Custom Wedding Invitations: Design Your Own For Your Big Day

Wedding invitations can be costly, so it's no surprise that many couples are choosing to design and create their own. There are plenty of online tools and templates to help you craft the perfect invite, with some of the most popular being Canva, Adobe, Shutterfly, and Vistaprint. You can also keep costs down by printing your designs at home or using a local printing shop. If you're feeling extra creative, you could even make your invitations completely from scratch.

Choosing a design platform: Canva, Adobe, or PowerPoint

When it comes to choosing a design platform for your wedding invitations, there are several options to consider, each with its own advantages and features. Here is an overview of three popular platforms: Canva, Adobe, and PowerPoint.

Canva is an excellent choice for couples who want a user-friendly and intuitive platform to design their wedding invitations. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, including various styles, such as rustic, elegant, and modern designs. Canva provides access to a vast library of graphics, illustrations, and images, with many free options available. You can also upload your own images and fonts to personalize your invitations further. Additionally, Canva offers printing services, providing high-quality prints in different paper finishes and sizes. This platform is ideal for those seeking convenience, as it allows users to design and print their invitations from the comfort of their homes.

Adobe offers a suite of professional design software, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, which are recommended by experts for creating sophisticated and polished wedding invitations. These programs provide a high level of customization and design flexibility. With Adobe, you can expect a steeper learning curve, but the results can be well worth the effort. Adobe software is powerful and versatile, allowing you to create intricate designs, edit images, and work with various file formats. While Adobe may be more complex than Canva, it offers unparalleled control over your designs, making it a popular choice among designers and those seeking a professional finish.

PowerPoint, while primarily known as a presentation tool, can also be used to design wedding invitations. It offers a familiar interface for those accustomed to Microsoft Office products. While it may not have the same extensive design capabilities as Canva or Adobe, PowerPoint allows for basic image editing, text formatting, and shape manipulation. It is a suitable option for those who want a simple and straightforward design process and are comfortable working within the constraints of the software. However, keep in mind that PowerPoint may have limited capabilities when it comes to creating intricate designs or working with certain file formats.

Each platform has its advantages, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and design skills. If you prioritize ease of use and convenience, Canva is an excellent option. For those seeking professional-level designs and extensive customization, Adobe is the way to go. Alternatively, if you are familiar with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint can be a simple solution for creating basic wedding invitations.

Printing options: DIY, professional, or virtual

There are several options to consider when it comes to printing your wedding invitations. You can opt for a DIY approach, engage a professional printing service, or go virtual with electronic invitations. Here's a closer look at each option:

DIY Printing

The DIY route offers affordability and a high level of personalisation. You can create invitations that truly reflect your unique wedding style and love story. This option also saves time, as you can design, customise, and print your invitations within a single afternoon.

To get started, you'll need to choose a digital application for designing your invitations. Beginner-friendly options include Canva and Microsoft Word, while Adobe software like Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign offers more advanced features. You can also purchase premade templates from online companies like Minted, Shutterfly, Zazzle, or Etsy.

When it comes to printing, you can use a regular home printer, but ensure it can handle the weight and size of your chosen paper. Most printers can accommodate cardstock up to 80 pounds. If you don't have a printer, you can send your file to a larger printer at stores like Costco or Office Depot.

Professional Printing Services

If you're looking for high-quality, professional results, outsourcing to a printing service is a great option. They can provide precise colour-matching, cutting, and even eco-friendly initiatives. Here are some popular choices:

• Prints of Love: Offers a wide range of sizes and orientations, including invitations, RSVP cards, menus, and thank-you cards. They also provide customisations like rounded edges and linen paper upgrades.
• Vistaprint: An inexpensive option with frequent sales and coupon codes. Vistaprint delivers professional-quality paper goods and is a popular choice among small stationery companies on Etsy.
• Zazzle: Features thousands of wedding invitation templates with coordinating pieces like table numbers, signage, and wedding programs.
• Overnight Prints: An environmentally-conscious option that uses recycled paper and waterless printing. They offer a range of printing services, from save-the-dates to thank-you notes.

Virtual/Electronic Invitations

If you prefer a paperless approach, virtual invitations are a cost-effective and convenient option. You can create a mini website for your wedding and send electronic invitations via email or social media. Canva, for example, offers an easy way to design and share your invitations online.

While virtual invitations save paper and postage costs, sending physical invitations by post has its advantages. They offer a traditional, special touch, and your loved ones can keep them as mementos of your big day.

Ultimately, the choice between DIY, professional, or virtual printing depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the level of customisation you desire.

