Enhance Plain Wedding Invites: Simple Tips For An Elegant Look

Planning a wedding can be a costly affair, and it's no secret that couples are always looking for ways to cut costs. One way to do this is by opting for DIY wedding invitations. Not only is this a budget-friendly alternative, but it also allows couples to add a personal touch to their big day. From elegant gold foil details to creative edging with punches, there are endless ways to make plain wedding invitations fancy. Whether you're a crafting whizz or a novice, with the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can design invitations that will wow your guests.

Customise with stamps, ribbons, twine, or gold foil

There are many ways to elevate your wedding invitations using stamps, ribbons, twine, or gold foil. Here are some ideas to customise your invites and impress your guests:

Stamps

Custom rubber stamps are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding invitations. You can use them to make your invites or add a return address to the envelopes. Choose from a variety of designs, including address stamps, monogram stamps, or save-the-date stamps. You can even get creative with lesbian icon stamps or adventure-themed stamps to match your wedding theme.

Ribbons

Adding a ribbon to your wedding invite is both beautiful and functional. It keeps all the elements together, such as travel information and RSVP cards, while also adding a delicate touch. You can choose from a range of colours and materials, including silk, chiffon, cotton, or velvet. Consider adding a small tag to the ribbon for an extra special detail.

Twine

Twine is perfect for a rustic-themed wedding. Adding twine and a custom kraft paper tag gives your invite a personalised feel. It's also a great way to keep all the contents of the envelope together. You can find twine in various colours and materials, such as hemp, jute, or cotton.

Gold Foil

Add a touch of glamour to your invitations with gold foil. Gold-foiled invitations are a great way to make a statement and spark interest. You can also add a golden edge to your invitations or envelopes for a subtle yet elegant touch. Other foil colours are available, such as silver or rose gold, to match your wedding colour scheme.

With these simple yet effective additions, you can create fancy wedding invitations that will wow your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Use creative edging with punches or a paper cutter

Creative edging with punches or a paper cutter is an easy way to make your wedding invitations look fancy. You can find a variety of edging punches and cutters in different sizes and designs at your local craft store or online. This method is budget-friendly and can be done in a few simple steps.

First, choose a simple invitation template and some pretty paper. You can design your own template or find one online. Update the template with your wedding details and adjust the text so that you have enough space at the top and bottom for the edging pattern. If you want to be extra precise, do a test print or two to make sure everything fits comfortably.

Next, print the template on your chosen cardstock and trim the invitations to size using scissors or a paper cutter. If you're using a paper cutter, make sure the blade is sharp to ensure clean cuts.

Now, it's time to get creative with your edging! Using your edging punch or cutter, create fancy corners or edges on your invitations. You can make patterns or shapes, such as an intricate lace pattern, for a soft and elegant look. Play around with different options and choose the one that best suits your wedding theme and style.

Finally, assemble your invitations by tucking them into envelopes. You can add a pop of colour with your envelope choice or go for a classic white. If you want to take it up a notch, consider adding envelope liners in a metallic paper or patterned option.

And that's it! You've transformed plain wedding invitations into something fancy and unique. This method is a simple, budget-friendly way to add a creative touch to your wedding invitations.

Address invitations with beautiful calligraphy

Calligraphy is an artistic medium that is rising in popularity, and it's no surprise that many couples opt for this elegant style to address their wedding invitations. Not only does it add a touch of finesse and class, but it can also make your invitations look more expensive than they are. However, hiring a calligrapher can be costly, so it may be more budget-friendly to create your own. Here are some tips to help you address your wedding invitations with beautiful calligraphy:

Choose the Right Tools:

• Select envelopes that have a matte finish rather than a shiny or satin texture, as ink may not apply well to glossy surfaces. Any colour will work, but consider the ink colour you plan to use. White, silver, and gold ink show up best on dark or bright envelopes, while darker ink colours like black, blue, or purple stand out on lighter envelopes.
• Opt for a gel pen or a fine-tip ink pen for your project. Gel pens produce thicker lines and are great for adding extra ink for a calligraphy effect. Fine-tip ink pens, such as Sharpie pens, dry quickly and allow for easy erasing of pencil marks.

Practise and Prepare:

• Before writing on your envelopes, practise on scratch paper to find your style and get a feel for the tools. You can also use plain paper to create a guide for writing straight on your envelopes. Place the paper inside or under the envelope and use a ruler and pencil to draw lines, or use transfer paper for darker envelopes. Alternatively, use a lightbox with a template for lighter-coloured envelopes.
• If you're nervous about using your own handwriting, print out different fonts to mimic. Download and print the alphabet and common words (Mr., Mrs., Street, etc.) in your chosen font to reference as you write.

