Creative Ways To Reuse Your Extra Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are an important part of your special day, but it can be tricky to order the right number, and you may end up with extras. If you have any leftover invitations, there are plenty of creative ways to use them. You could keep them as a memento, send them to celebrities for fun, or donate them to a wedding charity. You could also get crafty and turn them into artwork, a scrapbook, a photo album, or even a time capsule.

Frame it

Framing your wedding invitation is a great way to display it in your home and keep it as a memento. It's a simple project that can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the style of your invitation. Here are some detailed tips and ideas to help you frame your wedding invitation:

Choose the Right Frame:

• Consider the colours and style of your invitation when selecting a frame. Opt for a frame that complements the invitation's design and colour palette.
• For classic wedding invitations with delicate scripts, creamy paper, and light colours, choose a traditional frame that is deep enough to allow for float mounting. Antique gold or warm-toned frames can complement elegant designs without overwhelming them.
• If your invitation has a modern or eclectic design with bold colours, consider a simpler frame, such as a sleek black or white frame, to let the invitation take centre stage.
• For intricate invitations with cool tones, a frame with a warm, antiqued champagne silver tone can be a perfect choice.

Mounting and Arrangement:

• Float mounting is key to a beautifully framed wedding invitation. This technique involves securing the invitation to a piece of foam core, lifting it slightly above the mat to showcase all the edges and create dynamic shadows.
• Depending on your invitation's design, you can opt for a simple arrangement with just the invitation and a white mat, or a more elaborate display that includes other components like envelopes, reception cards, or other stationery.

Adding Personal Touches:

• To make your framed invitation more personal, consider adding wedding day memorabilia, such as dried flowers from your bouquet, wedding photos, or other meaningful items.
• If you want to include other items in the frame, look for frames with deeper profiles that can accommodate the extra depth.

Displaying Your Framed Invitation:

• Once you've framed your invitation, choose a spot in your home where it will be visible and can serve as a constant reminder of your special day.
• Consider displaying it alongside other wedding memorabilia or creating a gallery wall with other framed items from your wedding.

Framing your wedding invitation is a wonderful way to preserve and showcase this special keepsake. By following these tips, you can create a stylish and personalised display that will be admired for years to come.

Create a scrapbook or photo album

A wedding is a memorable event, and a scrapbook or photo album is a great way to preserve those memories. If you have extra wedding invitations, you can put them to good use by creating a unique and personalised scrapbook or photo album. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose your scrapbook or photo album

Select a scrapbook or photo album that suits your style. You can opt for a traditional book-style album or go for a more modern option like a large spiral-bound album. Consider the colour, size, and format of the album to ensure it complements your wedding invitations and other mementos you plan to include.

Gather your materials

In addition to your extra wedding invitations, gather other memorabilia from your wedding day, such as photos, flowers from your bouquet, or any other trinkets that hold special meaning. You can also purchase scrapbooking supplies, such as mounting corners, gel pens, washi tape, stickers, and decorative paper, to enhance the overall design of your scrapbook.

Design your layout

The layout of your scrapbook or photo album is entirely up to you. You can include a mix of photos, invitations, and other mementos. Consider dedicating a full page or spread to your wedding invitation, making it a focal point of your creation. Alternatively, cut out pieces of the invitation to use as embellishments or backgrounds, adding a creative and personalised touch to your pages.

Add captions and decorations

Include captions alongside your photos and invitations to provide context and cherish the memories. You can also add decorations, such as flowers, ribbons, or other embellishments, to make your scrapbook visually stunning and unique.

Enjoy the process

Creating a scrapbook or photo album is a fun and sentimental project. Take your time and enjoy the process of curating your memories. Involve your partner or loved ones to make it even more special. This activity will allow you to relive the joy of your wedding day and create a cherished keepsake that you can look back on for years to come.

Make a Christmas ornament

If you have extra wedding invitations and are feeling crafty, you can make a Christmas ornament to hang on your tree or give as a gift. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a wedding invitation ornament:

What You'll Need:

• Empty glass ball ornament (available at most craft stores)
• Extra wedding invitation or a copy of it
• Ribbon
• Optional: glitter or other decorative touches

Instructions:

• Start by cutting the invitation into thin strips, trying to cut along the lines of text to preserve important words and names.
• Grab a strip of paper and wrap it tightly around a pencil or similar object. Let go, and the paper will form a coil. Gently "fluff" the coil to expand it a bit.
• Open the top of your glass ornament and place the coil inside. Repeat this process until the ornament is full, adding in the strips with important details near the end so that you can position them to be visible from the outside.
• Once the ornament is full, put the top back on and thread a ribbon through the hole at the top, tying a knot to create a hanger for your ornament.
• You can add extra glitter or other decorative touches to further personalise your ornament.

This ornament will make a fun, personalised keepsake for yourself or a great gift for a couple to hang on their first Christmas tree. You can also send a photo or copy of the invitation to shops like CopperArtDesigns, which will create an ornament by adhering the invitation design to copper and leather.

Send as a postcard

If you have extra wedding invitations, you can send them as postcards to your loved ones, especially those who live far away. This is a great way to share your invite with them and let them know you were thinking of them on your special day. All you need to do is write a note on the back of the card and pop it in the mail. It's easy and can save you some money.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when sending wedding invitations as postcards. Firstly, privacy might be a concern as anyone handling the postcard during transit will be able to see the information on it. Secondly, there is a greater risk of postcards being damaged or lost in the mail compared to invitations sent in envelopes. To reduce the risk of damage, you can request hand-canceling at your post office. This involves "canceling" or postmarking the postcard by hand instead of using sorting machines, which can tear or smudge your postcard.

Additionally, most wedding invitations are heavier than average letters, so you may need to use a 70-cent stamp. It's a good idea to take one of your invitations to the post office to have it weighed so you can be sure which stamps you need. Also, if you're including RSVPs, don't forget to buy a set of stamps for your guests to use for return postage.

Overall, sending extra wedding invitations as postcards is a simple and cost-effective way to share your joy with loved ones, but it's important to consider the potential drawbacks and take the necessary steps to ensure your postcards arrive safely.

Donate to a wedding charity

Donating your extra wedding invitations to charity is a great way to give back and support a cause that is important to you. Many charities accept donations of wedding invitations, which they can use to help raise money for their programs and services. This can be a meaningful way to contribute to a cause that is close to your heart and make a positive impact on the world as you start your married life.

When choosing a charity to donate to, consider selecting an organization that aligns with your values and has personal significance to you as a couple. For example, if you or a loved one has been affected by a particular disease or illness, you may want to choose a charity that supports research or provides services related to that condition. Alternatively, if you are passionate about social justice or animal welfare, you can look for charities that align with those interests.

You can also choose to donate your invitations to a cancer foundation or a children's hospital, as suggested by Wedding Hacked. These organizations often rely on donations to provide vital services to those in need, and your contribution can make a real difference.

In addition to national and international charities, you may also want to consider local organizations that are making a difference in your community. Websites like The Good Beginning allow you to research and choose from a variety of charities, making it easy to find one that aligns with your values and interests.

Donating your extra wedding invitations is a thoughtful way to give back and support those in need. It is a simple yet impactful way to extend the joy and love of your wedding day to those who need it most.

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