Creating Wedding Envelopes: Diy Home Crafting Guide

Wedding stationery can be expensive, so it's no surprise that many couples are choosing to make their own invitations and envelopes. In this guide, we'll take you through the process of creating beautiful, personalised envelopes for your wedding invitations at home. From addressing your envelopes in style to adding extra touches like liners and wax seals, we'll show you how to make your envelopes stand out and impress your guests.

Envelope liners: Use patterned paper, glue, scissors, and a template to create a polished look

Envelope liners are a great way to elevate your wedding invitations and add a special touch that represents your wedding. This is a simple DIY project that will make your envelopes stand out and create a polished look. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own envelope liners using patterned paper, glue, scissors, and a template:

Materials:

• Patterned paper of your choice (you can use special wrapping paper, a portrait of your venue, or create a custom pattern)
• Envelopes (you can choose between Straight Flap or Euro Flap envelopes, depending on your preference)
• Sturdy white cardstock paper (for creating a template)
• Pencil or pen
• Scissors or an Exacto knife
• Ruler
• Glue or clear tape

Step 1: Create a Template

Start by choosing envelopes that match the size of your invitations. You can select from various envelope sizes, such as A1, A2, A6, or A7. Take a sheet of sturdy white cardstock paper and trace the outline of your envelope onto it. This will serve as your template for the liner.

Step 2: Measure and Mark

Measure the top of your envelope, including the sealing strip, to ensure that your liner sits below the glue. Draw a line across the top of your template at this measurement. Then, measure and mark 1/4" from the left, right, and diagonal sections of your envelope and draw lines accordingly. These measurements will ensure that your liner has enough space to move up and down when the envelope is opened and closed.

Step 3: Cut Out the Template

Use scissors or an Exacto knife to carefully cut out your template. Check that it fits inside your envelope with some space at the bottom. Trim the template as needed so that it doesn't touch the bottom of the envelope.

Step 4: Trace and Cut the Liner

Place your template on the back of your chosen patterned paper and trace around it with a pencil or pen. Cut out the liner along the traced lines. Don't worry if your lines aren't perfect, as they will be hidden inside the envelope.

Step 5: Insert, Fold, and Glue

Slide the liner into the envelope, ensuring that it sits just below the glue strip. If the liner covers too much of the adhesive, trim a small amount from the bottom. Once you're happy with the placement, fold the envelope flap down and then back up to create a crease in the liner. Apply glue or clear tape to the top part of the liner, securing it to the envelope.

And that's it! You now have beautiful, personalised envelope liners that will wow your guests and add a special touch to your wedding invitations. Feel free to experiment with different patterns, colours, and envelope styles to create unique and elegant wedding stationery.

Stamps: Elevate the envelope flap with a personalised monogram or return address stamp

A personalised stamp is a great way to add a unique touch to your wedding invitations. You can use them to make your invitations or add a return address to the envelopes. There are a variety of custom rubber stamps available on Etsy, or you can create your own. Here are some ideas and options to consider:

Monogram Stamps

Monogram stamps are a popular choice for wedding invitations due to their beautiful design. You can feature your monogram on the flap of the envelope, adding a touch of elegance. There are different styles of monogram stamps available, such as the classic circle monogram or a single initial monogram. You can also find options with a wreath or label design surrounding your initials.

Return Address Stamps

Return address stamps are a practical and time-saving solution, especially if you have a long guest list. You can create a custom stamp with your return address, eliminating the need to write it out hundreds of times. Choose from a variety of designs, fonts, and styles to match your wedding theme. You can opt for a clean and modern look or go for a whimsical or rustic design.

Self-Inking vs Pre-Inked Stamps

When selecting your stamp, consider the type of ink mechanism. Self-inking stamps are great for rapid stamping and have the ink pad built into the stamp body. Pre-inked stamps provide rich detail but need more time between impressions to replenish the ink. Alternatively, you can go for a traditional wooden hand stamp and purchase a separate ink pad.

Customisation Options

Customisation options are abundant when it comes to stamps. You can choose from a range of impression sizes and shapes, including round, rectangle, and square designs. Select a style that complements your envelope size and design. You can also personalise the ink colour, with options like black, various colours, or gold or silver for a touch of glamour.

Where to Buy

Online platforms like Etsy offer a wide variety of custom stamp options. You can also explore dedicated stationery websites and stores, such as Paper Source, The Stationery Studio, and Simply Stamps, to find the perfect stamp for your wedding envelopes.

Adding a personalised stamp to your wedding envelope flap is a wonderful way to elevate your invitations and make them truly yours. Whether you opt for a monogram or a return address stamp, it will surely leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Addressing: Use a template to ensure straight writing and consistent spacing

When addressing your wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that your writing is straight and spaced consistently. Not only does this make the invitations look more polished and refined, but it also ensures that your guests can read the addresses clearly. Here are some tips and techniques to help you achieve this:

Choose the Right Tools

The first step is to gather the right tools for the job. You can use a ruler and a pencil to manually measure and draw guidelines on your envelopes. However, if you want to save time and effort, consider investing in some specialised tools such as an envelope template, a lightbox, a laser level, or a phantom liner. These tools can help you create straight and consistent lines with less fuss.

