Belly Band Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and set the tone for your big day. If you're looking for a way to add a special touch to your invites, consider using belly bands. Belly bands are slim paper bands that fit around your invitations, holding all the pieces together neatly. They add a pop of colour and can be customised with monograms, couples' names, wedding dates, or even glitter. You can print them yourself or buy them pre-made from sites like Etsy and Amazon. When creating your own, use thinner paper, such as 60-70# text weight, for easy wrapping. For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, the band should measure 11 x 2 inches.

Choosing the right paper

Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and set the tone for your big day. With so many options available, choosing the right paper for your wedding invitations can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect paper for your special day.

When it comes to wedding invitation paper, card stock is generally recommended as it gives a luxurious and elegant feel. The weight of the card stock is an important consideration, with heavier weights (such as 100 lbs or more) providing a more premium look and feel. However, it's important to note that the weight that can be used depends on the printing method and the printer being used. For home printers, it is recommended to start with 80# card stock and increase the weight until issues like smudging or jamming occur. For professional printing services, weights above 100# are more common, with some services offering weights up to 300#.

The finish of the paper is another important factor. Smooth matte paper is a popular choice for brides, but textures like linen can add a unique touch and hide imperfections in the printing. Cotton paper, which is typically made from 100% cotton, is another popular option as it provides a soft feel and absorbs ink well, resulting in rich colours. However, it is a more costly option. For a more rustic or DIY look, kraft and wood-grain paper are great choices.

If you're looking for something more modern and elegant, vellum paper is a wonderful option. It is a translucent paper that can be used as an overlay or accent, adding depth and interest to your invitations. Glassine paper is similar to vellum but provides a cloudy white appearance. These non-opaque papers are perfect for creating negative space or adding layers to your invitations.

When choosing the right paper for your wedding invitation belly bands, it's important to consider the thickness and weight of the paper. Belly bands are typically made from thinner paper, such as text weight paper, which is similar to resume paper or envelope paper. A weight of 60-70# text weight (or roughly 90-100 gsm) is recommended for belly bands, as it allows for easy wrapping around your invitations.

In addition to the weight and thickness, the design and colour of the belly band can also be customised to match your wedding theme or add a pop of colour. Belly bands can be purchased from online stores or made at home using decorative paper and custom templates.

Printing and trimming

Belly bands are best printed on thinner paper, such as a 60-70# text weight (90-100 gsm) paper. This type of paper can be found online or at your local office supply store. It is also the same paper that envelopes are made from. When printing, ensure your printer settings are at No Scaling / 100% and that you have selected the correct paper size. In most cases, this will be an 8.5 x 11-inch template that fits multiple bands per page.

If you have a design with a full-colour background, consider printing at a local print shop as this can be expensive to do at home. If your design is less ink-heavy and you have a smaller quantity to print, printing at home may be more cost-effective.

Once your belly bands are printed, you can cut out the individual bands using a paper cutter or an X-acto knife. If you see tiny lines in the corners, these are trim guides to show you where to cut.

Additional materials

Belly bands are a great way to add a pop of colour to your wedding invitations. They can be made from paper, vellum, or ribbon, and can be customised with a monogram, couples' names, wedding date, or a design such as a crest or wreath. You can also use specialty paper, like glitter, or a sticker that wraps around the bottom of the invitation.

If you're looking to add a more personal touch, consider using your guests' names on the belly band. This can be a great way to add a formal touch to your invitation without using an inner envelope. Another option is to use a wax seal, which can be customised with your monogram or crest.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider using a ribbon or twine to tie your invitations together. This can be a cute and rustic way to keep your invitations neat and organised.

When it comes to printing your belly bands, consider the ink heaviness and quantity you'll be printing. If your design has a full-colour background, it will consume a lot of ink, which can get expensive. Printing at home is often a more cost-effective solution, but if you need large quantities of an ink-heavy design, a local print shop might be a better option.

To assemble your belly bands, you will need:

• Glue stick or double-sided tape to adhere the ends
• Bone folder (optional) for a more defined crease
• Paper cutter or X-acto knife to cut out the individual bands

Remember to set your printer settings to "No Scaling / 100%" and select the accurate paper size to ensure your belly bands are the correct size.

Assembly

Belly bands are a great way to add a pop of colour to your wedding invitations and ensure that all the pieces of your invitation set are held together neatly. They are usually made from thinner paper, often referred to as text weight, which can be purchased from your local craft or office supply store.

To assemble your belly bands, start by cutting out the individual bands using a paper cutter or an X-acto knife. Make sure to check for trim guides, which will show you where to cut. Ensure your printer settings are set to No Scaling/100% and that you have selected the correct paper size. In most cases, this will be an 8.5 x 11-inch template that fits multiple bands per page.

For a standard 5 x 7-inch invitation, your belly band should measure 11 x 2 inches. If you are creating a custom card size, double the width of your card and add an extra inch for overlap.

Once you have cut out your belly bands, you can start assembling your invitations. Stack your cards from largest to smallest, with the invitation at the bottom, and tuck in the RSVP card into its envelope flap, if applicable. Centre the belly band on top of the stack.

To secure the belly band, fold one flap around the invitation, using a bone folder if necessary, and apply a small amount of glue to the end. Fold the other flap on top, so the two ends overlap, and press and hold for a few seconds until the glue dries.

Your wedding invitations with belly bands are now ready to be mailed to your guests!

Cost

The cost of wedding invitation belly bands varies depending on the design, material, quantity, and seller.

Belly bands are typically made from thinner paper, similar to the weight of resume paper or envelope paper. They can be purchased from various online retailers, such as Amazon and Etsy, or created at home using materials from local craft or office supply stores.

On Amazon, prices for belly bands range from $2.21 for a retro belly band template to $67.99 for 50 blank laser-cut wedding invitations with envelopes and ribbon belly bands. Some belly bands are sold in packs, with prices ranging from $3.49 for 100 pieces to $16.95 for 50 pieces. Customizable options are also available, with prices varying depending on the quantity ordered.

Etsy offers a wide range of belly band options, including personalized, printable templates, and pre-made bands. Prices on Etsy vary, with some bands priced as low as $0.15, while others cost up to $17.96 for a pack of 25.

Creating belly bands at home can also vary in cost, depending on the materials chosen and the quantity needed. For example, printing at home may be more cost-effective for smaller quantities, while printing at a local print shop may be more budget-friendly for larger orders, especially if the design is ink-heavy.

When considering the cost of belly bands, it is important to keep in mind that they may also impact the postage cost of the invitations, especially if they add bulk or thickness to the envelope.

Frequently asked questions