Creative Uses For Extra Wedding Invites: Crafting And Keepsakes

It's common for couples to order too many wedding invitations, and it can be hard to know what to do with the extras after the big day. If you're in this situation, there are plenty of creative ways to make use of them. From framing your invitation as a display in your home to creating a scrapbook or photo album, you can preserve your wedding memories. You could also get crafty and turn your invitations into works of art, such as canvas paintings, calligraphy, or even a jigsaw puzzle.

Frame it

Framing your wedding invitations is a great way to preserve and display them in your home. It's a simple project that allows you to cherish your special day for years to come. Here are some detailed steps and ideas to frame your extra wedding invitations:

• Choose a Frame: Select a frame that complements the size and style of your wedding invitation. You can opt for a simple frame that fits your invite, or get creative by choosing a double invitation frame or a frame with a decorative border. Consider the overall aesthetic of the room where you plan to display the framed invitation.
• Add Personal Touches: Enhance the visual appeal of your framed invitation by including other mementos from your wedding day. You could add your wedding program, photos, or even a pressed petal from your bridal bouquet. These additions will make your framed piece more meaningful and create a beautiful keepsake.
• Do-It-Yourself or Professional Framing: Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose to frame the invitation yourself or seek the services of a professional framer. If you opt for DIY, ensure you have the necessary materials, such as a suitable frame, backing board, and any desired embellishments. Professional framing can be a good option for those who want a more polished and preserved look.
• Display and Placement: Once your invitation is beautifully framed, it's time to find the perfect spot to display it. Consider hanging it in a place where you can enjoy seeing it every day, such as in your bedroom, living room, or even creating a gallery wall of wedding memories. The placement of the framed invitation will depend on your personal style and the overall decor of your home.
• Combination with Other Memorabilia: If you have multiple wedding invitations or other memorabilia, you can create a collage or gallery wall. Combine your framed invitation with other framed photos or mementos from your wedding day. This can include your wedding certificate, table numbers, menu cards, or any other special items that tell the story of your celebration.
• Incorporate with Home Decor: Think about incorporating the framed invitation into your home decor. Choose a frame that complements your existing style, whether it's modern, rustic, or traditional. You can also consider matching the colour scheme of the room where you plan to display the invitation to create a cohesive and stylish look.

Send to celebrities

Sending your wedding invitations to celebrities is a fun way to get some special keepsakes for your wedding scrapbook. While it is unlikely that any will actually attend, many celebrities will send a personalised response, often including autographs, photos, or congratulatory notes.

To send invitations to celebrities, you can use the addresses they have listed for fan mail. Websites such as FanMail.biz list the fan mail addresses of many celebrities. You can also find the addresses of some popular celebrities below:

The President of the United States of America:

The Honourable [President] & Mrs. [First Lady]

The White House Greetings Office, Room 39

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20502

The King of England:

The Secretary to His Majesty King Charles III

Buckingham Palace

London, England SW1A 1AA

Kate Middleton & Prince William:

The Prince and Princess of Wales

Clarence House

London, England SW1A 1BA

Mickey and Minnie Mouse:

The Walt Disney Company

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, CA 91521

Cinderella & Prince Charming:

Cinderella & Prince Charming

PO Box 10000

Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Celebrities who have been known to send responses to wedding invitations include Peyton Manning, Jimmy Kimmel, Zach Galifianakis, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, Peter Dinklage, Peter Capaldi, David Ortiz, and many more.

Create a scrapbook

Creating a scrapbook is a great way to preserve your wedding memories. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose a Style and Colour Scheme

Decide on a style that reflects your taste and personality. If you're unsure, look online for inspiration or browse through wedding scrapbooks created by others. Justine, the recipient of the scrapbook mentioned in this post, had a classy and elegant style, so the scrapbook designer chose a simple and elegant design with a yellow and grey colour scheme to match the wedding colours.

Gather Memorabilia and Photos

Collect all the items you want to include in your scrapbook, such as invitations, programs, place cards, menus, and photos. You can print photos in different sizes to add variety to your scrapbook. Ask family and friends to share their photos from the wedding as well.

Select a Scrapbook and Supplies

Purchase a scrapbook and the necessary supplies, such as paper, cardstock, adhesives, punches, and edgers. You can find these items at craft stores or online. Consider using acid-free and photo-safe products to ensure the longevity of your scrapbook.

