Creating Wedding Invitation Jackets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitation jackets are an elegant way to elevate your wedding invitations. They are the perfect accessory to your invitations, adding a touch of luxury and creativity. Vellum jackets are a popular choice, with their translucent paper adding a unique twist to the traditional invitation. They are available in a range of sizes, with pre-folded options for added convenience. Wax seals, ribbons, and custom stickers can be used to close the wraps, creating a beautiful DIY invitation.

Invitation jackets can be purchased from various online retailers, or you can opt for a DIY approach, with some suppliers offering customisable templates. When assembling your invitations, it is recommended to work from the bottom up, starting with the invitation card, followed by any additional cards, and finally, the jacket.

Choosing a vellum jacket design

Vellum jackets, also known as vellum wraps, are ideal for any event. The translucent vellum can be left plain, or you can opt for a floral pattern printed on the front. This delicate vellum paper is wrapped around the main wedding invitation and can be tied with a ribbon or sealed with a wax seal sticker.

Floral vellum jackets

Floral vellum jackets are a beautiful way to add a touch of nature to your wedding invitations. You can choose from a variety of floral designs, including romantic florals, wildflowers, greenery, and more. If you're looking for something more subtle, you can opt for a vellum jacket with a simple floral border or monogram.

Plain vellum jackets

Plain vellum jackets offer a more versatile option that can be used for any type of event, from weddings to baby showers. The translucent vellum adds a touch of elegance to your invitations without taking away from the main design. You can also choose to decorate plain vellum jackets with wax seals, ribbons, or belly bands to add a personal touch.

Pre-designed vellum jackets

If you're short on time or prefer a more convenient option, you can choose from a variety of pre-designed vellum jackets that are ready to be assembled. These jackets often come with pre-folded lines, making it easier for you to slide in your invitations. Pre-designed vellum jackets can be found in a range of colours and patterns, so you can still find one that matches your wedding theme.

Customised vellum jackets

For a truly unique touch, you can opt for customised vellum jackets. This option allows you to design the vellum jackets according to your specific preferences, whether you want to include a certain pattern, colour scheme, or even your wedding monogram. Customised vellum jackets offer endless possibilities to match your wedding invitations perfectly.

Things to consider

When choosing a vellum jacket design, it's important to consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You'll want to select a design that complements your invitations and adds to the aesthetic you're aiming for. Keep in mind that vellum jackets can be used to elevate a simple invitation or to enhance an already luxurious design. Additionally, consider the assembly process and whether you prefer a more straightforward option or are willing to put in extra time for a customised look.

Wax seal stickers

When creating your wedding invitation jackets, you will need to first assemble the invitation suite. This includes the invitation card, response card, and any additional information cards, such as accommodation or reception details. Once you have your invitation suite ready, you can slide it into the vellum jacket, which will come pre-folded for you. The vellum jacket will have a pre-scored line, making it easy to fold and insert your invitation suite.

After inserting your invitation suite into the vellum jacket, you can seal it shut with a wax seal sticker. These stickers come in various colours and designs, including floral, monogram, and custom logo options. They are an easy alternative to traditional wax seals, as they do not require any additional equipment and are less time-consuming. The stickers are also ideal if you are mailing your invitations, as they will not melt or come off in the post.

To apply the wax seal sticker, simply peel off the adhesive backing and place it on the vellum jacket, holding the flaps closed. You can also add other embellishments, such as ribbon or belly bands, to further decorate your invitation suite.

Belly bands

To make your own belly bands, you will need to source some thinner paper that can easily wrap around your wedding invitations. A 60-70# text weight (roughly 90-100 gsm) works well. You can usually find this online or at your local office supply store.

For a standard 5" x 7" invitation, your belly band should measure 11" x 2". If you are cutting your own for a custom card size, double the width of your card and add an extra inch for the overlap.

You can either make your own belly band design or purchase a template from somewhere like Etsy. If you are printing your belly bands at home, consider the heaviness of the design and the amount of ink you will need. Printing at home is often more cost-effective, but if you are printing large quantities of an ink-heavy design, a local print shop might be more budget-friendly.

When you are ready to assemble your belly bands, cut out the individual bands using a paper cutter or an X-acto knife. To get the right size, make sure your printer settings are at No Scaling/100% and that you have the accurate paper size selected. This will usually be an 8.5" x 11" template that fits multiple bands per page.

To assemble:

• Fold one flap of the belly band around the invitation, using a bone folder if necessary.
• Apply a bit of glue to the end and fold the other flap on top so the two ends overlap. Press and hold for a few seconds until the glue dries.
• Flip the stack over so that the set is face down with the belly band on the bottom. If your band has a design, make sure this is centred.
• Stack your cards from largest to smallest with your invitation on the bottom. Tuck the RSVP in its envelope flap (if you have one).
• Centre the belly band on top.

Using pre-folded vellum jackets

Pre-folded vellum jackets are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitations. They are usually sold in bulk quantities of around 100 and are designed to fit 5" x 7" invitations, which is the standard size. When using pre-folded vellum jackets, it is important to note that the sizing may be snug if your invitation material is thicker.

To assemble your invitations with pre-folded vellum jackets, follow these steps:

• Start by gathering all the pieces of your invitation suite, including the invitation card, response card, and any enclosures.
• Place your invitation card at the bottom, printed side up.
• If you have any large enclosures, such as accommodation or travel details, place them printed side up on top of the invitation card.
• Next, add the response envelope, printed side up, with the flap on the right side.
• Place the response card, printed side up, on top of the response envelope.
• If you have any small enclosures, such as reception details or parking information, add them printed side up.
• Now, you can slide your assembled suite into the pre-folded vellum jacket. The vellum jacket will have three sections, with the left and right sides folded towards the middle.
• Once your suite is centred within the vellum jacket, you can secure it with a wax seal or a belly band.
• If using a wax seal, place it in the centre of the vellum jacket to hold the flaps closed.
• Alternatively, if using a belly band, lay it over your stacked suite, centring any personalisation. Use your thumbs to hold the band and enclosures in place, and then flip the suite over.
• Bring the ends of the belly band together and adhere them with glue dots or clear stickers.

By following these steps, you will create elegant and luxurious wedding invitations that are sure to impress your guests.

Adding a silk ribbon

Firstly, decide on the type of ribbon you want to use. A traditional option is to use a pretty, wide silk ribbon, usually about 1.25" to 1.75" wide, and tie it into a big fluffy bow. However, you can also use a skinnier ribbon or opt for a knot instead of a bow. The colour of the ribbon is also important, with popular choices including white, blush pink, and black.

Once you have your ribbon, cut it to the desired length. For portrait-oriented invitations, cut the ribbon to 22", and for landscape-oriented invitations, cut it to 31". You can use fabric shears or scissors to ensure a clean, straight cut.

Now it's time to assemble your invitation suite. Place your cut ribbon on a table, matte side up. Then, place your invitation suite in the middle of the ribbon.

Take both ends of the ribbon and fold them across the front of the invitation suite. Tuck the left end under the right end, and then pull both ends tight.

To secure the ribbon, place your right middle finger in the middle of the twist to prevent it from coming loose. While holding the twist, use your left hand to fold the bottom piece of ribbon upward, so it is parallel to the other end.

Release the twist by folding the left end over the right end and tucking it through the hole in the middle, similar to tying a shoe. Pull the ends tight and continue to apply pressure to the twist to secure it.

Finally, place your beautifully tied invitation inside the inner envelope, which is then put inside the outer envelope. This adds an extra layer of protection and ensures your stationery arrives safely to your guests.

Frequently asked questions