Creating Wedding Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating your own wedding invitations is a fun and creative way to set the tone for your special day. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of designing, crafting, and assembling your own wedding cards, step by step. From choosing the right paper and templates to adding personal touches and assembling the final product, we'll help you make invitations that truly reflect your unique style and personality. So, grab your craft supplies and let's get started on making beautiful wedding cards that your guests will treasure!

Choose a card-making method: online, DIY, or a mix of both

There are several ways to make wedding cards, and you can choose to make them online, opt for a DIY approach, or blend the two. Each method has its own advantages and can be chosen based on your convenience, budget, time availability, and the level of personalisation you want to achieve.

Online Method:

Creating wedding cards online is a convenient and quick option. Several websites offer templates, themes, and customisation options to design your wedding cards. You can choose from a variety of designs, colours, and styles to match your wedding theme. Online card makers often provide a range of features, such as editable text fields, multiple language support, instant downloads, and the ability to create matching e-cards and save-the-date videos. This method is ideal for those who want a fast, efficient way to create their wedding cards without sacrificing design options.

DIY Method:

The DIY approach allows for a high level of personalisation and creativity. You can select your materials, colours, and embellishments to create unique invitations that reflect your style and love story. DIY wedding cards can be cost-effective, allowing you to save money without compromising on quality or aesthetics. It can also be a fun bonding experience with your partner, friends, or family, creating memorable keepsakes in the process. The DIY method offers flexibility in design, from simple elegance to intricate creations. However, it requires more time and effort, and you may need to purchase materials and tools.

Blending Both Methods:

Combining the online and DIY approaches can offer the best of both worlds. You can take advantage of the convenience and efficiency of online card makers while still adding your personal touches by customising the templates, changing colour schemes, and adding embellishments. This blended method gives you more design options and allows for a semi-personalised approach.

The choice between these methods depends on your specific needs, preferences, and the amount of time you wish to dedicate to creating your wedding cards.

Pick a card style: elegant, rustic, quirky, etc

The style of your wedding card will depend on the theme of your wedding and your personal taste. Here are some ideas for different styles of wedding cards:

Elegant

An elegant wedding card conveys sophistication and class. This style typically features a simple design with clean lines and a sophisticated colour palette. You can achieve elegance through the use of specific materials and colours. Consider using soft materials, metallics, and dreamy script. Embossed stickers, gold embossing powder, and watercolour paint can also add a touch of elegance. A heart filled with flowers is another simple yet elegant design idea.

Rustic

A rustic wedding card embraces a handcrafted and natural aesthetic. This style often incorporates elements such as wood, pine, evergreen, linen, and black text. To create a rustic card, you can apply ink to a wood disc and add a decorative appliqué. Place the wood disc on fake evergreen for a charming, natural touch.

Quirky

If you're looking for something less traditional, a quirky wedding card can be a fun option. Consider incorporating elements that reflect the couple's interests or personalities. For example, if the couple is a fan of Harry Potter, you can create a card based on the imaginary game "Quidditch" from the books, with a cute play on words.

Other Styles

Other styles you may consider include romantic, boho, or classic. A romantic card might feature soft colours, floral themes, and dreamy scripts. A boho-style card would be characterised by bright, sunny colours and cheerful wishes. A classic card typically uses white or pastel colours, with elegant details such as a simple heart or flower design.

Gather your materials: paper, envelopes, stickers, etc

Gathering the right materials is the first step to making beautiful wedding cards. The materials you will need depend on the type of card you want to make. Here is a list of materials you can gather to make a variety of wedding cards:

Paper

The type of paper you use will depend on the style of card you want to make. For place cards, you can use card stock paper. For invitations, you can use thicker card stock, around 120 lb weight. For a simple, classy card, you can use a combination of white card and white textured card. For a more colourful card, you can use pastel-coloured or bright, boho-style card.

Envelopes

If you are making invitations, you will need envelopes. These can be plain or decorated to match your card design.

Stickers

Embossed stickers can be used to add a sophisticated touch to a simple card design.

Stamps

You can use stamps to create a metallic floral design. You can also use stamps with a clear VersaMark ink pad and clear embossing powder to create a glossy, textured finish.

Ink

Distress Inks are a great medium for creating beautiful, contemporary homemade wedding cards. You can use them to create romantic backgrounds or modern splashes of bold colour. You can also use ink pads in various colours to create a painted effect.

Other tools

You will also need a blending tool, a craft mat, a heat tool, a paintbrush, stencils, glitter, ribbon, a cutting tool, and a sewing kit or fine liner for adding stitching details.

Design the card: add text, photos, and decorations

The design of your wedding card is where you can get creative and make it unique to you. It's a good idea to choose a colour scheme and stick to it throughout the whole design process. You can use a colour palette generator to help you decide on a scheme. Cursive-style fonts are best for wedding invitations as they look romantic, soft and elegant.

Begin with a warm and personal greeting, expressing your happiness and best wishes for the couple. Then, mention the names of the couple, the date, time and venue of the wedding. Include information on how to RSVP, whether by phone, email or a designated website. If there are any specific guidelines or requests for guests, mention them. If you're close to the couple, consider adding a personal message or anecdote. Close the card with your sincere regards and signature.

You can also add stock photos or upload your own photos to create a photo wedding invitation. You could include a photo of the couple, a special location, or any image that holds significance.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different colour combinations, fonts and formats, and add some personal jokes or switch up your wording to make your design unique.

Assemble and send: put everything together and post

Now that you have designed your wedding card, it's time to assemble all the elements and send them to your guests. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:

Assemble and Send:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Make sure you have all the components of your wedding card ready. This includes the card itself, any inserts such as RSVP cards and envelopes, and any decorations like ribbons or stickers. You will also need envelopes, stamps, and return address labels or stickers.

Step 2: Assemble the Card

If your card has multiple components, such as an inner envelope and an outer envelope, assemble them neatly. Place any inserts, such as RSVP cards and envelopes, inside the inner envelope. If you are including a ribbon or a seal, add it now. Ensure that everything is secure and will not fall out during postage.

Step 3: Address the Envelopes

Print or write the guest addresses on the envelopes. It is recommended to use a clear and legible font or handwriting. Double-check each address to avoid any mistakes. If you are using return address labels or stickers, affix them to the envelopes as well.

Step 4: Add Postage

Calculate the correct postage for each envelope, taking into account the weight and size of your card and any additional inserts. Affix the appropriate number of stamps to each envelope, ensuring they are securely attached.

Step 5: Send the Cards

Once your cards are assembled and addressed, it's time to send them! Take them to your local post office or drop them off in a mailbox, depending on your preference and the number of cards you have. It is recommended to send the cards 6-8 weeks before the wedding, or 3-4 months in advance if it is a destination wedding or during peak holiday seasons.

Creating and sending your own wedding cards is a labour of love that will surely be appreciated by your guests. Enjoy the process and don't be afraid to ask for help if needed!

Frequently asked questions