Creating Timeless Vintage Wedding Invitations By Hand

Creating handmade vintage wedding invitations is a great way to set the tone for a DIY wedding. It's a chance to add personal touches and wow your guests with unique details that reflect the celebration to come. From elegant calligraphy to creative edging, there are many ways to make your invitations stand out. For a rustic look, try adding twine and tags, or sealing the envelope with wax. If you're feeling creative, you can even dye your invitations with tea or coffee for an antique look. For a modern twist on a vintage invitation, combine old Hollywood glamour with simple, sleek designs and silver or gold foiling. The possibilities are endless!

Using vintage stamps and envelopes

Vintage stamps can add a beautiful, romantic touch to your handmade vintage wedding invitations. Here are some tips on how to use them effectively:

Start planning early: Let your stationer know as soon as possible if you plan to incorporate vintage stamps. It's best to start before or during the invitation design process. Consider how much room to leave for addressing, as you may need space for multiple stamps, and think about what colour envelope will best showcase your stamps.

Choose a theme or colour palette: Curate your vintage postage set based on your wedding theme or incorporate elements of your personality. For example, if you love to travel, you could use geographical stamps featuring places that are meaningful to you. Alternatively, you could choose stamps that complement your wedding colour palette.

Calculate postage amount and budget: Depending on the weight, size, shape, and thickness of your envelope, you'll need to figure out the correct postage amount. Generally, anything under 1oz and not too thick will cost $0.55 to mail domestically (as of 2021). If it weighs more than 1oz, you'll need to purchase additional postage. Square envelopes or non-standard sizes may also incur a "non-machineable" surcharge, requiring a "non-machinable" mailpiece to be manually hand-cancelled with a rubber stamp. Don't forget to include the cost of vintage stamps in your budget, as they can be significantly more expensive than current postage stamps.

Source your vintage postage: Etsy is a great place to find vintage stamps, with many shops offering a wide variety of designs, colours, and themes. You can also find stamp dealers online, such as Verde Studio, Little Postage House, Vintage Postage Shop, Edelweiss Post, and Flourish Fine Writing.

Plan the layout of your stamps: Discuss the layout with your stationer or calligrapher to ensure they leave enough space for addressing. Play around with the order and arrangement of the stamps to create a visually interesting and balanced composition.

Apply the stamps with care: Applying vintage postage can be tedious and detailed work. Make sure you have a clean and organised space. Lay out your stamps in the order you plan to stick them, and use a shallow bowl with a moistened sponge to moisten the adhesive on the back of each stamp. Alternatively, you can use a glue stick if the adhesive is no longer sticky enough.

Remember, your wedding invitations will offer guests their first impression of your big day, so putting thought into your postage is essential. Vintage stamps can infuse your invitations with character and personality, making them a unique and special touch.

Adding a watercolour wash

Materials:

• Watercolour paper or thick cardstock
• Watercolour paint
• Paintbrushes
• Cup of clean water
• Paper towel or rag
• Printer
• Heavy-duty paper cutter

Process:

• Start by creating a simple wedding invitation design that you can print onto your watercolour paper. You can find free templates and font ideas online.
• Using a heavy-duty paper cutter, cut your watercolour paper to the desired size.
• Test your printer by printing your design on a sheet of watercolour paper. Some printers may not be able to handle the heavy paper, so you might need to use a professional printing service.
• Once you've confirmed that your printer can handle the paper, print your invitations.
• Carefully paint a watercolour wash onto your invitations. Be sure to use a light touch and not too much water, as this can cause the paper to warp.
• Allow the invitations to dry completely before handling further.
• You can add further embellishments, such as calligraphy, ribbons, or wax seals, to complete the vintage look.

Remember to allow plenty of time for practising and perfecting your technique before you begin the final invitations. Enjoy the process of creating these beautiful, personalised mementos for your guests!

