Creating Delicate Lace Wedding Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide

Lace wedding cards are a popular choice for those seeking a classic, elegant, and timeless look. They can be made at home or bought from a range of online retailers. Making lace wedding cards requires some crafting skills and a variety of materials, including paper, lace, glue, scissors, and ribbons. Online tutorials and templates are available to guide the process, with customisation options such as colour schemes and inserts. Alternatively, pre-made lace wedding cards can be purchased from sites like Etsy and Elegantweddinginvites.com, with prices starting as low as $1.79.

Choosing a colour scheme

One option is to choose a coloured cardstock for your invitation. This could be a subtle blush or a bolder shade like burgundy or navy blue. You could also use coloured envelopes to add a pop of colour. If you want to stick to more neutral tones, consider using antique gold or cipria for a soft and elegant look.

Another way to add colour to your lace wedding cards is through embellishments. For example, you could include a coloured ribbon or a small resin flower in your chosen shade. This can be a great way to tie in your wedding colours or simply add a touch of elegance to your design.

Don't be afraid to mix and match colours to create a unique and eye-catching invitation suite. You can change the look of your invitations completely by changing the colour of any of the pieces. If you're feeling creative, try combining different shades or experimenting with contrasting colours.

Remember, the colour scheme you choose for your lace wedding cards should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Whether you prefer a classic and timeless look or something more bold and modern, there are endless possibilities to create beautiful lace wedding cards.

Selecting paper and lace types

When making lace wedding cards, it is important to select the right type of paper and lace to achieve the desired look and feel. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the materials for your wedding cards:

Type of Paper

The type of paper you choose will depend on the overall style and theme of your wedding. Some popular options include:

• Cardstock: This is a thick and durable paper that can add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitations. It comes in various colours and textures, including smooth, matte, and glossy finishes.
• Kraft Paper: Kraft paper has a natural, earthy tone and a textured finish, making it a perfect choice for rustic or bohemian-themed weddings.
• Metallic Paper: For a more glamorous and luxurious feel, consider metallic paper with gold, silver, or rose gold foil accents.
• Vellum: This translucent paper is often used as an overlay or envelope liner and adds a soft and romantic touch to your invitations.

Type of Lace

The type of lace you choose will also depend on your wedding theme and the overall look you want to achieve. Here are some options to consider:

• Cotton Lace: Cotton lace is a classic choice and is known for its softness and durability. It often has a matte finish and goes well with rustic or vintage-themed weddings.
• Chantilly Lace: This type of lace is delicate and elegant, featuring a floral pattern and scalloped edges. It is often used for sophisticated and romantic wedding invitations.
• Embroidered Lace: Embroidered lace has a more dimensional and textured look, with intricate patterns and designs. It can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your wedding cards.
• Laser-Cut Lace: Laser-cut lace is a modern option that creates intricate and precise patterns. It can be used as an overlay or sleeve for your invitations, adding a unique and contemporary touch.

When selecting the paper and lace for your wedding cards, consider the colour scheme, theme, and overall style you want to achieve. You can mix and match different papers and laces to create a unique and personalised invitation suite that reflects your personality and wedding aesthetic.

Using glue and tape to attach lace

When attaching lace to your wedding card, there are several types of glue and tape you can use. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use them:

Using a Glue Gun

Hot glue is a great option for attaching lace to your wedding cards. It creates a strong bond and is perfect for adhering fabric or ribbon to your cards. Here's how you can use it:

• Acquire a glue gun and glue sticks.
• Load the glue stick into the gun and plug it in to heat up the glue.
• Once the glue is melted, gently squeeze the trigger to apply glue to the desired area.
• Quickly attach the lace to the glued area and hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue cools and sets.

Stippling with PVA Glue

This method is suitable for stiffer types of lace. Here's how to do it:

• Use PVA glue that has thickened slightly.
• Place the lace on a piece of waste paper to determine which side is the reverse.
• Using a stippling motion, apply glue to the reverse side of the lace. Avoid excess glue buildup in the holes of the lace.
• Gently flip the lace over and place it on the desired area of your card.
• Press it down gently with your palm, then use a bone folder to smooth it out.

Creating a "Layover" with Transparency Film

This method is ideal for delicate lace with large holes. Here's the process:

• Spread a thin layer of glue onto a sheet of transparency film or a smooth surface like glass.
• Gently place your lace onto the glue, ensuring it makes contact with the glue everywhere.
• Quickly lift the lace by its edges and place it on the desired area of your card.
• Use a bone folder to smooth it out, pressing down firmly.

