Crafting Simple Wedding Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide

Handmade wedding cards are a great way to add a personal touch to your gift for the happy couple. They're also a fantastic option if you have multiple weddings to attend and want to save some money. With just a few simple techniques and supplies, you can create elegant and beautiful cards that the couple will cherish. Whether you're a crafting novice or an expert, there are plenty of easy wedding card ideas to choose from. From using stamps and dies to playing with colours and textures, the possibilities are endless. So, if you want to try something new or add a unique touch to your next wedding gift, making your own wedding cards is a wonderful option.

Using wax seals

Wax seals are a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding cards. Here are some detailed instructions and tips on using wax seals to elevate your wedding stationery:

Choosing Your Wax Seal Design

Decide on the artwork for your wax seal. You can choose from ready-made designs, which are cost-effective and available in various motifs, or opt for custom designs that can include monograms, wedding dates, or other personalised details.

Making Your Own Wax Seals

If you want to make your own wax seals, you will need a wax stamp, sealing wax, and a sealing wax gun. You can choose from different methods to melt the wax, including using a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun with round wax sticks. Practice creating perfectly round seals or experiment with unique, uneven shapes. Keep your metal seal cool between uses, as this will help create quick, defined wax seals.

Mailing Wax Seals

When mailing wedding invitations with wax seals, consider the "non-machinable surcharge" due to the bump created by the seal. You may also want to use outer envelopes to protect the seals or ask your local post office about hand-sorting to avoid potential damage during the mailing process.

Wax seals can be used on various surfaces beyond just the envelopes. Apply them to belly bands, gate folds, tassels, escort cards, place cards, table numbers, favour boxes, bar and food menus, and even non-paper items like champagne flutes and wine bottles. Get creative and use wax seals to add a whimsical touch to different elements of your wedding.

Adhesive Wax Seals

If you prefer a more convenient option, opt for self-adhesive wax seals. These pre-made seals are like fancy stickers with adhesive backings. They are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and can still be customised with your initials or other details. Adhesive wax seals are perfect if you're short on time or don't feel comfortable making your own wax seals.

Adding a personal touch

Making your own wedding cards is a thoughtful way to show the happy couple how much you care. There are many ways to add a personal touch to your DIY wedding cards, from the design to the message inside. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Calligraphy: Using calligraphy is a beautiful way to elevate your wedding card. You can learn the basics and practice creating elegant lettering to use on the card. Calligraphy can be used for the couple's names, decorative elements, and even the envelope addressing.
• Monograms: Design a monogram with the couple's initials or use their monogram if they have one. You can incorporate this into the card design, adding a unique and personalised touch.
• Colours and Themes: Consider the wedding's colour palette and theme when designing your card. You can use colours that match the wedding's theme or incorporate symbolic colours like white for purity or gold for elegance.
• Handwritten Messages: Write a heartfelt message inside the card. Nothing is more personal than something handwritten. You can even include a favourite quote or a meaningful memory you share with the couple.
• Photos: If it suits the card design, add some photos of the couple, perhaps from childhood or a significant moment in their relationship. It's a wonderful way to celebrate their journey together.
• Personalised Elements: Embellish the card with personalised elements like paper doilies, embossed stickers, watercolour flowers, or even quilled paper shapes. These add a unique and crafty touch to your card.
• Symbolism: Include symbolic elements that represent the couple's interests or personalities. For example, if they love nature, incorporate floral prints or botanical themes. If they're Harry Potter fans, you can create a card inspired by the series.

There are endless ways to personalise a wedding card, and it's a wonderful opportunity to get creative and celebrate the happy couple's unique love story.

Using stamps

Stamps are a great way to elevate your DIY wedding cards and make them look more professional. You can use stamps to create a range of designs, from elegant florals to fun, quirky themes.

Choosing Stamps

First, you'll want to choose the right stamps for your wedding cards. You can opt for traditional wedding-themed stamps featuring flowers, hearts, and other romantic motifs. These are widely available from craft stores and online retailers. Alternatively, you could go for something more unique, such as vintage stamps or stamps that tie into your wedding theme (for example, a stamp featuring a famous work of art, or a destination-themed stamp).

