Designing Wedding Invitation Cards With Canva: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and stressful time, but designing your own wedding invitations with Canva can be a fun and cost-effective way to prepare for your big day. Canva offers hundreds of customisable templates, layouts, and design options to help you create beautiful, personalised wedding invitations that are easy to print and share with your guests.

Pick a shape and size

When it comes to designing your own wedding invitations, the first step is to choose the right layout and dimensions. The standard size for wedding invitations is 5 x 7 inches, in the form of a flat rectangular card. However, there are many ways to customise the shape and size to make it unique and reflective of your personality and wedding theme.

If you want to stick to tradition, a rectangular shape with dimensions of 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches is a classic choice. This option not only gives your invitations a timeless feel but can also help keep printing costs down. On the other hand, if you're looking to break away from tradition, you could opt for horizontal rectangles or scalloped designs, which have gained popularity in recent years.

For a playful and modern look, square-shaped invitations are a great choice. Canva offers square templates that are easy to personalise and perfect for any event. If you're aiming for a rustic theme, consider printing your invitations on recycled brown paper. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of minimalist designs available on Canva, which can be customised with your own images, fonts and colours.

No matter what size and shape you prefer, working with a template is the easiest way to get started. With Canva's drag-and-drop tool, you can easily add elements to your design and browse through millions of high-quality icons, graphics and illustrations. You can also upload your own images and customise colour schemes to make your invitations truly unique.

Choose a romantic font

When creating a wedding invitation card in Canva, choosing a romantic font is essential to set the tone and style of your design. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the perfect font for your special day:

Font Style and Personality

The chosen font should align with the overall style and theme of your wedding. Consider whether you want a formal, elegant, playful, or casual vibe for your invitations. Cursive or calligraphy fonts are popular choices for wedding invites as they add a soft, romantic, and elegant touch. These fonts are especially suitable for highlighting the names of the couple. You can pair them with a serif font for the rest of the text to create a harmonious contrast.

Legibility

While selecting a font, it's important to consider legibility. Some fonts, like highly scripted or thin fonts, may look appealing but can be challenging to read. Choose a font that is easy for your guests to read, ensuring that your invitation is accessible and practical.

Accent Fonts

Using accent fonts is a great way to highlight important information, such as the names of the couple or the wedding date. These fonts will stand out from the rest of the text, drawing attention to key details. Playful calligraphy or bold fonts can be perfect choices for accenting headings or names.

Font Combinations

Combining different fonts can add interest and elegance to your design. Pairing a cursive font with a sans serif font, such as Great Vibes with Montserrat, creates a classic and elegant combination. Alternatively, you can pair a serif font with a sans serif font, like Playfair Display with Montserrat Light, for a timeless and sophisticated look.

Font Size and Spacing

Consider the size and spacing of your font to ensure it fits well within your invitation design. You want to avoid a cluttered look, so choose a font size and spacing that allows for a comfortable reading experience.

Font Colour

While selecting a font, also think about the colour that will best complement your chosen font style and overall design. You can choose a colour that matches your wedding theme or opt for classic options like black or dark grey for easy readability.

• Great Vibes – A cursive font that is easy to read with a subtle slant and medium weight.
• Montserrat – A versatile sans serif font that pairs well with various font styles.
• Playfair Display – A classic serif font with subtle transitions between thick and thin lines.
• Josefin Sans – A geometric, vintage-inspired font that pairs well with modern or vintage designs.
• Pinyon Script – A classic font choice often used in royal weddings, creating an elegant and traditional look.

Add personal images

Adding personal images to your wedding invitation is a great way to showcase your relationship to your friends and family. It adds a unique and special touch to your invite, making it more memorable and meaningful. Here are some tips and ideas for including personal images in your Canva wedding invitation:

Choosing the Right Image:

Select an image that represents your relationship and love for each other. Consider using a photo of you and your partner together, perhaps a favourite snapshot or a professional engagement photo. You could also use a background image that symbolises a special moment, place, or shared interest. For example, if you both love the beach, you might use a scenic beach photo as your background. Play around with different images to see what works best with your chosen template and overall design.

Editing and Customisation:

Canva's drag-and-drop tool makes it easy to upload and place your chosen images onto your invitation design. You can resize, crop, and edit your images as needed to fit the layout. You might also consider adding filters or effects to your photos to enhance their appearance or to match your wedding colour scheme. Play with different arrangements and combinations of images and text to create a visually appealing composition.

