Creating Custom Vinyl Wedding Invites

If you're a music lover, what better way to set the tone for your wedding than with vinyl record-themed invitations? You can make these fun and unique invites at home with a free template and a few simple steps. The design features a record sleeve inspired by a 1979 Van Halen design, with your names on the front and RSVP and event details on the back. Side one of the record uses retro type for names, dates, and locations, while side two has reception details. You can customize the colour scheme and add embellishments like glare lines with a silver paint pen. So, get your craft on and create invitations that are a solid gold hit!

Download, edit, and print

The first step to making vinyl wedding invitations is to download a template. You can find free templates online, or you can design your own from scratch using programs such as Microsoft Word, Mac Pages, or Illustrator. If you're using a pre-made template, make sure to check that it's customisable and that you're able to edit the text and colour scheme.

Once you've downloaded your template, it's time to start customising it. Open the file in your chosen editing program and get familiar with the layout. You'll want to add your names, the date, location details, and any other relevant information, such as RSVP and reception details. Check for spelling errors, correct dates, layout, and grammar. It's a good idea to have someone else look over your work to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

Before you print all your invitations, it's a good idea to print a test copy to make sure everything looks perfect. Once you're happy with the design and layout, go ahead and print the rest of your invitations. Note that you can make this invite in any colour scheme by simply selecting different coloured paper to print on.

If you're unable to print the invitations yourself, you can take the file to a local print shop or use an online printing service.

Trim the sleeve

Step 2: Trim the sleeve

Now that you've downloaded, edited, and printed your vinyl wedding invitation, it's time to cut out the sleeves. Using a scoring tool or the back of an X-acto knife, carefully score the sleeve down the center line and along the flap lines. Be extra careful not to accidentally cut through the sleeve—you just want to create a nice, crisp edge. Once you've finished scoring, fold the sleeve in half with the design facing outwards, and fold the flaps in.

Step 3: Tape the sleeve

To secure the flaps in place, apply a strip of double-sided tape to each flap and fold the sleeve in half, pressing down firmly with the heel of your hand. Alternatively, you can use a glue stick, but this may be a bit messier.

Step 4: Notch the sleeve (optional)

If you're feeling extra creative, you can take a notch out of the top of the sleeve with a circle punch or plain scissors. This step can be skipped if you're running out of time or patience!

Tape the sleeve

Taping the Sleeve

Now that you've cut out the sleeves and scored the lines, it's time to tape them. This step is crucial to ensure the sleeve stays securely closed and doesn't pop open when you insert the vinyl record invitation.

Apply a strip of double-sided tape to each flap of the sleeve. You can also use a glue stick if you don't have double-sided tape, but be aware that it might get a little messier. Fold the sleeve in half, pressing down firmly with the heel of your hand to secure it in place. The tape or glue will hold the flaps together, forming the pocket that will hold your invitation.

Make sure you press down firmly and smooth out any air bubbles that may form under the tape. You want a nice, crisp edge to your sleeve, so take your time with this step. It's important to ensure the sleeve is securely closed, especially if you plan to mail these invitations. You don't want them to open up during transit and potentially damage your hard work!

If you're using a glue stick, be generous with the amount of glue you apply to ensure a strong hold. However, be careful not to overuse it, as you don't want glue seeping out from the edges and making a mess. Once you've applied the glue, use your finger or a small roller to smooth it out and create an even bond.

At this stage, your sleeves should be taking shape and looking more like miniature record jackets. The next step will be notching the sleeve, which is optional but adds a nice touch to the overall design.

Notch the sleeve

Now it's time to notch the sleeve. This is an optional step, so if you're running out of time or patience, you can skip this part.

To create the notch, you can use either a circle punch or plain scissors. The circle punch is much faster and creates a cleaner cut, but scissors will also get the job done.

Take your invitation sleeve and decide how deep you want the notch to be. Mark this spot with a pencil, then carefully cut out a semi-circle or triangle shape. This notch will make it easier for your guests to remove the invitation from the sleeve.

If you're feeling creative, you can even decorate the notch with a small sticker or a stamped design. This will add a unique touch to your invitations.

Remember, this step is entirely optional, so if you're happy with the way your sleeves look, you can move on to the next step of assembling your vinyl wedding invitations.

Attach labels

Now that you have your vinyl records cut out and ready, it's time to attach the labels. Using double-sided tape or a glue stick, carefully attach the front and back labels to each record. Make sure you use the centre hole as your guide to ensure the labels are straight and centred. You can use a circle cutter or scissors to cut out the labels, but if you're using scissors, try to use long sweeping strokes with the entire length of the blade. Avoid making little snips, as this will result in a jagged edge. Keep the scraps, as you can use them to embellish the records with "glare" lines using a silver paint pen. This step is optional but will give your invitations a fun, retro touch.

If you're working with family and friends to assemble the invitations, this is a great task to delegate. Put on some music, pour some drinks, and make an afternoon of it! Just be sure to have all the circles cut out before the festivities begin, or you might end up with some oddly-shaped vinyl records. Once the labels are attached, the records are ready to be inserted into the sleeves. The entire invitation, including the sleeve and record, will fit into a 5.5" square envelope for mailing.

Frequently asked questions