Creating Wedding Invites: Computer-Crafted Cards

Wedding invitations are a significant part of your big day. They are a way to tell your story and share your joy with friends and family. While planning a wedding can be stressful, creating beautiful invitations your guests will love doesn't have to be. There are many online tools and templates available to help you design and customize your perfect invitation. These tools offer a range of features, including customizable fonts, colours, images, and graphics, as well as free and premium options to suit your budget. You can even add personal touches, such as photos of you and your partner, to make your invitations unique. Once you've designed your invitations, you can print them yourself, use a professional printing service, or share them electronically via email or social media.

Using online tools and templates

Choose an Online Platform:

Firstly, select an online platform that offers wedding invitation templates. Some popular options include Greetings Island, Canva, and Adobe Express. These platforms offer a variety of features and templates to choose from.

Browse Templates:

Once you've chosen a platform, browse through their selection of wedding invitation templates. These templates come in various styles, including rustic, vintage, elegant, and minimalist. Take your time to explore the options and choose a template that reflects the theme and style of your wedding.

Customize Your Invitation:

This is where you can get creative! Online tools and templates offer a high degree of customization. You can personalize the text, fonts, colours, and images to make the invitation truly yours. Upload your own photos, or choose from the platform's library of stock images, icons, and designs. Play around with different layouts and text effects until you're happy with the result.

Download and Share:

Once you've finalized your design, it's time to download your invitation. You can save it as a digital file (JPEG or PDF) and share it with your guests via email, social media, or messaging apps. If you prefer a physical invitation, you can also print your design at home or use the platform's professional printing services.

Additional Features:

Some platforms offer additional features to enhance your invitation and wedding planning experience. For example, you can add a QR code to your invitation for easy RSVP responses. You may also find platforms that offer guidance on what to write in your invitations, including etiquette and wording suggestions.

Adding photos and personal touches

Photos

Using a photo of you and your partner on the invitation is a wonderful way to personalize it. You can either use a professional photo or a favourite snapshot, whichever you prefer. If you're looking for a more subtle approach, you could use a photo as the background of your invitation, or even just a small picture in one corner. This is a lovely way to include your guests in your special moment and give them a glimpse into your love story.

Customisation

Customising the design of your invitation is a great way to add a personal touch. You can choose a colour scheme and font that reflects your style and the theme of your wedding. If you're going for a rustic theme, for example, you might opt for recycled brown paper and earthy tones. Or if you're having a modern wedding, a minimalist design could be the way to go. You can also add graphics, icons, logos, and other decorative elements to make your invitation stand out.

Text

The text on your invitation is another opportunity to get creative. You can include a meaningful quote or symbol that represents you and your partner. If you're having a light-hearted wedding, you might want to include a funny quote or joke. Don't forget to include all the essential information such as the time, date, ceremony location, and reception details. It's also a nice touch to add a personal message to your guests, thanking them for their support and inviting them to share in your special day.

Extras

There are also some extra touches you can consider to make your invitations even more unique. You could use embossed text or gold foil for a luxurious feel. If you're sending digital invitations, you can add animation effects to make them stand out. Another idea is to include a custom map or directions to your wedding venue, especially if it's in a remote location. This adds a personal and intimate touch, and it's also a great keepsake for your guests.

DIY

If you're feeling creative, you could design your invitations from scratch. This gives you complete freedom to include all the personal touches you want. There are many online tools and templates available to help you create your own invitations, and you can even print them yourself. This option allows you to truly tell your love story and showcase your personalities through your invitations.

Choosing a colour scheme

Consider the Season and Venue:

The colours you choose should complement the season and setting of your wedding. For example, soft pastel colours like blush, blue, and cream are romantic and suitable for a spring wedding, while deep jewel tones are perfect for a winter celebration. If you're having a beach wedding, opt for colours that evoke the sea and sand, such as shades of blue and sandy neutrals.

Think About Your Wedding Theme:

The colour scheme should also align with your wedding theme. Are you going for a classic, elegant look, or something more modern and playful? For instance, a combination of navy blue and gold gives an elegant and modern feel, while perky pinks and blues can brighten up a traditional floral design.

