Creative Ways To Reuse Leftover Wedding Invitations

Planning a wedding can be a fun but challenging task, and it's easy to get carried away with the details and end up with more invitations than you need. While it's always a good idea to order extra invitations, you might be left with a bundle after the big day. Instead of throwing them away, there are plenty of creative ways to recycle or repurpose them. From saving them as mementos to getting crafty and making gift tags, there's something for everyone, whether you're a DIY enthusiast or not. So, if you're wondering what to do with those leftover wedding invitations, read on for some eco-friendly and fun ideas.

Create a scrapbook or shadow box

Creating a scrapbook or shadow box is a great way to preserve your wedding memories. Here are some steps to help you get started:

Planning Your Scrapbook or Shadow Box:

• Pick a theme: Select a theme that reflects your wedding. This could be something general like "wedding" or more specific like "vintage garden wedding."
• Select your materials: Choose materials that complement your theme. This includes the scrapbook or shadow box itself, as well as paper, embellishments, ribbons, and any other decorative items. Opt for acid-free, lignin-free, and buffered paper and cardstock to ensure the longevity of your project.
• Gather your wedding invitations and memorabilia: Collect your leftover wedding invitations, photos, ribbons, embellishments, and any other items you want to include. You can also add mementos like dried flowers, fabric swatches, or even small items like a piece of your wedding cake topper.

Designing Your Layout:

• Brainstorm a list of stories or memories: Think about the specific moments, events, or details you want to highlight. For example, you might want to dedicate a page or section to your wedding ceremony, reception, first dance, cake cutting, or any other special moments.
• Plan your page layouts: Experiment with different arrangements for your photos, invitations, and memorabilia. Consider the placement of each element to create a visually appealing and harmonious design. You can sketch out your ideas or use a scrapbook sketch for guidance.
• Select and prepare your photos and invitations: Choose the photos and invitations you want to include, and crop them to the desired sizes. You can also mat your photos and invitations by adding a border with cardstock, patterned paper, fabric, or other materials to make them stand out.

Assembling Your Scrapbook or Shadow Box:

• Adhere your elements to the pages or background: Use acid-free adhesives to attach your photos, invitations, and memorabilia to the pages of your scrapbook or the background of your shadow box.
• Add titles and journaling: Include titles or headings for each page or section to highlight the theme or topic. You can also add captions, dates, quotes, lyrics, or journal entries to provide more context and tell the story of your wedding day. Consider using pigment-based, acid-free, waterproof, and fade-resistant pens for your writing.
• Embellish your pages or shadow box: Enhance your design with decorative elements like stickers, stamps, ribbons, buttons, flowers, or sequins. However, use these embellishments sparingly so they don't overwhelm your layout.
• Protect and store your scrapbook pages: After completing each page, insert them into page protectors to keep them safe from dust, dirt, and fingerprints. Store your scrapbook in a cool, dry, and consistent environment to ensure its longevity.
• Finalise your shadow box: Arrange and secure all the elements in your shadow box, ensuring they are attached securely.

Creating a scrapbook or shadow box is a wonderful way to preserve and display your wedding memories. Enjoy the process of curating and crafting your special keepsake!

Cut and use as gift tags

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can cut and use them as gift tags. This is a great way to put them to good use and avoid waste. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Cut-out Shapes

Cut the invitations into various shapes such as rectangles, circles, or even more intricate designs like hearts or monograms. You can use craft scissors or a paper cutter for straight edges and more precise cuts. Punch a hole at the top of each shape and loop some string or ribbon through to create a hanging tag.

Personalised Gift Tags

The beauty of using leftover wedding invitations as gift tags is that they can be personalised. Depending on the design of your invitations, you can cut out specific sections, such as a beautiful pattern or a meaningful quote. If your invitations have blank space, you can even add a personal message or the recipient's name.

