Creating Professional Handmade Wedding Invitations

There are many reasons to make your own wedding invitations. From adding a personal touch to saving money, creating handmade wedding invitations can be a rewarding experience. However, it's important to consider the time and effort required, especially if you're short on time or unsure about your crafting skills. In this guide, we'll explore ideas, tips, and tricks to help you create professional-looking invitations that will wow your guests and set the tone for your special day. From choosing the right paper and designing your invitations to adding elegant finishing touches, we'll cover everything you need to know to make your DIY wedding invitations a success.

Choosing a design and theme

Know Your Vision

Start by considering the theme and colour scheme of your wedding. Are you going for a rustic, vintage, elegant, or bohemian style? Knowing your wedding theme will help you choose invitations that complement the overall aesthetic. Think about the impression you want to make on your guests and the kind of atmosphere you want to create.

Be Realistic About Your Skill Set

While it's great to be ambitious, it's important to be realistic about your crafting skills. If you're not a crafting whizz, you may want to opt for simpler designs or consider using online tools and templates to create your invitations. This will ensure that your invitations look polished and professional.

Choose Your Colour Palette:

Decide on a colour palette that reflects your chosen theme. This could be a single accent colour, a bold print, or a combination of colours that match your wedding décor. You can incorporate your colours into the invitation itself or through envelopes, liners, ribbons, or wax seals.

Add Personalised Touches:

Think about ways to make your invitations unique and personalised. This could include hand-drawn elements, calligraphy fonts, watercolour washes, gold edging, or even a custom stamp with your initials. You can also add texture to your invitations with embossed designs or by using textured paper.

Consider the Details:

The little details can make a big difference in the overall look of your invitations. Think about adding ribbons, twine, tags, or creative edging with punches or stamp cutters. These elements can help keep the different components of your invitation together, such as RSVP cards and travel information.

Envelope and Liner:

Don't underestimate the impact of a beautiful envelope and liner. You can add a bold liner that matches your theme or colour scheme, or opt for a translucent vellum envelope for a sophisticated touch. You can also add a personalised monogram or wax seal to the envelope for an extra special touch.

Remember, your wedding invitations are a reflection of your personal style and the tone of your wedding. Take the time to choose a design and theme that speaks to you and don't be afraid to get creative. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create professional-looking handmade wedding invitations that will impress your guests.

Selecting materials and tools

Paper and Cardstock

The type of paper or cardstock you choose will significantly impact the overall appearance and quality of your invitations. Standard invitations are typically printed on 5" x 7" or 10" x 14" cardstock. Cotton cardstock is a popular choice, as it offers a smooth surface and comes in various weights and colours. For a sturdy and heavy option, go for 110 lb cardstock. If you want something thinner, consider 65 lb cardstock.

Envelopes

Envelopes are essential for sending out your invitations. It is recommended to purchase about 10% more envelopes than you need to account for any mistakes. Ensure you have both the mailer envelope and RSVP envelopes. You can add a personal touch to your envelopes by including envelope liners, which come in various colours, accents, or bold prints to match your theme.

Tools and Adornments

• Chipboard - This provides a sturdy backing for your invitations. Regular cardstock might be too flimsy, so chipboard adds a more robust support.
• Leafing - Copper leaf, gold leaf, or silver leaf can be used to add a touch of elegance to your invitations. Don't forget to get some leafing adhesive as well!
• Lace - Adding a piece of lace to the back of your invitations can give them a delicate and intricate detail. You can attach it using Modpodge and hot glue.
• Ribbon or Twine - A simple addition of ribbon or twine can elevate your invitations. It also helps keep all the elements together, such as travel information and RSVP cards.
• Personalised Stamp - Custom rubber stamps can be used to make your invitations unique. You can use them for the invitations themselves or to add a return address to the envelopes.
• Wax Seal - A wax seal on the envelope adds a touch of old-world luxury. Practice using the wax before applying it to all your invitations to ensure a neat finish.
• Gold Edge - Adding a touch of gold to the edges of your invitations or envelopes can make them look glamorous and expensive.
• Creative Edging Tools - Special punches or stamp cutters allow you to create fancy corners or edges on your invitations. They come in various sizes and designs, so choose one that suits your style.
• Hot Glue Gun - A hot glue gun and glue sticks are essential for attaching various elements, like lace or ribbons, to your invitations.
• Paper Cutter - A paper cutter will help you achieve clean and precise cuts for your paper or cardstock.
• Foam Brush - A foam brush can be used for applying glue or Modpodge evenly and smoothly.

Remember, you can find many of these materials and tools at craft stores, online retailers, or specific wedding stationery websites. Taking the time to select the right materials and tools will ensure your handmade wedding invitations look professional and impressive.

Creating a digital design

Choose Your Design Platform:

Select a suitable platform or software to create your digital design. Some popular options include Adobe InDesign, Canva, or online platforms like VistaPrint, Greetings Island, and Papier. These platforms offer customizable templates, design tools, and the ability to upload your own designs.

Determine Your Wedding Theme and Colour Scheme:

Before finalising your digital design, decide on the theme and colour scheme of your wedding. This will help create a cohesive look for your invitations. Are you going for a rustic, elegant, minimalist, or traditional style? Choose colours that complement each other and reflect the overall vibe of your wedding.

