Creating Custom Envelopes For Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a great opportunity to get creative and add a personal touch to your big day. Making your own envelopes is a fun DIY project that can elevate your wedding invitations and save you money. In this guide, we'll show you how to make envelopes for your wedding invitations, from measuring and designing to printing and assembling.

Measure your envelopes and create a template on Microsoft Word

Creating a template for your wedding invitation envelopes in Microsoft Word is a simple process that can be done by following these steps:

Measure Your Envelopes

Firstly, you need to know the exact size of your envelopes with the flap closed. This information should be available on the packaging, but if not, simply measure the envelopes with a ruler. The standard sizes for wedding invitation envelopes are 4 ¼" x 5 ½", 4 ½" x 6 ¼", 5 ⅜" x 7 ⅞", 5 ½" x 8 ½", and 5 ¾" x 9 ¼". For your invitations, you can choose the size that best fits your needs.

Create a Word Document

Open Microsoft Word and create a new document. Go to 'Page Layout' > 'Size' > 'More Paper Sizes'. Here, enter the measurements of your envelope in the width and height fields and click 'OK'. This will ensure that your document is the exact same size as your envelopes.

Add Text Boxes to Your Template

Go to 'Insert' > 'Text Box' > 'Draw Text Box'. Draw a text box in the centre of your document, leaving space for postage stamps and a return address at the top. You can adjust the outline of the text box by going to 'Format' > 'Shape Outline' > 'No Outline' to remove it.

Create as many text boxes as you need, duplicating them by clicking on the outer edge of the box, then using the 'Ctrl' + 'C' and 'Ctrl' + 'V' keyboard shortcuts. You may want to create separate text boxes for different styles of text, such as calligraphy names and serif addresses.

Design Your Envelope Template

This method allows you to use custom fonts, graphics, and layouts, giving you more creative freedom. Choose fonts that match your wedding invitations for a uniform look. You can use a combination of calligraphy, sans serif, and serif fonts, or download free fonts from websites like dafont or Font Squirrel.

If you want to include a return address, you can place it on the front of the envelope for simplicity, or create a second template for the back.

Duplicate the Page

Once your template is ready, duplicate the pages so you can print several envelopes at once. Click in the grey margin outside the page to highlight your text boxes, then click anywhere on the white page that isn't inside a text box. A blinking cursor should appear in the upper left corner. Hit 'End' on your keyboard to add blank pages after the existing page.

Go to 'Insert' > 'Blank Page' and click approximately 15-20 times to add more pages. It is recommended to create no more than 25 pages per document to avoid any issues with your Word document freezing or crashing.

Fill in Your Addresses

If you're not using mail merge, you can simply copy and paste your addresses into the template. Put a few envelopes in your printer's tray, ensuring that you enter the custom paper size in your print settings. Check the print preview to ensure the text is centred and sized correctly, then print the rest of your envelopes in small batches.

And that's it! You now have a template for your wedding invitation envelopes, which you can also use for thank-you notes, holiday cards, and more.

Use a combination of calligraphy, sans-serif and serif fonts

When creating your wedding invitations, it's important to choose a font that aligns with your wedding theme and is legible. You can opt for a combination of calligraphy, sans-serif, and serif fonts to create a polished and elegant look. Here are some tips to help you design your wedding invitation envelopes:

Choose the Right Fonts

Select fonts that complement each other and reflect the style of your wedding. For a classic and elegant look, consider combining calligraphy with sans-serif and serif fonts. Calligraphy fonts, such as Adobe Caslon Pro, add a touch of sophistication and elegance. Sans-serif fonts like Montserrat and Hammersmith One offer a clean and modern aesthetic. Serif fonts, such as Playfair Display and Times New Roman, provide excellent legibility and a timeless appeal.

Create a Balanced Design

When combining different fonts, aim for a balanced and harmonious design. Use calligraphy for names or headings to make them stand out. Sans-serif fonts can be used for the main text to ensure readability. Serif fonts are perfect for highlighting important information, such as the wedding date or accenting certain design elements. Play with different font sizes, weights, and spacing to create a visually appealing layout.

Consider Your Envelope Size

Before designing your envelope template, measure your envelopes with the flap closed to ensure your text fits perfectly. Create a Word document with the exact dimensions of your envelopes to serve as your template. This attention to detail will ensure that your addresses and postage stamps are centred and legible.

Customise Your Return Address

You can place your return address on the front or back of the envelope. If you choose to put it on the back, create a separate template and print it after printing the front side of your envelopes. This adds a personalised touch to your invitations and ensures a neat presentation.

Print Your Envelopes

Once you're happy with your template, duplicate the pages so you can print multiple envelopes at once. Adjust your printer settings to the custom paper size to ensure accurate printing. Test print on a few envelopes first, and then print the rest in small batches to avoid paper jams.

Add an envelope liner

Adding an envelope liner is a great way to elevate your wedding invitations and create a luxurious feel. Envelope liners can be purchased from many online retailers and are often customisable to match your wedding invitations.

When choosing an envelope liner, you can select from a range of colours, patterns, and designs, including floral, geometric, and monogram styles. You can even opt for a watercolour design of your wedding venue for a unique touch. If you're feeling creative, you can also find envelope liner templates online that allow you to print and assemble your own liners. These templates offer customisable options, such as adding your own photos or choosing from various envelope sizes.

If you decide to purchase pre-made envelope liners, you'll have the option to choose between unassembled and assembled liners. Unassembled liners require you to purchase adhesive separately and line the envelopes yourself, while assembled liners come ready to use, with the liners already adhered to the envelopes. It's important to note that some retailers only sell liners as an add-on to invitation orders, so be sure to check the product details before placing your order.

