Crafting Unique Wedding Cards: Creative Diy Ideas

There are many ways to make a unique wedding card. From adding gold foil details or a watercolour background to using textured paper, there are plenty of ways to make your wedding card stand out. If you're feeling creative, you could even try making a card from scratch using online platforms like Canva, or by hand with materials sourced from Etsy, Hobbycraft, or The Range. For a unique finishing touch, consider adding a wax seal, either personalised with your initials or using dried blooms or botanical leaves.

If you're short on time, you could opt for a printable or editable wedding card template from online marketplaces such as Etsy or Papier. These can be customised with your names and other details, and then printed at home or with a printing service.

Whatever option you choose, making a unique wedding card is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day.

Gold foil details

Adding gold foil details to your wedding card is a great way to make it look luxurious and elegant. Here are some tips and instructions to help you create gold foil wedding cards:

Materials:

• Cardstock: Use a coated cardstock for a smooth gold foil transfer. Black cardstock works well, but you can choose any colour that matches your wedding theme.
• Gold foil: Consider buying a roll of gold foil instead of sheets, as it is usually more cost-effective and you get more material.
• Laminating machine: Ensure you have a laminating machine that uses heat, as this is necessary for applying the gold foil.
• Laser printer: You will need access to a laser printer to print your design onto the cardstock. Inkjet printers will not work as the gold foil will not adhere to the ink.

Step 1: Print Your Design

Start by creating a design for your wedding card. Once you are happy with it, print it onto your cardstock using a laser printer. If you don't have access to a laser printer, you can send your design to a printing centre or photocopy your design onto the cardstock. Remember to print a few extras for testing.

Step 2: Apply Gold Foil

Cut a piece of gold foil large enough to cover your design. Place the foil with the gold side facing up on top of your printed design. Run it through the laminating machine according to the instructions. If your machine doesn't have a folder, simply sandwich the gold foil between two pieces of cardstock.

Step 3: Peel and Admire

Once the gold foil has been laminated onto your design, gently peel back the foil to reveal the gold details. Don't worry if the transfer isn't perfect, as the imperfections add character and a rustic charm to your handmade cards.

Tips:

• Test different amounts of heat on your laminator with test sheets to find the right setting for a successful transfer.
• If using a thicker cardstock, select a thicker setting or run it through the laminator twice.
• For envelope liners, print your design on plain paper and follow the same process.
• Save any leftover gold foil for other decor projects, such as adding gold foil to envelopes or other paper crafts.

With these steps and tips, you can create beautiful gold foil wedding cards that are sure to impress your guests and save you money!

Wax seals

Making Wax Seals

There are a few different ways to make wax seals:

• The traditional way involves melting wax over a flame and then pressing a metal stamp into the cooling wax, leaving an imprint of the design.
• Another method is to use a glue gun with specially-shaped wax sticks that fit into the gun.
• If you don't want to make your own wax seals, you can buy pre-made self-adhesive wax seals, which are like fancy stickers.

Tips for Making Wax Seals

• Keep your metal seal cool by placing it on an ice pack between uses.
• Use parchment paper as a surface to make your wax seals on, as they're easily removable once dry.
• Use quality wax to avoid gunking up your glue gun or metal seal.
• Don't touch the wax seals before they're fully dry!
• Use Washi tape or a Sharpie to mark your seal for easier alignment.

Where to Buy Wax Seals and Supplies

You can find wax seals and sealing supplies at craft stores or online at places like Etsy, Amazon, Artisaire, Get Marked, Nostalgic Impressions, or eBay.

Mailing Wax Seals

You can absolutely mail wedding invitations with wax seals, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You'll need to add a "nonmachinable surcharge" to your postage, as the bump created by the seal can't go through the machines at the post office.
• If you're using self-adhesive wax seals, use a protective outer envelope, as the adhesive can sometimes be less permanent.
• If you're concerned about the seals getting damaged, you can also ask your local post office about hand-sorting your mail, but this will also incur additional postage and take extra time.

Origami designs

Origami is a beautiful way to create unique and memorable wedding cards. Here are some ideas for origami designs to inspire your own creations:

Origami Crane Card

The origami crane is a classic and elegant choice for a wedding card. You can create a 3D crane as a centerpiece of the card, with its wings spread and beak pointing upwards. The crane can be made from white paper with delicate gold or silver accents, or you could use patterned paper in your wedding colours. Add a small heart or a pair of rings as a finishing touch.