Select Fonts and Textures:

Choose fonts that align with your wedding theme. For example, a script font like Poem Script Pro for the couple's names adds an elegant touch. Consider using different font styles for headings and body text to create visual interest. If you're printing on textured paper, ensure the font style remains legible.

Add Personalised Details:

Include personalised touches such as your uploaded photos, a custom monogram, or a meaningful quote. You can also incorporate decorative elements like floral designs, gold foil details, watercolour backgrounds, or lace accents. Play around with different ideas to make your invitations unique and reflective of your style.

Include Necessary Information:

Ensure you include all the essential details on the invitation, such as the full names of the couple, the wedding date, time, and venue, as well as RSVP information and deadlines. It's important to proofread this information carefully to avoid any mistakes.

Customise Envelope and Liners:

Don't forget to design the envelope and its liner. You can add a personalised embosser, a wax seal, or a pretty envelope liner to enhance the overall presentation. Consider addressing the envelopes beautifully with calligraphy to make a great first impression.

Finalise and Proof:

Before finalising your design, take advantage of the preview feature offered by most platforms to see how your invitation will look when printed. Make any necessary adjustments and ensure everything is perfect. It's also a good idea to have a friend or family member review the design for a fresh perspective.

Printing and assembling

Printing:

• Choose high-quality paper: Opt for cardstock or textured paper for a luxurious feel. Cardstock weights typically range from 60# to 120#; for a sturdy and ancient feel, consider Romance Managed 65# cardstock.
• Consider the printing method: Depending on your design and paper choice, you may need to select a suitable printing method. Some options include letterpress, digital printing, or even hand painting.
• Proofread: Enlist multiple pairs of eyes to proofread your invitation wording before printing. This step is crucial as you won't have a professional to catch any mistakes.
• Print extras: Always print a few extra invitations to account for mistakes or last-minute additions to your guest list.

Assembling:

• Add personal touches: Embellish your invitations with ribbons, twine, lace, wax seals, envelope liners, or even dried flowers to make them stand out.
• Use adhesives carefully: If using glue or Mod Podge, apply a small amount and use a glue spreader or a sponge for a smooth finish. Allow adequate drying time to avoid smudging.
• Layer and secure: If your invitation has multiple layers, such as a backing or envelope liner, carefully measure and cut the pieces to fit snugly. Use double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the layers together.
• Create a production line: Invite some friends over and make an assembly line to speed up the process and add some fun to the task.
• Test postage: Before sending out your invitations, take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to ensure you have the correct postage. Handmade invitations with embellishments may require additional postage.

Adding finishing touches

Envelope Liners

Add a bold and beautiful envelope liner to your wedding invitations. You can choose a custom-designed liner or purchase a print-ready design that matches your wedding theme or colour scheme. White, accent colours, or bold prints are all options to consider. Envelope liners add a touch of colour and variety to your invitation suite.

Wax Seals

Add a touch of olde worlde luxe with a wax seal on the envelope of your wedding invitation. You can find these in specialist paper or craft stores, as well as on Etsy. Practise your technique before sealing all your invitations to ensure a neat finish.

Ribbons and Twine

Adding a ribbon or twine to your invitation is a gorgeous extra touch. It also serves the practical purpose of keeping all the elements together inside the envelope, such as travel information and RSVP cards. You can also add a tag for an extra-special touch.

Creative Edging

Get creative with fancy corners or edges on your invitations using a special punch or stamp cutter. These tools are available in various sizes and designs from craft stores and online. Just be sure to give yourself enough time and have a steady hand when creating these unique edges.

Calligraphy

Address your invitations beautifully with calligraphy. There are many online tutorials and classes to help you improve your calligraphy skills. You can also use your new skills to write the invitations themselves, not just the addresses on the envelopes.

Gold Edging

Add a touch of glam with a golden edge to your invitations or envelopes. It's an easy way to make simple white invitations look luxurious.

Personalised Stamps

Get your own personalised stamp to use on your wedding invitations or for adding a return address to the envelopes. You can find a wide variety of custom rubber stamps on Etsy.

Vellum Invitation Jackets

Elevate your DIY wedding invitations by wrapping them in vellum cases. These translucent jackets make homemade wedding invitations look professional and expensive, and you can find pre-folded ones to save you time.

Hand-Tied Details

Adding a hand-tied piece of string, ribbon, or twine to your invitations gives them a rustic and handmade feel. You can also use hessian string or custom kraft paper tags to match your wedding theme.

Envelope Embossing

Take your envelopes from plain to elegant with a personalised embosser. It's a subtle and elegant touch that will impress your guests. You can find custom monogram embossers from Paper Source and Etsy.

Watercolour Wash

Print your invitations on watercolour paper and give them a beautiful watercolour wash for an artistic and luxurious effect. Practise this technique to perfect your DIY wedding invitations.

Remember, when adding finishing touches, it's important to keep a consistent theme and colour scheme throughout your invitation suite. Practising these techniques beforehand will also ensure a professional-looking result.

Frequently asked questions