Creating Professional Wedding Invites: Diy Secrets

Creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and rewarding project, but it's important to know what you're getting into. While DIY wedding invitations can save you money, there are also unexpected costs and it can be time-consuming. In this guide, we'll cover everything from choosing a design and paper type to printing and assembling your invitations, so you can decide if the DIY route is right for you and create invitations that look professional and impressive.

Choose the right paper

The paper you choose for your DIY wedding invitations is important, as it will determine how your invitations look and feel. Here are some tips to help you choose the right paper:

Type of Printer

First, consider the type of printer you will be using. Different printers have different capabilities and limitations when it comes to paper thickness and weight. Desktop printers, for example, are often limited in the paper thickness they can handle. Review your printer's instructions and do a test print to determine its maximum paper weight capacity.

Paper Weight

The weight of the paper, measured in pounds (# or lb) or grams per square meter (gsm), is an important factor in the look and feel of your invitations. As a rule of thumb, the higher the weight, the thicker the paper, and the more luxurious your invitations will appear. For most home printers, 80# to 90# paper weight is ideal, while 100# can work for some printers. If you want your invitations to look more professional, aim for 110# to 130# paper weight, which may require an industrial printer.

Paper Material and Texture

The material and texture of the paper can also impact the final look and feel of your invitations. Solid white cardstock, made from tree pulp, is a popular choice as it comes in a variety of colours and weights, making it perfect for printing at home. Linen cardstock, on the other hand, has a delicate woven texture that adds visual interest and can help hide imperfections in your printing. Cotton cardstock is smooth and highly absorbent, making it suitable for both laser and inkjet printing. It gives invitations a clean, modern look and is considered "photo safe". Parchment paper has a thin, semi-translucent, slightly marbled appearance and layers nicely with other types of paper. Felt cardstock has a unique texture that is smooth yet coarse and gives invitations an air of sophistication. Kraft, or recycled cardstock, has a rustic look and a textured, fibrous appearance, making it perfect for vintage or outdoor-themed weddings.

Trial and Error

When choosing the right paper for your DIY wedding invitations, it's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Different printers, inks, and templates can affect the final outcome. The best way to find the right paper is through trial and error. Experiment with different papers and printers to see what works best for your specific needs and design.

Select a professional-looking font

Selecting a professional-looking font for your DIY wedding invitations is a crucial step in setting the tone for your wedding. The font should align with your wedding theme and create a sense of coherence with your wedding accessories, stationery, and paper goods. Here are some tips to help you choose a font that looks elegant and sophisticated:

Legibility is Key

It's important to choose a font that is easy to read. While some highly scripted or thin fonts may look aesthetically pleasing, they can sometimes be difficult for guests to decipher. Opt for a font that is legible even in smaller font sizes. This ensures that your guests can effortlessly absorb the information on the invitation.

Consider Your Wedding Theme

The font you select should complement and enhance your wedding theme. For instance, if you're aiming for a whimsical event, a font like Carried Away (Ballerina Script) would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you're going for a bold and loud wedding, a font like Lemon Milk will set the right tone.

Mix and Match

Don't be afraid to use multiple fonts to create visual interest and highlight important information. You can combine a script font with a serif or sans-serif font to add variety and make certain elements stand out. For instance, you can use a script font for the couple's names and a serif font for the rest of the text.

Opt for Timeless Elegance

If you want your invitations to exude timeless elegance, consider using a serif font. Serif fonts, such as Didot, have extra "feet" that improve legibility and give your invitations a classic, elegant appearance. Alternatively, you can go for a calligraphy-style font like Stylish Calligraphy, which adds a touch of sophistication.

Keep it Simple and Modern

If you prefer a more modern and clean look, sans-serif fonts are the way to go. These fonts, such as Neutraface 2 Text Light, are devoid of extra flourishes and provide excellent legibility. They are an excellent choice for digital invitations and can be paired with script fonts to create a stylish contrast.

Playful and Casual

For a casual wedding, opt for a playful and fun font like Yellow Rabbit or Honeymoon. These fonts add a touch of whimsy and a handwritten feel to your invitations, making them perfect for casual events.

Remember, the font you choose will set the tone for your wedding and provide guests with a glimpse of what to expect. Take the time to explore the plethora of font options available and select one that reflects your style and theme.

Consider printing options

There are several printing options to consider when making your own wedding invitations. Firstly, you can opt for editable digital templates, where you can personalise the design and then have the invitations delivered to your door. This option allows you to customise the design without having to worry about printing at home or finding a separate printing service.