Origami Dress and Suit Card

For a whimsical touch, create an origami dress and tuxedo card. Form the dress with a full skirt and a fitted bodice, adding delicate paper lace or pearl accents. The tuxedo can be designed with a sleek jacket and bow tie. You could even add small paper flowers to the dress for a romantic touch.

Origami Heart Card

Express your love with an origami heart card. Create a 3D heart shape using red, pink or gold paper. You can add a small paper banner across the heart with a message of congratulations. Alternatively, create a card with a heart-shaped cut-out, revealing a beautiful backdrop of floral paper or a gold embossed design.

Origami Flower Card

Bring a touch of nature to your wedding card with origami flowers. Craft delicate paper blossoms in your wedding colours, such as roses, tulips or poppies. Arrange the flowers on the card with a mix of sizes and colours for added depth. You could even add some paper greenery for a natural touch.

Origami Envelope Card

Design an origami envelope to hold your wedding invitation or message of congratulations. You can create a unique envelope shape, such as a heart or a square with a decorative flap. Add a wax seal with the couple's initials or a symbol that represents their love. Choose a paper that complements the envelope, perhaps with a subtle pattern or a hint of glitter.

With these ideas as a starting point, you can create beautiful and unique origami wedding cards that will be treasured by the happy couple.

Watercolour backgrounds

Materials:

First, gather your materials. You will need watercolour paper, which can be purchased in pads and torn to the desired size, or you can opt for thick cardstock if you prefer. Watercolour paper, however, will give your invitations a vintage and beveled feel that cardstock might not provide. You will also need watercolour paints in the colour(s) of your choice, as well as a paintbrush, a cup of clean water, and paper towels or rags.

Technique:

When creating the watercolour background, feel free to get messy and loose with your brushstrokes to achieve a casual and whimsical look. If you want to dilute the colour, you can create a watercolour wash by mixing your paint with water. This will give your invitations a softer, more subtle effect. For a bolder look, use less water and more concentrated paint.

Drying Time:

Remember to allow adequate drying time for your watercolour backgrounds. Place the painted cards flat and let them air dry overnight to ensure they are completely dry before adding any additional details or text.

Personalisation:

The beauty of watercolour backgrounds is that each card will be unique, almost like a miniature work of art for each of your guests. You can further personalise your invitations by adding hand-lettering or calligraphy. If you're feeling creative, you can even try your hand at faux calligraphy, where you write the names in cursive and then go back and fill in broader strokes on the downstrokes.

Embellishments:

To add a touch of elegance or whimsy, consider embellishing your invitations with a ribbon of your choice. This can be a lovely way to tie in your wedding colours or simply add a delicate detail to your design.

With these tips in mind, you can create one-of-a-kind wedding invitations that will leave a lasting impression on your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Customised templates

Editable Digital Templates

If you're looking for convenience without compromising on personalisation, editable digital templates are a great option. Websites like Papier offer beautiful wedding invitation templates that you can easily personalise and edit online. You can even add your own photo to give it that extra special touch. The best part? You don't have to worry about printing them yourself or paying a separate printing fee.

Printable Templates

Printable templates give you the flexibility to choose your own paper and add DIY finishing touches. Websites like Etsy offer a wide range of wedding invitation templates that you can personalise with your details. After purchasing the template, you can print them at home or use a printing shop. This option is usually more cost-effective, as you're mainly paying for the design. It also allows you to add a personal touch by choosing a luxurious textured paper or adding extras like a wedding stamp or hand-written signatures.

Custom Designs from Scratch

If you're feeling creative and want to design your own wedding invitations from scratch, platforms like Canva offer a variety of free templates and design tools to get you started. You can also upload your own design and add text, images, and even a personalised QR code. Once you're happy with your design, you can choose to print them or send them as digital invitations via email or messaging apps.

Personalised Wax Seals

Add a touch of luxury and finesse to your wedding invitations with personalised wax seals. You can either create your own using real wax and a rubber stamp or order custom-made stickers. Include your initials or a symbol that holds a special meaning for you and your partner.

Vellum Invitation Jackets

Elevate your wedding invitations by wrapping them in vellum jackets. These translucent cases give your invitations a professional and elegant look. Pre-folded options are available to save you time and effort.

Custom Envelope Inserts

Customise your envelope inserts with generic templates that you can download and print yourself. Simply slide them into your envelopes for a personalised touch.

With these ideas and a bit of creativity, you can design unique and memorable wedding cards that are sure to impress your guests.

Frequently asked questions