Creative edging with punches

To get started, make sure you have a good table and a steady hand. It's important to take your time and be careful when punching the edges, as tiredness can lead to uneven patterns. The process is quite straightforward; simply align the punch or stamp cutter to the edge of your invitation and apply pressure to cut out the desired shape. You can create fancy corners or edges, adding a delicate and intricate detail to your invitations.

If you want to get more creative, consider using multiple punches or stamp cutters with different designs. You can mix and match patterns to create a unique border that frames your invitation beautifully. Remember to plan the layout beforehand, ensuring that the punches you create complement each other and don't overlap awkwardly.

With a steady hand and some creativity, you can transform simple invitations into works of art. So, take your time, experiment with different punches, and have fun creating one-of-a-kind vintage wedding invitations that will impress your guests.

Using recycled paper and cardstock

Kraft, or recycled cardstock, is a great option for handmade vintage wedding invitations. It has a rustic, on-trend look, resembling the coarse paper used for brown grocery bags, but with a thicker and more polished finish. This type of cardstock is perfect for creating a vintage or outdoorsy theme for your wedding.

When choosing recycled paper or cardstock, consider the weight or thickness. Cardstock weight is typically measured in pounds, with the standard range being 45# to 300# or higher. The higher the weight, the thicker the cardstock, and the more professional your invitations will look and feel. For most home printers, 80# to 90# cardstock is ideal as it can easily feed through desktop printers. However, if your printer can handle heavier weights, you may want to consider 100# cardstock for a more luxurious feel.

When printing at home, it is recommended to start with a lower weight cardstock, such as 80# or 100#, and gradually increase the weight to find the perfect balance for your printer. Keep in mind that some printers may struggle with cardstock that is too thick, resulting in issues like smudging or jamming.

In addition to weight, the texture of the cardstock is also important. Recycled cardstock often has a textured, fibrous look that adds to the vintage charm. You can also consider using textured cardstock to hide any imperfections that may occur during the printing process. For example, linen cardstock has a delicate woven texture that can add visual interest to your invitations.

When creating your handmade vintage wedding invitations, you can find recycled paper and cardstock in a variety of weights and colours on Etsy. You can also explore other online retailers or local craft stores to find the perfect materials for your invitations.

Adding a vintage photo

Choosing the Right Photo

Select a photo that captures the vintage theme you desire. Consider using a black-and-white or sepia-toned image, as these colour palettes evoke a sense of timelessness. If you have access to old family wedding photos, they can make a charming addition to your invitations. Alternatively, you could choose a romantic photo of the happy couple in vintage attire or edit a modern photo to give it a vintage feel.

Editing Your Photo

To enhance the vintage effect, you can edit your chosen photo using online tools or photo editing software. Play with filters and effects to create a softly focused, slightly faded look. Adding a touch of grain can also give the image a nostalgic, aged feel. Experiment with different effects until you achieve the desired result.

Incorporating the Photo into Your Design

There are several ways to incorporate your vintage photo into the invitation design:

• Feature the photo as a central element on the front of the invitation, perhaps with a decorative border or frame.
• Use the photo as a background image, with the invitation details overlaid in a stylish font.
• Create a collage of multiple vintage photos, including images of family members or significant locations.
• If you're feeling creative, try printing the photo directly onto the invitation card stock.

Embellishments and Finishing Touches

To further enhance the vintage aesthetic, consider adding some tasteful embellishments:

• Use lace, ribbon, or twine to accent the photo or secure it in place.
• Add a wax seal, either as a decorative element or to secure the photo in place.
• Incorporate dried flowers or botanical elements for a romantic, vintage-inspired touch.
• Experiment with different types of paper, such as kraft paper or textured card stock, to create an aged, rustic feel.

Remember to pay attention to the small details, such as using vintage-style envelopes and elegant fonts, to tie the entire invitation suite together. With careful selection and creative design, your vintage photo invitations will set the tone for a truly memorable wedding celebration.

Frequently asked questions