Guide To Utilizing Wedding Invitation Kits For Your Big Day

Wedding invitation kits are a great way to create beautiful, professional-looking invites without any crafting experience. They include all the necessary pieces for easy assembly, and some even offer printing services. These kits are typically customisable, allowing you to choose from a variety of designs, colours, and card types, such as recycled card. They also often include response cards, information cards, and envelopes with liners and seals. Some kits even provide accommodation cards, menu cards, and thank-you cards. With a wedding invitation kit, you can make a lasting impression on your guests while simplifying the RSVP process.

Choosing a design

Consider the Venue and Theme

Think about the unique features and location of your wedding venue, and let that guide your design choices. For example, if you're having a romantic outdoor wedding, you might want to incorporate twinkling lights and relaxed, romantic décor into your invitation design. Or, if you're going for a chic ballroom wedding, a black-tie elegant design might be more suitable.

Choose the Right Shape and Dimensions

Traditionally, wedding invitations are rectangular, with dimensions of 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. This classic shape and size can give your invitations a timeless and elegant feel. However, don't be afraid to break tradition if that's not your style! Horizontal rectangles and scalloped designs have also gained popularity in recent years.

Pick Romantic Fonts

The choice of font can significantly impact the overall personality of your design. Avoid bold, blocky fonts, as they can appear too harsh. Instead, opt for cursive or calligraphy fonts, which are soft, romantic, and elegant. These fonts pair well with a serif font for the rest of the text.

Incorporate Meaningful Imagery

Using a photo of the happy couple is a wonderful way to add a personal touch and showcase your love to your friends and family. It can also make your invitations feel more intimate and serve as a cherished keepsake for your loved ones.

Think Outside the Box

Your wedding invitations should reflect your unique relationship. Don't be afraid to switch up the format, themes, and even incorporate personal jokes or stories into your design! For example, you could use a clever 'timeline' format that maps out the course of your relationship or include illustrations that represent your wedding destination.

Choose a Colour Scheme

Your colour scheme will have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your invitations. Consider your wedding colours or choose a colour combination that complements your venue or theme. For example, green is a popular choice for outdoor weddings, as it represents new beginnings and can be paired with luxe colours like rust or gold.

Inject Personality

Your wedding invitations should reflect who you are as a couple. Incorporate your shared hobbies, interests, or the story of how you met. For instance, if you share a love for science, you could use a design with flask illustrations, or if you're all about the 80s, a retro risograph design might be perfect.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose a design that feels authentic to you and your partner. By following these tips and adding your personal touch, you'll be well on your way to creating wedding invitations that will delight and dazzle your guests.

Printing

Choosing the Right Printer and Paper:

• Select a printer that can handle the weight and size of your paper. Most standard printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds.
• Consider using a regular printer for smaller quantities, or send your file to a larger printer at a store like Costco or Office Depot if you have a large number of invitations to print.
• Choose the right type of paper for your invitations. Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice, as it has a high-quality, luxurious look and feel. For a more textured appearance, opt for paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish.
• Order 20-25% more paper than you need to allow for mistakes and practice.

Designing Your Invitations:

• Decide on the layout of your text and whether you want to include artwork or decorative icons. Consider the formality and tradition of your event to guide your design choices.
• Experiment with different fonts, font combinations, and treatments (such as italics, uppercase, or lowercase) to find a style that suits your taste. Remember that the font can dramatically change the look of your invitation.
• Play around with font sizes to highlight different parts of the text, such as the bride and groom's names, which are typically in a larger font.
• Select an ink colour that complements your overall colour scheme, including any decorative elements such as paper or ribbon you plan to use.
• Choose an alignment for your text. While centre alignment is traditional, many modern invitations use a right or left-justified layout, or even a combination of alignments.
• Pay attention to line spacing, ensuring that the lines are not too close or too far apart, and finding a balance that is pleasing to the eye and works within your invitation space.
• Create a template for your invitation card size and start typing out your invitation text. Play around with different elements until you find a design that you feel connected to.
• If you're not confident in your design skills, consider purchasing a template online from sites like Etsy, Creative Market, or stock photography websites. Look for templates with just 2-3 colours to save on ink costs.
• Before printing, proofread your invitation design and have someone else read it over to check for any errors or spelling mistakes.
• Save your final design as a PDF, as this will print with higher quality than a JPEG. Use a template resolution quality of at least 300 DPI for a crisp result.
• When printing, use your printer's highest-quality settings, even if it uses more ink. This will make a noticeable difference in the final product.
• If your design has a full-colour background or you're unsure about your printer's capabilities, consider using a professional printing service or an office supply store with digital printing services.
• After printing, use a paper cutter or craft knife to cut your invitations down to the standard size of 5" x 7".
• Assemble your invitations by placing any inserts inside the corresponding envelopes, sealing them, and adding any desired adornments such as ribbons or wax seals.
• Most printers allow you to print directly on envelopes. Check your printer's manual to ensure you know how to load envelopes into the input tray and which side should be facing up.
• Use Microsoft Word or a free envelope printing program to design and print addresses on your envelopes. You can also use a third-party app on your Android phone to print envelopes.
• Avoid printing on envelopes with windows, clasps, shiny surfaces, or coated interiors to prevent jams and damage to your printer.
• If using a LaserJet printer, use envelopes without self-stick adhesives or other heat-sensitive materials.
• Maintain constant relative humidity and temperature levels to prevent wrinkling. Store unused envelopes in their packaging to protect them from moisture and dryness, which can affect print quality.

