Crafting Wedding Parcels: A Step-By-Step Guide To Making Yours

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but creating your own wedding parcels is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. From invitations and place cards to thank-you notes, there are many opportunities to get creative and craft something unique. Whether you're looking for a rustic, elegant, or modern aesthetic, with careful planning and attention to detail, you can design wedding parcels that complement your style and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Choosing a design and format

Wedding parcels can be a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your special day. When it comes to choosing a design and format, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.

First, consider the overall theme or style of your wedding. Are you going for a rustic vibe, elegant affair, or something more unique and creative? The design of your wedding parcels should complement the style of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you might choose a design with natural colours and elements, while an elegant affair might call for embossed paper and intricate designs.

Next, think about the level of formality you want to convey. Traditional and formal weddings often include elements like Mr., Mrs., and Dr. on place cards, while a more casual or intimate setting might call for a less formal approach.

The size and format of your wedding parcels will also depend on the amount of information you need to include. A standard wedding invitation includes the names of the couple, the date, time, and place of the wedding, and RSVP details. If you have additional information to convey, such as accommodation options or transport arrangements, you may need to opt for a larger format or include additional inserts.

You'll also want to consider the legibility of your design. Choose a font size that is easy to read from a distance, and select colours that contrast well with the background for clarity.

Finally, don't forget to add a personal touch to your wedding parcels. This could be through handwritten calligraphy, customised stamps, or even a custom crest or illustration that represents your relationship.

With these tips in mind, you can start designing wedding parcels that perfectly capture the tone and style of your special day.

Selecting the right paper

Paper Type and Quality

The type of paper you choose will significantly impact the overall look and feel of your wedding parcels. Opt for uncoated cardstock if you want a high-quality, luxurious finish. This type of paper is the most popular choice for wedding invitations and parcels due to its durability and elegant appearance. However, if you prefer a more textured look and feel, you can explore options such as paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. These options add a unique tactile dimension to your parcels.

Paper Weight and Thickness

When selecting paper for your wedding parcels, consider the weight and thickness. Heavier paper, such as cardstock with a weight of 80 pounds or more, will give your parcels a premium feel. Thicker paper also ensures that your parcels are durable and less likely to bend or tear during handling and delivery.

Paper Colour and Design

The colour and design of your paper should complement your wedding theme and aesthetic. If you're going for a rustic vibe, opt for natural colours and earthy tones. For elegant and glamorous weddings, consider embossed paper with intricate designs. You can also add a personal touch by incorporating symbolic elements, such as a custom crest or illustrations that represent your love story.

Paper Size and Shape

Standard paper sizes for wedding parcels are typically around the size of a business card, measuring about 2 inches by 3.5 inches. However, you can customise the size to fit your specific needs, especially if you have a lot of information to include or want to make a statement. Just remember that veering too far from standard sizes can increase postage costs.

Printing and Customisation

You can either print your wedding parcels at home or use a professional printing service. If you choose to print them yourself, ensure your home printer can handle the weight and size of the paper. It's also essential to do a few test prints to ensure colour accuracy and text legibility. Using a professional printing service can give you more options for paper type, size, and special finishes.

Envelopes and Assembly

Finally, don't forget to select envelopes that complement your wedding parcels. Choose envelopes that are slightly larger than your paper to ensure a comfortable fit. You can add a creative touch by using envelope liners or sealing your parcels with wax stamps. Assembly is also an important consideration – ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a paper cutter or craft knife, to create neat edges and precise folds.

Printing and assembling

The printing and assembly of wedding parcels, or invitations, is a crucial step in the DIY process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you create elegant and professional-looking invitations:

Materials and Setup

• Choose a design application: For professional designs, use software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign. Alternatively, beginner-friendly options include Canva and Microsoft Word.
• Select a paper type: Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice for its high-quality look and durable feel. You can also opt for paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish for a more textured appearance.
• Acquire a compatible printer: Ensure your home printer can handle the weight and size of your chosen paper. Most standard printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds.
• Prepare envelopes: Buy pre-made envelopes that complement your cardstock, or create your own using envelope templates. Don't forget to include envelopes for RSVP cards.
• Gather embellishments: Ribbons, wax seals, and envelope liners can add a special touch to your invitations.

Design and Customization

• Identify your design: Consider your wedding theme and style when creating your design. Keep your printer type in mind, as designs with more white space and lighter colour backgrounds usually print better on home printers.
• Finalise the wording: Select a tone that reflects your wedding aesthetic and personality. For a formal event like a black-tie affair, consider using a traditional and elegant tone.
• Create your design: Use your chosen software to design your invitations and inserts. Centre the design on the page to allow for neat trimming after printing. Avoid full-colour backgrounds, as most home printers 'aren't suited for this and may result in imperfections.
• Proofread: Before printing, thoroughly review the design and wording. It's a good idea to have someone else proofread as well to catch any errors or mistakes.