Paper type: cardstock, textured, or recycled

When it comes to choosing the paper type for your wedding invitations, there are a few options to consider: cardstock, textured paper, or recycled paper. Each option has its own unique advantages and can help set the tone for your wedding.

Cardstock

Cardstock is a medium to heavyweight paper made from tree pulp, and it is the most common choice for wedding invitations. It typically has a smooth, matte finish and comes in a variety of colours and weights, making it perfect for printing at home. The weight of cardstock is measured in pounds or grams per square metre (gsm), and the higher the weight, the thicker the paper. For home printers, 80# cardstock is a safe choice, while 100# cardstock can also work for some printers. If you're looking for a more luxurious feel, consider upgrading to 110# or 120# cardstock, which will give your invitations a more professional appearance.

Textured Paper

If you want to add a unique touch to your invitations, consider using textured paper such as linen, cotton, or felt cardstock. Linen cardstock has a delicate woven texture that adds visual interest and can help hide imperfections from printing at home. Cotton cardstock has a smooth, absorbent surface that works well with both laser and inkjet printers, and it is known for its durability and rich colour absorption. Felt cardstock, on the other hand, has a texture that falls somewhere between cotton and canvas, giving invitations an air of sophistication.

Recycled Paper

For a rustic or vintage-inspired wedding, recycled cardstock, also known as kraft paper, can be a great choice. It has a coarse, fibrous look similar to brown grocery bags but with a smoother finish. This type of paper is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective, making it a popular option for couples looking to save money on their invitations.

When choosing the paper type for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the printing process, invitation style, postage costs, and your personal preferences. By selecting the right paper, you can create invitations that truly reflect the style and tone of your wedding celebration.

Envelopes: pre-made or DIY

When it comes to envelopes, you can either purchase pre-made ones or make them yourself.

Pre-made Envelopes

Pre-made envelopes are a convenient option if you want to save time and effort. You can find a variety of colours, sizes, and styles to match your wedding invitations. Some popular options include square flap envelopes, contour flap envelopes, pointed flap envelopes, and foil-lined envelopes. Websites such as envelopes.com and envelopes.us offer a wide range of choices, including textured linen and metallic finishes.

DIY Envelopes

If you want to add a more personal touch or have specific requirements, you can also make your own envelopes. This option gives you complete control over the design, allowing you to customise the size, colour, and style to perfectly fit your invitations. However, it will require more time and effort, and you may need to purchase envelope templates or special paper.

Factors to Consider

When deciding between pre-made and DIY envelopes, consider your budget, time constraints, and the level of customisation you desire. Pre-made envelopes can be more cost-effective and save you time, especially if you opt for online options with customisation features. On the other hand, DIY envelopes offer unlimited creative freedom but may require a higher budget and more lead time.

Additional Considerations

Remember to choose envelopes that complement your wedding theme and create a cohesive look with your invitations. Also, ensure that your envelopes are slightly larger than your invitations to accommodate any inserts comfortably. Finally, consider the sealing method—while glue dots or double-stick tape are recommended for a neat finish, you can also opt for envelopes with gummed, peel-and-seal, or button-and-string closures.

Extras: wax seals, ribbons, or stamps

There are many ways to elevate your wedding invitations with extra adornments such as wax seals, ribbons, or stamps. These additions can add a luxurious and romantic feel to your invitations.

Wax seals are a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your invitations. You can choose from a variety of colours and designs, including monogrammed or personalised options. Wax seals can be purchased as stickers or stamps, with some suppliers offering custom designs.

Ribbons are another way to enhance your invitations. You can choose from different materials such as silk or cotton, and different styles such as frayed edges or a more formal look. Ribbons can be wrapped around your invitations and secured with a wax seal for a refined finish.

Stamps can also be used to decorate your invitations. You can choose from a variety of designs, including custom logos or monograms. Stamps can be used to create a watermark effect on your invitations or to add a decorative element to the envelope.

When adding these extra touches to your invitations, it's important to consider the overall design and theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rustic or natural wedding, you may want to choose invitations with a simple wax seal and a deckled edge. If you're having a more formal or romantic wedding, you may want to opt for silk ribbons and elegant wax seals.

There are many suppliers that offer these types of products, including Etsy and Ashley Triggiano. Etsy offers a wide range of custom and personalised wax seals, ribbons, and stamps, while Ashley Triggiano provides a kit with pre-cut ribbons, pre-stamped wax seals, and instructions for creating elegant invitations.

Frequently asked questions