Elevate Your Wedding Invitations: Creative Ways To Impress Your Guests

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse into your big day that your guests will get, so it's important to make a good impression. There are many ways to upgrade your wedding invitations, from simple DIY tricks to more complex, high-end designs. Whether you're looking for a sweet and simple invite or something more extravagant, here are some ideas to get you started.

Use quality, heavy card

Using quality, heavy card for your wedding invitations is a great way to make them feel more luxurious and elegant. Here are some tips to help you choose the right card:

• Thickness and Weight: Opt for a thicker cardstock, as it will give your invitations a more premium look and feel. The thickness and weight of cardstock are measured in pounds or grams per square meter (gsm). For wedding invitations, it is recommended to use cardstock with a weight of at least 100 lb cover stock or 270 gsm. This will ensure that your invitations feel sturdy and robust.
• Printing Considerations: When choosing a cardstock, consider the printing method you plan to use. Some printers may have limitations on the maximum paper weight they can handle. Most consumer-grade printers can handle cardstock up to 100 lb, but it is always a good idea to check your printer's specifications. Additionally, keep in mind that some printing techniques, such as letterpress or hot foil stamping, may require thicker cardstock to achieve the desired effect.
• Colour and Texture: Choose a colour that fits your wedding theme or style. You can opt for a classic white or cream colour, which tends to be more budget-friendly, or explore coloured cardstock options to add a unique touch. Consider brands like Gmund, Colorplan, and Lessebo, which offer a wide range of colours in thick cardstocks. You can also explore different textures, such as linen cardstock, which can add visual interest and elegance to your invitations.
• Paper Source and Budget: When selecting your cardstock, consider your budget and the availability of paper sources. If you're working with a tighter budget, sticking to more common colours like white or cream can be more affordable. Additionally, shopping around and comparing prices from different paper suppliers can help you find the best quality cardstock within your price range.
• Samples and Testing: Before finalizing your cardstock choice, it is recommended to order samples or conduct test prints. This will allow you to see and feel the cardstock in person, ensuring it meets your expectations for thickness, colour, and print quality. Conducting test prints will also help you determine if your chosen cardstock is compatible with your printing method and if any adjustments are needed.

By following these tips, you can create elegant and impressive wedding invitations that will delight your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Add a bold, beautiful liner

Adding a bold, beautiful liner is a great way to upgrade your wedding invitations. Envelope liners can be used to continue your wedding design and show your guests that you've thought of everything. They are the perfect spot to make a statement.

If you're throwing a garden-inspired fête in the springtime, decorate your lining with a floral illustration. If you're after something modern, a black-and-white geometric pattern could be the way to go. You could also hand-line your envelopes with a custom crest featuring your monogram, or a toile with symbols that represent you and your partner.

You could also use a bright and bold colour, or a rainbow design, to make a statement. Alternatively, a simple stripe in a subdued hue will add pizazz without distracting your guests from the invitation itself.

You can purchase print-ready designs or have one custom-designed to match your theme or colour scheme.

Luxe it up with foil

Foil is a great way to add some shine to your wedding invitations. Foil is a metallic material that can come in various colours like gold, silver, copper, and even holographic. The foiling method has been used for centuries, but today you can get your invitations foil-printed by a machine in bulk, in either flat print or letterpress. Foil is a versatile printing material, with many colour options and ways to incorporate it into your invitation suite.

The most common way to use foil is by foil-printing the text, but you can also opt for foil edges on thick card stock, a foil jacket, foiling on the envelope, or a metallic card to place behind a translucent invitation. Foil edging creates a beautiful stacked look, and you can also mix styles by combining foil letterpress printing with a secondary print style such as watercolour digital printing or a blind letterpress or emboss.

Foil works with all wedding invitation styles, and can be used to create either a classic or modern look. For a traditional look, go for gold foil. For a fresh take, use a colour or monochromatic black on black. For an ultra-modern look, rose gold and holographic (silver with hues of pink and purple) are great options.

To save money, look for pre-designed cardstock that includes a foil detail, such as a floral design or a foil edge, rather than going fully custom. Digital flat printing is also more economical than letterpress, which uses a metal plate to transfer text to paper.

Add a creative edge

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process as they set the tone for the event. Here are some creative ways to upgrade your wedding invitations and make them stand out:

Laser Cut Design

Laser-cut invitations are a hot trend in wedding stationery. Whether simple or intricate, laser cutting adds a unique and multi-dimensional touch to your invites. You can laser cut the insert cards, wraps, belly bands, or envelopes to create a wow factor for your guests.

High-Quality Paper and Printing Methods

Using thick, heavy cardstock or handmade paper adds a luxurious feel to your invitations. You can further enhance the design with specialty printing methods such as metal foiling, embossing, letterpress, or UV printing. These techniques add texture and dimension to your invites, making them stand out.

Creative Envelope Liners

Envelope liners are an unexpected surprise for your guests. Take advantage of the space inside the envelope to continue your wedding theme and design. You can use colourful liners, patterns, or even laser-cut designs to create a stunning reveal when your guests open the envelope.

Wax Seals and Ribbons

Add a touch of luxury and elegance to your invitations with wax seals and ribbons. You can use wax seals to imprint your initials, a design, or a pattern, creating a unique and personalised touch. Ribbons can also be used to finish off the invitation, with options like satin, silk, or velvet to match your wedding colours.

Vellum Overlay or Wrap

Vellum is a smooth, translucent paper that adds a modern and elegant touch to your invitations. Consider using it as an overlay to create a layered effect or as a wrap for a fun 'big reveal' when guests open the invitation.

Creative Shapes and Formats

Instead of the typical rectangular invitation, try something more unique like circles, arches, or abstract cut-outs. You can also play with the format of the text by using non-traditional alignment or adding playful font colours to make your invitations more interesting and fun.

There are endless ways to get creative and upgrade your wedding invitations. These ideas will help you set the right tone for your wedding and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Seal it with wax

Adding a wax seal to your wedding invitations is a great way to elevate their look and create a sense of luxury. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Choose Your Wax Seal Design: Select a wax seal design that complements your wedding theme and style. You can choose from a variety of options, including monograms, florals, and other decorative elements. You can also personalise the wax seal with your initials or a custom design.

Select Your Wax Colour: Wax seals come in various colours, from traditional gold and silver to more modern options like sage green, rose, and champagne. Choose a colour that matches your wedding colour palette or the design of your invitation.

Decide on Adhesive or Traditional Wax: You can opt for self-adhesive wax seals, which are easy to use and mess-free, or go for the traditional method of melting wax and using a wax seal stamp. If you choose the traditional method, make sure to practice beforehand to perfect your technique.

Enhance with Dried Florals or Glitter: For a more whimsical touch, you can add dried florals, glitter, or other decorative elements to your wax seal. This will make your invitations even more eye-catching and unique.

Add a Ribbon: Combine your wax seal with a silk ribbon for an extra touch of elegance. Tie the ribbon around your invitation, and then apply the wax seal on top, or use the ribbon to attach a tag or charm with the wax seal.

By following these tips, you can create beautiful and luxurious wedding invitations with wax seals that will impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Frequently asked questions