Creative Ways To Upcycle Your Extra Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are an important part of your special day, but it can be tricky to order the right number and you may end up with extras. If you have leftover invitations, there are plenty of creative ways to put them to good use and keep them as mementos. You could frame your invitation or include it in a scrapbook or photo album. You could also send leftover invitations to celebrities in the hope of receiving a fun response for your wedding scrapbook.

Frame it

Framing your wedding invitations is a great way to display them in your home and keep them as a memento. You can choose a frame that complements the colours and style of your invitation. If you want to get creative, you could include other mementos from your wedding day, such as your wedding programme, photos, or dried flowers from your bouquet.

For a simple project, all you need is a frame that fits your invite. However, you can make it more personal by adding extra touches. For example, you could frame your invitation with your wedding day photos, creating a visual reminder of your special day. If you have a favourite photo, you could choose a larger frame with a double mount, so you can display both your invitation and your photo.

You could also add dried flowers from your bouquet or other memorabilia. Perhaps you have a special reading from your ceremony that you could include, or the order of service. Adding these extra touches will make your framed invitation a unique and meaningful piece of art.

If you have a lot of extra invitations, you could create a gallery wall with multiple frames. You could use different sized frames and include a variety of wedding day mementos to create a stylish and personal display.

Create a scrapbook or photo album

Creating a scrapbook or photo album is a wonderful way to preserve your wedding memories and extra wedding invitations can add a unique and personal touch to your project. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Design and Layout:

• Dedicate a page or a two-page spread to your wedding invitation. You can showcase the entire invitation suite or focus on specific elements such as the invitation card, RSVP card, or envelope.
• Include other wedding stationery: Consider including other paper goods from your wedding, such as the wedding program, menu cards, place cards, or table numbers. These items can add variety to your scrapbook and help tell the story of your special day.
• Create a visual narrative: Arrange the pages in a way that tells the story of your wedding, from the invitation, through the ceremony and reception, to any post-wedding celebrations or honeymoon memories.

Embellishments and Decorations:

• Use parts of the invitation to decorate the pages: Cut out elements from your extra invitations, such as monograms, floral designs, or borders, and use them as embellishments or backgrounds for your photos.
• Add photos: Include your favourite wedding photos, capturing moments like the ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, and candid shots with family and friends.
• Incorporate mementos: Along with photos and invitations, you can include other memorabilia such as dried flowers from your bouquet, a piece of your wedding dress fabric, or any special cards or notes you received.

Personalisation and Creativity:

• Journaling and captions: Add journaling or captions to your scrapbook pages to provide context and share stories about your wedding day. You can write about the planning process, special moments, or your thoughts and feelings.
• Customise with colours and themes: Choose a scrapbook or photo album that complements the colours and theme of your wedding. You can also incorporate colour schemes, patterns, or textures from your invitation design throughout your scrapbook.
• Get creative with techniques: Experiment with different techniques such as stamping, embossing, or calligraphy to add unique touches to your pages. You can even try making paper flowers from your extra invitations to create three-dimensional embellishments.

Creating a scrapbook or photo album with your extra wedding invitations is a fun and meaningful project. It allows you to relive your wedding day, showcase your invitations, and create a cherished keepsake that you can look back on for years to come.

Make a Christmas ornament

One creative way to use your extra wedding invites is to make Christmas ornaments out of them. This can be a wonderful first Christmas project as a married couple. You can use clear glass or plastic ornaments and carefully cut your wedding invites into thin strips to place inside. You can also add other memorabilia that holds meaning for you, such as dried flowers from your bouquet. Each year when you decorate your tree, you will be reminded of your wedding day.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need:

• Extra wedding invites
• Clear glass or plastic ornaments
• Scissors
• Other optional decorative elements such as dried flowers, glitter, or ribbon

Step 2: Cut the Invites into Strips

Carefully cut your wedding invites into thin strips. You can also cut out any specific designs or patterns from the invites that you want to include.

Step 3: Prepare Your Decorative Elements (Optional)

If you want to include other decorative elements, prepare them now. For example, if you want to add dried flowers, make sure they are ready to be placed inside the ornament. You can also add glitter or other craft materials to make your ornament more festive.

Step 4: Place the Strips and Decorative Elements inside the Ornament

Take your clear glass or plastic ornament and place the strips of paper and any other decorative elements inside. You can arrange them in a way that looks pleasing to you. Play around with the composition until you are happy with how it looks.

Step 5: Secure the Top of the Ornament

Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, secure the top of the ornament by replacing the lid or using hot glue to close it, depending on the type of ornament you have chosen.

Step 6: Add a Hanger (Optional)

If you want to be able to hang your ornament on your Christmas tree, you can add a hanger. Use a ribbon or string to create a loop and secure it to the top of the ornament.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Handmade Ornament!

Congratulations! You have now created a unique and personalized Christmas ornament using your extra wedding invites. Enjoy this special decoration during the holiday season and cherish the memories it evokes.

Send to celebrities

If you have extra wedding invites, you can send them to celebrities as a fun way to get a response or a keepsake for your wedding scrapbook. It's become a trend for couples to send invites to celebrities, and you may be surprised to receive a personal response or a note of congratulations. While it's unlikely that your favourite celebrity will attend your wedding, you could be one of the lucky few who get a response.

When sending an invite to a celebrity, it's best to send it early and include the date and location of your wedding, why you feel a connection to them, and a brief message explaining why you would like them to be there. You can address the envelope formally or use a more familiar tone.

If you're a US citizen, you could send an invite to the President, as it's common to receive a nice card with a stamped signature from the White House. You could also send an invite to Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who are known for sending a postcard and a "Just Married" pin from a Disney theme park. If you're a UK citizen, you could send an invite to the King and Queen and receive a response.

Some celebrities with a good track record of responding to fan mail include Ewan McGregor, John Travolta, Jennifer Lawrence, John Legend, and Beyoncé. You can also send invites to companies, such as Coca-Cola, Nike, and Nintendo, and receive a congratulatory message or a special token in return.

Donate to a wedding charity

Donating your extra wedding invitations to a charity is a meaningful way to give back and support a cause that is important to you. Many wedding charities accept donations of wedding invitations, which they can use to help raise money for their programs and services.

You can choose a charity that supports a cause close to your heart, such as a cancer foundation or a children's hospital. They will be able to use your extra invitations to create beautiful keepsakes that can be sold or auctioned off to benefit their organisation. This is a wonderful way to ensure that your invitations continue to spread joy even after your wedding day.

To find a suitable charity, you can search online for organisations that specialise in wedding-related donations. Reach out to them to understand their donation process and any specific requirements they may have for the invitations. It is also a good idea to ask about the types of programs or services your donation will support, so you can feel confident that your contribution is making a positive impact.

Additionally, you can also consider donating your invitations to schools or community groups. These organisations often appreciate having access to craft supplies and decorative materials, which can be used for various projects and activities. Your invitations could become part of a collage, a scrapbook, or even be upcycled into new cards or decorations.

By donating your extra wedding invitations, you are not only reducing waste but also spreading happiness and supporting a worthy cause. This generous act will surely make a difference to those in need and is a wonderful way to pay it forward as you celebrate your special day.

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