Crafting Custom Wedding Invites: Scrapbook Style

Scrapbooking is a great way to commemorate life's special moments, and what's more special than a wedding? If you're looking to make scrapbook wedding invitations, you'll want to gather the right supplies, from specialty papers to adhesives, and decide on a design focus. You can unify the pages with a set color scheme and aim for simplicity in your layout and embellishments so that the story of the day takes centre stage. Don't forget to include mementos like invitations, programs, place cards, and menus. And if you're feeling extra creative, consider adding quotes about love and marriage or even a dedication page. Happy crafting!

Choosing a colour scheme

Bride and Groom's Wedding Colours :

The easiest choice for your scrapbook wedding invitations is to use the colours chosen by the bride and groom for the wedding. Not only will this make your paper choices simple, but it's also a great way to remember the wedding. For example, if the wedding colours are navy, green, and pink, you can incorporate these colours into your invitation design.

Seasonal Inspiration:

Take inspiration from the season your wedding is taking place in. For instance, a fall wedding could feature colours like burnt orange, brown, dove grey, and creamy linen, while a spring wedding could showcase pastel colours like blush, blue, and cream.

Venue and Surroundings:

Consider drawing inspiration from your wedding venue and natural surroundings. For example, a wedding by the seaside could incorporate shades of blue, while a wedding in a grand castle could take cues from the interior colours.

Main and Secondary Colours:

A good rule of thumb when creating a colour scheme is to choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral. This neutral colour will help blend the focal colours seamlessly. For instance, you could pair a vibrant colour like raspberry with subtle hues like soft grey or light blush.

Accents and Metallics:

To finish off your colour scheme, choose a fun accent shade, such as metallic gold or silver, to use sparingly throughout your invitations and other wedding décor.

Popular Colour Schemes:

• Pink, especially when combined with pastel tones, is a popular choice as it creates a soothing and elegant look.
• Art Deco: Gold combined with black, blue, or white creates an elegant and vintage-inspired design.
• Navy Blue and Gold: This combination gives an elegant and modern look, especially for minimalist-themed weddings.
• Watercolour Gradients: Choosing gradient colours with a watercolour theme allows for a wide range of shades and a unique, casual feel.
• Green and Ivory: This colour scheme is perfect for a fall wedding and gives a DIY, handcrafted feel.
• White and Gold: This combination creates an elegant and luxurious vibe, suitable for both modern-casual and high-end weddings.
• Rose Gold: Rose gold pairs well with almost any other colour, including white, ivory, pink, or black, making it a versatile choice for summer weddings.
• Black and White: This classic combination is ideal for creating a simplistic, minimalist look.

Remember, the colour scheme you choose should reflect your personal preferences and the overall theme and mood you want to evoke for your wedding.

Gathering memorabilia

Reach Out to Family and Friends

Ask family members and friends to share any photos, mementos, or keepsakes from the wedding. This can include photographs, place cards, programs, invitations, and other decorative items. Don't be afraid to ask for help; most people will be happy to contribute to your project.

Contact the Happy Couple

If the wedding couple is open to it, reach out to them directly. They may have specific items they want to be included in the scrapbook or can provide you with additional photos and memorabilia.

Scour the Internet

Take advantage of online resources, such as Etsy, Pinterest, and other craft websites. These sites often offer a wealth of ideas and inspiration for wedding scrapbooking. You may even find pre-made scrapbook kits or customisable templates that can save you time and effort.

Visit Local Craft Stores

Craft stores like Jo-Ann's and Hobby Lobby offer a variety of supplies, including specialty papers, cardstock, vellum, and embellishments. Don't be afraid to browse and explore; you may find unique items that perfectly complement your scrapbook's theme and colour scheme.

Utilise Printing Services

Consider using photo printing services like Shutterfly to print your images. They offer various print sizes, including larger formats like 5x7 and 8x10, which can add a dramatic effect to your scrapbook pages.

Preserve Special Items

If you have items that are too bulky or delicate to include directly in the scrapbook, consider alternative methods of preservation. For example, you could create a "scrapbook shadow box" to display three-dimensional items and stationery alongside your scrapbook. This way, you can still enjoy and showcase these special items without risking damage.

Selecting a scrapbook style

Choose a colour scheme: The easiest way to select a colour scheme for your scrapbook is to use the wedding colours. This will not only make your paper choices simple but will also help to create a cohesive look for the scrapbook. For example, if the wedding colours are navy, green, and pink, you can use these colours as the basis for your scrapbook design.

Incorporate the theme: If the wedding has a specific theme, such as a rustic or garden theme, try to incorporate this into the scrapbook design. For example, use burlap and wood grain paper for a rustic wedding or floral and leaf designs for a garden wedding.

Keep it simple: Don't feel like you need to fill every page with fancy embellishments. Sometimes, simple designs are the most elegant and allow the photos and memories to shine through. Focus on using clean lines, simple embellishments, and plenty of white space to create a classy and elegant look.

Add personal touches: Include personal touches that reflect the couple's personality and style. For example, if the couple loves nature, incorporate floral or leaf designs. If they are fans of a particular movie or book, use quotes or images from that source. You can also add a dedication page with a personal note from the couple or their family.

Use a variety of photo sizes: Instead of using only standard 4 x 6 photos, mix things up by using a variety of photo sizes, such as 5 x 7s and 8 x 10s. This will add interest and variety to your scrapbook pages.

Layout your pages in advance: Before you start cutting and pasting, take the time to layout your photos and memorabilia to decide on your pages. This will help you to create a balanced design and ensure that you have enough space for all your content.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and be creative! Don't be afraid to experiment and try out different styles until you find the perfect one for your wedding scrapbook invitations.

Collecting supplies

First, decide on a colour scheme. A good place to start is the wedding colours. Not only will this make your paper choices simple, but it's a great way to remember the wedding. Alternatively, you could be inspired by the season. For example, for a fall wedding, you could use lovely burnt orange and greens.

Next, gather your tools and materials. You will need:

• A variety of papers in your chosen colours, including some textured or specialty papers.
• Cardstock in neutral colours, such as white, cream, brown, or grey.
• Vellum for printing text.
• Adhesives such as glue, glue pens, and tape dispensers.
• A paper trimmer and a variety of craft punches to create different edges and shapes.
• Embellishments such as ribbon, paper string, foam letters, stickers, stamps, and wax seals.
• A scrapbook or photo album to store your invitations.

You can purchase these supplies from craft stores such as Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, and Scrapbook.com, or online marketplaces like Etsy.

Now that you have your supplies, you are ready to start creating your scrapbook wedding invitations!

Laying out pages

When it comes to laying out the pages of your scrapbook wedding invitations, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it's important to determine a design focus and colour scheme. This could be based on the wedding colours or a particular theme, such as a rustic or elegant style. Once you have your design focus, start gathering your memorabilia, such as invitations, programs, place cards, and any photos you want to include.

Next, you'll need to gather your supplies, including paper, cardstock, vellum, punches and edgers, adhesives, and embellishments. Then, you can start laying out your pages. This is where you'll decide on the placement of your photos, text, and memorabilia. It's a good idea to lay out all your pictures and keepsakes beforehand and decide on your pages before you start cutting and taping. This will help you create a cohesive look throughout your scrapbook and ensure you're using your space efficiently.

Finally, it's time to dive in and start assembling your pages! Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different layouts and designs. Remember, this is your chance to tell the story of your wedding day through your unique creative lens.

Frequently asked questions