Creating Wedding Cards: A Guide For Couples

Making your own wedding cards is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're a crafting whizz or a novice, there are plenty of options for creating DIY wedding invitations that reflect your unique style and personality. From custom designs to printable templates, you can choose the level of customisation that suits your skills and budget. In this guide, we'll explore the different types of DIY wedding invitations, offer ideas for customisation, and provide tips to help you create beautiful invitations that you and your guests will cherish.

Choosing a design and customising your template

The first step to creating your own wedding cards is to choose a design that reflects your wedding aesthetic and your personality. If you're artistically inclined, you can create your design from scratch using platforms like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign. Alternatively, you can browse the extensive libraries of customisable templates offered by online services such as Canva, Greetings Island, Papier, VistaPrint, or Minted. These templates are often categorised by theme, style, and colour, making it easier to find one that suits your vision.

Once you've selected a template, the customisation process begins! This is where you can let your creativity flow and add personal touches to your wedding cards. Most templates allow you to upload your own images, play with different colour schemes, experiment with various fonts, and incorporate shapes, lines, and other graphic elements. If you're feeling extra crafty, consider embellishing your cards with ribbons, wax seals, envelope liners, gold leaf, lace, or faux flowers.

If you're looking for inspiration, Pinterest is a great resource for design ideas, including illustrations, colours, fonts, and decorative elements. Additionally, many online template providers, such as Canva, offer designs created by professional designers to spark your creativity.

Before finalising your design, it's crucial to proofread the content. Enlist the help of others to review the text for any errors or spelling mistakes. This step ensures that your wedding cards are not only visually appealing but also free of any embarrassing typos!

Remember, your wedding cards are a reflection of your unique love story, so don't be afraid to get creative and add those special touches that make them truly yours.

Selecting paper type and printing options

Selecting the right paper type and printing options for your wedding cards is crucial to achieving the desired look and feel. Here are some factors to consider:

Paper Type

The paper you choose will significantly impact the overall aesthetic of your wedding cards. Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice for wedding invitations due to its high-quality, luxurious look and durable feel. It provides an elegant and classic backdrop for your design. However, if you want to add a unique texture to your invitations, you can opt for paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. These options offer a more natural and tactile experience for your guests.

When selecting your paper, it is advisable to visit a specialty stationery store or print shop to feel and see the paper in person. This way, you can ensure the paper meets your standards and suits your design preferences. Additionally, consider the size and weight of the paper in relation to your printer. Most home printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds, so keep this in mind when making your choice.

Printing Options

There are two main printing options to consider: printing at home or using a professional printing service.

Printing at Home

If you choose to print your wedding cards at home, it is essential to ensure your printer can handle the paper size and weight. Most standard home printers can manage cardstock up to 80 pounds. Conduct a few test prints to ensure the colours and text are accurate and legible. You may need to adjust the settings to achieve the desired colour balance.

Professional Printing Services

Using a professional printing service can provide a more polished and precise result. They often have a wider range of paper options and can ensure colour accuracy and crisp text. This option is particularly useful if your design includes a full-colour background or intricate details, as home printers may struggle with these elements.

Embellishments and Finishing Touches

To elevate your wedding cards further, consider adding embellishments and finishing touches. Ribbons, wax seals, envelope liners, gold leaf, lace, or faux flowers can all enhance the aesthetic of your invitations. These details can be chosen to match your wedding theme and add a personalised touch.

Envelopes and Assembly

Don't forget to select envelopes that complement your wedding cards. You can opt for pre-made envelopes in a coordinating colour or even make your own using envelope templates. Ensure the envelopes are slightly larger than your cards to allow for comfortable insertion. When assembling your invitations, use glue dots or double-stick tape for a neat and secure finish.

Proofreading and Final Checks

Before finalising your design, proofread the text thoroughly and enlist others to do the same. This step is crucial to ensure there are no errors or spelling mistakes. Additionally, consider the postage requirements for your invitations. Visit your local post office to determine the correct postage based on the number and weight of your invitations. This step will ensure your carefully crafted invitations arrive safely and intact to your guests.

