Creating Personalized Pocketfold Envelopes For Your Wedding

Planning a wedding can be expensive, and costs can quickly escalate. One way to save money is to make your own pocketfold wedding envelopes. This is a simple DIY project that allows you to create elegant, professional-looking envelopes for your wedding invitations. All you need are some basic materials, such as card stock, envelopes, and adhesive, and you can customise your envelopes to match your wedding colour theme. You can even add decorative edges and monograms to give your envelopes a unique, personal touch.

Choosing a colour scheme

Deciding on a colour scheme is a crucial step in creating your wedding pocketfold invitations. Here are some tips to help you choose the right colours for your special day:

Consider Your Wedding Theme and Colours:

Start by thinking about the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding. Do you have specific colours in mind for your decor, flowers, or bridal party attire? You can use these colours as a starting point for your pocketfold envelopes. For example, if your wedding theme is rustic elegance, you might choose colours like blush pink, sage green, or kraft brown.

Create a Cohesive Look:

The pocketfold envelope is just one component of your wedding invitation suite, which typically includes the invitation card, RSVP card, and other inserts. Consider how the colours of the envelope and its contents will work together. You can choose complementary colours or go for a monotone look. For instance, you could select a navy blue pocketfold and pair it with contrasting inserts in white or cream.

Think About Your Printing Options:

If you plan to print your invitations at home, keep in mind that the colours you see on your screen may not exactly match the colours that your printer can produce. Calibrate your monitor and do some test prints to get a better idea of the final colours. This will help you choose the right shades for your design.

Enhance with Embellishments:

In addition to the base colour of your pocketfold, consider adding embellishments like ribbons, belly bands, or wax seals. These can be used to add a pop of colour or to tie in with your wedding colour scheme. For example, you could use a coloured ribbon to secure the contents of the pocketfold, or a wax seal in your wedding colours to add a luxurious touch.

Order Samples:

Before placing a large order, consider ordering samples of pocketfolds in different colours. This will allow you to see and feel the quality of the product and decide which colours work best together. Many suppliers offer free samples, so take advantage of this to ensure you're happy with your choices.

Remember, your wedding invitations, including the pocketfold envelopes, set the tone for your special day. Choose colours that reflect your style and personality, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Gathering materials

To make your own pocketfold wedding envelopes, you'll need to gather the following materials:

• Cardstock in your chosen colour(s)
• Envelopes in a matching colour to your cardstock
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Edge punch (optional)
• Bone folder or similar tool
• Double-sided tape, glue stick, or another type of adhesive
• Ribbon (optional)
• Sticker paper (optional)
• Address labels (optional)
• Stamps
• Paper clips

You can find these materials at craft stores, online retailers, or office supply stores. It's important to choose high-quality cardstock, preferably around 280gsm to 330gsm, to ensure your envelopes are sturdy and elegant.

Additionally, if you plan to design and print your own invitations, you'll need access to a computer with design software and a printer.

Cutting and scoring

The first step to creating your pocketfold wedding envelopes is to gather your materials. You will need card stock, envelopes, a paper cutter or scissors, and optionally, an edge punch, double-sided tape, and a bone folder.

For the card stock, trim it to be slightly taller than your invitation. For a 5 x 7-inch invitation, cut the card stock to about 7.5 inches. If you are using a square invitation, adjust the height accordingly.

Next, you will need to cut the flap off an envelope using scissors or a paper cutter. This will form the pocket of your envelope.

Now, let's create the enclosure for your invitation. Cut two pieces of card stock: the first piece should be 11 inches by 6.25 inches, and the second piece should be 6.75 inches by 6.25 inches.

Scoring the enclosure pieces is a crucial step. Using a scoring board or a ruler, score the smaller piece at the 4-inch mark. For the larger piece, score at 3/8 inch and 7 inches. This needs to be precise for the enclosure to fit into the envelope perfectly.

After scoring, fold the pieces where you made the scores. For crisp, neat edges, go over the folds with a bone folder.

Finally, assemble your pocketfold envelope by gluing or taping the pieces together and adding any decorative elements, such as a decorative edge or a ribbon.

Folding

The folding process will depend on the type of pocketfold you are creating. For a basic pocketfold, follow these steps:

• Start by folding the card stock over the pocket. Use a ruler and a bone folder to create a crisp crease along the inner edge of the pocket.
• Fold the card stock in half, creating a crisp crease with the bone folder.
• With the pocket facing up, fold the right side of the card stock towards the centre, then fold the left side towards the centre.
• You should now have a pocket with two flaps on either side.
• Fold the flaps towards the centre again to create a smaller pocket.
• Finally, fold the entire pocket in half to create a neat, compact shape.

For a more complex design, such as a tri-fold pocketfold, the folding process will be different. Here are the additional steps:

• After folding the card stock over the pocket, fold the right and left sides towards the centre as before.
• Instead of folding the flaps towards the centre again, fold the outer edges of the flaps behind the pocket. This will create a triangular shape.
• Fold the bottom of the triangular shape up towards the centre of the pocket.
• Finally, fold the entire structure in half, as with the basic pocketfold.

Remember to use a bone folder to create crisp, neat creases. You can also use a closed mechanical pencil or the blunt side of an X-Acto knife if you don't have a bone folder.

Assembling

Now that you've gathered your supplies and designed your invitations, it's time to assemble your pocketfold wedding envelopes. Here's a step-by-step guide to putting everything together:

Step 1: Trim the Card Stock

Before you begin assembling, ensure your card stock is trimmed to just taller than your invitation. If you're using a 5 x 7-inch invitation, cut the card stock to about 7.5 inches. Adjust the height accordingly if you're using a square invitation.

Step 2: Create the Pocket

Using your chosen adhesive (double-sided tape, glue, or a glue stick), attach the pocket to the lower right corner of the card stock. If you're using double-sided tape, apply it to the very edges of the pocket to ensure a secure hold.

Step 3: Make the First Fold

Using a tool like a bone folder, create a crisp crease by folding the card stock over the pocket. Start the crease along the inner edge of the pocket and finish by folding the card over.

Step 4: Mount the Invitation

Using double-sided tape, mount the invitation next to the crease you just made. You're aiming for even spacing on each side of the invitation. Four pieces of tape should be enough to secure it in place.

Step 5: Make the Second Crease

Create another crease on the opposite side of the invitation and fold the flap across. This will complete the enclosure for your invitation and additional inserts.

Step 6: Embellish the Flap (Optional)

If you want to add a decorative finish to your pocketfold, use a punch along the edge of the flap. This step is optional but will give your invitations a custom look.

Step 7: Insert Cards

Once your pocketfold is assembled, it's time to insert your invitation, RSVP card, and any other additional inserts. Ensure all the elements are placed securely inside the pocket before closing it up.

Step 8: Close the Invitation

To close the invitation, first, fold in the side with the pocket, and then bring the other side over it. This will ensure that the pocket remains accessible even when the invitation is closed.

Step 9: Seal and Embellish (Optional)

To seal your pocketfold, you can use twine, a wax seal, or a sleeve. For an extra touch of elegance, consider tying natural twine around your pocketfolds. You can also add embellishments like stickers, ribbons, or paper ribbons to complete the look.

Frequently asked questions