Creative Ways To Upcycle Leftover Wedding Invitations

There are many ways to make use of leftover wedding invitations. Some people save them as mementos, include them in scrapbooks, or frame them. Others get creative and turn them into Christmas ornaments, shadow boxes, or decorations for their wedding venue. Some couples even send their leftover invitations to celebrities!

Save one for a scrapbook or as a memento

Saving a wedding invitation as a memento is a great way to preserve a memory of your special day. You can include it in a scrapbook or a photo album, perhaps placing it alongside photos from the wedding to provide context. If you have multiple invitations, you could include one showing the front and another showing the back.

You could also frame your wedding invitation and display it in your home. If the invitation has a pretty design on the back, you can frame it with the back as the border. Alternatively, you could create a shadow box with the invitation and include other mementos from your wedding, such as pictures, fabric swatches, dried flowers, or your wedding veil.

Another option is to cut the invitation into ribbons and make a keepsake Christmas ornament. You could also fill a clear ornament with other wedding mementos, such as flowers, birdseed, or ribbons, and tie a ribbon or swatch of your wedding veil around the top.

Finally, you could use your leftover wedding invitations to create other decorative items for your home. For example, you could use the invitations to create coasters or lampshades.

Create a shadow box with the stationery set and include photos, fabric swatches, and dried flowers

A wedding is a special occasion, and a shadow box is a wonderful way to preserve those memories. It is a unique way to display your stationery set and other mementos from your big day. Here is a guide to creating a meaningful and beautiful shadow box:

Firstly, source a deep-set frame or box with a glass front. You can opt for a simple design or choose one with decorative details that complement your wedding theme or style. The size of the shadow box will depend on how many items you wish to include and their sizes.

For the background of the shadow box, you can use a piece of fabric that matches your wedding colour scheme or perhaps a soft, neutral colour like ivory or grey. You could also use a patterned or textured paper as the backdrop to add interest and depth. If you want to include fabric swatches, consider using these as a background, creating a collage effect.

Now, it's time to arrange your items. You can play around with the layout, but a good starting point is to place the larger items, like the wedding invitation, at the back, creating a backdrop for smaller items. You can include other stationery items like the RSVP cards, envelopes, and any other paper goods that complement the design. Photos are a wonderful addition; perhaps include a photo of the happy couple and one of the entire wedding party. You can also add dried flowers, a popular wedding keepsake, to bring a natural, romantic feel to the shadow box.

Once you are happy with the layout, carefully attach the items to the background using a small amount of glue or double-sided tape. You can also use pins or small hooks, depending on the items and the effect you wish to create.

Finally, you can add extra embellishments like ribbons, beads, or sequins to add a touch of sparkle and fill any gaps. You could also include other small mementos like a piece of cake topper, a button from a bridesmaid's dress, or a small charm.

Your shadow box is now complete and ready to be displayed in your home, a unique and personal reminder of your special day.

Cut and use as tags for gifts

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can cut them up and use them as gift tags for wedding party gifts. This is a great way to save money on gift tags and put your leftover invitations to good use. You can cut the invitations into any shape and size you like, depending on the size of the gift and the look you are going for. For example, you could cut them into simple rectangles or get creative with more intricate shapes like scalloped edges or even fun shapes like hearts or stars.

If you want to get really creative, you could also try decoupage, an inexpensive way to personalize items using leftover paper goods such as invitations. You can cut or tear your leftover invitations into smaller pieces and use them to decorate gift tags, adding a unique and crafty touch. This technique can also be used to decorate other items such as coasters, keepsake boxes, or even Christmas ornaments.

To add a special touch, consider using different parts of the invitation to create a unique design or pattern on the gift tag. For example, you could use the front of the invitation, which usually has a beautiful design or illustration, or the back, which may have a pretty pattern or colour. If there is any text on the invitation that stands out, such as the names of the couple or the wedding date, you could also use this to create a meaningful message or design on the tag.

Another idea is to pair the gift tags with ribbons or embellishments that you may also have leftover from your wedding. This will add a luxurious and elegant touch to your gifts. You can tie the ribbon around the gift box or bag and attach the gift tag, or even incorporate the ribbon into the design of the tag itself.

By cutting up your leftover wedding invitations and using them as gift tags, you can create beautiful and personalized touches to your gifts, all while making use of your leftover supplies and saving money.

Reuse ribbons and embellishments for gift wrapping

If you have leftover ribbons and embellishments from your wedding invitations, consider reusing them for gift wrapping. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Keep and Reuse Gift-Wrapping Supplies:

Amanda Walker, a DIY and lifestyle blogger, suggests keeping and reusing gift-wrapping supplies, including ribbons and embellishments. Designate a space for storing these items, such as a bin for each type of item. This way, you can easily access them when you need to wrap a gift.

Go Wrap-Free with Ribbons:

If you're wrapping gifts for young children, consider forgoing traditional wrapping paper and using ribbons instead. Simply tie a whimsical ribbon around the gift to create a minimalist look. This is a great opportunity to reuse ribbons from your wedding invitations.

Create Your Own Gift Tags:

Instead of buying new gift tags, cut shapes out of leftover wedding invitation cards or other crafting materials. This reduces waste and adds a personal touch to your gifts.

Embellish with Ribbons and Flowers:

When wrapping gifts, consider using ribbons and dried flowers as embellishments. Attach them in a way that makes it easy to remove without damaging the ribbon or the gift. This way, the recipient can reuse the ribbon, and you're reducing waste.

Make Fabric Ribbons:

If you have leftover fabric scraps from your wedding projects, consider turning them into fabric ribbons. Finish the edges to prevent fraying, and then use these ribbons to secure gifts or embellish wrapped packages.

By reusing ribbons and embellishments from your wedding invitations for gift wrapping, you're not only reducing waste but also adding a unique and personal touch to your gift presentation.

Use as matting for photos

If you have leftover wedding invitations, you can use them as matting for photos. This is a great way to add a unique and personal touch to your wedding photos or any other pictures you want to display in your home. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose the Right Photos

Select the photos you want to use. These could be your favourite wedding photos, pictures of you and your partner, or even family portraits. You can also use this opportunity to display photos that you haven't gotten around to putting up yet.

Cut the Invitations to Size

Depending on the size of your photos, cut the invitations to fit as a mat. You can use a paper cutter or a craft knife to ensure straight edges. If your invitation has a pretty design or pattern, consider using the back of the invitation as the mat. This will add a subtle touch of elegance to your photos.

Attach the Invitations to the Photos

Use acid-free glue or double-sided tape to attach the invitations to the back of your photos. Centre the photos on the mat, leaving a small border of the invitation visible. If you want to get creative, you can also try using decorative scissors to cut the invitations into different shapes before attaching them to the photos.

Display Your Photos

Once you've matted your photos, it's time to display them! You can put them in frames and create a gallery wall in your home or prop them up on shelves or mantles. You can also use standing frames and create a cute display on a dresser or nightstand.

Gift to Family and Friends

These matted photos also make thoughtful gifts for family and friends. You can write a personalised message on the back of the photo, sharing your favourite memory or a simple thank you for their presence in your life. It's a wonderful way to show your loved ones how much you care while also showcasing your wedding invitation design.

Using leftover wedding invitations as matting for photos is a creative and meaningful way to upcycle and preserve your special day. It allows you to cherish your memories while adding a touch of craftsmanship to your home decor.

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