Creating Homemade Wedding Paper For Your Big Day

Planning a wedding can be expensive, so it's no surprise that many couples are looking for ways to cut costs. One way to do this is by making your own wedding paper, from invitations to decorations. Not only is this a more affordable option, but it also allows you to add a personal and unique touch to your special day. Whether you're crafting your own stationery suite from scratch or personalizing a template, making your own wedding paper is a fun and creative way to get ready for your big day.

DIY wedding invitations

Creating your own wedding invitations is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your big day. Here are some tips and steps to help you make your own DIY wedding invitations:

Planning and Preparation:

Before you begin, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want your invitations to look like. Consider the overall style, colour scheme, and any illustrations or decorative elements you want to include. Decide on the type of paper you want to use, such as cardstock or handmade paper, and choose envelopes in complementing colours or styles. Don't forget to order 20-25% more paper than you need to allow for mistakes and practice.

Designing the Layout and Text:

Play around with different fonts, font sizes, and ink colours to create a design that reflects your wedding aesthetic. You can use a word processing program or free online tools like Canva to create your design. Remember to include all the essential information, such as the names of the couple, the date, time, and place of the wedding, and RSVP details.

Printing and Assembly:

Printing at home is a great option if you have a good quality printer and the right type of paper. Run a few tests to ensure the colours and text look as you want them to. If you're happy with the results, go ahead and print your invitations. After printing, use a paper cutter or craft knife to trim the invitations to the correct size. Finally, assemble your invitations by placing any inserts inside the corresponding envelopes, sealing them, and adding any adornments like ribbons or wax seals.

Mailing Your Invitations:

Before mailing your invitations, visit the post office to determine the correct postage based on the weight and size of your invitations. You may also want to consider hand-cancelling your envelopes to avoid potential damage during the mailing process. Address your envelopes by hand for a personal touch, or use printed labels. It's recommended to send your invitations out six to eight weeks before your wedding day.

Additional Tips:

• Start designing your invitations at least four months in advance to avoid rushing and give yourself time to make any necessary adjustments.
• Invest in high-quality tools like a paper trimmer and a good printer to achieve professional-looking results.
• Keep all your supplies and materials organised in one area to avoid misplacing anything.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help from crafty friends or professionals if needed.
• Add symbolic touches to your invitations, such as illustrations or quotes that represent your relationship or wedding theme.
• Consider creating a custom wax seal with your initials or a design that reflects your style.
• Use embellishments like ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners to elevate the look of your invitations.

Paper wedding flowers

Paper flowers are a great way to add a unique touch to your wedding. They are pretty, inexpensive, and long-lasting, making them perfect wedding mementos. Here is a step-by-step guide to making paper wedding flowers:

Materials:

• Crepe paper
• Scissors
• Green floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Wired floral leaves (from craft stores)
• Ribbon
• Wire cutters

Steps:

• Cut several teardrop-shaped petals out of the crepe paper. The easiest way is to cut straight from the roll.
• Cut a small square of crepe paper and fold it in half to create a triangle.
• Wrap the triangle around the tip of a floral wire and secure it with double-sided tape. Cover the entire wire with paper.
• Keep adding petals to form the bud, securing each one with floral tape at the base. You can add as many petals as you like to create the desired fullness of the rose.
• Continue making paper flowers until you have the desired number of blooms.
• Twist the wired leaves onto each flower stem.
• Gather the stems into a bouquet and cover the wires with floral tape.
• Trim the floral wire ends with wire cutters.
• Wrap ribbon around the bouquet stems to cover the floral tape and add a finishing touch.

Other Paper Flower Ideas:

Paper flowers can be used in a variety of ways at your wedding, including:

• Bridesmaid bouquets
• Aisle decorations
• Colourful ceremony arch
• Suspended paper flowers
• Garland
• Centrepieces
• Escort card display
• Backdrops

Paper wedding decorations

Paper Flowers

Crepe paper flowers are a popular choice for wedding decorations and can be used in a variety of ways. Create a stunning paper flower backdrop for your ceremony or reception, or make bouquets, flower crowns, and wrist corsages for the bridal party. You can even use paper flowers as gift toppers or arrange them into garlands and wreaths. With some creativity, you can make beautiful and unique paper flower decorations.

