Diy Wedding Invites: Free, Fun, And Fabulous

Planning a wedding can be stressful and expensive. One way to save money is to make your own wedding invitations. There are several online platforms that offer free wedding invitation templates, such as Adobe Express, Canva, Greetings Island, and Basic Invite. These platforms provide customizable designs, fonts, colours, and images, allowing you to create elegant and unique invitations that reflect your wedding theme and personality. Once you're happy with your design, you can print your invitations at home or use the platform's printing services.

Using free online tools

Canva, for example, provides a library of beautiful and elegant wedding invitation layouts, including various themes like rustic, beach, winter, and destination weddings. You can use their drag-and-drop tool to easily place design elements, and they offer the option to print and deliver your invitations or share them electronically.

Similarly, Adobe Express offers thousands of standout invitation templates and the option to start from a blank canvas. You can upload your own photos or use free stock images, icons, and designs. They also provide a drag-and-drop online editor, allowing you to add fonts, colours, and graphics to personalize your invitations.

Another option is Greetings Island, which offers free, editable wedding invitation templates with custom options for fonts, colours, stickers, and photos. They also provide printing services or the option to download and print your invitations at home.

These tools enable you to design stylish and personalized wedding invitations without incurring the cost of hiring a professional designer.

Adding personal touches

Photos and Visuals

Add a unique visual element to your invitations by including a photo of you and your fiancé(e). You could also create a custom couple portrait or stamp to use on your invites. If you have a favourite illustration or painting, consider using that as inspiration for your invitation design. Alternatively, opt for a minimalist design and upload your own images, fonts, and colours.

Text and Quotes

If you have a favourite quote or book excerpt, consider incorporating it into your invitation design. You could also include a funny inside joke or a phrase that you and your partner regularly use. Another idea is to write a personal note to each guest on their invitation.

Monograms and Crests

Design a custom crest or monogram to include on your invitations. You could also use letterpress to print your monogram on napkins, which can be paired with other cocktail hour essentials like coasters and drink stirrers.

Themes and Colours

If you have a wedding theme, ensure your invitations reflect this. You could also use your wedding colours on the invitations, or opt for a colour that is meaningful to you and your partner.

DIY

If you're feeling creative, design your invitations from scratch using a free online template. This allows you to fully personalise your invitations by choosing the fonts, colours, stickers, and photos. You can also edit and customise your invitations as much as you like.

Choosing a colour scheme

• Consider the season and location of your wedding: The colours you choose can be inspired by the season and location of your wedding. For example, a spring wedding might feature a palette of purple, peach, green, and pink, while a summer wedding could incorporate bright citrus colours like lemon yellow and blue. A fall wedding could include rustic hues like burnt orange and dove grey, and a winter wedding might feature cool purple hues.
• Select a main colour and accent colours: A good rule of thumb when creating a colour palette is to choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, including a neutral shade, to support the main hues. You can also add a fun accent shade, such as gold or silver, to use sparingly throughout.
• Match your wedding theme: Your wedding invitation can reflect the theme of your wedding. For example, if you're planning a rustic wedding, you might choose a simple design printed on recycled brown paper. For a modern wedding, you could opt for a minimalist design.
• Popular colour schemes: There are several popular colour schemes for wedding invitations. Navy blue and gold give an elegant and modern look, especially for minimalist weddings. Pastel colours, such as blush, blue, and cream, create a romantic and soft atmosphere. Art Deco-inspired designs often feature gold, black, blue, or white, adding a touch of elegance. Floral greenery themes are versatile and can be used for outdoor or indoor weddings.
• Personalise your invitations: You can add a personal touch to your invitations by incorporating your own images, fonts, and colours. This can include uploading your own photos or experimenting with different decorative elements, such as watercolour gradients or vintage-inspired washed-out tones.
• Use online resources: There are several online resources available to help you create your own colour palettes, such as Colour Hunt and Adobe Colour Wheel. These tools allow you to browse pre-made colour palettes, experiment with different settings, and find inspiration for your wedding invitation designs.

Selecting a font

There are thousands of fonts available for personal or commercial use, and it can be a daunting task to pick the perfect one. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a font:

• Legibility: While there are many stylish fonts available, it's important to choose one that is easy to read. Some fonts may look great but can be difficult to read, especially if they are highly scripted or thin.
• Accent fonts: Consider using accent fonts to break up the design and highlight important information such as names and dates.
• Wedding theme: Choose a font that aligns with your wedding theme. For example, a whimsical font might be perfect for a whimsical event, while a bold font could be used to make a statement.
• Typeface styles: Understand the different typeface styles before making your decision. Serif fonts have short lines stemming from the ends of the letters, like Times New Roman. Sans serif fonts don't have these lines and are often more modern, like Arial or Helvetica. Script fonts resemble cursive handwriting or calligraphy, and display fonts are more artistic and graphic than legible.
• Your wedding style: Your wedding font should reflect your style and the overall vibe of your wedding. For example, serif fonts are typically associated with classy and elegant weddings, while sans-serif fonts are more modern.
• Number of fonts: It's recommended to use no more than two or three different fonts in your invitations to maintain readability and avoid a busy look. You can use different scales of the same font to highlight important information.
• Freebooter: A creative and contemporary font with a slightly italicized look.
• Yaquote Script: A stylish, understated, and uber-thin font that is both attractive and formal.
• Alex Brush: A sophisticated serif typeface with big curls and a playful, slightly italicized look.
• Adelio Darmanto: A delicate and whimsical calligraphic script font with adorable extra details, such as hearts dotting the i's.
• Bodoni: A sleek and well-designed sans serif font that's perfect for a minimal and chic affair.
• Broadway: A vintage-style font with a thoroughly 1920s vibe.
• Dreamland: A dreamy, script-esque, and refined font that pairs well with a sans serif font.
• Geraldine: A stylish and intricate calligraphy font that's easily legible and perfect for fancier weddings.
• Exmouth: A classic and polished-looking scripted font that's both readable and slanted.
• Yellow Rabbit: A neatly rounded and slightly accented font that's ideal for modern couples hosting a fun event.

Printing and sharing

Once you've created your wedding invitations, it's time to share them with your guests. There are several ways to do this, depending on your preference and budget. Here are some options for printing and sharing your free wedding invitations:

Printing Options:

• Online printing services: You can use online printing services such as Canva Print, which allows you to upload your designs and have them printed and delivered to your doorstep. This option is convenient and ensures high-quality prints.
• Local printing shops: Visit local printing shops, such as Costco or Office Depot, to print your invitations. They can help you select the best paper and trim the cards to the perfect size.
• Home printing: If you have a good home printer and are comfortable with the DIY approach, you can print your invitations at home. This option gives you flexibility but requires more time and effort.

Sharing Options:

• Mail: The traditional route is to send your invitations through the mail. This option is more costly due to postage and envelopes but provides a tangible keepsake for your guests.
• Email: You can email your invitations directly to your guests' inboxes. This option is environmentally friendly, quick, and cost-effective.
• Social media: Share your invitations via social media platforms to reach your guests easily. This method is ideal for tech-savvy couples with many online connections.
• Event page: Create an event page on your wedding website or a platform like Greetings Island. This allows guests to RSVP and access all the necessary information in one place.

When deciding on printing and sharing options, consider your budget, time constraints, and the level of formality you want to convey. Remember to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to create, print, and distribute your invitations.

Frequently asked questions