As someone who has always been crafty and creative, I was determined to make my own wedding invitations. I wanted them to be unique, reflect our style, and introduce a little bit of what our wedding will look like while saving money on the overall wedding budget. After many hours of research, trial, and error, I created stunning and unforgettable invitations that set the tone for my special day. And now, I'm excited to share my knowledge and expertise with others who want to make their own wedding invitations. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or a beginner, this guide will provide step-by-step instructions to help you create unique, beautiful, and budget-friendly invites. So grab your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let's get started!
Now that you understand my passion for creating my own wedding invitations, let's dive into the step-by-step guide to making your own unique and unforgettable invites.
Step 1 - Find your Paper
Finding the right paper for your wedding invitations can be a daunting task, but it's an important step in creating a beautiful and memorable invite. The right paper can add texture, depth, and elegance to your design while also reflecting the overall aesthetic of your wedding. When searching for paper, consider factors such as weight, texture, and color. Here are some paper examples:
Classic and elegant look, consider using heavy-weight, smooth cotton or bamboo paper
Rustic feel, choose a textured paper made from recycled materials or seed paper
Specialty papers, such as vellum or translucent, add a unique touch to your invitations
Some popular brands for wedding invitation paper include Mohawk, Neenah, and Wausau. Experiment with different paper samples and choose the one that best fits your personal style and the look you're trying to achieve. Etsy has a ton of wedding invite options. We bought these kits from the Flower Seed Paper shop on Etsy. They came with invites and envelopes.
Step 2 - Create your Invitation
Creating a template for your wedding invitations is a key step in ensuring that your invites look polished and professional. You can use several tools to create a template, depending on your design skills and preferences. Here are some options:
Microsoft Word
When writing your template, be sure to include all the essential information about your wedding, such as the date, time, location, and website. Use clear and easy-to-read fonts, and consider adding graphics or imagery to make your invites pop. The key to a successful template is to strike a balance between creativity and practicality, ensuring that your invites are beautiful and informative. I used Canva to create my wedding invitation templates and I made a bunch of them. You can check them out and use them below -
"First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare," - Walt Disney
Step 3: Print
Printing your own wedding invitations at home is a cost-effective and personal way to create your own unique invites. With the right tools and techniques, you can print professional-looking invitations right from the comfort of your own home. Before printing, be sure to preview your design and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the text and graphics are properly aligned. I recommend having extra paper the same size as your invites and doing a bunch of testers. It took us 3 or 4 tries to get the invitation exactly how we wanted it. For us, it was just messing with the settings to get the spacing right. When printing, use the highest quality setting on your printer to ensure that the ink or toner is vibrant and the text is sharp. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can create beautiful and unique wedding invitations that reflect your personal style and save you money in the process.
The best part is you don't even need a fancy printer. We have this printer at home, and it took a while, but they came out amazing! But you can also download your template from Canva and bring it to your local printing shop with your paper, and they'll print it for you! We opted for seed paper for our wedding invitations, so we wanted to print on our envelopes that the content inside was plantable. We made this template on Canva as well and printed everything at once! This is also your chance to add in any other "content," we're doing a destination wedding, so we also added in a little note about when to arrive and where to get more details.
Step 4: Make it Pretty
There are several ways to add a touch of beauty to your invitations, depending on your style and the supplies you have on hand. One option is to add embellishments like ribbons, bows, or stamps to give your invites a touch of texture and depth. You can also use calligraphy or hand-lettering to add a personal touch to your invites and make them even more special. Additionally, consider incorporating graphic elements such as watercolor illustrations or custom illustrations to make your invites truly one-of-a-kind. With a little creativity and imagination, you can create beautiful and memorable wedding invitations that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Here's what we did:
Materials
Dried baby's breath
How to:
The first thing we did was cut a bunch of embroidery string. We used a creamy white color. We cut 40 pieces at about 4" and 40 pieces (number of invites) at 12"
Set up the other materials - plug in the hot glue gun, piled up baby's breath (I had started to dry and press these about two weeks earlier)
Punched holes in the top of the invitations AND backing
Tied bows using the smaller pieces of embroidery string to hold the invitations to the baking
Packaged up the "finished" invitations and our little note we printed as well as a magnet we got from Truly Engaging and laid it in the center of 1 piece of 12" string
Lay a small piece of parchment paper on top of your package to protect your invites from the hot glue and wax seal
Wrap the string around your package so that the ends come close together ISH in the center of your invitation package on top of the parchment paper
Put a dollop of hot glue (we used white glue, there are a TON of color options on Amazon) and gently lay a stem of baby's breath
Press with your wax seal. I pressed down for about 5 seconds and then let it sit for an additional 10-15 seconds to let the glue dry
Gently peel the stamp apart from the wax and the wax apart from the parchment paper
And VOILA!
Step 5: Stuff & Send
Mailing your wedding invitations is an important step in the wedding planning process for obvious reasons! When mailing your invitations, it's important to consider factors such as timing, postage, and the type of envelope you will use. It's generally recommended to mail invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding, allowing your guests enough time to RSVP and make arrangements. We completely skipped the save-the-dates and sent out invites out about six months ahead of our wedding because it's a destination for most people! To ensure your invitations arrive safely, use a sturdy envelope and consider adding extra postage for heavier or bulky invites. You can also opt for mailing services, such as calligraphy or addressing, to make your invitations look even more polished and professional. We're having a pretty small wedding, so we ended up just handwriting the envelopes, and I actually LOVE the personal touch it adds! Additionally, consider using tracking services to keep an eye on the progress of your invitations and ensure that they reach your guests in a timely manner. By following these tips and using the right tools, you can ensure that your wedding invitations arrive in style and set the tone for your unforgettable wedding day.
End
Creating your own wedding invitations is a fun and personal way to add a touch of creativity to your special day. Whether you choose to print your invites at home, add embellishments, or use custom illustrations, the possibilities are endless. By following these tips and using the right tools, you can create beautiful and memorable invitations that reflect your personal style and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
If you have any questions or comments about creating your own wedding invitations, we invite you to leave a comment below. Our team is here to help and would love to hear from you.
