EASY IDEAS: HOW TO MAKE WEDDING INVITATIONS YOU'LL LOVE
Simple ideas to make beautiful wedding invitations by yourself
- Last updated on
From the first drawing to sending them out: make special wedding invitations that show who you are!
Getting married? Great news! Besides the place and the cake, you get to do something fun: learn how to make wedding invitations. Forget boring designs. We will learn how to make invitations that show what you like and make your big day feel special. Get ready to be creative!
Words to Use and What’s Polite: Your Invitation’s Voice
Your wedding invitation is the first look guests have at your party, so it’s important to use the right words. You need to share what guests need to know clearly: your names, the date, the time, and where the party will be.
Think about what feeling you want for your wedding. Is it a fancy party? Use more formal words. For a more relaxed party, you can use simpler words. “Really, it’s about what feels like ‘you’ two,” we often tell couples when we talk about their wedding, maybe after taking some fun engagement photos (you can see our photos on our Wedding Stories page).
Don’t forget the RSVP information – the last day guests can tell you if they are coming and how they can reply (mail a card, use your wedding website, or send an email). Your wedding website information is very helpful for sharing extra things like maps, places to stay, and where you are registered for gifts.
Will there be a dress code? Tell people clearly! Say “Wear a Suit” or “Come as you are!” This helps your guests. Also, think about making wedding invitations that everyone can easily understand. Use clear letters and numbers. You can add information about things like wheelchair access on the invitation or on your website. Make the words big enough and easy to see for everyone.
How to Design: From Idea to Finished Product
This is where it gets fun! The look and feel of your invitations is the starting point. Do you want simple black and white invitations? Or maybe invitations with simple shapes and strong text? What you choose will affect everything else.
Next, choose your colors, writing styles, and pictures. Think about where you are getting married and the feeling of your wedding. A wedding by a lake might use blues and greens. The writing style also shows what you like – fancy handwriting for a formal event, plain and simple style for a modern event.
Do you want to add a photo of you two? This is a nice personal touch! Pick a photo that shows who you are. You could even use a picture from your Perfect Pre-Wedding Photoshoot – it’s a great way to show how excited you are.
Now, a big question: Should you use pre-made designs or create your own? Pre-made designs (like on Canva) are a starting point and can save time. Making your own gives you total control.
Speaking of tools, here are some ideas for programs to use: Canva is easy to use for beginners. Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for more detailed designs. There are other good programs too, and each has different things it can do.
It’s very important to add personal and special touches. Think about adding your initials, a special symbol, or folding the invitation in a unique way. These things make your handmade wedding invitations extra special, even if you print some parts professionally.
Lastly, think about how you will print your invitations when you design them. Some detailed designs might not look good with all printing methods, and some paper works better with certain inks.
Things You Need: The Building Blocks
Let’s talk paper! There are many types of paper: smooth paper for a clean look, paper that feels rougher, special see-through paper called vellum, and even handmade paper that’s good for the environment.
Getting paper is also something to think about. Local paper stores have interesting options, while online stores often have cheaper prices if you buy a lot.
Envelopes are also important! Think about the size that fits your invitation, different styles, and you can even add paper inside for a pop of color.
Ink is key too. Think about if you print at home or get help from a professional. If you print at home, think about the kind of printer you have and if you want shiny or not-shiny ink. If you do it yourself, good ink is important so the words look clear.
Don’t forget glue – tape that sticks on both sides or glue dots are great for putting things together. And then there are decorations: pretty ribbons, cool wax seals (for a vintage feel!), and real dried flowers for a nature look.
For your toolbox, you need tools like sharp paper cutters, something to score the paper so it folds nicely, and craft knives for small details. If you want to be eco-friendly, look for recycled paper and inks made from plants to make and print wedding invitations that are better for the planet.
How to Print: Making it Real
You have choices for printing. Printing at home is cheaper if you have a good printer and don’t need too many. Just make sure to print one first to test it!
Professional printing places offer better quality and more options. Local print shops can give you personal help and get things done quickly. Online services often have good prices and lots of choices for how to finish your invitations.
For a really fancy feel, think about letterpress printing, where the words are pressed into the paper. Many online printers let you upload your own designs. Think about the quality and how many you need when you choose. If your design is complicated or you have many guests, professional printing is often worth it.
Putting it Together
This is where you need to be patient! Folding and putting invitations together can be fun, especially with your partner or friends. Make sure your folds are neat and the same.
Then add decorations. Tie the ribbons nicely, carefully put on the wax seals, or gently glue on the flowers. These final touches make your invitations better, from simple paper to something special. Imagine how happy your guests will be to get something so carefully made!
Addressing and Sending: The Final Step
Your beautiful invitations need to be addressed carefully. Writing by hand feels personal, but for long lists, printed stickers are easier and faster. You can also hire someone with beautiful handwriting to do it for you.
Think about adding old-style stamps to make them look cool (just make sure you use enough postage!). To know how much postage you need, weigh one finished invitation. If your invitations are delicate, ask the post office to hand-cancel them so they don’t go through machines that might damage them.
Finally, timing is important! It’s usually good to mail invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. For weddings far away, send them even earlier.
Saving Money: Smart Choices
Wedding costs can add up, so saving money on invitations is smart. Choosing cheaper paper doesn’t mean they won’t look good – there are many nice, less expensive options. Buying lots of ink at once if you print at home can save you money.
Using pre-made designs can save you design time (and money if you thought about hiring a designer). Also, think about how your design choices affect printing costs. Detailed designs, many ink colors, and special paper can make printing much more expensive. Simple designs often cost less.
Being Green: Eco-Friendly Invitations
Even if you make your invitations yourself, you can be kind to the planet. Besides using recycled paper, here are tips to make less trash: get RSVPs online, don’t add extra papers inside, and choose decorations carefully (maybe skip plastic wrapping). If you can, get your materials locally to reduce pollution from shipping. “We really like couples who care about the environment“ we often say, “it shows they think about more than just their wedding.“ You can mention this on your personal website, letting guests know what’s important to you.
Step-by-Step: What to Do and When
Stay organized with this simple list for making your invitations:
Decide on your style.
Get addresses for your guests.
Decide what to write.
Choose your paper and other materials.
Design your invitation (use a template or make your own).
Choose how you will print.
Order everything you need.
Print one invitation to test.
Print all the invitations.
Put the invitations together.
Write the addresses on the envelopes.
Add stamps.
Mail the invitations (6-8 weeks before the wedding).
Keep track of who is coming.
Sharing Your Ideas: Showing Your Talent
This article is about making your own wedding invitations, but maybe you are so good at it you want to share your ideas! Think about selling your designs. Selling on Etsy or your own website: which is better? An Etsy shop has many people looking at it, but you have to pay them. A personal website lets you control everything and keep more money, but you need to work harder to get people to visit it. Think about what you want long-term when you decide. Maybe start with Etsy to see how it goes, and then make your own website later.
Learning how to make wedding invitations is a good experience. You can add your own style and love to every part, making special things that your guests will remember. So, find ideas, be creative, and enjoy making invitations that you will really love!
Latest Published Guides