Creating Wedding Invites: A Simple Diy Or Designer Task?

Creating your own wedding invitations is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. While it may seem daunting, there are plenty of online tools and templates to help you design your dream invite. From Adobe Express and Canva to VistaPrint and Papier, there are numerous websites that offer customisable templates, with options to filter by colour, layout and style. You can also design your invitations from scratch and add unique touches such as gold foil details, watercolour backgrounds, floral wax seals and vellum invitation jackets. However, it's important to be realistic about your skill set and give yourself enough time to create and proofread your invitations.

Choosing a design and customising your invitations

If you're a novice crafter, you can opt for an editable digital template from companies like Papier, Canva, or Adobe Express. These usually come with customisation options, allowing you to add photos, change colour schemes, and adjust layouts. You can also upload your own design to a blank template. This is a cost-effective option, and you can have the final product printed and delivered to your doorstep.

For those who want to get more hands-on, you can design your invitations from scratch on platforms like Canva or Adobe Illustrator. This gives you complete creative freedom but requires more time and skill. You can also purchase pre-made templates from online companies like Minted, Shutterfly, or Zazzle, and customise them with your details.

When choosing a design, consider your wedding theme, colour scheme, and any illustrations or decorative elements you want to include. Opt for a design with 2-3 colours to save on printing costs and choose a template with white space and a light colour background if you're printing at home.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even create your invitations by hand. Etsy, Hobbycraft, and The Range are great sources for materials. You can add gold foil details, watercolour backgrounds, or use textured paper to elevate your design.

Remember to proofread your invitations carefully and consider having someone else review them as well. You don't want any mistakes to slip through!

Selecting paper type and printing options

Selecting the right paper type and printing options for your wedding invitations is crucial to achieving the desired look and feel. Here are some tips to help you make the right choices:

Paper Type

• Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice for DIY wedding invitations. It offers a high-quality, luxurious look and a durable feel.
• For a more textured look and feel, consider paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. These options add a tactile element to your invitations and can enhance your wedding theme.
• If you want to incorporate your wedding colours, opt for coloured cardstock. Printing your design on a coloured background can reduce ink usage and costs.
• Pre-cut cards from craft stores are a cost-effective option, and you can also find invitation kits that include envelopes and RSVP cards.

Printing Options

• You can use online platforms like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Microsoft Word to design your invitations. These platforms offer customizable templates, design tools, and the ability to upload your own images, fonts, and colours.
• When choosing a printer, ensure it can handle the weight and size of your paper. Most standard printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds.
• If you don't have a printer, consider using a printing service such as Canva Print, or sending your file to a larger printer at stores like Costco or Office Depot.
• If you're printing at home, use a paper cutter or craft knife to achieve straight edges and uniform sizes for your invitations and any additional inserts.
• Remember to proofread your design and have someone else review it before printing. Saving your file as a PDF and setting a resolution of at least 300 DPI will ensure a crisp and high-quality print.
• When assembling your invitations, consider adding embellishments like ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners to elevate their appearance.

Budgeting for DIY wedding invitations

Creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and creative way to save money on your big day. However, it's important to keep in mind that the costs of DIY invitations can add up, especially if you want to include special touches or embellishments. Here are some tips to help you budget for your DIY wedding invitations:

Set a Realistic Budget:

Start by allocating a realistic amount for your wedding stationery, which typically accounts for 4%-6% of your total wedding budget. This should cover everything from "Save the Dates" to invitations, postage, and day-of pieces like programs, menus, and escort cards. Remember that the more invitations you need, the higher the cost will be. So, plan accordingly and order a few extras in case of last-minute guest list additions.

Choose Your Materials Wisely:

The materials you select will impact the overall cost and look of your invitations. Uncoated cardstock is a popular choice for DIY invitations as it offers a high-quality, luxurious look and feel. You can also opt for textured paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish for a more unique appearance. When choosing paper, consider the weight and size that your home printer can handle. Pre-cut cards from craft stores are usually cost-effective, and specialty stationery stores offer a wide range of paper options.

Consider Printing Costs:

Printing at home can save you money, but ensure your printer can handle the paper weight and size. Alternatively, you can use online printing services or local print shops, which may offer more precise colour-matching and cutting. If printing at home, use black ink only and coloured paper for a splash of colour without the added ink cost.

Embellishments and Extras:

Add-ons like ribbons, wax seals, envelope liners, and custom stamps can enhance your invitations but also increase the cost. Decide on a few key elements that are important to you and that fit within your budget. Remember that some extras, like envelope liners, can also be DIYed with pretty paper or fabric.

DIY Templates and Design Tools:

There are numerous online resources offering free or low-cost editable and printable wedding invitation templates. Etsy, Canva, and Shutterfly are popular options, with prices starting as low as $10 for a template. You can also create your own designs from scratch using design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign, or beginner-friendly tools like Canva and Microsoft Word.

Time Investment:

DIY wedding invitations can be time-consuming, so be sure to give yourself enough time to design, create, and assemble the invitations. Practising your design beforehand and setting a deadline will help ensure you stay on track. Additionally, don't underestimate the time needed to gather materials and supplies, which may involve visiting multiple stores or waiting for online orders to arrive.

In conclusion, DIY wedding invitations can be a budget-friendly option, but it's important to plan and research the costs involved. By setting a realistic budget, choosing your materials wisely, and allowing enough time for the project, you can create beautiful, personalised invitations that fit within your financial plan.

Using online tools and templates

These websites typically offer a wide range of customisable templates with various themes, colour palettes, fonts, and layouts to choose from. You can also upload your own photos, logos, or monograms to add a personal touch to your invitations. The drag-and-drop editors on these websites make it simple to design your invitations and allow you to customise every aspect, from the text to the layout.

Once you have finished designing your invitations, you can choose to download them as a high-resolution image or PDF file to print or share digitally. Some platforms also offer professional printing services, where you can order prints of your invitations and have them delivered to your doorstep.

In addition to invitation templates, these websites also provide helpful resources such as event management tools, RSVP tracking, and wedding planning guides. They also offer a range of free and premium options, allowing you to create elegant and professional-looking invitations without incurring high costs.

Overall, using online tools and templates is a convenient, flexible, and cost-effective way to design and create personalised wedding invitations that reflect your unique style and theme.

Adding personal touches

• Custom Designs: Use a platform like Canva to create custom designs for your invitations. You can add your own images, fonts, colours, and shapes to make them truly yours.
• Monograms: Add a monogram of your initials to your invitations, or even to your veil! This can be a beautiful way to personalize your invites and other wedding details.
• Photos: Include a photo of you and your partner on the invitation, or use photos of you both from childhood to adulthood as decor at the wedding. This is a sweet way to share your journey and can be incorporated into your invites as well.
• Handwritten Details: Nothing is more personal than something handwritten. Consider writing out your vows by hand and incorporating them into your invitation design, or even adding a handwritten note to your guests on the invitation itself.
• Wax Seals: Wax seals are a beautiful way to add a touch of elegance to your invitations. You can personalize them with your initials or even use dried flowers or botanical leaves to adorn the seals.
• Gold Foil Details: Gold foil is an inexpensive way to add a touch of luxury to your invitations. You can add gold foil to the borders or scatter it throughout the design.
• Watercolour Backgrounds: If you're artistic, paint watercolour backgrounds for your invitations. Each one will be unique, and you can use similar colours and placements to create a cohesive set.
• Textured Paper: Print or write your invitations on textured paper for an elevated, handmade feel. This adds a subtle touch of elegance to your invites.
• Ribbons or String: Something as simple as a hand-tied piece of string, ribbon, or twine can give your invitations a rustic, handmade finishing touch.
• Personalized Stamps: Create your own stamp with your monogram or a custom couple portrait to use on your invitations and other wedding stationery.
• Illustrations: Include illustrations of you and your partner doing your favourite things or just a portrait-style illustration of the two of you. This adds a fun and personal touch to your invites.
• Custom Crest: Design a custom crest with your initials and other symbolic elements to use on your invitations and other wedding details, like programs or signage.
• Envelope Inserts: Personalize your envelope inserts with generic templates that you can download and customize. This adds a special touch before your guests even open the invitation.
• Symbolic Touches: Decorate your invitations with meaningful symbols that represent your partnership. This could be an airplane or map design if you love to travel, or seashells and waves if your relationship began at the beach.
• Meaningful Words: Include a quote, Bible verse, song lyric, or poem that is special to you and your partner. Choose words that reflect your love story and incorporate them into your invitation design.

These ideas can help you add personal touches to your wedding invitations, making them truly unique and reflective of your relationship.

Frequently asked questions