Creating Unique Wedding Invites: Handmade Card Ideas

Handmade wedding invitation cards are a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. With online tools and templates, it's easier than ever to design and create your own invitations. Whether you're looking for a rustic, minimalist, or elegant design, you can find a variety of customizable options to choose from. You can upload your own photos, choose from different fonts and colours, and even add special effects to make your invitations stand out. By making your own invitations, you can save money and create something truly unique that reflects your style and personality. In this article, we'll explore the steps to create handmade wedding invitation cards, from choosing a template to adding your own personal touches.

Choosing a design that reflects your wedding theme

Your wedding invitation is a chance to showcase your wedding theme and give your guests a glimpse of what to expect on the day. Whether you're planning a rustic celebration or a modern, minimalist affair, there are a few key things to consider when choosing a design that reflects your wedding theme.

First, think about the overall style of your wedding. If you're going for a rustic vibe, a simple invitation printed on recycled brown paper could be a perfect choice. On the other hand, if you're planning a modern wedding, a minimalist design with clean lines and a simple colour palette might be more appropriate.

Next, consider the specific details of your wedding theme. If you're having a floral-themed wedding, for example, you might want to incorporate floral elements into your invitation design. Likewise, if you're having a beach wedding, you could choose an invitation with a beachy or tropical theme.

Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. If you're having a vintage-themed wedding, for example, you could use a typewriter font or add some art deco details to your invitations. Or, if you're going for a more whimsical theme, you could choose an invitation with a fun and playful font and colourful illustrations.

Finally, don't forget to add a personal touch. Your invitation is a chance to showcase your personality as a couple. If you have a favourite colour or a meaningful photo, incorporate it into the design. You could even include a custom illustration or a monogram to make your invitations truly unique.

Remember, your wedding invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding, so choose a design that reflects your theme and sets the tone for your special day.

Selecting the right materials

Chipboard or Cardstock: The backing material for your invitation needs to be sturdy. While regular cardstock may be too flimsy, chipboard provides a more robust option. However, it's worth experimenting with different types of cardstock to find the right weight and texture for your needs.

Leafing: Leafing, such as copper, gold, or silver leaf, adds a touch of elegance and shine to your invitations. If you decide to use leafing, be sure to purchase leafing adhesive as well to ensure it adheres securely to your invitations.

Envelopes: Don't forget to select envelopes that complement your invitations. Consider both the mailer envelope and RSVP envelopes, and order about 10% more than you need to account for any mistakes. Websites like paperandmore.com and cardsandpockets.com offer a variety of envelope options.

Design Software: To create your invitation design, you can use software like Adobe InDesign or Canva. These programs offer customizable templates, allowing you to add text, images, and personalized touches to make your invitations unique. Play around with different fonts, colours, and layouts to achieve the look you desire.

Printing Options: Depending on your preference, you can print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. If printing at home, consider the type of paper you want to use, such as recycled brown paper for a rustic theme or premium paper for a more elegant feel.

Embellishments: To enhance the visual appeal of your invitations, consider adding embellishments like lace, stickers, or other decorative elements. These details can make your invitations more intricate and special.

Remember, your wedding invitation card is a reflection of your style and the tone you want to set for your wedding. By carefully selecting the right materials and paying attention to the small details, you can create invitations that will delight both you and your guests.

Using online tools to design your card

There are many online tools and services that can help you design your wedding invitation card. These tools offer a variety of features, such as customizable templates, drag-and-drop editors, image and font libraries, and printing or sharing options. Here are some popular options:

Greetings Island

Greetings Island offers an online invitation maker with a gallery of options in various styles and designs. You can customize your invitation with text, images, and stickers. They also provide a full event management service, allowing you to track RSVPs and messages from guests. You can share your invitation via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or Facebook. Greetings Island also offers premium membership that unlocks over 5000 designs and is cost-effective if you need multiple invitations or announcements.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express provides a free online wedding invitation maker with thousands of professionally-made templates. You can browse and choose a template that matches your wedding aesthetic and then customize it with fonts, icons, colours, and graphics. The drag-and-drop editor gives you complete control over the look and feel of your invitation. You can also add animated effects for digital invites. Once you're finished, you can download your invitation as a high-resolution JPEG or PDF file to share or print.