Printing and Assembly

• Test print: Run a few test prints to ensure the colours and text are accurate and legible. Adjust your printer settings as needed until you're satisfied with the colour balance.
• Print your invitations: Once you're happy with the test prints, print your final invitations.
• Cut your invitations: Use a paper cutter or craft knife to cut your invitations down to the standard size of 5" x 7". Don't forget to allow for full-bleed invitations, where the design reaches the edge of the paper without any white margins.
• Assemble: Place your inserts inside the corresponding envelopes, seal them, and add any embellishments like ribbons or wax seals.
• Determine postage: Take a complete suite to the post office to determine the exact postage required, especially if you're hoping for hand-cancelling to prevent potential damage.
• Address and stamp: Address each envelope and add the correct number of stamps. You can use your own handwriting for a personal touch or opt for printed labels.
• Mail your invitations: Send your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date, or three months in advance if it's a destination wedding.

Adding personal touches

Customisation

Customisation is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding favours. Consider including your and your partner's initials or names on the favours. You could also add a meaningful message or your wedding date. If you have a theme for your wedding, incorporate it into the design of the favours. For example, if you have a rustic theme, use natural materials such as wood or twine in your favours.

Interactive Elements

Make your wedding favours interactive by incorporating your guests' hobbies or professions. For example, if you know that many of your guests enjoy a particular sport, include a small accessory related to that sport in the favours. Alternatively, you could include a personalised message or note for each guest, thanking them for their presence and celebrating with you.

Creative Display

The way you display your wedding favours can also add a unique touch. Instead of a traditional table display, consider creating a unique setup that reflects your style. For example, you could set up a vintage suitcase with a polaroid camera, inviting guests to take photos and leave them in the suitcase with their well wishes. Another idea is to create a miniature greenhouse card box, especially if you're going for a modern geometric or rustic wood theme.

Signature Items

Include signature items that represent you and your partner in the wedding favours. For example, if you're both plant enthusiasts, gift each guest with a baby succulent. Or, if your hometown is known for a particular beverage, include mini bottles of that drink in the favours. These signature items will leave a lasting impression on your guests and give them a piece of you to take home.

Personalised Packaging

In addition to customising the favours themselves, you can also personalise the packaging. Use creative boxes or containers that reflect your style or the wedding theme. For instance, a vintage-style mailbox or a miniature globe for a travel-themed wedding. You could also decorate plain boxes with paint, glitter, stamps, or stickers to make them more unique.

Remember, your wedding favours are a way to show appreciation to your guests and give them a glimpse into your world as a couple. So, have fun with the process and let your creativity shine through!

Posting and budgeting

It is recommended that you set aside around 2-5% of your total wedding budget for your wedding invitations and associated postage costs. This includes the invitations, envelopes, gift lists, RSVPs, accommodation information, printing, and the postage costs.

To save money, you can use a bulk mailing service, such as Whistl, which can save you up to 21% on the cost of second-class stamps. Simply address your envelopes as normal, bundle your invitations into a box, seal it with a delivery label, and take it to your nearest drop-off point.

To keep postage costs low, it is important to consider the size and weight of your wedding invitations. In the UK, to stick within the small letter rate, your invitations should be no larger than 240mm x 165mm and no thicker than 5mm. Creating a sample invitation is a good way to check that your invitations meet these criteria.

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. For destination weddings, you may want to send out invitations three months in advance. Sending out "save the date" cards six to eight months before your wedding is also a good way to ensure your guests reserve the date.

When budgeting for your wedding, it is important to first consider the categories that will make your wedding great, rather than just good. These areas typically fall within the realm of the guest experience, such as food, transportation, and music. It is recommended that you divide your budget into sections for "you" and "them". "Them" will likely take up around 40% of your budget, including the venue, food, and beverages. The remaining amount will include fixed costs such as the photographer, videographer, and entertainment, as well as logistical expenses like labour, lighting, and stationery.

To create an accurate budget, it is important to first create a rough draft of your guest list, as the number of guests will impact food, beverage, and rental costs. The location of your wedding will also have a significant impact on the budget, as the cost of living varies between areas.

When allocating your budget, remember that some costs, such as hairdressers, may require an additional gratuity. It is also a good idea to have an emergency fund of 10-15% of your total budget to cover any incidentals or hidden costs.

To track your spending, create an Excel spreadsheet or Google Doc with all the necessary information, including vendor contract information, estimated and actual costs, service fees, tips, transportation costs, and taxes.

Frequently asked questions