Creating Wedding Envelope Designs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Designing your own wedding invitation envelopes is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. There are many ways to create these, from using online templates to working with a professional designer. When it comes to making your own envelopes, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it's important to choose a style or design that reflects your wedding aesthetic and personality. You can find inspiration online or in art museums and libraries. Then, you'll need to gather the right materials, including envelopes, paper, cutters or scissors, adhesives, and any desired embellishments. Using a template can help you cut the liners to the perfect size. Finally, all that's left to do is assemble the envelopes and insert your invitations!

Choosing a design and creating a vision board

When it comes to choosing a design for your wedding envelope, it's important to first consider your wedding vision and style. Think about the things that make your wedding unique, such as your flowers, décor, venue, and even your bridesmaids' dresses. By focusing on these elements, you can create a suite that reflects your personality as a couple.

To begin the design process, it's a good idea to create a vision board. This will help you gather inspiration and determine what you are most drawn to. Start by using tools like Pinterest, Instagram, and other social media apps to find images that appeal to you. Once you have a collection of photos, you can identify common themes or styles that you prefer.

For example, if you're having a rustic barn wedding, you might want to incorporate earthy tones, kraft paper, and twine into your envelope design. Or, if you're going for a glamorous city wedding, consider metallic accents, modern fonts, and sleek designs. You can also look for inspiration in unexpected places, like The New York Public Library and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which offer free downloadable artwork that you can use as a starting point for your design.

Another important aspect to consider is the type of paper you will use for your envelopes. It's best to choose thin paper, similar to everyday office printer paper, to ensure that your envelopes are easy to close and that your invitation suite fits comfortably inside. You can find affordable paper options at craft stores or online.

Finally, don't forget to have fun with the process! Designing your own wedding envelopes is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day and save money at the same time.

Picking a background pattern or portrait

• Start with a vision board: Before finalising any design elements, it's helpful to gather inspiration and ideas. Create a vision board on Pinterest, Instagram, or other social media platforms to get a sense of the styles and themes that appeal to you. This will help you narrow down your choices and identify what resonates with you the most.
• Choose a meaningful image: Your wedding envelope design can be personalised by incorporating elements that reflect your interests, hobbies, or even your love story. For example, if you and your partner love travelling, you could include a small airplane or map design. Alternatively, if your relationship began at the beach, consider incorporating seashells or waves as a subtle nod to your journey together.
• Select a high-quality image: Opt for a clear, high-resolution image that is well-lit and properly exposed. This will ensure that your envelope design looks crisp and professional.
• Consider the overall aesthetic: Keep your wedding theme and colour palette in mind when selecting a background pattern or portrait. This will help create a cohesive look that ties in with the rest of your wedding stationery and décor.
• Think about the tone: The image you choose should also reflect the tone and mood of your wedding. For example, if you're going for a fun and casual celebration, a candid photo or light-hearted illustration might be a better choice than a formal portrait.
• Look for free resources: There are plenty of websites that offer free artwork or low-cost options for your envelope liner design. The New York Public Library and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, for instance, have websites where you can download artwork for free. This way, you can avoid any legal issues that may arise from using a designer's custom artwork without permission.
• Print your design: Once you've chosen your pattern, portrait, or image, it's time to get it printed. While you can print it at home, consider using a professional printer for better quality. Remember to use text-weight paper instead of cardstock for the envelope liners.
• Be consistent: Try to maintain a consistent look and feel throughout your wedding stationery. Use similar design elements, colours, and themes across your invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes, and any other paper goods you plan to include. This will create a sense of cohesion and make your wedding branding more memorable.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help: Designing your own wedding envelopes can be fun, but it can also be time-consuming and challenging. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to a crafty friend or a professional designer. They can provide valuable guidance and help you bring your vision to life.

