Designing Your Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitations are an essential part of planning your big day. They give your guests a glimpse of what to expect and set the tone for your celebration. While many couples work with a stationery design studio to customise their invites, you may want to design and print your own. This can be a fun and creative way to express your personality as a couple and save costs.

If you're going to stuff your wedding invitations yourself, it's a good idea to create an assembly line to speed up the process. You'll need to gather all the necessary pieces, including the invitation, any enclosure cards and envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, tissue paper or wax seals. Then, simply follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Start with the invitation: Place the wedding invitation face up on the table.

2. Add a tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional): Traditionally, this was used to prevent smudging, but most inks today won't smudge.

3. Layer on the reception card: Outline the time, location and dress code.

4. Include other enclosure cards: Add any additional information such as maps, hotel accommodations or travel details.

5. Don't forget the RSVP card: Place the reply envelope face-down, with the reply card under the flap, face-up. Pre-address and stamp the reply envelope.

6. Assemble and stuff: If using two envelopes, insert the invitation suite into the inner envelope first, then the outer. If using one envelope, insert the suite directly into the outer envelope.

Choosing a design and customising your invitations

• Determine your wedding style: Is your wedding going to be formal or casual? Modern or boho? Knowing your wedding style will help you choose a design that complements your celebration.
• Know your colour scheme: Work with your wedding planner to create a colour scheme that reflects your theme. This will help you choose invitations that match your colours.
• Consider custom or semi-custom options: A custom invitation set allows you to create a fully customised design, while semi-custom options let you add personal touches to an existing design, such as colour, personalisation, and printing style.
• Include essential information: Make sure your invitations include key details such as the couple's names, wedding date, time, venue name, location, dress code, and if a reception will follow.
• Think about additional components: Depending on your wedding, you may want to include response cards, enclosure cards with additional details, map or direction cards, and accommodation cards.
• Choose a paper type: Select a paper that suits your design and printing style. Options include uncoated cardstock, paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish, or pre-cut cards from craft stores.
• Add embellishments: Ribbons, wax seals, and envelope liners can add a special touch to your invitations.
• Customise the wording: The wording you use is just as important as the design. Select a tone that reflects your wedding aesthetic and your personality, whether it's traditional, conversational, or formal.
• Proofread and print: Before printing, proofread your invitations for any errors and adjust the settings as needed to ensure the colours and text are legible.
• Assemble your invitations: Place your invitation face up, followed by any tissue paper or vellum overlay, reception card, enclosure cards, and RSVP card with the envelope.

The order of the invitation suite

Step 1: Start with the Main Invitation Card

The wedding invitation is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to start with this as your base. Place the card face up on a table.

Step 2: Add Vellum or Tissue Paper (Optional)

If you have chosen to include a sheet of vellum or tissue paper, place this on top of the invitation card. This was traditionally used to prevent smudging but is now optional.

Step 3: Stack the Reception Card

If you are using a reception card, detailing the time and location of the wedding reception, place this face-up on top of the invitation (or tissue paper).

Step 4: Stack Other Enclosure Cards

Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information cards, face up on top of the reception card. If there is more than one, start with the largest card and work your way down to the smallest.

Step 5: Add the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up, so the printed side is visible. Remember to pre-address and pre-stamp the reply envelope.

Step 6: Add Any Finishing Touches

If you are including a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble this now.

Step 7: Insert into Envelope

If you are using a single envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge going in first for a single card, or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The text on the invitation should be print-side up, so guests can immediately read it when they open the envelope.

Step 8: Seal and Address

Seal the envelope and add the return address. You can use a rubber stamp address label or handwrite the address.

How to assemble the invitation suite

Wedding invitation assembly can be a confusing process for many couples, but it's not rocket science. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to assemble your wedding invitation suite:

Step 1: Get the Main Invitation Card

Place the invitation card at the bottom, with the printed side facing up. This is usually the largest card in the suite.

Step 2: Add Vellum Liners (Optional)

If you have chosen to include a thin sheet of vellum, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent ink smudges but is mostly optional nowadays.

Step 3: Stack the Reception Card

If you are using a reception card, place it face-up on top of the wedding invite. This card includes the time and location of the reception and any dress code information.

Step 4: Stack Other Enclosure Cards

Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as direction/detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards, face-up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.

Step 5: Add the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, ensuring the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for your guests.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

If you want to add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, now is the time to do so. These add a nice touch to your invitation suite and can be personalised with your names, wedding date, or a special message.

Step 7: Addressing

Write the recipients' names and addresses on the envelopes. Traditionally, this was done with calligraphy, but printing is a more efficient and polished option.

Step 8: Insert the Suite into the Envelope

If you are using envelope liners, slide them into your envelopes first. Then, insert the fully assembled invitation suite. For a single-card invitation, insert the left edge first; for a folded invitation, insert the folded edge first. Ensure the text is print-side up so that guests can immediately see it when they open the envelope.

Step 9: Seal the Envelope

Use a bottled envelope moistener or a damp sponge to wet the gummed edge of the envelope. Be careful not to use too much liquid, as you don't want soggy envelopes. Place a heavy book on top of the sealed envelopes to ensure they stay closed.

Step 10: Return Address

Add address labels, skinny wraps, or rubber stamp address labels to the envelopes.

Step 11: Mail

Before mailing, bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to weigh it and determine the correct amount of postage required. Then, bring all your invitations to the post office to be hand-cancelled, which will ensure they are handled with care.

Stuffing the envelopes

The general rule for putting wedding stationery together is to assemble your invitations in order of sizing, so start with the largest card, which is usually the invitation itself, and place it face up on the table. If you're using a sheet of tissue paper or vellum, place this on top of the invitation.

Next, add the reception card, followed by any other enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations card, and travel information. If there is more than one enclosure card and they are different sizes, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.

Finally, place the reply envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards, and insert the reply card under the reply envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. If you're using a folded-style invitation, place all enclosures within the folded invitation.

If you're using two envelopes (an inner and an outer envelope), insert the assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge for a folded invitation. The invitation should be facing up, so that when the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation is visible. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, so that any handwritten names on the inner envelope are visible when opened.

If you're only using one envelope, simply insert the assembled invitation suite into the envelope, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge for a folded invitation. Again, the invitation should be facing up, so that the text is visible when the envelope is opened.

Addressing the envelopes

When addressing the envelopes for your wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that you have the correct postage and that the envelopes are facing the right way up. The general rule is to assemble your invitations in order of sizing, with the invitation itself placed face up at the bottom, followed by any enclosure cards stacked neatly on top in order of size, from largest to smallest.

If you are including an RSVP card, this should be placed face up under the flap of the return envelope, not inside it. The envelope should be pre-addressed and pre-stamped to make it easier for your guests to respond.

If you are using a tissue paper or vellum overlay, this should be placed on top of the invitation card.

If you are using an inner envelope and an outer envelope, insert the assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, and the folded edge going in first for a folded invitation. The inner envelope should be left unsealed but closed, with the guests' names visible when they open it. Then insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope.

If you are only using an outer envelope, insert the assembled invitation suite directly into this, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, and the folded edge going in first for a folded invitation.

Finally, seal the envelope, add any return address labels or stamps, and you're ready to post your invitations!

Frequently asked questions