Dispose Of Excess Wedding Invites: Creative And Eco-Friendly Ways

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, and it's easy for waste to pile up. From food and flowers to invitations and decorations, there are many opportunities to be mindful of waste. One way to reduce waste is to opt for recycled paper or plantable wedding invitations. These invitations are made from recycled materials or plantable seeds, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invites. This guide will explore the different options available for disposing of excess wedding invitations and provide creative ideas for a more sustainable celebration.

Sell them online

If you have excess wedding invitations that you don't want to go to waste, you can sell them online. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose an Online Platform

Select an online marketplace that caters to your needs and has experience in selling invitations. For example, Etsy is a popular choice for creatives selling wedding stationery, and they offer templated options for shop policies, making it easier for you to set up your shop. Another option is to create your own online store using a platform like Jotform Store Builder, which provides templates and customisation options.

Prepare Your Shop

Before you start selling, it's important to prepare your shop to ensure a smooth experience for both you and your clients. Consider factors such as pricing, production partners, shop policies, FAQs, and shipping details. For instance, decide whether you will offer free shipping or include shipping costs in the product price.

Product Listing and Customisation

When listing your wedding invitations, provide clear and detailed descriptions, including product images, pricing, and payment options. If your invitations are customisable, outline the available options for your clients, such as the number of invitations, envelope colour, and any add-ons like envelope addressing or wax seals.

Online Payments

Integrate a secure online payment system into your online store. Popular options include PayPal, Stripe, Square, Google Pay, and Authorize.net. Ensure that you understand the associated transaction fees and payment processing procedures.

Order Management

Use a spreadsheet or database tool to efficiently manage customer orders, payments, and shipping details. This will help you keep track of orders, create sales reports, and review orders easily.

Marketing and Branding

Customise the look and feel of your online store to make it memorable and reflective of your brand. Choose a custom URL that includes your business name, and add your unique logo. Utilise social media links and customer reviews to enhance your store's credibility and reach.

By following these steps, you can effectively sell your excess wedding invitations online, reaching a wider audience, and minimising waste.

Repurpose them into wall art

Wedding stationery can be expensive and often accounts for 6% to 10% of your overall wedding budget. So, it's a great idea to repurpose any excess wedding invitations you may have. One creative way to do this is to turn them into wall art.

If your wedding invitations feature beautiful floral prints or fun, colourful patterns, you can use those designs to create unique pieces of art for your walls. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Framing

You can use a picture frame to display your leftover invitations as a memento of your special day. You could also create a collage using pieces of different paper goods from your wedding, such as save-the-dates, invitations, and other day-of paper items. This will result in a varied and colourful display.

Holiday Ornament

You could also commemorate your first holiday as a married couple by creating a DIY ornament using your excess wedding invitations. This would make a great gift for your parents or in-laws, too.

Paper Squares

Cut up larger pieces of your wedding invitations into squares to keep on your desk for jotting down messages or to-do lists. This way, you'll get to enjoy the design every day.

Arts and Crafts

If you know of a daycare centre in your area, consider donating your excess paper for the children to use for arts and crafts or doodling. This way, your wedding invitations can bring joy to others and inspire creativity in children.

Donate to charity

If you have excess wedding invitations and would like to donate them to charity, there are several ways to go about it. One option is to create a charity wedding registry, where you can ask your guests to donate to a specific organisation rather than giving physical gifts. This option is perfect for couples who already have most of the standard newlywed items and want to give back to their community. You can use a website such as The Good Beginning, which allows couples to research, choose, and embed a link requesting donations for a variety of charities onto their wedding website. Alternatively, websites like Joy and Zola offer the ability to set up a donation fund that goes directly to charitable organisations.

If you don't want to set up a digital donation fund, you can include a request for charity donations within your wedding invitations or on your wedding website. You can ask guests to bring cheques written out to your chosen organisation to the reception and place them in a decorated box before taking their seats. This option gives your guests more flexibility in how they contribute to your chosen cause.

When choosing a charity, it's best to pick an organisation that aligns with your values and has a personal connection to you as a couple. For example, if a parent fought heart disease, you may want to consider organisations that support heart health. By choosing a cause that is meaningful to you, you can make a bigger impact and create a positive start to your married life.

Donating your excess wedding invitations to charity is a thoughtful way to give back to your community and involve your guests in a charitable act. Whether you choose to set up a digital fund or request donations through your invitations, you can make a difference while also reducing waste.

Give them to someone else getting married

If you have leftover wedding invitations, why not give them to another couple who are getting married? This is a thoughtful way to help them save money on their wedding stationery and it's also a unique way to show your support for their union.

When choosing who to give your extra invitations to, consider family members or close friends who are planning their wedding. They will likely appreciate the gesture and it will be a meaningful way to contribute to their special day. If you don't know anyone who is currently planning a wedding, you could reach out to more distant relatives or friends, or even offer them to a local couple through online marketplaces or community groups.

When giving away your extra wedding invitations, it's important to make sure that they are still in good condition and that all the details are relevant and up-to-date. Check that the date, time, and location of the wedding are correct and that there are no typos or errors. If there are any blank spaces, such as for the couple's names or the wedding venue, you can offer to have them printed or handwritten by a professional.

To add a personal touch, you could include any leftover response cards, information sheets, or other enclosures with the invitations. This will save the couple time and effort in creating their own and will ensure that their guests have all the necessary information. You could even offer to help them assemble and send out the invitations if they need an extra pair of hands.

Giving your extra wedding invitations to another couple is a wonderful way to pay it forward and spread the joy of wedding planning. It's a cost-effective and eco-friendly option that will surely be appreciated by the lucky couple. So, if you know someone who is tying the knot soon, don't hesitate to reach out and offer them your extra invitations!

Use them for another occasion

If you have extra wedding invitations, you can repurpose them for another occasion. Here are some ideas to put those extra invites to good use:

Thank You Cards

You can use the extra invitations as thank-you cards to send to your guests. Write a quick note of gratitude inside, and you're good to go! This saves you time and money, and your guests will appreciate the thoughtful gesture.

Other Celebrations

Repurpose your wedding invitations for other celebrations, such as a bridal shower, anniversary party, or any other special occasion. Customise the wording and design to fit the new event, and you've got yourself a unique and cost-effective invitation.

Postcards

Share your extra invites with loved ones by turning them into postcards. Write a note on the back and send them off to friends and family, especially those who live far away. It's a great way to stay connected and let them know they're on your mind.

Bookmarks

For the book lovers, turning your wedding invitation into a bookmark is a sentimental way to keep your special day close. You can laminate the invitation or part of it to protect it from wear and tear. This keepsake can be as simple or as embellished as you like.

Invitation Coasters

Create custom coasters using your extra wedding invitations! All you need are plain coasters, adhesive, and a sealant. These coasters will not only protect your tables but also bring a smile to your face each time you use them.

There you have it! Creative ways to repurpose your extra wedding invitations for another occasion. Not only will you save resources, but you'll also have unique mementos to cherish.

Frequently asked questions