Gluing the Receiving Surface

This technique is suitable for dense lace with small holes, such as netted tulle or heavy crochet lace. Here's how it works:

• Place the lace where you plan to glue it, and use masking tape or washi tape to secure it in place.
• Remove the lace and stipple on a thin layer of glue inside the taped area.
• Gently place the lace back onto the glued area and press it down.
• Carefully remove the tape and use a bone folder to smooth out the lace.

Using Double-Sided Tape

Double-sided tape is a convenient option for attaching lace to your wedding cards. It provides strong adhesion and is easy to use. Here's how you can use it:

• Choose a suitable width of double-sided tape based on the size and shape of your lace.
• Cut or tear the desired length of tape and remove one side of the backing.
• Adhere the tape to the back of the lace, ensuring it covers the areas that will make contact with the card.
• Remove the second backing from the tape and carefully place the lace onto the desired area of your card, pressing down firmly.

Remember to work in a well-ventilated area when using adhesives, and always follow the instructions on the product labels. With these techniques, you can confidently attach lace to your wedding cards, creating elegant and unique invitations for your special day.

Adding extra decorations like ribbons and bows

Ribbons and bows are a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding cards. They can be used to incorporate your wedding colour scheme or theme and can be made from any kind of ribbon or even paper.

Classic Satin Bow

The width of the ribbon you use will depend on the style of your wedding. For a formal and luxurious look, go for a wider ribbon (around 25mm). For a more casual feel, choose a skinnier ribbon (around 10mm). You can find satin ribbons in various colours, from white to blush pink to black.

Mini Bow with a Fork

If you don't like big bows, you can try making a simple mini bow with a fork. This type of bow gives an impression of true luxury but only takes seconds to produce.

Dior Bow

Dior bows are often used on laser-cut wedding wraps as they create a sense of elegance. You can add a small pearl or crystal embellishment to the centre of the bow for a perfect finishing touch.

Double Bow

The double bow is a fun and easy variation of the classic single bow. It can be made with the help of your fingers.

Wax Seal and Ribbon

Wax seals on a ribbon belly band is a popular trend in the wedding industry. There are many ways to use wax seals and ribbons on your wedding invitations, from modern to traditional styles.

Combining Ribbon with Other Materials

You can decorate your invitation cards with two or even three ribbons of different materials to alter the style of the invitation. For example, combining a ribbon with a glitter paper band creates a modern and glamorous look.

Changing the Position of the Ribbon

Simply changing the position of the ribbon tie on your wedding invitation can create a big impact.

Trying Different Types of Ribbons

The type of ribbon you use can also change the effect of your wedding invitation. For instance, a shimmer satin ribbon is often used for a classic invitation type, such as laser-cut wraps, while light chiffon ribbons are favoured for a romantic and vintage theme.

Printing and sticking on wording

To print and stick on the wording for your lace wedding cards, follow these steps:

Materials:

• Tape runner or double-sided tape
• Scissors
• Printed wording on Josephine lilac paper
• Matt A4 card

Instructions:

• Cut two pieces of Matt A4 card to 14cm x 10.5cm.
• Use your tape runner to stick both pieces together.
• Print your wording onto the Josephine lilac paper and cut it down to size. The finished size should be 14cm wide x 10.5cm high, with a gap on the left of at least 7cm for the lace.
• Stick your wording panel on top of the card.

For the following steps, you will need:

• Tape runner or double-sided tape
• Scissors
• 11cm Dahlia Lace
• Matt off-white card
• Printed wording on lilac Josephine paper

• Cut 11cm of Dahlia Lace. Fold it in half lengthways, and carefully cut along the fold line so that you have two identical pieces of lace.
• Run a line of tape down the left side of your card. Run two more lines of tape about 2cm apart.
• Press your lace firmly into place on top of the tape. Make sure to line up the edge of the lace with the edge of the card. If there is any overlap, carefully trim it off with scissors.
• Cut your matt off-white card to the following sizes:

• Invitation Panel - 13cm x 13cm
• RSVP Panel - 11.5cm x 9cm

• Stick your invitation wording onto the off-white card using double-sided tape. Slot it into the pocket.
• Stick your RSVP wording onto the off-white card and slot it into the pocket.

Frequently asked questions