Hanging Decorations

Hanging paper decorations can add a touch of whimsy and elegance to your wedding venue. Consider hanging paper lanterns, pom-poms, or bells in your wedding colours. You can also find hanging paper decorations in the shape of hearts or bells, perfect for adding a romantic touch. Combine these with streamers or garlands for a festive and cheerful atmosphere.

Table Decorations

Paper confetti is a simple yet effective way to decorate your wedding tables. Choose confetti in the shape of hearts, diamonds, or even the words "I do" to scatter across the tables. You can also use paper flowers as centrepieces or place settings. For a more interactive element, provide paper fans or paper napkins with a fun design or message for your guests.

Other Ideas

The possibilities for paper wedding decorations are endless. You can make paper bunting or banners with your wedding colours or theme. For a more personal touch, create your own paper wedding invitations and envelopes. If you're feeling creative, you can even design and make your own paper wedding favours or place cards.

With some creativity and attention to detail, you can make beautiful paper wedding decorations that will wow your guests and add a unique touch to your special day.

Envelopes

DIY Envelope Ideas:

• Gold Foil Details: Gold foil is an elegant and luxurious addition to any wedding invitation. You can add gold foil to the border of your envelope or anywhere on the invitation. It looks best when sparse and scattered.
• Watercolour Backgrounds: If you're artistic, paint the background of your envelopes and invitations with watercolours. Each envelope will be unique, and as long as you use similar colours and placement, they will look amazing as a set.
• Floral Wax Seals: Use dried blooms or botanical leaves to adorn the wax seals on your envelopes. You can find stickers that are easy to peel and stick or use real wax and a rubber stamp for a luxurious look.
• Vellum Invitation Jackets: Wrap your invitations in vellum cases for an elegant and professional look. These translucent jackets will make your homemade envelopes look expensive.
• DIY Envelope Inserts: Personalise your envelope inserts with downloadable templates. Print and cut them out, then slide them into your envelopes for a finished look.

How to Make Homemade Envelopes:

• Paper Choice: Choose a paper that is about twice the size of your desired envelope. A standard size of 8.5 by 11 inches will work, or you can cut it in half for a smaller envelope. You can also experiment with different sizes and types of paper, such as textured paper or scrapbook paper.
• Initial Folds: Fold the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold it so it lies flat. For a square origami envelope, place your paper so the corners form a diamond shape, then fold the paper corner to corner to create creases.
• Creating the Pouch: Fold the sides and bottom of the paper towards the centre to form the envelope shape. The specific steps will depend on the type of envelope you are making (pouch, taped, or origami).
• Securing the Envelope: Use tape, glue, or stickers to secure the sides of the envelope. You can also use decorative tape, such as Washi tape, to add a creative touch and hold the envelope together.
• Final Touches: Decorate your envelope further with stamps, stickers, or ribbons. You can also line the inside of the envelope with decorative paper for an elegant touch.

Making your own envelopes for your wedding invitations can be a fun and creative project. With some paper, creativity, and a few simple steps, you can add a unique and personal touch to your special day.

Printing

Printer and Ink

First, check that your printer can handle the weight and size of your paper. Most standard printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds. If you don't have a printer or yours isn't suitable, you can send your file to a larger printer at a store like Costco or Office Depot, or use a professional printing service.

For the best quality, you'll want to print on the "photograph" or "high" setting. This can use a lot of ink, so it's a good idea to buy in bulk from places like Sam's Club, Costco, or Amazon. It's also recommended to buy at least one extra set of ink in case you run out halfway through.

Paper

Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice for wedding invitations, giving a high-quality, luxurious look and durable feel. For a more textured look, you can choose paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish.

If you're printing at home, take the time to test your paper and printer. Run a few tests, as home printers usually display images that are a shade or two darker than your digital design, and adjust the settings until you're happy with the colour balance.

Design

When creating your design, keep in mind that most home printers aren't well-suited for a full-colour background, which can lead to imperfections and discolouration. Instead, opt for a white background with colourful illustrations.

Also, be sure to centre your design on the page, leaving enough room to neatly trim the edges. This will give you a full bleed effect, where the design reaches the edge of the paper without showing any white margins.

Proofreading

Before you print your final design, be sure to thoroughly proofread the text and double-check the layout. Ask someone else to read through it as well to catch any errors or mistakes you might have missed.

It's also recommended to save your file as a PDF, as this will print with higher quality than a JPEG. A template resolution quality of at least 300 DPI will create a crisp result.

Frequently asked questions