Envelope Templates

An envelope template is a stiff shape with spaces cut out where the lines of your address will go. You lay the template over your envelope and use a pencil to mark the lines. Once you've addressed the envelope, you can simply erase the guidelines. Envelope templates are very versatile and can be used on different sizes and colours of envelopes. They are especially useful if you want to use a relaxed formal script or modern calligraphy.

Lightboxes and Laser Levels

A lightbox is a reliable and fuss-free option for creating consistently spaced and angled addresses. It involves placing an address template underneath your envelope and using a light source to see the guidelines through the envelope. However, it may not work with all types of envelopes, especially if they are too thick or dark.

A laser level is another efficient way to address envelopes, but it relies on your ability to "get your eye in" and write consistent letterforms. It may not be suitable for those who are new to calligraphy.

Phantom Liners

A phantom liner is an optical instrument that reflects guidelines onto your envelope, making it easier to write with precision. It is especially useful for creating precise copperplate script on dark or thick paper. However, looking into the light source for too long can cause headaches and eye strain.

Practice and Patience

No matter which method you choose, it's important to remember that addressing envelopes with calligraphy takes time and practice. Don't rush through the process, as it can lead to mistakes and inconsistencies. Give yourself plenty of time to work on your invitations and don't be afraid to ask for help if needed.

Print or Write?

If the thought of writing out addresses by hand seems daunting, you could consider printing them instead. There are many websites that offer customisable templates for wedding invitations, which you can then print at home or through a professional printing service. This option may be more cost-effective and time-efficient, especially if you have a large number of invitations to send out.

Paper choice: Opt for textured, coloured, or specialty paper to elevate the design

When making wedding envelopes at home, the paper you choose can elevate your design and make it stand out. Opting for textured, coloured, or specialty paper can add a unique touch to your envelopes and make them more memorable.

Uncoated cardstock is a popular choice for wedding envelopes, as it has a high-quality, luxurious look and feel. However, if you want to add a bit of texture to your envelopes, you can choose paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. These options will give your envelopes a more handcrafted, tactile appeal.

If you're feeling creative, you can also explore speciality paper options such as those with gold edging or watercolour washes. These details can make your envelopes look elegant and expensive. Gold edging, for instance, can be achieved by using a simple technique that you can find tutorials for online. A watercolour wash can be easily created by printing your invitations on watercolour paper and adding a light wash of watercolour paint for an artistic effect.

Another way to elevate your envelope design is by adding embellishments. Consider ribbons, wax seals, envelope liners, or even gold leaf for a glamorous touch. These extra details will not only make your envelopes more visually appealing but will also create a tactile experience for your guests.

Remember, the paper you choose will play a crucial role in the overall look and feel of your wedding envelopes, so take the time to explore different options and select the one that best suits your style and theme.

Embellishments: Add wax seals, ribbons, or twine for a luxurious touch

Embellishments are a great way to add a luxurious touch to your wedding envelopes. Here are some ideas to elevate your wedding stationery:

Wax Seals

Wax seals are a beautiful and elegant way to secure your wedding envelopes. They can evoke a regal, Old-World aesthetic and are suitable for all types of wedding invitation paper. You can choose from various designs, including traditional monograms, elegant floral motifs, tropical greenery, or even animal silhouettes. If you want to get creative, you can also use wax seals on other paper items, such as escort and place cards, table numbers, and favour boxes.

To create a wax seal, you can use a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun with round wax sticks. Choose your desired colour or create your own marbled wax by mixing different colours. Once the wax is melted, drip it directly onto the envelope, then press an engraved metal stamp into the cooling wax to leave an imprint of your chosen design.

If you're concerned about the wax seals getting damaged in the mail, you can use outer envelopes to protect them or ask your local post office about hand-sorting. Self-adhesive wax seals are also an option if you prefer a quicker and easier alternative.

Ribbons

Adding a ribbon to your wedding envelopes can give them a polished and elegant look. Choose a satin or silk ribbon that complements the colour of your invitations. Cut the ribbon to the desired length, allowing for enough ribbon to wrap around the invitation stack and create a bow. Stack your invitations in descending size order, then centre the stack over the ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the stack, tie it in a bow, and cut off any excess ribbon at an angle for a neat finish.

If your invitations have pre-cut ribbon slits in the back, simply thread the ribbon through the slits. You can also use double-sided tape instead of glue to secure the ribbon, as it lays flat and is less messy. Keep in mind that adding ribbon to your invitations will require additional postage.

Twine

Twine is a perfect addition to your wedding envelopes if you're going for a rustic theme. Cut the twine into 2-foot pieces, allowing for enough length to wrap around your invitations and create a bow. Stack your invitations in size order and centre them over the twine. Wrap the twine once around the invitation, then tie the ends together in a neat bow. You can also create an "X" shape with the twine for added decoration and a stronger hold.

Frequently asked questions