Creating Wedding Invites: Computer-Made, Personalized Designs

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but designing your own wedding invitations doesn't have to be. There are plenty of free online tools and templates that can help you create beautiful, personalised wedding invitations with just a few clicks. Adobe Express, Canva, Microsoft Word and Greetings Island all offer free, customisable wedding invitation templates. Simply choose a template, customise the text, colours and images, and then print or share your design online.

Selecting a template

Adobe Express has thousands of professionally-made wedding invitation templates to choose from. You can browse through the templates and select one that matches the aesthetics of your wedding day. You can then customize the template with fonts, icons, colours, and personal images.

Canva also offers hundreds of elegant wedding invitation layouts that can be customized with personal images, fonts, and colours. They also provide over 1 million premium images, graphics, and illustrations, with many free options available.

Greetings Island has hundreds of professionally designed templates with graphic designs, colour schemes, and custom fonts. They offer a wide range of themes, including classic, modern, traditional, and minimalist styles, as well as options for different ethnicities and religious identities.

Microsoft Word provides a variety of invitation templates that can be accessed by opening a new Word document and clicking "File" and then "New." You can then select the "Invitations" category and choose a template that suits your occasion.

When selecting a template, consider the style and theme of your wedding, and choose a design that reflects you and your partner. You can also create a mood board on Pinterest to help you identify your style and find designers who utilize similar elements. If you plan to print your invitations at home, consider choosing a design with more white space and a lighter colour background, as these will look better on home printers and save on ink.

Customising the design

Choose a Template

First, decide if you want to use a template or start from scratch. Using a template can be a great way to save time and ensure your invitations look polished and professional. Many websites, such as Adobe Express, Canva, and Greetings Island, offer a wide range of customisable wedding invitation templates. These templates often include custom options for fonts, colours, and images. You can also find free templates on Microsoft Word by clicking "File", then "New", and selecting "Invitations" from the categories.

Add Your Personal Touch

Whether you start with a template or a blank canvas, you can customise your invitations to reflect your unique style and personality. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Upload your own photos: Feature your favourite photos of you and your partner, or choose a picture that reflects your wedding theme.
• Play with colours: Select a colour scheme that complements your wedding colours or choose a design with a light-coloured background to save on printer ink.
• Experiment with fonts: Choose a font that reflects your style, whether it's elegant and classic or modern and trendy. You can also highlight important information, such as the date and location, by using a different font or text size.
• Include meaningful symbols or quotes: Incorporate elements that represent your love story, such as a favourite quote or a symbol that holds special meaning for you.
• Consider special printing styles: If you're printing your invitations, explore options like embossed text or gold foil to add a luxurious touch.
• Add animated effects: If you're sending your invitations digitally, you can include animated effects to make your message stand out.

Plan Your Customisation

Before finalising your design, it's important to plan and review your customisation options. If you're using a downloadable template, you may be able to change the details yourself, such as the text and colours. However, if you want to modify any design elements, you may need to reach out to the designer to accommodate your requests.

Finalise and Proofread

Once you're happy with your design, be sure to proofread your invitation for any errors or mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to review it as well to catch any typos or grammatical errors. It's also essential to ensure that all the necessary information is included, such as the date, time, location, and any additional details your guests may need.

Customising your wedding invitations allows you to express your creativity and add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or prefer a more straightforward approach, there are many ways to design invitations that reflect your unique love story.

Adding text

Using Text Boxes

One option for adding text to your wedding invitations is to utilise the Text Box feature in your design software. In Microsoft Word, for example, you can access this feature by clicking Insert and then selecting Text Box. Choosing this option will restrict your text within a box, which you can then place anywhere on your invitation design. Customise the text box by selecting a style from the drop-down menu and entering your desired text.

Typing Directly

If you prefer, you can simply type the invitation information directly onto your design. This method will utilise the regular lines of your blank document. You can easily customise the text by changing the font, size, colour, and style (bold, italics, underline, etc.). Play around with these options to create a design that reflects your unique style and personality.