Stamp Techniques

Once you've chosen your stamps, it's time to start designing. One popular technique is to use gold embossing powder with your stamps, which can be filled in with watercolour paint for a stunning effect. You can also use stamps to create a simple yet elegant design, such as a wedding dress and tuxedo silhouette, or a heart filled with flowers.

Stamp Placement

When it comes to placing your stamps on the card, you have a few options. You can stamp directly onto the card itself, creating a beautiful feature that your guests will love. Alternatively, you could stamp onto a separate piece of paper and then attach it to the card, perhaps using some pretty embossed stickers to add a 3D effect.

Stamp Colour

Don't be afraid to experiment with different colours when using stamps. Metallics, such as gold and silver, can add a touch of elegance and are perfect for a traditional wedding. Watercolour paints in pastel shades can also create a soft, romantic look.

Final Thoughts

Using dies

One idea for a simple yet stunning card is to use a die-cut machine to create a romantic rose floral cutout card. You can use mint green and white-coloured paper to make the card and some matching favour boxes, resulting in a beautiful and elegant design.

Another option is to use alphabet dies to create a bold "Mr. and Mrs." sentiment on your card. This is a great way to add a personalised touch, and you can easily spell out words, phrases, and even quotes. You can also use wedding-themed sentiment stamps to add catchy sayings to your card.

If you want to create a more intricate design, consider using a combination of stamps and dies. For example, the Forever Fern stamp set and die bundle can be used to create beautiful cards that look intricate but are easy to make. You can mix and match different greens with this stamp set to create a stunning effect.

With a little creativity and the right tools, you can make elegant and personalised wedding cards that the happy couple is sure to appreciate.

Using vellum

Vellum is a versatile material that can add elegance to your wedding cards. Here are some ways you can use vellum to create stylish and easy wedding cards:

Vellum Wrap Invitations:

Vellum wraps are a perfect way to present your invitations with style and at a low cost. They can be used on their own or to wrap additional information like RSVP cards, guest information sheets, and maps. To make vellum wrap invitations, you will need:

• Vellum sheets
• Cardstock in your preferred colour
• Fine cord or ribbon
• Wax beads and a wax stamp or a low-temperature glue gun with wax sticks
• Double-sided tape
• Envelopes
• Scissors or a paper trimmer

First, download and type your invitation wording into the template, ensuring correct spelling, grammar, and the inclusion of dates, times, and locations. Print the wording onto your chosen cardstock and trim it to size. Cut a piece of vellum paper slightly larger than the cardstock to form the wrap. Place your invitation in the centre of the vellum, fold in the sides, and crease tightly. Wrap a cord or ribbon around the invitation, crossing at the front, and secure it with a weight or a wax seal. You can make wax seals by melting wax beads with a spoon and tealight or using a low-temperature glue gun with wax sticks. Attach the wax seal to the centre of the cord with double-sided tape. Trim any excess cord, and your elegant invitation is ready!

Vellum and Cardstock Place Cards:

For these place cards, you will need:

• Vellum and cardstock
• Mini brads in various colours
• Gold foil vinyl or a paint pen, or a Cricut cutting machine
• A script font for lettering

Cut 1.5-inch wide strips of vellum and cardstock for the place cards. If you want uniform sizes, adjust the font size for longer names. Add the names to the vellum by writing them with a paint pen, printing and tracing, or using a Cricut machine to cut out the names in gold foil vinyl. Attach the vellum and cardstock with mini brads, pushing them through both pieces of paper. You can use different coloured brads to indicate meal choices for your guests.

Embossed Vellum Cards:

Vellum cardstock and shimmer vellum in various colours can be used to create elegant embossed cards. You will need:

• Vellum cardstock or shimmer vellum
• Cardstock in complementary colours
• Satin ribbon
• Stamping ink and stamps (optional)
• Embossing folders
• Liquid glue

Emboss the vellum with your chosen design using an embossing folder. You can also stamp designs onto the vellum with ink. Glue a ribbon to the vellum and trim it to fit. Attach the vellum to the cardstock, and your beautiful embossed card is ready!

With these simple techniques, you can create easy and elegant wedding cards using vellum.

Frequently asked questions