Designing Your Own Wedding E-Card: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding e-cards are a great way to invite guests to your wedding in an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient manner. With online tools, you can easily design and customise your own wedding invitations, adding a personal touch to your special day. In this article, we will explore the steps to create stylish and elegant wedding e-cards, the various platforms available, and the benefits of choosing digital invitations over traditional paper cards. We will also discuss the essential information to include in your wedding invites and the timeline for sending them out. By the end, you should feel confident in creating beautiful e-cards that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Choosing a design template

When choosing a design template for your wedding e-card, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, decide on the overall style you want to convey. Do you prefer a classic, elegant look, or would you like to explore more contemporary and modern styles? Perhaps you want to incorporate specific themes such as floral, rustic, boho, or even a particular colour scheme. If you have a specific wedding theme, such as a beach wedding or a winter wedding, you can find invitation templates that match your chosen theme.

The next step is to browse through the hundreds of design templates available on various online platforms. Some platforms offer free templates, while others provide premium designs for a small fee. You can select a template based on its visual appeal and how well it aligns with your wedding's aesthetic. Consider whether you want to include photos, illustrations, or graphics on your e-card and choose a template that allows for customisation.

Additionally, think about the level of customisation you require. Do you want to change fonts, colours, or add personal images? Many platforms offer drag-and-drop tools that make it easy to place elements onto your design. You can also upload your own photos, customise colour schemes, and use shapes, lines, and other design elements to make your e-card unique.

Finally, consider the orientation of your e-card. Most templates will offer portrait, landscape, or square formats, so choose the one that best suits your design and the amount of information you need to include. By following these steps and considering your personal preferences, you'll be able to choose a design template that truly reflects your style and vision for your wedding invitation.

Adding personal touches

Photos

Including photos of you and your partner is a lovely way to personalise your e-card. You could choose a favourite snap from a recent trip, a professional engagement photo, or even a cute selfie. You could also use a photo of your wedding venue as the backdrop for your e-card, giving guests a sneak peek of the location.

Illustrations

If you're not into the idea of using your photos, you could commission an artist to create an illustration of you and your partner. These can be as simple or detailed as you like and are a fun way to showcase your personalities. You could even include a hand-drawn illustration of your venue, adding a personal touch that gives guests a glimpse of where the wedding will be held.

Colours and Fonts

Playing around with colours and fonts is another way to add a personal touch to your e-card. You could use your favourite colours, or colours that match your wedding theme. If you have a favourite font, use that, or choose from the hundreds of font options available on e-card design platforms.

Monograms

Creating a monogram with your initials is a beautiful way to personalise your e-card and can be used throughout your wedding journey, from your save-the-dates to your thank-you cards. There are endless ways to incorporate monograms, from featuring them as the main design element on your e-card to using them as small accents on envelopes or liners.

Creative Wording

Add a personal twist to your e-card by getting creative with the wording. Instead of a traditional message, consider incorporating a favourite quote or lyrics from a song that holds a special meaning for you and your partner. You could even include a short poem or a funny anecdote that reflects your relationship.

Signature Cocktails

A fun idea for your e-card is to include a recipe for a signature cocktail that you and your partner enjoy. This could be a twist on a classic or a drink that's native to your hometowns. It adds a unique element to your invitation and gives guests a taste of what they can look forward to at the reception.

Remember, your wedding e-card is a reflection of you and your partner, so feel free to get creative and think outside the box!

Including the right information

When it comes to including the right information in your e-card wedding invitation, there are several key details that you should cover. Here's a breakdown of the essential elements:

The Invitation Itself

Start by including a request for attendance. This can be worded in various ways, such as "Request the Pleasure of Your Company," "Invite You to Celebrate the Marriage of," or "Request the Honor of Your Presence" if the ceremony is in a place of worship.

Next, list the names of the couple. Traditionally, for heterosexual couples, the bride's name appears first. However, you can order the names in a way that feels right to you. For LGBTQIA+ couples, names can be listed alphabetically, by age, or in any other preferred order. You can use first and middle names, first and last names, or full legal names.

Don't forget to include the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can add a line like "Reception to Follow." If they're at different venues, provide separate details for each, including the start time and address of the reception.