Font Choice

When adding text, carefully consider your choice of font. The font you select should be easy to read and align with the overall style and theme of your wedding. You may opt for a classic and elegant font or something more modern and trendy, depending on your preferences. If you're feeling creative, you can even download and install new fonts to use in your design.

Embellishments

In addition to the essential information, you may want to include embellishments such as quotes, symbols, or other decorative elements. These can add a personal touch and make your invitations stand out. Consider including a meaningful quote or symbol that reflects your love story.

Proofreading

Before finalising your design, be sure to proofread your text for any errors or mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to read through the text as well to catch any typos or grammatical errors you may have missed. This step is crucial, as you don't want your guests to receive invitations with incorrect information.

Printing

Once you're happy with your text and overall design, it's time to print your invitations. You can choose to print them at home or use a professional printing service. If printing at home, consider using a specialty paper like cardstock to give your invitations a luxurious feel. Additionally, test print a few samples to ensure that the colours and text are exactly how you want them.

By following these steps and suggestions, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and informative wedding invitations that your guests will adore.

Inserting images

Adding images to your wedding invitations is a great way to personalise them and make them stand out. Here are some tips and steps for inserting images when creating your wedding invitations on your computer:

Using Online Tools:

Websites like Adobe Express, Canva, and Zazzle offer user-friendly online tools to create wedding invitations. They provide a range of templates, layouts, and customisation options, including image insertion. Here's how you can insert images using these online platforms:

• Search for "Wedding Invitation" on the platform and browse through their templates.
• Select a template that suits your style and wedding theme.
• Upload your own images or choose from their library of stock images, illustrations, and graphics.
• Drag and drop the selected image onto your chosen template.
• Resize and reposition the image as needed to fit the layout.

Using Microsoft Word:

If you prefer to design your invitations from scratch using Microsoft Word, here are three methods to insert images, as outlined by LCI Paper:

Copy and Paste:

• Right-click on the desired image stored on your computer or free graphics from the internet.
• Select "Copy" from the menu, then right-click within your Word document and choose "Paste."

Insert from a File:

• Navigate to the "Insert" tab in the top menu of Word.
• Select "Pictures" and browse through the files on your computer.
• Find the graphic you wish to use and click "Insert."

Insert from Word's Clip Art:

• Go to the "Insert" tab and select "Clip Art."
• Choose from the available clip art, sorted by category.
• Click "Insert" to add the selected clip art to your document.

Tips for Using Images:

• Format your text and layout before adding images to visualise the available space better.
• Ensure your images are high-quality, clear, and well-lit.
• Consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding and choose images that match the theme and tone.
• Experiment with different formatting options, such as creating a box around the image or adjusting brightness and transparency.
• If using Word, set the graphic layout to "Behind Text" to easily move and resize the image without affecting the text placement.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively insert images into your wedding invitations, adding a personal and memorable touch to your special day.

Printing and sharing

Once you have designed your wedding invitations, you can print them at home or use a professional printing service.

Printing at Home

If you are printing your invitations at home, you will need to ensure that you have the correct paper, envelopes, and ink. It is recommended that you use something other than regular thin printer paper, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock. You could also consider using something with a bit of texture, such as a linen or felt texture.

Before you print, it is important to make sure that all of your equipment is working properly. You may want to print tests and adjust the settings on your printer to get the colours you want.

Using a Professional Printing Service

If you would prefer to use a professional printing service, there are many online options, such as Minted, Shutterfly, and Zazzle. You could also try your local printing shop. A print shop will be able to help you select the best paper for your design and provide a professional touch.

Sharing

Once your invitations are printed, it's time to share them with your friends and family. You could post them online directly through social media, share them via email, or hand-deliver them. If you would like to share your invitations electronically, you can click the share button and choose from options such as sending your invitations via email or posting them directly to your social media accounts.

Frequently asked questions