Creating Wedding Invites: Mobile App Magic

Wedding invitations are one of the most significant keepsakes of your lifetime. Designing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. There are many online tools available that offer customisable and printable wedding invitation templates, such as Greetings Island, Canva, Adobe Express, and Basic Invite. These tools allow you to choose from a variety of themes, colours, fonts, and images to create an invitation that reflects your wedding's theme and your personal style. You can also include photos of you and your partner to make your invitation even more unique. Once you're happy with your design, you can download, print, or share your invitations electronically with your guests.

Choose a wedding invitation template

Choosing a wedding invitation template can be a daunting task, but it's an important part of setting the tone for your big day. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect template:

Consider Your Wedding Theme:

Think about the style or theme of your wedding. Are you going for a rustic, elegant, modern, or minimalist look? Match your invitation template to your wedding's aesthetic. For example, if you're planning a rustic wedding, a simple invite printed on recycled brown paper would be a perfect choice.

Reflect Your Personality:

Your wedding invitation should tell your unique love story and reflect who you are as a couple. Choose a template that resonates with your story and includes meaningful symbols or quotes. Consider the image, font, and colour choices to represent your personalities.

Explore Different Options:

Browse through the hundreds of free wedding invitation templates available on platforms like Canva, Adobe Express, Greetings Island, and Basic Invite. These platforms offer a wide range of customizable and editable designs to suit any theme and style. Take your time to explore the various options before deciding.

Customization Options:

Look for templates that offer flexibility in customization. This includes the ability to change fonts, colours, images, and layout. Some platforms even allow you to upload your photos or add animated effects for digital invites. Ensure the template gives you the creative freedom to make it your own.

Convenience and Cost:

Consider the convenience and cost of creating and sending your invitations. Some platforms offer free templates, while others provide additional services like printing and mailing for a fee. Decide on a budget and choose a platform that suits your needs and budget.

Remember, your wedding invitation is a significant keepsake, so take the time to choose a template that truly represents you and your partner.

Add personal touches

Adding personal touches to your wedding invitation card can make your special day feel more intimate and unique. Here are some ways to add a personal touch when creating your wedding invitation card on your mobile device:

Photos and Visuals

Incorporate photos or visuals that represent meaningful moments or themes in your relationship. This could include photos of you and your partner from childhood to adulthood, a custom couple portrait, or illustrations of you both engaging in your favourite activities. Greetings Island offers invitation templates that include your uploaded photos, featured or overlaid with text.

Monograms and Crests

Create a monogram or a custom crest with your initials or wedding date. You can use this design element on your invitation card, as well as other wedding details such as napkins, programs, and place settings. Basic Invite offers customisable templates with over 100 distinctive fonts to help you achieve your desired look.

Hashtags and Social Media

Create a unique hashtag for your wedding day, encouraging guests to share their photos and experiences on social media. This will not only allow you to collect memories from different perspectives, but also add a modern and playful element to your celebration.

Music and Soundtracks

Share your love story through music by creating a custom mix CD of your favourite songs or tunes that hold a special meaning. This can be given as a meaningful favour or played during the wedding for guests to enjoy.

Personalised Notes and Mementos

Add handwritten notes or mementos to your invitation suite. This could be in the form of a handwritten note on the envelope seal, a hidden message inside the invitation, or even a small gift for each guest, such as a baby succulent or a miniature bottle of your hometown's signature beverage.

Signature Cocktails

If you're serving alcohol at your wedding, create a signature cocktail that represents your relationship. This could be a twist on your favourite cocktail, a drink native to your hometown, or a combination of your favourite ingredients. You can also provide custom drink labels or coasters for an added personalised touch.

These suggestions are just a starting point – feel free to get creative and think of other ways to infuse your wedding invitation cards with personal touches that reflect your personality and relationship.

Include all the necessary information

When it comes to wedding invitations, there's more to include than just the wedding date, time, and location. Here is a detailed list of all the necessary information you should include when making your wedding invitation card on your mobile:

The Invitation

• Names of the Couple: Traditionally, the woman's name goes first for heterosexual couples, but you can order your names however you prefer. For LGBTQIA+ couples, you can order your names alphabetically, by age, or however you choose. You can include first and middle names, first and last names, or full legal names.
• Date and Time of the Ceremony: Be sure to include the date and time of the ceremony, specifying the hour and time of day (a.m. vs. p.m.) to avoid any confusion. It is recommended to write out the time rather than using numerals for formal invitations (e.g., four o'clock in the afternoon).
• Ceremony and Reception Location: Include the name and address of the venue(s). If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can add a line like "Reception to Follow." If they are at different locations, include a separate reception card with the address and start time.
• Hosts: The invitation should also include the names of the hosts, typically the people paying for the event, such as the couple's parents or other relatives.
• Request Line: Include a request line such as "Request the Pleasure of Your Company," "Invite You to Celebrate the Marriage of," or "Request the Honor of Your Presence" if the ceremony is in a place of worship.
• Attire Details: Including the dress code on the invitation is optional. Most couples nowadays use their wedding website to communicate this information. However, you can include a line indicating the expected attire, such as Casual Attire, Semi-Formal Attire, Black Tie, etc.

RSVP and Envelope

• RSVP Card: Include an RSVP card or provide an online option for guests to respond. If using physical cards, provide a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for guests' convenience.
• RSVP Deadline: Set a deadline for guests to respond, typically three to four weeks before the wedding date.
• Guest Names: On the RSVP card, include a place for guests to write their names. If offering a plated dinner, you can also add checkboxes for entrée preferences.
• Return Address: Don't forget to include your return address on the back flap of the outer envelope and the front of the reply card envelope.
• Postage: Ensure you have the correct postage for the weight of your invitation bundle and reply cards. Take a fully stuffed invite to the post office to determine the required postage.

Optional Inserts

• Reception Card: If the reception is at a different location or has a different start time, include a separate card with this information.
• Directions or Map: Include a direction card or a custom map, especially if the venue is in a rural area or hard-to-find location.
• Accommodations Card: Provide hotel recommendations or information about room blocks for out-of-town guests.
• Weekend Events Card: If your wedding spans multiple days or includes additional events like a welcome cocktail party or brunch, include an itinerary for guests.
• Inner Envelope: This smaller envelope goes inside the outer mailing envelope and indicates who is specifically invited. It's a way to clarify if children are invited or if guests can bring a plus-one.

Download, print, or share your invitation

Once you've created your wedding invitation, you can download, print, or share it with your guests. Here are the steps to do that:

Downloading

To download your invitation, you can use a website that offers downloadable templates, such as Greetings Island or Basic Invite. These sites allow you to customize your invitation with different fonts, colours, images, and stickers. Once you're happy with the design, you can download it as an image or a PDF file. This file can then be saved on your mobile device or computer.

Printing

If you prefer physical invitations, you can print your downloaded invitations at home or use a professional printing service. For home printing, consider using a high-quality cardstock paper, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock with a linen or felt texture. This will give your invitations a luxurious feel. When choosing a paper type, it's a good idea to test print on a few samples before committing to a large quantity.

For printing large quantities, a professional printing service may be more convenient and cost-effective. Services like Greetings Island offer high-quality printing with free shipping.

Sharing Online

If you prefer a more sustainable and cost-effective option, you can share your invitations online via email, social media, or messaging apps. Websites like Greetings Island and Basic Invite offer full event management services, allowing you to collect mailing addresses, manage RSVPs, and share important event details with your guests. You can also add maps, gift registries, calendar links, and more.

Mailing

If you choose to send physical invitations, don't forget to purchase envelopes that fit your invitation size. Visit your local post office to have your assembled invitation weighed and to calculate the correct postage. This is also a good opportunity to request hand-canceling to avoid potential damage during mail processing.

Send your invitations with enough time

When it comes to sending out your wedding invitations, timing is crucial. Send them too early, and your wedding might not be at the top of your guests' minds when the day draws closer. Send them too late, and you risk your guests being unable to take time off work, book travel or make other necessary arrangements.

So, when is the right time? Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman recommends sending out your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, without being too early. If your wedding falls near a major holiday, such as Christmas, Gottsman suggests sending them out earlier—around three months in advance—as your guests will need more time to plan.

If you're inviting guests from outside of your country, it's a good idea to give them a little more notice. Aim to send their invitations around nine to ten weeks in advance to allow for extended shipping times. You can also give them a heads-up via a quick call, text or email so that they have plenty of time to book their travel.

If you're not sending out Save the Dates, the timeline changes slightly. In this case, you should send your invitations around six months in advance if you've been engaged for a while, or two to three months before the wedding if you're having a shorter engagement.

To ensure you have an accurate headcount for your vendors, set your RSVP deadline for around one month before your wedding. This will give you enough time to chase any late responses and finalise your seating chart and other details.

Frequently asked questions