Gathering materials, including a paper cutter and adhesive

Gathering the right materials is essential for creating beautiful DIY wedding envelope designs. Here's a detailed list of the tools and supplies you'll need:

Paper Cutter/Trimmer:

Invest in a good-quality paper cutter or trimmer from a local craft store or online retailer like Amazon. This tool will help you achieve straight and precise cuts for your envelope liners. It's worth spending a little extra to get a cutter that will give your project a professional finish.

Adhesive:

A suitable adhesive is crucial for securing the envelope liners in place. Opt for a good-quality tape liner, which will provide a strong and discreet bond. Avoid using too much adhesive to prevent unsightly lumps or bumps.

Envelopes:

Select envelopes that complement your wedding theme and colour palette. Ensure you have the correct size envelopes for your invitations, allowing enough room for the invitation suite and envelope liners. A standard wedding invitation size of 5 x 7 inches would require an A7 envelope (5.25 x 7.25 inches).

Paper for Envelope Liners:

Choose a thin paper similar to everyday office printer paper to ensure your envelopes close easily and don't appear bulky. You can find patterned, solid-colour, or glitter paper at craft stores or art supply shops. If you prefer ready-made liners, The Knot Paper offers a wide selection with peel-off adhesive strips.

Printer:

While printing can be done at home, consider using a professional printer for the best results. This is especially true if you want to include intricate patterns or portraits on your envelope liners.

Pencil:

A pencil will be useful for tracing the envelope liner template onto your chosen paper. Ensure it's sharp and easy to erase in case of any mistakes.

Template:

Search online for free envelope liner templates to ensure your cuts are precise. These templates will guide you in cutting the liners to the correct size and shape, making the process easier and more efficient.

With these materials gathered, you'll be well-equipped to create elegant and personalised envelope designs for your wedding invitations.

Finding the right template

When it comes to finding the right template for your wedding envelope design, there are several options and factors to consider. Firstly, you'll need to decide on the size of your envelopes. A common recommendation for wedding invitations is the A7 size, which measures 5.25" x 7.25". However, you can also choose from various other sizes, such as 5x7, 4x6, 5x5, A6, A2, or 4bar. It's important to measure your envelopes with the flap closed to ensure an accurate fit.

Once you've determined the size, you can start exploring template options. There are many online resources, such as Etsy, Adobe Stock, PosterMyWall, Freepik, and Vecteezy, that offer a wide range of wedding envelope templates. These templates can be downloaded and customised to your liking. Some are even editable, allowing you to change the text, fonts, and graphics to match your wedding theme and colour palette.

When selecting a template, consider the overall aesthetic you're aiming for. Do you prefer a minimalist and modern look, or something more luxurious and traditional? You can find templates with various designs, including botanical illustrations, watercolour eucalyptus, and simple, elegant calligraphy.

Additionally, think about the functionality you require. For example, some templates offer a combination of text box sizes and styles, allowing you to customise the layout to your liking. You might also want to look for templates that enable you to print on both sides of the envelope, making it easy to include return addresses on the back.

Don't be afraid to explore different options and play around with customisation features. Many templates are editable, allowing you to change fonts, colours, and layouts to create a uniform look that complements your wedding invitations.

Sliding the liners into envelopes and adjusting for alignment

Now it's time to slide the liners into the envelopes. This is the final step in creating your DIY envelope liners and will require a little adhesive, such as a good tape liner, and some expert adjusting to ensure everything lines up.

Firstly, turn your envelope liner over and apply a line of tape near the edges of just the envelope flap. You can use a GlueGlider Pro, any tape dispenser, or even double-sided tape.

Next, carefully flip the liner over and slide it into your envelope, holding up the top so that the tape doesn't touch the envelope until it's in place.

Centre the liner in the envelope, just touching or slightly under the envelope's glue line, and press down to secure it in place.

Finally, fold along the envelope's fold line, and you're done!

Some tutorials suggest sliding the liner into the envelope first, then folding the envelope and liner together before applying adhesive to the liner. However, it's recommended to secure the liner in place before folding to ensure it doesn't shift and become uncentred or crooked.

Frequently asked questions