machine to apply the gold foil. It is important to ensure that the laminator uses heat, as cold lamination will not work for this project.

Now you are ready to start adding gold foil to your invitations. Start by applying a light coat of glue to the area where you want the gold foil to go. It is important to only apply glue where you need it to avoid excess glue showing around the edges of the foil. With clean hands, tear off a small piece of gold foil and gently lay it on top of the glue. Smooth out the foil with your fingers, removing any air bubbles, and then use your fingers to remove any excess foil that is not held on by glue. Repeat this process for as many invitations as you need, allowing the glue to dry completely before sending out your invitations.

Gold foil looks best when it has a rustic, chipped look, so don't worry if the edges of the foil are not perfect. In fact, the less perfect they are, the better! This technique can be used to add gold foil to any corner of your invitations, and you can even add gold foil to your envelope liners for an extra special touch.

Include a custom crest

Including a custom crest on your wedding invitations is a stylish way to symbolise your union and mark the start of a new chapter in your lives together. A wedding crest is a symbol that usually includes initials, personal icons and ornate details such as flowers. It can be used throughout your wedding, from the save-the-date cards and invitations to cocktail napkins, signage and party favours.

To design your crest, you can either commission an artist or create it yourself using a template. If you're hiring an artist, you can expect to pay upwards of $500 for a custom design, but this will give you a professional finish and a cohesive look. If you're designing it yourself, you can use a site like Etsy, which offers customisable templates with pre-designed elements.

Pick Your Style: Full-Floral or Icons

You can choose a simple crest with only florals, or include personalised icons such as your pets, hobbies or careers. Many couples opt for a full-floral crest on their stationery and a personalised icon crest for their day-of details.

Choose Your Florals and Colours

If you decide to include florals in your crest, you can match them to your wedding bouquet or the colour palette of your wedding. You can also select a colour scheme that reflects your style, whether it's neutral whites, blush pinks, navy blues or vibrant tropical hues.

Choose Your Monogram Style

Your monogram will be the centrepiece of your crest, so choose a style that you love. You can opt for a single, double or triple-letter monogram. Single-letter monograms are perfect for couples who want to include their shared last initial, while double-letter monograms are great for those who want to include both their first initials. Triple-letter monograms include both first initials and the shared last name initial in the middle. You can also choose between vintage and calligraphy fonts or mix and match for a unique look.

Customise Your Banner Wording

Your banner wording can add a special touch to your crest. You can include your last name, wedding date, the year you met, or any other meaningful phrase or word. You can even add a second banner with different wording to use on your save-the-date cards or invitations.

Order Your Crest Products

Once you've designed your crest, it's time to order your crest products! You can include your crest on your stationery, corn hole boards, cocktail napkins, art prints or any other wedding detail you desire. You can also use it as a logo on your dance floor, stir sticks or even a flag on your getaway boat. The possibilities are endless!

Frequently asked questions