Creating Wedding Invitations: Diy Or Delegate?

Wedding invitations are an essential part of any couple's planning checklist. They contain all the information invitees need to know about the big day, from the time and place of the event to the dress code. While many couples work with a stationery design studio to customise their invites, others opt to make their own. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of creating your own wedding invitations, offering a step-by-step guide to those who decide to take on this task. We will also provide tips and ideas to help you create invitations that are reflective of your unique love story.

DIY vs. outsourcing: the pros and cons

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to make your own wedding invitations or outsource them to a professional. Here are some pros and cons of each option:

DIY Wedding Invitations

Pros:

• Affordability: Creating your own wedding invitations can be a cost-effective option, especially if you're on a tight budget. By designing and printing the invitations yourself, you can save a significant amount of money compared to hiring a professional stationery designer.
• Personalization: DIY wedding invitations allow you to create unique and personalized invites that reflect your specific wedding style and love story. You can incorporate meaningful symbols, quotes, or design elements that represent your relationship.
• Time: With DIY wedding invitations, you have the flexibility to work at your own pace. You can choose a template, customize it, and print it in a short amount of time, avoiding the potentially longer lead times associated with professional designers.

Cons:

• Time consumption: Designing and creating your own wedding invitations can be a time-consuming process, especially if you're not familiar with the software or have a complex design in mind. It's important to set aside enough time for designing, proofreading, and assembling the invitations.
• Skill set: While there are user-friendly tools and templates available, creating wedding invitations from scratch requires some level of design and technical skill. It's important to be realistic about your abilities and consider the level of intricacy you can achieve.
• Cost of materials: The cost of materials, tools, and supplies for DIY wedding invitations can add up quickly. It's essential to source and price the items beforehand to determine if it's a more cost-effective option for you.

Outsourcing to a Professional

Pros:

• Professionalism and finesse: Wedding stationery suppliers are experts in their field, and they can create invitations with a level of finesse and sophistication that may be challenging to achieve on your own.
• Time savings: Outsourcing your wedding invitations can free up your time, allowing you to focus on other wedding planning tasks or simply relax and enjoy the lead-up to your big day.
• Access to high-quality materials: Professionals have access to a wide range of high-quality materials, papers, and finishes that may not be readily available to individuals. This can enhance the overall look and feel of your invitations.

Cons:

• Cost: Hiring a professional stationery designer can be expensive, especially if you desire elaborate invitations or have a large number of guests.
• Lead time: Depending on the complexity of your design and the designer's workload, it may take several weeks to receive your final invitations. It's important to consider this timeline when planning your wedding and sending out invitations.
• Limited personalization: While professionals can create beautiful designs, they may use pre-existing templates or mass-produce invitations, limiting the level of personalization and customization.

Choosing a design

Know your options

Before deciding on a design, it's important to understand the different types of DIY wedding invitations. You can choose from editable digital templates, printable templates, or create your invitations from scratch. Editable templates offer a simple way to personalise your invitations, while printable templates allow you to add DIY touches like wedding stamps or handwritten signatures. Creating invitations from scratch gives you the most flexibility but requires more time and effort.

Set your budget

When choosing a design, consider your budget. DIY wedding invitations can vary in cost depending on the materials and printing methods you choose. Some options, like using gold foil details or textured paper, may be more expensive, so plan accordingly.

Consider your theme and colour scheme

Think about the theme and colour scheme of your wedding when selecting a design. Are you going for a rustic, elegant, or playful look? Choose a design that complements your wedding aesthetic. Consider using your wedding colours in the invitations or adding personal touches like dried flowers or watercolour backgrounds.

Keep it romantic

Remember that your wedding invitations set the tone for your special day. Opt for romantic fonts, such as cursive or calligraphy, to create a soft and elegant feel. Avoid bold and blocky fonts, as they may appear too harsh. You can also incorporate romantic imagery, such as a photo of the happy couple or illustrations that reflect your love story.

Be creative

Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Your wedding invitations should reflect your unique relationship. Consider incorporating personal jokes, switching up the format, or adding illustrations that represent your journey as a couple. Injecting personality into your design will make your invitations memorable.

Keep it simple

While you want your invitations to stand out, it's important not to overload them with too much information or design elements. Leave some white space and use a simple colour scheme to create an elegant and refined look. You can also use delicate iconography to break up the layout and make it more visually appealing.

Proofread and plan

Before finalising your design, take the time to proofread the text and double-check all the details. Enlist the help of others to ensure there are no mistakes. Additionally, consider how you will deliver the invitations and whether they will hold up during transit. Plan ahead to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Printing options

There are several options for printing your own wedding invitations. You can print them at home, send them to a larger printer, or use a professional printing service. If you want to print your invitations at home, you will need a compatible printer that 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 at home, you can send your file to a larger printer at a store like Costco or Office Depot. Another option is to use a professional printing service, which can provide precise colour-matching and cutting.

When printing your invitations, it's important to consider the paper type and weight. Uncoated cardstock is the most popular choice for wedding invitations as it has a high-quality, luxurious look and feel. For a more textured look, you can choose paper with a cotton, linen, or felt finish. It's also important to ensure that your printer can handle the type of paper you select.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can purchase pre-made templates from online companies like Minted, Shutterfly, or Zazzle. These companies offer stunning templates at affordable prices, and you can easily customise them with your own text, images, and graphics. Etsy is another great option, with many designers offering customisable templates.

Another option is to design your invitations from scratch using a platform like Canva. Canva offers a wide range of design tools and templates, including free and premium options. You can upload your own images, customise colour schemes, and use shapes and lines to create a unique invitation. Once you're happy with your design, you can print your invitations yourself or use a professional printing service.

When printing your invitations, it's important to consider the cost of ink. Printing on the "photograph" or "high" setting will use more ink and can be expensive. To save money, you can try buying ink in bulk from stores like Sam's Club, Costco, or Amazon.

Budgeting for DIY invites

If you're looking to save some money on your wedding invites, you might want to consider the DIY route. Here are some tips on how to budget for your DIY wedding invitations:

• Design: You can design the invitations yourself using software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. Alternatively, you can purchase a template from sites like Etsy, Creative Market, or Canva for around $10-$20. When choosing a design, opt for simpler designs with fewer colours to save on printing costs.
• Inserts: You can create coordinating insert cards using a Word document or Canva. Include details such as directions, reception information, and your wedding website. This is a more cost-effective option than including multiple insert cards.
• Cardstock: Pick up cardstock invitation kits from craft stores, which typically include pre-cut cards and envelopes. These kits usually cost around $20 and can be a more affordable option than purchasing cardstock separately.
• Ink: Buy ink in bulk from stores like Sam's Club, Costco, or Amazon. This will ensure you have enough ink for printing your invitations and can save you money in the long run.
• Plan ahead: It's a good idea to buy a little extra to account for any mistakes or last-minute changes. Consider purchasing a larger pack of invitations or an extra set of ink to have as a backup.
• Envelopes: Don't forget to budget for envelopes! You can find envelopes in various styles and colours to match your invitations. You can also decorate your envelopes with liners or stamps.
• Printing and cutting: If you're not comfortable printing and cutting the invitations yourself, consider outsourcing this task to a professional print shop. This will cost more but can save you time and frustration.
• Embellishments: Add some extra flair to your invitations with ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners. These details can make your invitations stand out, but they will add to the overall cost.
• Postage: Visit your local post office to determine the correct postage for your invitations based on their weight and size. Square envelopes tend to cost more to mail, so keep that in mind when choosing your envelope shape.

Remember to keep track of your spending and give yourself a buffer in your budget for any unexpected costs. Creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and creative way to save money, but it's important to plan and budget accordingly.

Time management

Making your own wedding invitations can be a fun and cost-effective alternative to purchasing them from a professional. However, it can be a time-consuming process, so it's important to manage your time effectively. Here are some tips for time management when creating your own wedding invitations:

Planning

Before you begin designing and crafting your invitations, take some time to plan out the entire process. This includes deciding on the type of DIY invitation you want to create (editable template, printable template, or from scratch), the design and theme, the materials needed, and the timeline for completion. Give yourself a realistic deadline and work backwards from there, allowing ample time for each step.

Gathering Materials

Depending on the complexity of your design, you may need to source materials from various places. Online platforms like Etsy, Canva, and Adobe offer editable and printable templates, as well as design tools and inspiration. Craft stores like Hobbycraft, The Works, and Baker Ross are great options for physical materials like cardstock, envelopes, ink, and embellishments.

Design and Customization

If you're creating your own design from scratch, give yourself enough time to experiment and make changes. Consider using user-friendly design platforms like Canva, which offers free templates, design tools, and a library of images, graphics, and fonts. Practice with different layouts, colour schemes, and fonts until you find the perfect combination that reflects your wedding theme and personality.

Printing and Assembly

Printing your invitations yourself can save costs, but it may require some trial and error. Allow for extra time to test different papers and inks and make adjustments to your design as needed. After printing, you'll need to assemble all the components, which may include inserts, envelopes, wax seals, ribbons, or other embellishments.

Proofreading and Final Checks

Before finalizing your design and printing the entire batch, be sure to proofread the text for any errors or typos. Enlist the help of others to review the wording and design. Check that all the necessary information is included, such as the date, time, location, RSVP details, and any additional instructions for guests.

Postage and Delivery

Finally, don't forget to factor in time for postage and delivery. Visit your local post office to determine the correct postage, taking into account the weight and size of your invitations. Allow for enough time for your invitations to reach your guests, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or have international guests.

Creating your own wedding invitations can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and time management. By breaking down the process into manageable steps and allowing ample time for each, you can ensure a stress-free experience and create beautiful invitations that reflect your unique style.

Frequently asked questions