Envelope liners are an excellent way to add a special touch to your wedding invitations, and with so many options available, you can easily find or create liners that align with your wedding aesthetic.

Seal it with wax

Wax seals are a great way to elevate your wedding invitations and add a personal touch. They are ornamental, but they can also be used to secure your envelopes and ensure that your invitations haven't been tampered with.

How to Create Wax Seals

The traditional method involves melting one end of a stick of wax (like a small candle) and allowing it to drip onto your envelope. An engraved metal stamp is then pressed into the cooling wax, leaving an imprint of your chosen design.

You can also use self-adhesive wax seals, which are like fancy stickers. These are a good option if you don't have a lot of time to assemble your invitations or if you don't feel comfortable making your own wax seals. You can still personalise them with your initials or another custom design.

If you want to create your own wax seals, you can use a wax furnace, wax sticks, or a glue gun and round wax sticks to melt the wax.

Colours and Designs

Wax seals come in a variety of colours, from traditional metallic gold and silver to any other colour you can imagine. You can also create your own marbled wax by mixing different colours.

Designs range from traditional monograms to elegant floral motifs, tropical greenery, and even animal silhouettes. You can also create custom designs featuring your monogram, wedding date, or any other detail that reflects your wedding aesthetic.

Mailing Wax Seals

When mailing invitations with wax seals, you may need to add a "nonmachinable surcharge" as the bump created by the seal may be too thick to go through the machines at the post office. This charge is usually not very expensive, but it's something to keep in mind.

If you're concerned about the seals getting damaged in the mail, you can use outer envelopes to protect them or ask your local post office about hand-sorting, which involves a postal worker manually inspecting and approving each invitation. This option will also require additional postage and may take extra time for the invitations to be sent.

Tips for Creating Wax Seals

• Use quality wax to avoid gunking up your glue gun or metal seal.
• Keep your metal seal cool by placing it on an ice pack between uses.
• Dry your seal with a paper towel after removing it from the ice pack to avoid water droplets.
• Use parchment paper as a surface to make your wax seals on, as they can be easily removed once dry.
• Don't touch the wax seals before they're dry to avoid smudging.
• Use Washi tape or sharpies to mark your seal for easier alignment.
• Print a dot on your envelope as a reference guide for where to place the seal.
• Allow your seals to dry completely on a drying rack before gluing them onto your envelopes.

Wax seals are a beautiful and versatile addition to your wedding invitations, and with these tips, you can create them like a pro!

Add a belly band, a ribbon, or a vellum wrap

Adding a belly band, a ribbon, or a vellum wrap to your wedding invitation envelope is a great way to add a luxurious finishing touch and make your guests feel like they're opening a gift. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Belly Bands

Belly bands are a unique way to secure your invitation suite together. They are typically made of paper, either solid-coloured or patterned, and can be customised with a design of your choice. To create a belly band, start by measuring the width of your invitation suite, doubling that measurement, and then adding an extra inch to allow for overlap. Cut your chosen paper to this size.

When you're ready to assemble, lay the belly band over your stacked invitation suite, centring any personalisation. Hold the band and enclosures in place with your thumbs, then wrap your index fingers around the back of the invite and flip it towards you. Carefully pull one end of the band over the back and crease it, then repeat with the other end. Pull both ends tight without bending the sides of the stationery. Finally, adhere the band together using glue dots.

Ribbons

Ribbons can be a beautiful and elegant way to secure your wedding invitation suite, especially if you opt for silk ribbon with its gorgeous raw edges and organic texture. When using ribbon, cut it to the appropriate length—for portrait-oriented invitations, cut to 22", and for landscape-oriented invitations, cut to 31". Place your invitation suite in the middle of the ribbon, then fold both ends across the front, tucking the left end under the right. Pull both ends tight and place your right middle finger in the middle of the twist to secure the tie.

With your left hand, fold the bottom piece upward so it is parallel to the other end. Then, fold the left end over the right and tuck it through the hole, just like you're tying your shoe. Continue to apply pressure to the twist while pulling the two ends tight.

Vellum Wraps

Vellum wraps have become extremely popular due to their soft, romantic feel, adding a layer of semi-transparent design that serves as a beautiful frame for your invitation suite. You can choose to use a whole piece of vellum to wrap the entire suite or cut it into 1" strips to use as a band around the middle. If you're using strips, adhere the vellum to the back of the suite using vellum glue dots to avoid the adhesive showing through.

If you're wrapping the entire suite, fold the left side of the vellum along the pre-scored line to make it easier to slide your assembled suite into. Pinch the vellum with your left hand as you slide the suite into the folded area, then fold the right side along the pre-scored line. Once both folds are made and the vellum slightly overlaps on the front of your invitation, you can use a wax seal to hold the flaps closed.

Additional Tips

When using belly bands, ribbons, or vellum wraps, consider using double envelopes to better protect your stationery during mailing. The inner envelope, which is not gummed, will keep your invitation suite clean and unmarked, while the outer envelope is used for mailing.

If you're looking for cost-effective options, you can easily create belly bands by cutting up standard 8.5" x 11" paper—you can get 4 belly bands from one sheet. Embroidery thread from a fabric store is another affordable option for wrapping your invitations, and you can likely find twine at a hardware store if that suits your wedding vision.

Whatever wrapping method you choose, your guests will surely feel delighted as they open their invitation, knowing that it is a gift in itself.

Frequently asked questions