Creating Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and budget-friendly alternative to ordering them from a professional. In this article, we will take you through the steps to make your own wedding invitations, from designing to printing and assembling. We will also offer tips and tricks to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. So, grab your partner, a cup of coffee, and let's get started!

Design and software

The first step in designing your wedding invitations is to choose a shape and dimensions. Traditionally, wedding invitations are rectangular, with dimensions of 4.5" by 6.25". This classic option can also help keep printing costs down. However, you can also opt for horizontal rectangles or scalloped designs.

Next, consider your wedding location and overall theme. For example, if you're getting married in a church, you might opt for a more traditional, romantic aesthetic. On the other hand, a rustic and natural look might be more suitable for a country or farm setting.

Choose a romantic font for your text. Cursive or calligraphy fonts are excellent choices for wedding invites, especially for the names of the couple. These fonts are soft, romantic, and elegant. Pair them with a serif font for the rest of the text.

Think about the imagery you want to include. Using a photo of the couple is a great way to add a personal touch and make the invitations feel more special for your loved ones. You can also incorporate illustrations or other design elements that reflect your relationship or the wedding theme.

When creating your design, it's important to use software that allows for customisation and high-quality output. Here are some popular options:

• Adobe InDesign: This software allows you to create custom document sizes, insert text, and arrange design elements.
• Adobe Photoshop: A powerful photo editing software that can be used to design invitations.
• Canva: A free online design platform with customizable templates and drag-and-drop features, making it user-friendly for beginners.
• Adobe Illustrator: Recommended for creating or printing invitation designs, especially if you plan to use specialty paper.
• Microsoft Word: A basic word processing software that can be used to create simple text-based invitations.

Materials and equipment

The materials and equipment you will need to make your own wedding invitations can vary depending on your desired design and level of customisation. Here is a list of the essential materials and equipment, as well as some optional items, to help you get started:

• Cardstock or Paper: The type of paper you choose will depend on your desired look and feel for your invitations. Cardstock is a popular choice, with options such as cotton cardstock or coloured cardstock to match your wedding colours. You can also opt for specialty paper like kinwashi paper or vellum.
• Envelopes: Ensure you have envelopes for both the main invitation and any RSVP or reply cards. It is recommended to get about 10% more envelopes than you need to account for any mistakes. You can choose plain envelopes or add a pop of colour or pattern with envelope liners.
• Printer: A high-quality printer will allow you to print your invitations and any additional inserts. You can use a laser printer or an inkjet printer, depending on your preferences and the type of paper you choose.
• Ink: Don't forget to factor in the cost of ink for your printer. Buying in bulk from stores like Sam's Club, Costco, or Amazon can help you save money.
• Design Software: You will need design software to create your invitation design. Options such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Adobe Illustrator are popular choices.
• Computer: A computer is essential for designing your invitations and setting up the print files. Ensure your computer has the necessary specifications to run your chosen design software.
• Paper Cutter: A heavy-duty paper cutter will come in handy if you need to trim your paper to specific sizes or create multiple projects on one sheet.
• Adhesive: Double-sided adhesive tape runners or glue dots are recommended for mounting pages, closing envelopes, and attaching envelope liners. You can also use stickers for sealing envelopes and adding a decorative touch.
• Wax Seal: A custom wax seal with a sticker backing can add a luxurious touch to your invitations. However, be cautious when sending them through the mail, as they may be damaged by sorting machines.
• Embellishments: Optional embellishments include ribbons, patterned paper, or belly bands to add a special touch to your invitations.
• Fonts: Choose romantic and elegant fonts for your invitations, such as cursive or calligraphy fonts for the couple's names. Pair these with a serif font for the rest of the text.
• Images: Consider adding engagement photos or other personal images to your invitations to make them more unique and memorable.
• Stamps: Visit your local post office to choose stamps that reflect your personality as a couple.

Budgeting and planning

Determine your budget:

Firstly, decide on the overall budget for your wedding. This will depend on factors such as the number of guests, the venue, catering, and other expenses. Allocate approximately 4%-6% of this budget for wedding stationery, including save-the-dates, invitations, and postage. You may also want to set aside an additional 1-3% for day-of pieces like programs, signage, menus, escort cards, and favour tags.

Consider your quantity:

The number of invitations required will impact the cost. A smaller guest list means fewer invitations, resulting in lower costs. However, you may get a price break at higher quantities; for instance, printing 300 invitations might cost less per invitation than printing 50. It's a good idea to order about 10% more invitations than needed to account for last-minute guest list additions and to keep as souvenirs.

Design and style:

The design and style of your invitations will also affect the budget. If you're comfortable with design software, you can create your own invitations or purchase a template online for a low cost. If you prefer a more formal, luxurious look, consider elements like gold foil, letterpress printing, double-thick stock, or envelope liners, but keep in mind that these additions will increase the cost. Alternatively, opt for a basic invitation suite to keep costs down.