Adding personal touches and decorations

Embellishments and Materials:

• Embellishments like ribbons, bows, tags, wax seals, lace, glitter, and stamps can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding cards.
• Consider using blank laser-cut invitation pockets in colours such as blush pink, ivory, or white, and then embellish them with your chosen decorations.
• Vellum translucent paper adds a touch of elegance and can be used to stamp or emboss designs.
• Specialty papers, such as white woodgrain or cherry wood, can give your invitations a unique texture and appearance.
• Gold embossing powder or other metallic colours can be used to add a touch of luxury to your designs.
• Incorporate florals, either by stamping or using floral-themed papers and embellishments.
• Sequins are a versatile and inexpensive way to add sparkle and shine to your cards.

Personalised Details:

• Include a personal message or poem inside each card, expressing your love and creativity.
• Use alphabet dies to create unique sentiments, such as "Mr. and Mrs."
• Incorporate wedding-themed sentiments or create your own using stamp sets.
• Add a pop of colour with coloured cardstock or patterned paper.
• If you have a travel theme, consider using passport-style invitations or a globe motif.
• Include a favourite quote or book excerpt that holds a special meaning for you and your partner.
• Showcase your cultural heritage with illustrations, colours, or traditional motifs.

Interactive Elements:

• Create an interactive guest book, such as messages in a bottle, notes slipped into a frame, or signed items like a globe.
• Replace traditional place cards with Polaroid-style photos of each guest, or transform them into small works of art with illustrations or meaningful poems.
• Instead of a traditional guest book, set up an old telephone for guests to leave audio messages.

Remember, when adding personal touches to your wedding cards, the key is to be creative, have fun, and let your personality shine through!

Finalising the text and proofreading

Finalising the Text:

• Tone and Wording: Choose a tone that suits your relationship with the couple and the overall wedding aesthetic. If you are close to the couple, a casual and humorous tone is appropriate. For a distant relative or colleague, a more formal and sincere tone is preferable.
• Format: A typical wedding card message includes a word of congratulations, warm wishes for their marriage, a personal message or anecdote, and a note of thanks for inviting you to share in their special day.
• Length: Keep your message short and sweet. Wedding cards usually have limited space, so if you have a lot to say, consider a personal letter or email instead.
• Addressing the Couple: Address the card to both partners as a pair. Avoid inside jokes and cheeky stories; remember that both partners will read the card.

Proofreading:

• Spelling: Double-check that you have spelled the couple's names correctly. This is one of the first things they will notice when reading the card.
• Accuracy: Proofread the card for any errors or typos. Have someone else read it over as well to catch any mistakes you might have missed.
• Grammar: Read your message out loud to check for grammatical errors.
• Final Check: Before sending or giving the card, make sure the text and design are exactly what you want.

Remember, the most important thing is to write from the heart and create a warm, genuine, and personalised message for the happy couple.

Assembling and sending your invitations

Assemble Your Invitations

Place your invitation inserts inside the corresponding envelopes, add any final adornments, and seal them. This could be anything from tying a ribbon around the cards to applying a wax seal. If your invitation consists of several sheets of paper, you can pin them together with a fastener in the corner. This will make it easier for your guests to go through the different pages and ensure that the information doesn't get lost.

Final Checks

Before mailing your invitations, it is important to do a final check. Take one full suite to the post office to weigh it and find out the exact postage required. The postal service will also be able to advise you on the number of stamps you will need. If you are concerned about potential damage during transit, you can also request hand-cancelling at this point.

Stamp and Address Your Envelopes

Add the correct number of stamps and address each envelope. You can address the envelopes by hand for a personal touch or opt for printed labels.

Send Your Invitations

Return to the post office to mail your DIY wedding invitations. It is recommended that you send your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding day.

Additional Tips

• Set aside plenty of time to assemble and send your invitations. This process can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of invitations.
• Be mindful of the total weight and size of your invitations, especially if you are including several inserts or embellishments. This will impact the postage required.
• If you are concerned about mistakes or spelling errors, consider having someone else proofread your invitations before sending them out.
• Choose durable materials and avoid intricate crafts that could be damaged during transit.

Frequently asked questions