Plan Your Layout

Before you start cutting and pasting, plan the layout of your scrapbook. Group photos and memorabilia by theme or event, such as pre-ceremony, ceremony, and reception. Decide how many pages you want to dedicate to each section and how many photos you want to include on each page.

Get Creative

Now it's time to dive in and start crafting! Adhere to your photos and memorabilia, and embellish the pages with ribbons, flowers, bows, and other decorative elements. You can also add quotes, poems, or passages from your favourite books to elevate the design.

Creating a wedding scrapbook can be a fun and rewarding project. Take your time, enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Turn it into a keepsake Christmas ornament

If you have extra wedding invitations on hand, why not turn them into keepsake Christmas ornaments? This is a fun and creative way to preserve memories of your special day and showcase them during the holiday season. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Choosing the Right Materials:

Start by selecting the perfect materials for your DIY wedding invitation ornament. Consider the durability and sustainability of the supplies. Opt for hardy materials like metal or wood if you want your ornament to last for many years. If you're concerned about sustainability, choose recycled or biodegradable materials like paper or cork, which offer a unique look while minimising environmental impact. Visit local craft stores or explore online marketplaces to find clear glass ornaments, ribbons, and glitter to enhance your design.

Invitation Selection and Design:

When choosing the invitation for your ornament, select a design that reflects your personality and wedding theme. Consider the colour scheme, typography, and overall aesthetics of your invitation. If you want to add a personal touch, sketch out your ideas on paper before starting the crafting process. Incorporate the couple's names, wedding date, or a special quote to make it more meaningful.

Assembling the Ornament:

Now it's time to assemble your DIY wedding invitation ornament. Start by carefully cutting the invitation into thin strips, ensuring that the text remains readable. Curl each strip around a pencil to create elegant spirals. Next, get a clear and durable ornament that will protect your invitation from damage. Open the ornament and carefully insert the curled invitation strips, arranging them to be visible from the outside. Secure the top back on, and consider adding a ribbon for a chic finishing touch.

Customisation and Personalisation:

Customise and personalise your ornament to reflect your style and the theme of your wedding. Choose colours, fonts, and embellishments that complement your wedding decor and showcase your personality. You can also add extra special touches, such as a photograph, a favourite quote, or a small charm that holds significance for you as a couple.

Incorporating Ornaments Into Your Wedding Theme:

Your wedding invitation ornaments can beautifully accentuate your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a beach-themed wedding, consider incorporating seashell or starfish ornaments, which not only match the theme but also symbolise resilience and guidance. For autumnal weddings, leaf or pumpkin ornaments signify change and abundance, while snowflake ornaments for winter weddings represent individuality and transformation.

Preservation and Storage:

Once you've created your DIY wedding invitation ornaments, it's essential to know how to preserve and store them properly. Consider using climate-controlled storage to maintain the perfect temperature and prevent damage from humidity. Categorise your ornaments based on materials used, the occasion, or the people who gifted them to you. For long-term preservation, opt for high-quality, acid-free paper and archival ink to resist fading. Store your ornaments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and consider using airtight containers with silica gel packets to control humidity.

By following these steps, you'll create beautiful and meaningful keepsake Christmas ornaments from your extra wedding invitations, adding a personal touch to your holiday decorations and cherishing the memories of your wedding day for years to come.

Give to parents and grandparents as keepsakes

If you have extra wedding invitations on hand, consider giving them to your parents and grandparents as keepsakes. This is a thoughtful way to include them in your special day and create a lasting memory.

For example, you could frame one of the invitations and give it to your parents or grandparents as a gift. This way, they can display it in their home and always remember your wedding day. You could even get creative and frame the invitation with other mementos from your wedding, such as your wedding program or a few photos.

Alternatively, you could create a scrapbook or photo album with your extra invitations and give it to your parents and grandparents. This way, they can have a physical keepsake that they can look through whenever they want to reminisce about your wedding. You could even add personal touches, such as a special message or a photo of you with them on your wedding day.

Another idea is to turn your extra invitations into ornaments or other decorative items that your parents and grandparents can display in their homes. For example, you could cut up the invitations and use them to decorate a candle or a wine bottle. Or, if you're feeling crafty, you could turn the invitation into a piece of calligraphy or a canvas painting that they can hang on their wall.

Whatever you decide to do, giving extra wedding invitations to your parents and grandparents is a wonderful way to include them in your celebration and create lasting memories for them to cherish.

Frequently asked questions