Another option is to use printable templates, which can be purchased from online marketplaces such as Etsy. You can personalise these with your names and other details, and then print them yourself at home or use a printing shop. This option gives you more control over the paper and allows you to add DIY touches such as a wedding stamp or hand-written signatures.

If you want to create your invitations from scratch, you can use platforms like Canva, which offer free templates and design tools. You can then print your designs at home or use a printing service, or even send them as digital invitations via email or messaging apps.

When it comes to printing, you can choose to do it yourself at home, or use a larger printer such as Costco or Office Depot, or a local printing shop. Printing at home gives you more control over the process, but it can be more costly due to the price of ink and paper. It can also be more time-consuming and complicated, so it's important to plan ahead and give yourself enough time.

On the other hand, using a printing service can provide a more professional finish and help you select the best paper for your design. They can also trim the cards to the perfect size, ensuring your invitations look neat and tidy.

When deciding on a printing option, consider your budget, the time you have available, and the level of customisation and control you want over the final product.

Plan your design

Planning the design of your DIY wedding invitations is an important step in making them look professional. Here are some tips to help you plan and design your invitations:

Know Your Vision

Start by figuring out the theme, colours, materials, and tools you want to use. Take inspiration from professional wedding stationery designs, but be realistic about your skill set and the time you have available. Practise your design a few times before committing to making all your invitations.

Choose Your Design Tools

You can design your invitations digitally using programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, or Canva, which is a great option if you're not a designer. If you're feeling crafty, you can also design your invitations by hand.

Select Your Paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your invitations. Opt for thicker cardstock for a more luxurious feel. Paper with texture, such as linen or felt, can also elevate the design. If you're printing at home, test different papers to ensure they work with your printer.

Consider the Layout

Think about the layout of your text and whether you want to include artwork or decorative icons. The formality and tradition of your event can guide these design decisions. Play around with different fonts, font combinations, sizes, ink colours, alignments, and line spacing to create a professional-looking invitation.

Plan Your Customization

If you're using a template, decide whether you want to customise it yourself or have the designer do it. Customising it yourself may limit your ability to change certain elements, such as fonts or colours. If you want any design changes, the designer can usually accommodate your requests and send you a ready-to-print file.

Proofread and Finalise

Before finalising your design, ask multiple people to proofread the text for any errors or mistakes. Run the design past others to get their input and choose the one you feel most connected to.

Assemble and decorate

Now that you have all your pieces and your printed invitations, it's time to assemble them! This is a great opportunity to get your mother, bridesmaids, and friends involved. Before you get everyone started, make sure you've assembled a full invitation from start to finish so you know the steps and so you have a finished sample for everyone to see.

We recommend using an assembly line method for assembling invitations. Divide the assembly steps into stations and assign one person to each station. For example, if you are creating a mounted A7 invitation suite, your stations could be as follows:

Station one: Run the printed invitation through an adhesive machine to apply adhesive.

Station two: Adhere the invitation to the backing.

Station three: Apply a postage stamp to the RSVP envelope.

Station four: Insert the backed invitation, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope into the main envelope.

If you have additional steps, like lining envelopes, you can work that into the flow.

If you're adding embellishments, consider the following:

• Enclosures: These hold the invitation and additional components such as response cards and reception cards. Some feature pockets, while others have sides that fold in to keep items secure.
• Flat cards: A flat card that is slightly larger than your invitation can be used as a backing. Mount your invitation onto a flat card to create a thin border and add heft to the invitation.
• Paper sashes: Cut strips of paper in the desired width and long enough to wrap around and overlap slightly. These can be wrapped around an invitation, either as a permanent embellishment or one that can be removed.
• Ribbon: Choose a material, width, and colour that fit your style. Ribbon can be used in the same way as paper sashes and can even be used on top of a sash. You can tie a bow or square knot for a lovely presentation.
• Envelope liners: Choose a solid paper or a decorative paper with a particular pattern or texture that adds to your presentation. You can make your own envelope liners using any paper and an envelope liner template kit.
• Outer envelopes: An outer envelope is meant to protect the inner envelope and its contents from postal service machines. The extra layer also ensures that your invitation, any embellishments, and enclosed cards stay neatly together. The outer envelope should be addressed using the formal names of your guests.
• Return address embosser: A return address embosser is a great way to add your return address to the flaps of your wedding envelopes. An embosser uses a metal plate to impress your address into the envelope paper.

Frequently asked questions