Collage or Timeline Format:

If you have multiple photos you want to include, consider creating a collage or timeline format for your invitation. This approach works well if you want to showcase different stages of your relationship or highlight important moments. You can arrange your images in a chronological order, adding captions or dates to tell the story of your relationship. This format adds a fun and creative element to your invitation, making it more engaging for your guests.

Image and Text Combination:

When incorporating personal images, consider how the text will work with your chosen image. You might opt for a transparent overlay or a coloured box to place your text on top of the image. Alternatively, you can place the image on one side and the text on the other, ensuring the image doesn't distract from the important information. Play with different font sizes, colours, and styles to ensure the text is legible and stands out against the image.

Image Quality and Resolution:

Ensure your chosen images are high-quality and have a good resolution. This is especially important if you plan to print your invitations. Low-resolution images may appear blurry or pixelated when printed. Check the image requirements for your chosen template to ensure the best results. You may need to edit your images to fit the required dimensions, but be careful not to stretch or distort the image in the process.

Adding personal images to your wedding invitations is a wonderful way to make them unique and special. Play around with different images, layouts, and designs until you find the perfect combination that reflects your relationship and wedding style.

Select a colour scheme

Selecting a colour scheme for your wedding invitation is a crucial step in setting the mood for your event and bringing your narrative to life. Here are some tips and ideas to help you choose the perfect colour palette for your Canva wedding invitation card:

Choose colours that reflect your wedding theme and location:

Consider the overall theme and location of your wedding when selecting your colour scheme. For example, if you're having a rustic or outdoor wedding, green is a popular choice as it evokes a sense of nature and new beginnings. Pairing it with shades of rust or gold can give your invitation a luxurious feel. On the other hand, if you're going for a traditional or romantic aesthetic, soft, creamy hues like peach, pink, and ivory can create an elegant and intimate atmosphere.

Experiment with colour combinations:

Don't be afraid to experiment with different colour combinations to find the perfect match for your invitation. Classic complementary colours like orange and green or pink and purple are always a safe bet. You can also try pairing bolder colours like deep red or navy blue with analogous tones to create a sleek and modern look. If you want a more playful or quirky design, cotton candy colours or unconventional colour applications can add a unique twist.

Use colour to highlight important elements:

Colour can be a powerful tool for drawing attention to the most important elements of your invitation, such as your names or the date. Consider using a contrasting colour for these details to make them pop, or opt for a cursive or calligraphy font in a soft, romantic shade to add a touch of elegance.

Take inspiration from your wedding narrative:

Think about the story behind your relationship and how you can incorporate it into your colour scheme. For example, if you share a love for the beach or a particular destination, you might choose colours that evoke the feeling of a tropical paradise, such as shades of blue, green, and white.

Keep it harmonious:

Remember, your colour choices should complement each other and reflect the harmony between you and your partner. Avoid clashing colours or overly bright palettes that may be overwhelming. Instead, opt for harmonious combinations that create a cohesive and elegant design.

With Canva's wide range of templates, colours, and customisation options, you can create a wedding invitation that truly reflects your unique style and sets the tone for your special day.

Include all the details

When it comes to the content of your wedding invitation, there are a few essential details to include. Firstly, a request for attendance is standard, along with the names of the couple. The date, time, and location of the wedding are also crucial, as well as clear RSVP instructions. It's important to include the deadline for guests to respond and how they should do so. You may also want to include any specific requirements, such as a dress code, and other additional information like the wedding website address and gift list details.

If you're creating a "save-the-date" card, you can include just the basic information such as your names, the date (including the year), and the rough location of the wedding. This gives your guests a heads-up to block out that date on their calendar. For the main invitation, you'll want to include more specific details. In addition to the time, date, and location, you may want to mention information on the dress code (if there is one), catering arrangements, and whether the wedding is child-friendly. It's also a good idea to include details on how guests can travel between different venues if the ceremony and reception are held in separate locations.

The beauty of designing your wedding invitation with Canva is that you can easily customize and personalize your card. You can add your own images, fonts, and colors to make the invitation truly unique and reflective of your special day. Play around with different design elements, such as shapes, lines, and icons, to create a cohesive look that matches your wedding theme. Remember to include all the essential details while also keeping your invitation visually appealing and easy to read.

Once you're happy with your design, you can print your invitations through Canva Print and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Alternatively, you can share your invitation electronically via email or social media.

Frequently asked questions