Canva

Canva offers a free wedding invitation maker with elegant and diverse templates. You can browse through hundreds of templates for every theme, including destination, beach, and winter weddings. Their drag-and-drop tool allows you to easily place elements onto your design and access millions of high-quality icons and graphics. You can also upload your own images, customize colour schemes, and use shapes and lines to personalize your invitation. Once you're done, you can print your invitation or share it via email or social media.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post allows you to craft custom wedding invitations with various design styles, such as classic, floral, modern, and rustic. You can customize your invitation with colours, fonts, and photos. They also offer additional features like creating a custom URL, adding a photo gallery and registry blocks, and tracking RSVPs. You can send your invitations via email, text, or shareable link.

Adding personal touches

Photos of the Happy Couple

Include a photo of you and your partner on the invite. This is a great way to personalise the invitation and give your guests a glimpse into your lives together. You can simply drag and drop your chosen photo onto a template and you're good to go.

Ribbons, Twine and Tags

Adding a ribbon or some twine to your invitation is a lovely extra touch. It also serves a practical purpose by keeping all the other elements, such as travel information and RSVP cards, neatly together inside the envelope. You could also add a little tag with an extra special message or your names and the wedding date.

Creative Edging

Get creative with fancy corners or edges on your invitations using a special punch or stamp cutter. These are available in various sizes and designs from craft stores and online. Just make sure you have a steady hand and give yourself enough time to do this carefully.

Beautiful Calligraphy

Address your invitations with beautiful calligraphy. There are many online classes and DIY tutorials that can help you improve your handwriting skills and make a great impression. You can also use your new calligraphy skills to write the invitations themselves.

Wax Seals

Add an old-world luxe touch to your invitations with a wax seal. You can find these in specialist paper or craft stores, as well as on Etsy. Practise makes perfect with wax seals, so take your time and don't try to do too many at once.

There are endless ways to personalise your wedding invitation cards, and you can have fun exploring different ideas to find the perfect touches that reflect your unique style.

Printing and sharing your invitation

Once you've settled on a design for your handmade wedding invitation card, it's time to print and share it with your guests. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Printing Options:

There are several ways to print your handmade wedding invitations. If you're satisfied with your design and don't want to make any changes, you can opt for a professional printing service. Companies like Greetings Island and Canva offer high-quality printing services, and they will print and deliver your invitations and envelopes directly to your doorstep. This option is convenient and ensures a polished look for your invitations.

Alternatively, you can print your invitations at home. Most online invitation makers, such as Greetings Island, Canva, and Adobe Express, allow you to download your finalized design and print it yourself. This option gives you greater flexibility and is more cost-effective, especially if you're comfortable with the DIY approach.

Paper Selection:

When printing at home, consider the type of paper you will use. Regular cardstock might be too flimsy, so a chipboard backing is recommended for a sturdier invitation. You can also opt for recycled brown paper if you're going for a rustic theme. Additionally, think about the finish you want for your invitations. Canva offers various finish options, including premium and fancy paper, to elevate the look and feel of your invitations.

Envelopes:

Don't forget to purchase envelopes for your invitations. It is recommended to buy about 10% more envelopes than you need to account for any mistakes. Ensure you have both the mailer envelope and RSVP envelopes. You can find envelopes on websites like paperandmore.com or cardsandpockets.com.

Sharing Options:

Once your invitations are printed, it's time to share them with your guests. You can opt for the traditional route and send them via mail. This option is more common for formal weddings and gives your guests a physical keepsake.

However, in today's digital age, you also have the option to send your invitations online. Platforms like Greetings Island, Canva, and Adobe Express allow you to share your invitations via email, text messages, or social media platforms like Facebook. This method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and it also offers convenient features like RSVP tracking and message management.

Timing:

Remember to send out your wedding invitations with enough time for your guests to respond and make any necessary arrangements. The standard timeline for sending wedding invitations is 6 to 8 weeks in advance. However, if you have guests from another country, it's advisable to send them out 9 weeks in advance to account for international delays. For destination weddings, aim for at least 12 weeks in advance.

Frequently asked questions