Creating Delicate Lace Belly Bands For Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are often formal, but DIY invitations are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Belly bands are a charming and practical way to make your invitations feel like a little present for your guests to unwrap. They are slim, paper bands that fit around your invitations, holding all the pieces of your set together. You can make them from paper, lace, twine, or ribbon, and personalize them with a custom monogram, couples' names, or a wedding date. This article will guide you through the process of making lace belly bands for your wedding invitations, from choosing the right materials to assembling the final product.

Choosing the right paper for your lace belly bands

Belly bands are slim, paper bands that fit around your invitations, holding all the pieces of your set together. They are a great way to add a little extra something to your wedding invitations and make them feel like a little present for your guests to unwrap.

When choosing the paper for your lace belly bands, it is important to consider the weight and thickness of the paper. Belly bands are best printed on thinner paper that can easily wrap around your invitations. A 60-70# text weight (roughly 90-100 gsm) works well for this purpose. You can usually find paper in this weight range online or at your local office supply store.

If you are creating a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, your belly band should measure 11 x 2 inches. For a custom card size, simply double the width of your card and add an extra inch for the overlap. This will ensure that your belly band has a snug fit and holds all the cards neatly together without bending the edges of your invitation.

When it comes to the type of paper, you can choose from a variety of options such as cardstock, vellum, silk, recycled silk, or uncoated paper. If you want something more dazzling, foiled belly bands in colours like gold, silver, rose gold, copper, blue, or red are also available.

In addition to the paper weight and type, consider the ink heaviness of your design. If your design has a full-colour background, it will consume a lot of ink, which can be expensive. Printing at home is often more cost-effective for DIY stationery, but if you need large quantities of an ink-heavy design, a local print shop might be a more budget-friendly option.

Measuring and cutting the lace belly bands

To make lace belly bands for wedding invitations, you will need to carefully measure and cut your chosen lace. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, decide on the size of your invitations. For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, the recommended belly band size is 11 x 2 inches. If you are creating custom-sized invitations, a useful tip is to double the width of your card and add an extra inch for overlap. This will ensure a snug fit.

Before cutting your lace, it is important to consider the type of lace you are using and the tools you will need. Delicate lace fabrics may require a different cutting approach to more robust lace. Scissors are typically used for cutting lace, but for more intricate patterns or delicate lace, a craft knife or rotary cutter might be preferable.

When measuring the lace, ensure you leave enough room for any embellishments or decorations you plan to add. It is also important to consider the stretch of the lace. You may want to cut the lace slightly longer than your calculated measurement to account for any shrinkage or stretching that may occur.

Once you have measured and marked the lace, carefully cut along the line, ensuring straight and precise edges. If you are using scissors, ensure they are sharp and suitable for the type of lace you are using. For a more professional finish, you may want to consider using a rotary cutter or craft knife, especially if your lace has a detailed pattern.

After cutting, it is a good idea to seal the edges of the lace to prevent fraying. You can use a fabric sealant or a clear nail polish to carefully apply a thin layer along the cut edges. Allow this to dry completely before handling or assembling your invitations.

Now you have successfully measured and cut your lace belly bands, you are one step closer to creating elegant and unique wedding invitations!

Printing and trimming the lace belly bands

Belly bands are best printed on a thinner paper that can easily wrap around your wedding invitations. A text weight paper, such as a 60-70# text weight (roughly 90-100 gsm), works well. You can usually find this online or at your local office supply store. For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, your belly band should measure 11 x 2 inches. If you're cutting your own for a custom card size, double the width of your card and add an extra inch for overlap.

When deciding whether to print your belly bands at home or at a print shop, consider the heaviness of the ink and the quantity you'll be printing. If your design has a full-colour background, it will consume a lot of ink, which can get expensive. Printing at home is often more cost-effective for small quantities, but if you need a large number of an ink-heavy design, a local print shop might be more budget-friendly.

To get the accurate size, make sure your printer settings are at No Scaling / 100% and that you have the accurate paper size selected. In most cases, this will be an 8.5 x 11-inch template that fits multiple bands per page.

Once you've printed the template, cut out the individual bands using a paper cutter or an X-acto knife. If you see tiny lines in the corners, these are trim guides that show you where to cut. You can also use scissors, although a paper cutter will give you straighter cuts and allow you to cut multiple sheets at once.

Now you're ready to assemble your invitations! You want a snug fit so that the band holds all the cards neatly together, but not so tight that it bends the edge of your invitation.

Assembling the lace belly bands

Lace belly bands are a great way to add a pop of colour and a personal touch to your wedding invitations. They also ensure that all the pieces of your invitation set stay together neatly. Here is a step-by-step guide to assembling your lace belly bands:

Firstly, cut your lace into strips that are long enough to wrap around your invitation suite. The standard invitation size is 5 x 7 inches, so your lace belly band should be around 11 x 2 inches. You can use a paper cutter or scissors to cut the lace neatly.

Next, gather your invitation suite. This typically includes the invitation, RSVP card and envelope, and any other enclosure cards. Stack these from largest to smallest, with the invitation at the bottom.

Now you are ready to start assembling! Take your lace strip and centre it on the back of your invitation stack. Fold one flap of the lace around the stack and secure it with a glue stick or double-sided tape. You can use a bone folder to create a more defined crease if you wish.

Finally, fold the other flap on top, pulling the lace slightly to ensure a snug fit, and secure with more glue or tape. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue dries.

And that's it! Your wedding invitation, complete with a lace belly band, is now ready to be mailed to your guests. This process can be time-consuming, so consider enlisting the help of your family and friends to make it a fun bonding experience.

Adding a personal touch to the lace belly bands

Choose the Right Lace

Select a lace that reflects your style and the theme of your wedding. You can find lace in various colours, patterns, and textures, so take your time to choose one that speaks to you. If you're having a rustic wedding, for instance, you might opt for a soft, ivory lace with a delicate pattern. Or, if you're going for a more glamorous look, consider a luxurious eyelash lace with a shimmery finish.

Incorporate Your Wedding Colours

Another way to personalise your lace belly bands is to incorporate your wedding colours. You can either choose a lace that already has your colours or dye the lace yourself. Dying lace can be a bit tricky, so if you're going this route, be sure to get some guidance from a professional or a good book on lace crafts.

Embellish with Personalised Details

Think about adding some personalised embellishments to your lace belly bands. You could attach a small charm with your initials and wedding date, or perhaps a tiny silk ribbon in your signature colour. You could even include a vintage button or a pearl if that fits your style.

Customise the Shape

Instead of the traditional rectangular belly band, consider customising the shape to fit your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could cut the lace in the shape of seashells or starfish. Or, if you're having a garden wedding, you might opt for a floral shape.

Add a Special Message

Why not include a special message or quote on your lace belly bands? You could handwrite it with a fine-tipped pen or have it printed directly onto the lace. It could be a favourite line from a poem, a meaningful song lyric, or even just a simple "thank you for being a part of our special day."

Remember, the key to adding a personal touch is to make it unique to you and your partner. So, don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box!

Frequently asked questions