Embellishments

Don't forget about any ribbons, bows, or other embellishments that were part of your invitations. You can reuse these to decorate your gift tags, giving them a unique and elegant touch.

Save for Special Occasions

Leftover wedding invitations can be especially meaningful when used as gift tags for anniversary, baby shower, or wedding gifts. They can also be used for holiday gifts, such as Christmas or Valentine's Day, adding a romantic and sentimental touch to your presents.

Crafting Tips

When cutting your invitations, ensure you have a steady hand and a sharp blade or scissors. You can also use a paper trimmer for straight cuts. If you want to get creative, consider using stamps, stickers, or other craft supplies to decorate your tags further.

Reuse ribbons and embellishments for gift wrapping

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can reuse the ribbons and embellishments for gift wrapping. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Organise a Gift-Wrapping Station

Create a dedicated space for your gift-wrapping supplies. You can use bins or shallow storage containers to organise ribbons, bows, and other embellishments. This way, you'll always know where to find them when it's time to wrap a gift.

Reuse and Repurpose

Before buying new gift-wrapping supplies, take a look at what you already have. Those leftover ribbons and embellishments from your wedding invitations can be reused and given a new life. Combine them with recycled paper, such as brown kraft paper, to create a simple and elegant look.

Get Creative with Embellishments

Enhance your gift wrapping by making your own embellishments. Cut out shapes from leftover wedding invitations or other recycled paper to create gift tags. You can also use fresh or dried flowers, holiday decorations, or small keepsakes to add a special touch to your gifts.

Go Beyond Traditional Wrapping

Think outside the box when it comes to gift wrapping. Fabric items such as scarves, napkins, or tea towels can be used as wrapping and become part of the gift itself. You can also try using jars, tins, or canisters for unique and reusable packaging.

Make it a Family Affair

Involve your family in the gift-wrapping process, especially if you have young children. Let them decorate the packages with ribbons and embellishments. They can also help make DIY gift tags or create their own drawings to use as wrapping paper, adding a personal and creative touch to your gifts.

By reusing ribbons and embellishments from your leftover wedding invitations, you're not only reducing waste but also adding a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your gift-wrapping. It's a win-win for both the environment and your gift presentation!

Shred for confetti

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can shred them and use them as confetti for your first wedding anniversary or any other special occasion. This is a great way to recycle your wedding invitations and create a fun and festive moment. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

• The type of paper used for your wedding invitations will determine the texture and look of your confetti. Recycled paper, for example, will give your confetti an eco-friendly feel, while thicker cardstock might create more of a statement.
• Decide on the size of your confetti pieces. You can use a paper shredder to create uniform strips, or get creative with scissors, hole punches, or even a craft knife to make different shapes and sizes.
• Consider mixing your shredded wedding invitations with other types of confetti, such as dried flowers, recycled paper shapes, or plantable seeds. This will add texture and colour to your confetti mix.
• Store your confetti in a container until you're ready to use it. You can even create cute, personalised confetti cones or bags for your guests, adding a special touch to your celebration.
• When the big day arrives, don't forget to capture the moment! Whether it's a first wedding anniversary or a special event, a confetti toss is a perfect photo opportunity.
• If you're feeling extra creative, you can even use your shredded wedding invitations for other craft projects, such as gift tags or scrapbooking. The options are endless!

Give away online

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can give them away online to people who might want to rework the materials. Websites such as www.freecycle.org connect people looking to give away items with those who want them.

You can also offer your invitations for free on online marketplaces such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Gumtree. Be sure to include photos of the invitations and details about the quantity available.

Another option is to join wedding-focused online forums and communities, such as WeddingWire, and make a post offering your leftover invitations. This way, you can connect with other people who are planning weddings and may be interested in reusing your invitations.

Finally, you could also consider donating your leftover invitations to a local charity shop or thrift store, which often accept donations of new or gently used items, including wedding supplies. They can then sell your invitations at a low cost to someone who may find a use for them.

Frequently asked questions