Crafting Square Doily Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding involves choosing all the little details that will make your day unique. If you're a creative couple, you might want to make your wedding invitations from scratch. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding, and it can also save you money. One idea for a DIY wedding invitation is to use doilies to create a pretty lace effect. This works particularly well with plain or Kraft paper invitations, creating a beautiful contrast. You can find doily wedding invitation templates and instructions online, and you may even be able to find ready-made laser-cut doily invitations that you can assemble yourself.

Invitation insert

To make square doily wedding invitations, you will need the following materials:

• Doilies (one per invitation)
• Kraft paper
• Twine or string
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Printer

First, cut a piece of Kraft card measuring 15cm by 13.5cm for each invitation. This will serve as the invitation insert. Download a template for the invitation insert, or create your own design. Type your chosen wording into the printable area of the template, and print the text onto the pre-cut invitation inserts.

Next, place the insert inside the centre of the doily, ensuring it is accurately measured and positioned. Fold the two sides of the doily over the invitation and smooth them down.

Finally, tie twine or string around the edge of the doily and secure it with a bow at the front. You can also add a wax seal to the invitation for a more secure closure.

Tying a bow

Start by cutting a piece of string, twine, or ribbon. The length will depend on the size of your invitation and how big you want your bow to be. A longer piece of string will create a larger bow, while a shorter piece will result in a smaller, more delicate bow.

Take the string and place your invitation in the centre. Bring the two ends of the string around to the front of the invitation. You can either place the invitation on a flat surface and lay the string on top, or you can hold the invitation in your hand and wrap the string around it.

Cross the two ends of the string over each other, creating an "X" shape. This will be the centre point of your bow. You can adjust the placement of the string to ensure it sits in the middle of your invitation.

Take one end of the string and form a loop. Hold this loop securely with your thumb and forefinger. With your other hand, take the remaining end of the string and wrap it around the back of the loop, bringing it back to the front.

Thread the end of the string through the loop and pull gently to tighten. Ensure the loop you created in step 4 is large enough to easily thread the string through. You should now have a simple knot with two loops on either side.

Gently pull on the two loops to tighten the knot and form the bow shape. Adjust the loops to ensure they are even in size and shape. You can also trim the ends of the string if they are too long or uneven.

Your bow is now complete! You can add a small dab of glue to secure the knot and ensure it stays in place. This step is optional, but it may be helpful if you are concerned about the bow coming undone.

By following these simple steps, you can easily add a bow to your square doily wedding invitations. It is a great way to incorporate your colour scheme, add texture, and create a cohesive look for your wedding stationery.

Doily envelope

Doilies are a great way to add a pretty lace effect to your wedding invitations, especially if you've chosen plain invitations. This works particularly well with Kraft paper invitations, creating a good contrast.

To make a doily envelope, you will need:

• A doily (preferably laser-cut)
• An envelope (in a complementary colour such as matt off-white)
• Kraft card
• Tri-colour flax cord in brown and natural
• Scissors
• A paper trimmer

First, cut a piece of Kraft card to size—approximately 15cm x 13.5cm. This will be your invitation insert. Download a template or create your own design, and print your wording onto the card.

Next, place your insert inside the laser-cut doily invitation. Cut a piece of tri-colour flax cord about 70cm long and lay it on a flat surface. Place your closed invitation in the centre of the cord. Bring the two ends of the cord around to the front and tie a double knot, followed by a bow. Cut off any loose ends.

Now it's time to assemble the envelope. Place your invitation in the middle of the doily, measuring to ensure accuracy. Fold the two sides of the doily over the invitation and smooth them down. Finally, tie twine or colourful string around the edge of the doily, finishing with a neat bow at the front. Your doily envelope is now complete!

Invitation wording

When it comes to the wording of your wedding invitations, you'll want to include all the essential information while also reflecting your unique style as a couple. Here are some tips and suggestions for crafting the perfect wording for your square doily wedding invitations:

• Include the Host Line: Begin your invitation by mentioning who is hosting the wedding. This could be the couple themselves, the parents of the bride or groom, or both sets of parents. For example: "Together with their parents, [Couple's Names] invite you to celebrate their wedding."
• Provide Essential Details: Clearly state the names of the couple getting married, the date and time of the wedding, and the location. You may also want to include the address of the venue and a separate card with directions or a map for out-of-town guests. Download the template to ensure you have all the information you need.
• Request the Honour of Their Presence: A traditional phrase used in wedding invitations is "request the honour of your presence," which is often used for more formal or religious ceremonies. For a less formal event, you can use phrases like "invite you to share in their joy" or "joyfully invite you to celebrate."
• Dress Code Details: If you have a specific dress code or theme for your wedding, be sure to include this information on the invitation. This could be a simple phrase like "Black-tie optional" or "Garden party attire."
• RSVP Information: Provide clear instructions on how guests should RSVP and the deadline for doing so. You can include a separate RSVP card with pre-addressed envelopes, or direct guests to a wedding website or email address for responses.
• Additional Details: If you have a wedding website, it's a good idea to include the URL on the invitation so guests can find more information about accommodation, travel, gift registries, and any other relevant details.

[Names of the couple] together with their families

Request the honour of your presence

As they celebrate their marriage

[Date] at [Time]

[Venue name and address]

Black-tie optional

Kindly RSVP by [Date] to [Email address or phone number]

For more information and accommodation suggestions, please visit our wedding website: [Website URL]

Please note that the wording can be customised to fit your personal style and the tone of your wedding. You can make it more casual, playful, or traditional, depending on your preferences.

Invitation assembly

To assemble your square doily wedding invitations, you will need the following materials:

• Doilies (preferably in a rustic or laser-cut design)
• Kraft paper or card
• Tri-colour flax cord or twine
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Envelopes

• Cut a piece of Kraft card to size - approximately 15cm x 13.5cm. This will be your invitation insert.
• Download a template for your invitation wording, or create your own design. Type your chosen wording into the printable area of the template.
• Print your wording onto the pre-cut invitation insert.
• Place your insert inside the doily, ensuring it is centred and secure.
• Cut a piece of tri-colour flax cord or twine approximately 70cm long. Lay the cord on a flat surface and place your closed invitation in the centre.
• Bring the two ends of the cord around to the front of the invitation and tie a double knot. You can then tie a bow and cut off any loose ends.
• Place your finished invitation inside the envelope.

You can also add a personal touch by using a wax seal to close the envelope, or decorating it with ribbon, lace, or a personalised stamp.

Frequently asked questions