Additional Cards

While not mandatory, additional cards can be helpful for providing extra information to your guests. Here are some options:

• Response card and envelope: Include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope to make it convenient for guests to send back their responses.
• Details card: If you have a wedding website, this is a great place to include the URL. You can also provide additional details about the wedding, such as accommodation options or transportation information.
• Reception card: If your reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include a separate card with the reception details, including the address and time.
• Directions card: While most people use digital maps, including a directions card ensures that all guests can find the venue easily, especially those without smartphones or with unreliable cell service.
• Weekend events card: If your wedding spans multiple days and includes events like welcome drinks or a post-wedding brunch, include an itinerary for guests so they know what to expect.
• Accommodations card: If you have guests coming from out of town, provide information on nearby hotels or accommodation options.

Other Considerations

When finalising your e-card invitation, consider the following:

• Font and style: Choose a font that is easy to read and fits the style of your wedding. You can also stylise the font to match your wedding theme.
• RSVP details: Provide a way for guests to RSVP, whether it's via a separate response card, your wedding website, or both.
• Dress code: Including the dress code on the invitation is optional. You can include a line indicating the expected attire, such as "Casual Attire," "Semi-Formal," or "Black Tie."
• Extra venue information: If your venue is unique or unfamiliar to your guests, include additional details such as parking instructions or a custom map.
• Envelope and postage: Ensure you have the correct addresses and postage for your envelopes. Handwritten addresses add a personal touch, or you can use address labels for a streamlined look. Don't forget to include your return address!

Sharing your e-card

Once you've designed your e-card wedding invitation, it's time to send it out to your guests. There are several ways to do this. You can send your invitations via email, text, or a shareable link. You could also post them directly to your social media accounts.

If you're using a service like Paperless Post, you can use their features to customize your online wedding invitation. You can add a backdrop, choose an envelope and liner, and change the color palette to match your wedding theme. You can also upload your engagement photo or monogram for a personalized touch. Don't forget to include all the essential details such as the full names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and RSVP information.

Some services allow you to create a custom URL and add photo galleries and registry blocks. You can also track RSVPs, making it easier for your guests to respond and for you to keep track of the responses.

When sending out your e-card wedding invitations, it's a good idea to send them six to eight weeks before the wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding or a celebration that requires travel, consider sending them four to six months in advance. This gives your guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

By choosing to share your wedding invitations electronically, you can save time and money while still creating beautiful and personalized invitations that your guests will love.

Eco-friendly considerations

If you're looking to create an eco-friendly e-card for your wedding invitation, there are several things to consider. Firstly, you can opt for a paperless invitation, which will significantly reduce your carbon footprint compared to traditional paper invitations. There are many websites that offer elegant and customizable email invitation templates, such as Greenvelope, Paperless Post, and Glo. These platforms often provide additional features like RSVP tracking and guest list management, making the process convenient and environmentally friendly.

When choosing an email invitation platform, look for those that use renewable sources of energy and recyclable packaging. Some companies even donate to environmental causes, such as planting trees, with every order. This ensures that your choice directly contributes to sustainability efforts.

If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can also design and send your own e-cards. This allows you complete creative control while being eco-friendly. You can utilize online tools like Canva, which offers a wide range of customizable templates, graphics, and layouts to design your invitation. Once you're happy with your creation, simply share it electronically via email or social media. This method eliminates the need for paper and printing, reducing waste and your environmental impact.

However, if you're set on physical invitations, there are still ways to make them eco-friendly. Choose recycled paper or plantable seed paper, which guests can later use to grow wildflowers. Opt for biodegradable decorations like eco-glitter, dried flowers, and skeleton leaves. You can also use eco-friendly tapes and glues, and even send recycled envelopes. By combining these elements, you can create a unique, handcrafted invitation that aligns with your eco-conscious values.

Additionally, consider the overall wedding planning process and how it can be made more sustainable. Choose a venue with natural beauty, like a garden or waterfront, to minimize the need for excessive decorations. Opt for reusable or rented decorations and avoid single-use plastics. Instead of cut flowers, use live plants as centerpieces, which can later be planted and enjoyed by your guests or added to your garden. These small changes will collectively make a significant difference in reducing waste and creating an eco-friendly celebration.

Frequently asked questions