Prioritize your spending:

Decide which elements of your invitations are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. If you're willing to splurge, consider adding special touches like patterned liners, gold foil, or specialty-coloured envelopes. On the other hand, you can save money by sending RSVP postcards instead of cards with envelopes, or printing double-sided details cards instead of separate accommodation cards.

Plan for contingencies:

When creating your budget, it's essential to factor in a buffer for unexpected costs or last-minute changes. Consider purchasing a larger pack of invitations, an extra pack of ink, or allowing for additional postage costs. It's better to have a few extras than to run out midway through your project.

Seek professional advice:

Consulting with a stationer or wedding planner can be invaluable. They can provide detailed estimates, suggest creative ways to save money, and ensure you don't overlook any important costs or considerations. Their expertise will help you stay within your budget while creating beautiful invitations.

Printing and assembling

Now that you have your design, paper, and envelopes, it's time to start printing and assembling your invitations. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Test Your Printer Settings

Before you start printing your invitations, it's important to do a few test prints to ensure that your printer settings are correct. Adjust the settings on your printer to get the desired colours and print quality. You may need to invest in a new ink cartridge to ensure crisp and clear text and images.

Print Your Designs

Once you are happy with the test prints, start printing your invitations. Print on "photograph" or "high" setting to ensure the best quality. If you are using a pre-designed template, make sure you have the correct file type for printing. PDF files tend to have higher quality than JPEG files. Also, ensure your template resolution quality is 300 DPI or higher for a crisp, clear print.

Trim Your Invitations

If you are working with smaller projects or want to save paper, you can create multiple projects on one sheet and then trim them down to the appropriate size using a heavy-duty paper cutter. This will ensure straight and accurate cuts for your invitations.

Assemble Your Invitations

If you have multiple layers or inserts for your invitations, use glue dots or double-sided tape to attach them together. This method is also recommended for sealing your envelopes. Alternatively, you can use a wax seal or stickers to seal your envelopes, adding a decorative touch.

Weigh and Post Your Invitations

Once your invitations are assembled, place them in their envelopes and take them to the post office to be weighed. The weight and shape of the envelope will impact the cost of postage. You may also want to consider hand-cancelling to avoid any potential damage to your invitations during the mailing process.

Create a Chart and Guest List

After sending out your invitations, start a chart and guest list to keep track of the replies. Colour-coding your guest list by groups (e.g., friends, family of the bride, family of the groom) will help with table placement and planning.

By following these steps, you will be able to print and assemble your wedding invitations smoothly and efficiently.

Envelopes and postage

Now that you've designed and printed your wedding invitations, it's time to think about envelopes and postage. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

• Select the right envelopes: Choose envelopes that complement your invitation design and colour scheme. Ensure they are slightly larger than your invitations to allow for easy insertion and removal. Don't forget to get envelopes for both your main invitation and RSVP cards.
• Consider the weight and dimensions: The weight and dimensions of your stuffed envelope will impact the postage cost. If your envelope weighs more than one ounce or has irregular dimensions, you'll need additional postage. Standard wedding invitation sizes, such as 5" x 7", usually don't require extra postage due to size.
• Visit your local post office: Take a fully assembled invitation (with all inserts) to your local post office to have it weighed and measured. They can advise you on the correct postage required, including any additional postage for thickness or irregular shapes.
• Use Forever Stamps: Wedding Forever Stamps are a great option as they cover the cost of first-class postage forever, even if the cost increases after purchase. These stamps have no expiration or denomination and are suitable for envelopes weighing one ounce or less.
• Consider additional postage: If your invitation is heavier or has unique embellishments like ribbons or wax seals, you may need extra postage. Purchase smaller denomination stamps (like 20-cent stamps) to supplement your Forever Stamps and cover the additional weight or size.
• Hand-cancelling: Consider requesting hand-cancelling for your invitations. This means the post office will manually mark your postage stamp to prevent reuse, reducing the risk of tearing or smearing. However, this service usually incurs an extra cost per envelope.
• RSVP postage: Don't forget to include stamped and addressed RSVP envelopes with your invitations. This is more convenient for your guests and encourages faster responses. If you're concerned about the cost, consider including RSVP postcards, which only require a $0.56 stamp, or direct guests to your wedding website for responses.
• Buy extra stamps: It's a good idea to buy a few extra stamps in case of mistakes or last-minute additions. You can purchase stamps at your local post office or online from sites like USPS.com, Etsy, and Amazon.
• Customise your envelopes: Add a personal touch to your envelopes with custom addressing, wax seals, or stickers. Digital calligraphy is a popular option that emulates handwritten invites without the stress and time commitment.
• Assembly and mailing: Once you have all the components, assemble your invitations and enclose them in the correct order. Seal your envelopes and mail your invitations 2-4 months before your wedding day to give guests enough time to RSVP.

Frequently asked questions