Assembly

The assembly of wedding invitation kits can be a straightforward process with the right tools and a bit of creativity. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Design and Purchase a Kit

Decide on the overall design and theme for your wedding invitations. This could include specific colours, motifs, or styles that reflect your wedding's aesthetic. Many online retailers, such as Amazon, Etsy, and specialty stationery stores, offer a wide variety of DIY wedding invitation kits. These kits typically include all the necessary components for assembly, such as envelopes, response cards, and decorative elements.

Step 2: Customise Your Invitations

Customise your invitations by printing or handwriting the necessary information. This typically includes the wedding date, time, location, and any other relevant details your guests may need. If you prefer not to handwrite the details, many kits offer the option of custom printing, allowing you to submit your information and receive pre-printed invitations.

Step 3: Assemble the Components

Wedding invitation kits usually come with multiple components that need to be assembled. This may include the invitation card itself, response cards, envelopes, envelope liners, belly bands, and any other decorative elements such as wax seals or ribbons. Carefully read the instructions provided with your kit to ensure you assemble everything correctly.

Step 4: Finalise the Details

Before sealing your invitations, double-check that all the necessary components are included and correctly placed. Ensure that any response cards or accommodation cards are properly filled out or customised with the appropriate wording and details. It is also a good idea to weigh your assembled invitation to ensure you have the correct postage for mailing.

Step 5: Mail Your Invitations

With your invitations assembled and finalised, it's time to mail them to your guests. Be sure to allow enough time for your guests to receive and respond to the invitations, especially if they are travelling from far away.

By following these steps and referring to the instructions provided with your chosen wedding invitation kit, you can create beautiful and professional-looking invitations that will impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Adding decorations

There are many ways to decorate your wedding invitations to make them stand out. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Ribbons and twine

Adding a ribbon to your wedding invite is a gorgeous extra touch and a great way to keep all the other elements, such as travel information and RSVP cards, together. You could also add a little tag for an extra-special touch. If you're a fan of the rustic look, try using twine and a custom kraft paper tag instead.

Paper sashes

Paper sashes are a great way to add colour or pattern to an invitation. They can be wrapped around the invitation as a permanent embellishment or removable feature. You can make your own at home by cutting strips of paper in the desired width and length.

Enclosures

An enclosure is used to hold an invitation and any additional components such as response cards. They often feature pockets to hold extras and can be used to create a thin border and add heft to the invitation.

Wax seals

Add a touch of olde worlde luxe to your invitations with a wax seal. You can find these in specialist paper or craft stores, as well as on Etsy.

Envelope liners

Envelope liners are a great way to add a surprise decorative touch to your invitations. You can make your own using any paper, or follow one of the many DIY tutorials available online.

Embossing

Take your envelopes from plain to pretty with a personalised embosser. You can pick up custom monogram ones from Paper Source and Etsy.

Creative edging

Make fancy corners or edges on your invitations with a special punch or stamp cutter. They're available in a variety of sizes and designs from craft stores and online.

Gold edging

Add a touch of glam to your invitations or envelopes with a golden edge. It's easy to do yourself, and you can find tutorials online.

Sending

When sending out your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to give your guests enough notice, so make sure you send out your invitations around 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel or taking time off work.

Secondly, it is a good idea to number your RSVP cards and keep a record of who they were sent to. This will help you keep track of responses and ensure that everyone who is invited has responded. It will also help you to finalise your guest list, catering numbers, and seating arrangements.

Finally, don't forget to include a stamp on your RSVP cards to make it easy for your guests to return them. You may also want to consider including a self-addressed envelope to make the process even more convenient for your guests.

If you are sending out invitations internationally, it is important to allow for extra time, as international postage can take longer. You may also need to consider any language barriers and include translations or multilingual invitations.

Some couples choose to include a small gift or favour with their invitations, such as a bag of confetti or a personalised token. This is a nice way to add a special touch and get your guests excited about the upcoming celebration.

Remember to assemble your invitations neatly and securely, using any provided adhesives or fasteners. Check that you have included all the necessary components and that your envelopes are sealed correctly.

Lastly, take your invitations to the post office and choose the appropriate postage for their weight and size. You may want to consider adding extra postage for international invitations or using a tracked or signed-for service for peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions