Designing Your Wedding Invitation: Choosing The Perfect Style

Wedding invitations are an important part of the big day, as they give guests a preview of the wedding's aesthetic and set the tone for the celebration. There are many different ways to design a wedding invitation, from classic cardstock with elegant fonts to more creative approaches like acrylic or vellum backgrounds, fun shapes, and colourful illustrations. Couples can also include personal touches such as photos, custom crests, or references to the wedding venue or theme. Ultimately, the design of the invitation should reflect the personality and style of the couple and can even be used to hint at the wedding's destination or overall aesthetic.

Rustic and vintage designs

Rustic Designs

For a rustic theme, simplicity is key. Opt for recycled brown paper, which is not only in keeping with the rustic aesthetic but also environmentally friendly. You can also choose a floral design, which is a popular choice for rustic weddings. Consider using a floral wreath or a simple sprig of greenery as a decorative element.

If you want to incorporate colour, shades of green, yellow, and brown are ideal for a rustic feel. You can also add a pop of colour with a ribbon or twine tied around the invitation. For a more whimsical touch, a watercolour design in soft shades of pink, blue, or purple can be a beautiful choice.

When it comes to fonts, scripts are a traditional option, but you can also experiment with modern typefaces to add a unique twist. Don't forget to include important information such as the names of the couple, date, time, and location, as well as RSVP details.

Vintage Designs

Vintage wedding invitations often feature elegant and classic designs with a timeless look. You can choose a simple colour palette of cream, beige, and brown, or add a touch of luxury with a navy blue and gold combination. Floral designs, such as roses or peachy blooms, are also a lovely choice for a vintage theme.

To add a touch of glamour, consider using foil details, such as gold foil printing or a foil-stamped logo. You can also incorporate lace or ribbon details for a sophisticated finish. Vintage-inspired fonts, such as art deco or calligraphy styles, will complete the look.

Whether you choose a rustic or vintage design, don't forget that your invitation is a reflection of your personality and a keepsake for your guests. So, take the time to create something special that showcases your unique style.

Botanical and floral themes

Colour Palettes: When it comes to colour, you can opt for soft, romantic pastels or vibrant, bold hues, depending on your preference. Think about using colours that complement your chosen flowers or botanicals. For example, a delicate peach and cream palette with a hint of green for a subtle, elegant look, or a rich, vibrant palette of purple, pink and orange for a more dramatic effect.

Floral and Botanical Elements: There are endless options for incorporating floral and botanical motifs into your invitation design. You might choose to feature intricate, hand-drawn illustrations of your favourite flowers, whether that's elegant roses, whimsical wildflowers, or tropical leaves and greenery. Consider including other natural elements such as berries, branches, or herbs to add interest and variety.

Composition and Layout: Play around with different compositions and layouts to find the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement. You could opt for a classic, symmetrical design with a floral border or frame, or try an asymmetrical layout with floral elements cascading across the page. Experiment with different sizes and combinations of elements to create a sense of balance and harmony.

Paper and Printing Techniques: The type of paper and printing technique you choose can also enhance your botanical or floral theme. Consider using textured paper that mimics the feel of natural materials, such as cotton or linen. Embossing or letterpress printing can add a luxurious, three-dimensional effect to your floral designs, while foil stamping in gold or silver can create a sophisticated and elegant finish.

Coordinating Stationery: Carry your botanical or floral theme throughout your wedding stationery for a cohesive look. This could include RSVP cards, envelopes, thank-you cards, and even your wedding website. Using the same visual styling, colour palette, and typography across all your wedding materials will create a polished and professional impression.

With these ideas in mind, you can create a stunning botanical or floral-themed wedding invitation that is sure to impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Modern and minimalist styles

Minimalist wedding invitations are perfect for modern weddings. They emphasise simple text and language, modern typography, and the use of negative space. Here are some ideas for modern and minimalist wedding invitation designs:

Botanical Illustrations

Instead of intricate, hand-painted florals, opt for a simple black-and-white line drawing of a sprig of greenery. This adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the invitation.

Play with Sheer Paper

Use vellum paper for a modern and minimalist invitation. Vellum is a translucent paper with a waxy, smooth finish, giving your invitation a contemporary and dream-like quality. Pair it with minimal typography and a neutral colour palette for a chic look.

Focus on Typography

Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and layouts to create a modern and minimalist invitation. Try combining Roman and italicised type to emphasise important details and use staggered blocks of text to keep the design balanced.

Colour Blocking

Use colour blocking to add a modern twist to your minimalist invitations. Choose a multicoloured suite, with each card in a different hue. For example, you could have teal, grey, and cream cards for the different elements of the invitation suite.

Add a Personal Touch

Include a custom illustration or caricature of the couple to give your invitations a modern and personal touch. This could be a line drawing or a fun, graphic design.

Keep it Simple

Sometimes, less is more. A simple invitation with clean lines, sparse blocks of text, and modern typography can make a statement. Consider spelling out the wedding date instead of using numerals to add emphasis and make the date stand out.

Colour-blocking and playful fonts

Colour-Blocking Ideas:

• Choose two or three colours that complement each other and feature them prominently on your invitations. You can use colour blocking to highlight certain elements, such as the border, the background, or even just the font itself.
• If you're feeling creative, try using colours that represent your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, you could use bright, sunny colours like yellow and orange. Or, if you're going for a more elegant theme, try using shades of the same colour, like navy and light blue.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different colours and see what works best together. You can also use online tools or speak to a professional designer for help with colour combinations.

Playful Font Ideas:

• When it comes to fonts, there are thousands of options available, from scripted fonts to modern, clean lines. Choose a font that reflects your personality as a couple. If you want something playful, consider fonts with a bit of a twist, like a slight angle or italicised lettering.
• You can also use accent fonts to highlight important information, such as your names or the wedding date. Fun and playful calligraphy styles or bold, whimsical fonts can really make your invitations stand out.
• Remember to consider legibility when choosing your font. Some fonts may look great but can be difficult to read, especially if they're highly scripted or very thin.
• You can also use font pairing to create a unique and interesting design. Try pairing a playful font with a more simple, clean font to ensure your invitation is both fun and easy to read.

Other Design Elements:

• In addition to colour and font, you can incorporate other design elements, such as illustrations, photos, or florals. These can be used as borders, backgrounds, or even as the main feature of your invitation.
• Don't forget to include all the essential information on your invitations, such as the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and RSVP details.
• Finally, consider using colour-blocking and playful fonts across other wedding stationery, like thank you cards, place cards, and your wedding website, to create a cohesive look.

Creative materials and textures

The materials and textures you choose for your wedding invitations can add a unique and creative touch to your special day. Here are some ideas to consider:

Acrylic and Vellum: Using acrylic or vellum as the background for your invitations is a modern and elegant choice. Acrylic invitations, like those offered by Made Divine, provide a sleek and semi-transparent look, while vellum has a waxy and smooth finish that is perfect for a modern or minimalist design.

Leather: For a chic and unexpected twist, incorporate leather into your invitation design, especially if you're having a Western-themed wedding. It can nod to your locale, like a ranch in Wyoming, and provide a unique texture and feel.

Hand-painted or Illustrated Designs: Add a personal touch with hand-painted or illustrated designs. This can include floral prints, sketches of your venue, or creative depictions of your wedding theme. For instance, one couple included a repeating lemon motif on their invitations for their summer wedding in Greece, reflecting the idyllic island feel.

Unique Shapes and Formats: Instead of a traditional rectangular card, try something more abstract like oval or arch-shaped invitations. You can also play with the format by using random letter alignment or adding squiggly lines to create a fun and abstract look.

Textures and Embossing: Incorporate texture into your invitations by using materials like jute or adding embossed foil details. This can include gold, silver, or glitter foil accents to add a luxurious touch. You can also consider engraving your invitations with handwritten-inspired text for a creative and intimate spin.

Ribbons and Bows: Finish off your invitations with delicate ribbons or bows for a romantic touch. Soft colours like pink and light neutrals, along with floral elements, will enhance the dainty and whimsical feel of your invitations.

Remember, your wedding invitations are a reflection of your personality and style as a couple, so feel free to get creative and choose materials and textures that speak to you!

Frequently asked questions