Addressing Techniques:

• When addressing the invitations, give yourself a realistic goal to avoid burnout. Consider addressing only a few envelopes a day or just those going to close family and bridal party members.
• Start by writing the recipient's name in simple one-line cursive, such as "Mr & Mrs Last Name" or "Miss First Name Last Name."
• For the address, use legible handwriting to ensure the postal service can read it. You can still add some flair by making the recipient's name more decorative and adding loops and curls.
• To create a faux calligraphy effect, focus on the downstrokes and upstrokes of your letters. On downstrokes, add more ink to make the lines thicker, while keeping the upstrokes lighter. This technique will give your writing a fancier look without requiring complex calligraphy skills.

Additional Considerations:

• Allow yourself plenty of time when addressing invitations. It can take several minutes to address each envelope, especially if you're creating decorative lettering.
• Have extra envelopes on hand in case of mistakes. It's generally a good idea to have 10-20% more envelopes than you need.
• If you're short on time or prefer a professional finish, consider hiring a hand-letterer or calligrapher. The cost for this service typically ranges from $2-$7 per envelope, depending on the artist and the complexity of the design.

Add a watercolour wash or floral wax seal

Adding a watercolour wash or a floral wax seal to your wedding invitations is a great way to elevate your stationery and add a personalised touch. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve this:

Watercolour Wash

Creating a watercolour wash on your wedding invitations can give them an elegant and artistic look. Here's how you can achieve this effect:

• Start by creating simple wedding invitations and printing them on watercolour paper.
• Add a watercolour wash to the invitations for an expensive and artsy effect. Be careful not to overdo the watercolour, as too much water can cause the paper to become misshapen. Practise makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment.
• You can find DIY watercolour ideas and inspiration on websites like Minted.com, Something Turquoise, and The Pretty Blog.
• Consider adding a touch of glam with a golden edge to your invitations or envelopes. This simple technique can make your invitations stand out and look luxurious.

Floral Wax Seal

Wax seals are a beautiful and traditional way to secure your wedding invitations, adding a touch of Old World charm. Here's how to incorporate them into your invitations:

• Work with a professional stationer or calligrapher to create custom wax seals that feature your monogram, wedding date, or any other detail that reflects your wedding aesthetic.
• Choose the method you want to use to melt the wax. You can use a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun with round wax sticks.
• Decide on the colour of your wax seals. Traditional colours are metallic gold and silver, but you can also choose a colour that matches your wedding theme.
• If you're short on time or don't feel comfortable making your own wax seals, consider using self-adhesive wax seals. These are like fancy stickers and can be customised with your initials or other details.
• When mailing your invitations, use outer envelopes to protect the wax seals or ask your local post office about hand-sorting to avoid any damage.
• If you want to add extra embellishments to your wax seals, consider incorporating dried flowers or sprigs of greenery. Place them on the paper and pour the melted wax over them.

Include envelope liners or seals

Envelope liners and seals are a great way to add a unique detail to your wedding invitations. They can be used to bring in an additional colour, add a pop of personality, or introduce your guests to the wedding's theme or setting.

Envelope liners are a fun surprise for your guests as they open their invitations. They can be made from paper or other flexible materials and placed inside the envelope. They can be solid colours, patterns, or custom designs. For example, you could include artwork, a wedding monogram, or a photo. You can even get creative and use speciality paper, gift wrap, or maps. Envelope liners are more than just a pretty addition, as they also help protect your invitations in the mail by adding extra stiffness to the envelope.

If you're looking to make a statement with your envelope liners, consider these ideas:

• Decorate the liner with a watercolour illustration of your wedding venue or a map of the surrounding area to give your guests a sense of place.
• Play with textures by using an etched envelope lining on a white background, especially if you're hosting a minimalist wedding with a neutral colour palette.
• Personalise the liner with a custom design that symbolises your hobbies, favourite sports team, or a frequented date night spot.
• Highlight your monogram with a custom crest that showcases your joint initials.
• Add a historical reference by including an emblem from a specific time period, such as a black-and-white sketch of Victorian fashion or an art deco design for a Gatsby-themed wedding.
• Focus on bright colours and bold patterns, such as rainbow shapes or tropical motifs, to create a playful and upbeat vibe.
• Recreate a work of art by taking inspiration from your favourite artist or painting.

In addition to envelope liners, you can also add envelope seals to your wedding invitations. Wax seals, especially those with floral or botanical designs, are a luxurious touch that adds a sense of olde worlde charm. You can find them in specialty paper or craft stores, as well as on Etsy. If you want to include your initials, you can even personalise the wax seals for an extra special touch.

Frequently asked questions