Designing Your Own Wedding E-Card Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the most significant keepsakes of your lifetime. Making your own e-card wedding invitations is a budget-friendly alternative for couples who want to save money without compromising on style and quality. You can choose from a variety of free and premium online invitation-making platforms that offer customisable templates, drag-and-drop editing tools, and printable or digital sharing options. By using these platforms, you can design invitations that reflect your unique style, theme, and love story, all while saving time and money.

Selecting a template and customising the design

Selecting a Template:

• Choose a design that reflects your style: Consider the overall style and theme of your wedding. Do you want a rustic, minimalist, elegant, or modern design? Browse through the hundreds of templates offered by various websites, such as Canva, Greetings Island, Adobe Express, Basic Invite, or Etsy shops, to find the perfect match for your special day.
• Decide on the customisation level: Some websites offer fully customisable templates where you can change fonts, colours, and design elements. Others may provide a more straightforward option to edit the text and colours only. Choose the level of customisation that suits your needs and skills.
• Consider the cost: While some websites offer free templates, others charge a fee for premium designs. Weigh the cost of the template against your overall budget for the invitations.
• Think about printability: If you plan to print your invitations at home, choose a design with more white space and a lighter colour background. These designs tend to look better when printed at home and can also save on printer ink.

Customising the Design:

• Add personal touches: Include your uploaded photos, or play around with fonts, colours, and design elements to make your invitation unique. You can also incorporate meaningful symbols or quotes that reflect your love story.
• Customise the text: Finalise the wording of your invitation, ensuring it suits your personality and the tone of your wedding. Don't forget to include the essential information, such as the request for attendance, the names of the couple, the date, time, location, and any additional details your guests may need.
• Experiment with colours and effects: If you're printing your invitations, consider using special printing styles like embossed text or gold foil to add a luxurious touch. For digital invitations, you can use animation effects to make your message stand out.
• Preview and proofread: Before finalising your design, preview it to ensure that all the elements work together harmoniously. Proofread the text for any errors or spelling mistakes, and consider having someone else read it over for a fresh perspective.

Choosing the right paper and printing options

When it comes to choosing the right paper and printing options for your wedding e-card, there are a few things to consider. The type of paper and printing style you choose will depend on your budget, the overall style or theme of your wedding, and the level of customisation you want. Here are some options to consider:

Paper Options:

• Card and Cover Stock: This is the most common type of paper used for wedding invitations. It is thick, heavy paper that gives a luxurious and elegant feel. The weight typically ranges from 100 to 120 pounds, and it can come in a variety of finishes such as unfinished, satin, silk, or glossy.
• Cotton Fiber: This is the most expensive option, made from 100% cotton. It is incredibly soft, durable, and free of imperfections. Cotton paper is well-suited for printing techniques like letterpress and absorbs ink beautifully.
• Kraft and Wood-Grain Paper: These options are perfect for rustic or outdoor-themed weddings, giving a DIY touch to your invitations.
• Glassine and Clear Vellum Paper: These are translucent, flexible, and thin materials that can be used for layering or accents in your invitations. However, they may require special assembly and can increase postage costs.
• Linen Finish: A high-quality cotton blend paper with a textured, crosshatched surface that resembles linen fabric. It provides an elegant and sophisticated look.

Printing Options:

• Flat Digital Printing: This is a budget-friendly option that offers flexibility and freedom in design. While it doesn't add a tactile dimension, you can play with paper textures and finishes.
• Engraving and Embossing: These high-end techniques add a touch of luxury to your invitations. They create raised or indented designs on the paper using a custom-made metal plate.
• Foil Stamping: A glamorous and expensive method that uses made-to-order metal dies to impress the design onto the paper, resulting in sharp and crisp edges.
• Letterpress: A slightly more affordable option than foil stamping, letterpress uses a plastic die to create a soft, romantic feel. It works well with premium cotton paper.
• UV and Thermographic Printing: These heat-based methods add a slight shine to raised lettering. Thermography is a flexible and affordable option, available in various colours, including metallic hues.

Adding personal touches and photos

Choose a Theme

Select a theme that reflects your interests and personalities. This could be a colour scheme, a favourite season, or a shared hobby. For example, if you and your partner love travelling, you could incorporate map designs or images of your favourite destinations.

