Creating Personalized Pocket Wedding Invitations At Home

Planning a wedding can be expensive, so it's a good idea to save money where you can. One way to do this is to make your own wedding invitations. With the right supplies, you can create beautiful, high-quality invitations on a budget. You can find free invitation templates online, which you can customise with your choice of colours, fonts, and wedding details. You can then print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. To assemble your invitations, you'll need to mount the invitation card to an invitation mat, and then glue it to the pocket. Finally, add your RSVP card and envelope, and any other inserts, before sliding them into the pocket and sealing the mailing envelope.

Choosing a design and printing

When it comes to choosing a design for your DIY pocket wedding invitations, it's important to select something that reflects the style and theme of your wedding. Consider using your wedding colour scheme or incorporating elements that hint at the vibe of your big day, such as rustic, vintage, elegant, or romantic. Cards & Pockets offers a range of free invitation templates that you can customise and download for printing. These templates can be a great starting point if you're unsure about designing from scratch.

If you're feeling creative and want to design your own invitations from the ground up, there are plenty of user-friendly platforms available. For example, The Budget Savvy Bride recommends using Canva, a free online design platform. With Canva, you can choose from a variety of templates, add your wedding details, and customise with your preferred colours, fonts, and other design elements. Once you're happy with your design, you can save your file for printing at home or order prints directly through Canva.

When it comes to printing, you have the option to print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. Printing at home can be cost-effective, especially if you have a good quality printer and the right paper stock. However, if you want to ensure the best possible quality, consider using a professional printer. The Budget Savvy Bride recommends Prints of Love, which offers high-quality and affordable printing with free 2-3 day shipping.

Another option is to use a specialised printing service, such as Cards & Pockets, which can provide custom printing on various materials like envelopes, cards, and vellum. They also offer unique personalisation options, such as printed acrylic for a modern look or laser-cut elements for a luxurious feel. Using a professional printing service can save you time and ensure that your invitations look polished and elegant.

Remember to plan and allow enough time for the printing process, as you may need to do a few test prints to ensure that your invitations look exactly as you envisioned.

Mounting the invitation

Now for the mounting. You will need to mount the invitation card to the invitation mat, and then the whole thing to the pocket. For this part, we recommend using Zip Dry Glue as your adhesive.

Start by running a thin line of glue near the edges of the invitation (about a quarter of an inch away), and a big "X" in the middle. Be careful not to use too much glue – although it dries clear, you don't want it to squish out from under the invite. Center the invitation on the mat carefully and press down lightly along the edges. Don't worry if it's not perfectly centered the first time – it takes some practice!

Repeat this process to glue the mounted invite to the center section of your pocket.

Now, take your pre-printed RSVP card and RSVP envelope, stack them on top of each other (or tuck the RSVP card under the envelope flap), and slide them into the pocket. Make sure your RSVP envelope is already addressed to yourself.

If you have other inserts, such as Directions or Accommodations, stack them neatly behind the RSVP card before tucking them into the pocket.

Finally, fold up your pocket invitation and slide the whole thing into your mailing envelope. Seal the envelope. We recommend using an Envelope Moistener with Adhesive to ensure a secure seal without having to lick every envelope shut.

Inserting RSVP cards and envelopes

Now it's time to insert your RSVP cards and envelopes. You'll want to stack your RSVP card and envelope together, with the card tucked under the envelope flap. If you have other inserts, such as directions or accommodation details, stack these neatly behind the RSVP card. Then, simply slide the whole stack into the pocket of your invitation. Remember to address your RSVP envelope with your address, and consider pre-addressing your mailing envelopes before inserting your invitations if you're matching up RSVP cards to names.

The Cards & Pockets blog recommends using pre-cut RSVP cards, which you can purchase in a 25-pack for $4. They also suggest using a coloured envelope for your RSVP cards, such as their RSVP Envelope in Gumdrop Green, which costs $0.17 to $0.18 each.

If you're looking to save money, you could opt for a smaller pocket, which will be cheaper and will also reduce the weight of your invitation, potentially saving on postage costs. Cards & Pockets offer an A2 Signature Pocket that is a mini version of their standard pocket invitation. Alternatively, you could go for a pocketfold invitation, which is a single piece of card folded into a pocket, which you can then slide into a regular envelope.

When it comes to addressing your envelopes, you might want to consider a custom return address stamp, or a decorative postage stamp. These can add a special touch to your invitations and make them stand out.

Adding extra inserts

When it comes to adding extra inserts to your DIY pocket wedding invitations, the possibilities are endless. You can include a variety of cards with additional information for your guests, such as:

RSVP Card and Envelope:

This is a staple in any invitation suite. You can choose to include blank RSVP cards for guests to fill in their names and the number of attendees, or you can pre-fill the number of seats reserved for them. Don't forget to include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you're opting for traditional postal RSVPs. Alternatively, you can save on postage by using postcard RSVPs.

Wedding Website Card:

Most weddings nowadays have a dedicated website with all the necessary information in one place. Include a "Details" insert card with the URL to your wedding website, encouraging guests to refer to it for more information, especially if not all the wedding details are finalised yet.

Reception Card:

If your reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include a separate reception card with the time, location, and any relevant directions or parking information. If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, you can skip this card and add "reception to follow" to your main invitation.

Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Events Card:

If you're hosting any additional events surrounding the wedding, such as a welcome party or a cocktail hour, include an insert with the date, time, and dress code for each event. This is especially useful for destination weddings, where you can also include travel options and accommodation suggestions.

Directions or Map Card:

A custom map or directions card is a beautiful addition to your invitation suite, especially if you're having a destination wedding. It can include written directions or an illustrated map with key landmarks, parking areas, and entrances.

Attire Card:

If you have specific dress codes for different events or want to suggest appropriate footwear for outdoor activities, include an attire card with these details. You can even include a preferred colour palette to give your guests an idea of what to wear.

Remember, the more inserts you add, the higher your printing and design costs will be. So, choose the inserts that are most relevant to your wedding and provide essential information for your guests.

Sealing and sending

Now that you've assembled your DIY pocket wedding invitations, it's time to seal and send them to your guests. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your invitations arrive securely and on time:

• Fold and Insert: Start by folding up your pocket invitation, ensuring all the inserts, such as the RSVP card, RSVP envelope, and any additional cards, are securely tucked into the pocket. Then, carefully slide the entire folded invitation into your chosen mailing envelope.
• Sealing: To seal the envelope, you can use an envelope moistener with adhesive. This method is more convenient than licking each envelope shut and ensures a secure closure. You can also add a decorative wax seal for a fancier touch.
• Weight and Postage: Before sending, it's essential to weigh your invitation, especially if it includes multiple inserts or embellishments. Take a complete invitation to your local post office to have it weighed. They will advise you on the correct postage amount, and you can purchase the necessary stamps.
• Addressing: Clearly and legibly write or print the recipient's address on the front of the envelope. If you want to add a special touch, consider using a paint marker or calligraphy pen for addressing. Don't forget to include your return address, usually on the back flap of the envelope.
• Sending: Once your invitations are sealed, weighed, and addressed, you can send them out. It's recommended to mail your wedding invitations at least six to eight weeks before the wedding date to give your guests enough notice.
• RSVP Management: To make it easier for your guests to respond, consider pre-addressing the RSVP envelopes with your address. You can also include a stamp on the RSVP envelope to encourage timely responses. Additionally, you may want to number your invitations and keep a master list to help track RSVPs, especially if you have a large guest list.

By following these steps, your DIY pocket wedding invitations will be ready to send out, impressing your guests with your creativity and attention to detail.

Frequently asked questions