Choose Your Main and Secondary Colours:

A good rule of thumb is to select one or two main colours and then add one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral. This neutral colour will help blend the main colours together and create a harmonious look. For example, a bold combination of deep red and green can be balanced with light pastel hues.

Add an Accent Shade:

To make your invitations stand out, consider adding an accent colour. Metallics like gold or silver are excellent choices as they easily draw attention. You can use the accent colour sparingly, such as for headers or small details, to create visual interest.

Draw Inspiration from Nature:

Nature can be a great source of inspiration for your colour palette. Take cues from the changing seasons, vibrant flowers, or the surrounding landscape. For a rustic wedding, consider earthy tones like browns, oranges, reds, and yellows. If you're having a vineyard wedding, you can incorporate colours inspired by grapes, plums, or fig leaves.

Experiment with Colour Combinations:

When deciding on your colour combinations, you can refer to the colour wheel. Complementary colours are those that lie opposite each other on the wheel and create an energetic, playful effect. Analogous combinations, on the other hand, use colours that are next to each other on the wheel, resulting in a soothing and understated look. Triadic colour combinations use three colours equidistant from each other on the wheel, creating a sense of peace and harmony.

Remember, your wedding invitations are a reflection of your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different colours to find the perfect combination that represents your special day.

Printing and sharing options

Once you have designed your wedding invitations, you can either print them out or share them digitally. Here are some options for both:

Printing Options:

• Print at home: You can download your design as a PDF or image file and print it at home. This option gives you flexibility in terms of paper type and finish.
• Online printing services: Some websites, such as Greetings Island and Canva, offer their own printing services. You can upload your design and have it printed and delivered to your doorstep.
• Local printing stores: You can also save your design on a USB drive or send it via email to a local printing store. They will have more paper and finish options and can provide guidance on the best options for your design.

Sharing Options:

• Email: You can email your invitations to your guests or send them via online platforms such as Greetings Island and Canva.
• Social media: Share your invitations directly on your social media accounts or use the Share button on platforms like Canva. You can also duplicate your invite and resize or reformat it for Instagram stories, Facebook posts, and other social media platforms.
• SMS/WhatsApp: Some platforms, like Greetings Island, allow you to share your invitations via SMS or WhatsApp.
• Online event management services: Greetings Island offers an online event management service where you can share your invitation directly from their site and use their tracking tool to receive RSVPs and messages electronically.

Remember to consider the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

RSVP and deadline date

When creating your wedding invitation cards on a computer, it is important to include an RSVP and deadline date. This allows you to plan your wedding more effectively and gives your guests a clear timeframe to respond. Here are some tips and suggestions for including an RSVP and deadline date:

• Set a clear deadline: Choose an RSVP deadline that is around three to four weeks before your wedding date. This gives you enough time to finalise details with your vendors and create a seating chart. It also allows your guests ample time to respond without feeling rushed.
• Caterer and venue requirements: Typically, your caterer and venue will need a final headcount one to two weeks before your wedding. Be sure to ask them for a firm date, and then set your RSVP deadline two weeks before that. This gives you a buffer to chase up any late responses.
• Allow time for late responses: It is common for some guests to respond after the RSVP deadline. By setting your deadline a few weeks in advance, you can spend time sending reminders and following up with those who haven't replied.
• Mail timing: Send your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date to give guests a window of about one month to RSVP. This is a courteous timeframe that allows guests to plan their attendance and make travel arrangements if necessary.
• Grace period: After the RSVP deadline passes, don't hesitate to reach out to those who haven't responded. They had ample time to reply, so it's reasonable to start calling or sending reminders the day after the deadline.
• Wording and clarity: Ensure the RSVP date is clearly visible and legible on the invitation card. Consider including a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope to make it easier for guests to respond.
• Digital options: In addition to mail-in cards, provide an option for guests to RSVP digitally through your wedding website or via email. This caters to different preferences and can expedite the response process.

Frequently asked questions