Photos

Feature photos of you and your partner on the invitation. You could use a single photo or create a collage of several images. You can also add text overlays to your photos, such as the date of your wedding or a meaningful quote.

Video

Instead of a static image, consider creating a video e-card. You can use Windows Live Movie Maker or similar software to compile your photos and add captions, visual effects, animation, and music. This dynamic approach will definitely make your invitation stand out.

Personalised Graphics

Incorporate personalised graphics or illustrations that represent you and your partner. For example, you could include a sketch of your first date location or your wedding venue. These visuals will add a unique touch to your e-card.

Custom Fonts

Choose custom fonts that reflect the style of your wedding. If it's a formal event, go for elegant and classic fonts. If it's more casual, you might opt for fun and whimsical typefaces. You can also incorporate your own handwriting by scanning and uploading it to create a truly personalised look.

Add a Map

Include a map of your wedding location with a cute graphic pin or heart marking the spot. This adds a visual element and makes it easier for your guests to find the venue.

Remember, your wedding invitation is a chance to showcase your personalities and give your guests a glimpse of what to expect on your big day. So, have fun with it and don't be afraid to get creative!

Finalising the text and wording

Basic Information:

• Ensure you include the full names of the couple getting married. Traditionally, for heterosexual couples, the bride's name appears first, followed by the groom's. However, for same-sex couples or those who prefer a different order, the names can be listed in the way that best suits the card design.
• Provide the date, time, and location of the wedding. Be sure to include the names and addresses of the venues to make it convenient for your guests.
• Include RSVP details and a deadline date for responses. This will help with planning and allow you to follow up on any missing replies.

Customisation and Personalisation:

• Customise the template to reflect your style and the theme of your wedding. You can change colours, fonts, images, and other design elements to make it unique.
• Add a personal touch by including uploaded photos or featuring text overlaid on the images.
• If you want to include a more traditional or contemporary tone, adapt the wording to suit the theme and style of your wedding.

Proofreading and Final Checks:

• Before finalising the design, ask a third party to read through the text for any errors or spelling mistakes.
• Read the text aloud to check for any grammar issues or awkward phrasing.
• Ensure the text is centred and fits well within the design. You may need to adjust margins or resize the text to achieve a neat and balanced look.

Remember, the text and wording of your wedding e-card should be a reflection of you as a couple, so feel free to add your own unique touches!

Assembling and sending the invitations

Once you've designed your e-card wedding invitation, it's time to send it out to your guests. Here are some detailed steps to help you assemble and send your invitations:

Assembling the Invitations:

• Finalize your guest list: Before sending out your invitations, ensure you have a finalized list of guests who will be invited to the wedding. This will help you determine the number of invitations needed.
• Prepare the necessary components: In addition to the invitation itself, you may want to include RSVP cards, envelopes, and any other relevant inserts. Ensure you have all these components ready before assembling.
• Customize your template: If you're using a template, personalize it with your wedding details, such as the date, time, location, and any additional information for your guests. You can also add your own images, fonts, and color schemes to make it unique.
• Proofread and review: Before printing or sharing your invitations, carefully review the content for any errors or mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to read through it as well to catch any typos or omissions.
• Print or share digitally: Depending on your preference, you can either print out your invitations or share them electronically via email or social media. If printing, consider using high-quality paper, such as cardstock, to give your invitations a luxurious feel.

Sending the Invitations:

• Determine the timeline: It is recommended to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you have guests travelling from abroad, send invitations closer to nine weeks in advance. For destination weddings, aim for at least 12 weeks' notice.
• Address the envelopes: Write or print the addresses of your guests on the envelopes. You can also use envelope liners or choose coloured envelopes to add a creative touch.
• Assemble the suite: If you have multiple components, such as RSVP cards or inserts, assemble them neatly inside the envelope. Use glue dots or double-stick tape for a more secure hold.
• Weigh and post your invitations: Once your invitations are assembled, take a complete suite to the post office to have it weighed. This will help you determine the correct postage amount. You can also request hand-canceling to avoid potential damage during mail processing.
• Track responses: Keep track of the responses you receive, especially if you've included RSVP cards. This will help you plan seating arrangements, catering, and other wedding logistics.

Frequently asked questions