Creating Watercolour Wedding Invites: A Diy Guide

Hand-painted watercolour invitations are a beautiful, unique, and eye-catching way to invite guests to your wedding. They are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding stationery and can be relatively easy and inexpensive to make yourself. With the right tools and techniques, you can create invitations that look professional and are sure to impress your guests. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to create your own watercolour wedding invitations, from choosing the right paper and paint to designing and printing your invitations, and finally, adding those special finishing touches.

Choosing paper

When it comes to choosing paper for your watercolour wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the weight of the paper is important. The weight of paper is usually expressed in pounds (lbs) and refers to the weight of a stack of 500 pieces of that paper. So, the higher the number, the heavier the paper. Most cardstocks that can be used in a home printer are 80 lbs or less. If you want to use a heavier cardstock, you may need to use a professional printing service.

For watercolour wedding invitations, a thicker paper is often preferred as it gives a more luxurious feel. A weight of 120 lbs or 240 lbs is a good choice for invitations, with the latter being a good option if you want to create a letterpress or foil design. However, if you are digitally printing your invitations, it is recommended to use paper with a weight between 100 lbs and 110 lbs to avoid creasing during the printing process.

In addition to weight, the texture of the paper is also important. Watercolour paper tends to have a coarse or textured surface, which allows the paint to adhere better and gives the invitations a vintage or beveled look. Smooth papers are great for designs with a lot of colour, while linen paper has a light, woven texture that is ideal for sophisticated invitations. Eggshell paper has a drywall-like texture and is perfect for elegant and formal invitations.

Finally, the colour of the paper is another consideration. While most invitation orders tend to choose paper in the "white" family, there are various shades of white to choose from, such as fluorescent white or pearl white. Alternatively, you can choose a coloured paper such as stone, blush, wine, or navy. The colour you choose can help set the tone for your wedding, with darker shades often used for fall or glam weddings, and lighter shades for summer or romantic weddings.

Remember, it's always a good idea to order a sample pack or swatches of paper to see and feel the different options before making your final decision.

Painting

When it comes to painting your watercolour wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take.

Firstly, you'll need to decide on the base for your invitations. You can choose from a variety of paper types, including watercolour paper or thick cardstock. Watercolour paper, especially the coarse variety, will give your invitations a unique, vintage feel as it holds the paint and creates a beveled effect. If you opt for cardstock, you can still achieve a beautiful watercolour look, but the result will be slightly different.

The next step is to choose your paint colours. This can be guided by your wedding theme or the time of year you're getting married. For instance, soft, pale peach with a whimsical watercolour effect can be a lovely choice, or you might prefer to use taupe with a hint of purple to create a more subtle, washed-out effect. You can also opt for a floral or purple ombre design if you want to add more colour. When painting, remember to be cautious with the amount of water you use, as too much can cause the paper to warp.

If you want to add extra details to your invitations, consider including watercolour monograms or "spot" illustrations. Monograms are a traditional accent and can be taken to the next level with hand-painted touches, such as lush foliage, animals, or letters. "Spot" illustrations are small, creative accents that can be used sparingly, such as on an RSVP card or envelope liner.

Another option is to create a custom painted map of your wedding venue or destination, especially if you're getting married in a scenic or iconic location. This will give your guests a sneak peek of the festivities to come and add a unique touch to your invitations.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with the painting process. It's normal to go through a lot of trial and error, so give yourself plenty of time and extra materials to play around with different techniques and colours until you achieve the look you desire.

Printing

Before printing, it is important to save your invitation design as a TIFF file for better printing. You should also create a PDF file with two invitations per regular 8.5" x 11" page. This will ensure that your invitations are the correct size and that you get the most out of your watercolour paper.

When printing, it is recommended to do a test print on a watercolour sheet to see if your printer can handle the heavy paper. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments and ensure that your invitations come out looking their best.

After printing, you will need to cut your invitations to size. Standard invitation sizes are 5" x 7" for the main invitation and 3.5" x 5" for any insert cards. It is important to be careful when cutting to ensure straight edges and consistent sizing for all your invitations.

Finally, you can add any additional paint or watercolour details to your invitations. Just be mindful of how much water you use, as too much can cause the paper to warp.

Adding details

Waxed thread and dried flowers

Add a delicate waxed thread, wrapping it around the invitation a couple of times and tying it into a knot. You can also add some small dried flowers, such as dried eucalyptus, for a natural, whimsical touch.

Custom illustrations

Illustrate your wedding venue, giving your guests a sneak peek of the beautiful location. This works especially well for destination weddings or iconic architecture. You can also illustrate the happy couple's monogram, perhaps with a nod to their heritage or interests, such as the mandarin ducks used for a couple getting married in Singapore.

Painted "spot" illustrations

If you want a more traditional look with just a touch of watercolour, opt for "spot" illustrations. These creative accents can be used on RSVP cards or envelope liners. You could also include a small travel booklet with painted illustrations, containing all the details of the wedding weekend.

Custom watercolour maps

Paint a map of the wedding destination, adding in your favourite restaurants and sights for guests to explore. This is a fun way to personalise your invitations and get your guests excited about the location.

Custom motifs

Create a custom motif with your watercolour paints, such as floral, geometric, or deco patterns. These can be used to decorate envelope liners or the back of the invitation card, adding a pop of colour and whimsy when the envelope is opened.

Calligraphy and stamps

Use a calligraphy pen and ink to address your envelopes, adding a touch of elegance. You can also choose pretty stamps to adorn the envelopes and make them even more special.

Remember, these are just suggestions—feel free to get creative and add your own unique touches to your watercolour wedding invitations!

Assembling

Once you have your wedding invitations painted and printed, it's time to assemble them!

First, cut your watercolour paper to size. You can use a ruler and tear the pages to create a soft edge, or use a heavy-duty paper cutter. If you're including RSVP cards and details cards, cut these to size, too. Be sure to allow these elements to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

Next, address your envelopes. You can use a calligraphy pen and ink, but be aware that this may smear on certain types of paper. One way to prevent smudging is to treat the addressed envelopes with hairspray. Alternatively, use a gel pen that will show up on the envelope paper.

Now, it's time to put everything together. Place your invitation, map (if applicable), RSVP card, RSVP envelope, and details card inside the envelope. You can add decorative touches, such as wrapping waxed thread around the invitation a few times and adding small bits of dried foliage.

Finally, stamp your envelopes and mail them!

Frequently asked questions