DIY Wedding Invitations: A Touch of Your Unique Style

You might be one of those people who like their whole wedding to be a testament to their own tastes and personalities. One detail that allows you to express your individuality and love story is your wedding invitations. As you are planning on who to invite and how to word your invitation message, you may consider having DIY wedding invitations. When you choose to create your own personalised invitations, you're not just sending out cards; you're sending out a piece of yourselves, a touch of your unique style, and a heartfelt message to your guests. While the idea of crafting your own wedding invitations may sound daunting, it comes with a lot of benefits that can make your wedding preparations even more special.

Benefits of DIY Invitations

1. Personalisation

DIY wedding invitations allow you to put your unique stamp on every aspect of your invites. You have full creative control over the design, colours, and wording, ensuring that your invitations perfectly represent your love story and wedding theme.

When you craft your own wedding invitations, you have ultimate control over every detail, right down to the tiniest elements.

Designing your own invitations is an opportunity to express your creativity. This not only makes the invitations more meaningful but also showcases your artistic side.

2. Cost-Efficiency

DIY wedding invitations can be much more budget-friendly than purchasing premade ones. You can choose materials and printing options that align with your budget, potentially saving a significant amount of money. Still, it may cost more if you have to buy a lot of embellishments and accessories.

3. Flexibility

Planning a wedding can be unpredictable. DIY invitations offer flexibility and a quick turnaround. If you need to make last-minute changes or adjustments, you can do so without waiting for a print shop to revise and reprint your invitations.

4. Unique Keepsakes

When your guests receive a personalised DIY wedding invitation, they are likely to be deeply touched. Guests often appreciate the effort and thought that goes into these handmade invitations and are more likely to hold onto them as mementos of your special day.

Factors to Take into Account

1. Budget and Quantity

Even though DIY invitations probably cost less as you are doing things at home, you still have to think about the cost of ink, paper, and other embellishments you want to include. Determine your budget for the entire invitation suite and work within those financial boundaries. Be mindful of the number of invitations you need to create.

2. Schedule and Timeline

Printing your own invitations at home may be more affordable, but it requires a lot of time and effort. Make sure to put aside plenty of time and have patience in case things don’t go as fast as planned. Make a timeline that includes designing, printing, assembling, and mailing. Give yourself ample time to complete each step without feeling rushed. 

3. Wedding Theme and Style

It is essential to think about your wedding theme and how you can incorporate it into your invitations. Take some time to think about your style. Explore all trends and find out which one fits you and your wedding theme. Are you going for a rustic, modern, or classic look? Your invitations should align with the overall aesthetic of your big day.

4. Paper and Materials

The type of paper you select can significantly impact the final look and feel of your invitations. Consider factors like thickness, texture, and finish. In fact, don’t go straight for printing paper and instead choose something thicker and with a bit of texture. Don’t buy it straight from the internet. Go to a stationary shop and feel the paper with your own hands. The same thing applies to other materials, such as ink and envelopes.

5. Envelopes and Packaging

Don't forget about the envelopes! Choose envelopes that match your invitations, and consider adding a decorative liner or calligraphy for an extra touch of elegance.

Make sure the envelopes are slightly larger than your invitations. You want to make sure they fit in. Get envelopes for RSVP cards as well.

6. Printing Options

If you are going to print at home, make sure your print is up and running. Then spend some time doing tests to achieve the desired look. Decide on a printing method that suits your design and budget.

Themes to Consider

1. Fairy-Tale or Fantasy Theme

Fairytale wedding invitations are a whimsical and romantic choice for couples who want to infuse their special day with a touch of magic. They create a sense of wonder and anticipation, making your wedding a memorable and enchanting experience for everyone.

To reach the desired effect, try enchanting imagery like castles, unicorns, or mythical creatures.

Create an ethereal colour scheme with soft purples, gold, and silver, and don’t forget to use calligraphy fonts.

2. Rustic Theme

Rustic DIY invitations are an ideal choice if you're planning a rustic, country, barn, or outdoor wedding. Moreover, they offer a fantastic opportunity for personalisation. To reach rustic elegance, it is a great idea to include watercolour florals or simple wreaths for a rustic touch.

When it comes to the colour, opt for earthy, muted hues like sage, blush, and dusty blue.

3. Garden Party Theme

Garden Party DIY wedding invitations offer a delightful and fresh theme that brings the beauty of the outdoors to your special day. These invitations convey a sense of refinement while embracing the organic charm of the outdoors.

For this theme, you can feature watercolour illustrations of blooming flowers, leaves, and vines. As for the colour, choose soft, pastel hues like lavender, mint, and blush.

Best DIY Invitation Ideas and How to Make Them

1. Watercolour Invitations

Watercolour invitations are very beautiful and thoroughly personalised. These invitations feature the use of watercolour painting techniques to create stunning, soft, and elegant designs that can match your wedding theme and colour palette.

Materials: paintbrush, water, watercolour paint, and paper. 

How to make it: Wet your paintbrush and mix your watercolours to achieve the desired colour and intensity. Apply the watercolour paint to the paper in smooth, even strokes. Then let it dry out. Once your watercolour design is complete, trim the paper to the desired invitation size and place it in the envelopes.

2. Foil-Stamped Invitations

DIY foil-stamped invitations are an exquisite and elegant choice for your wedding stationery. These invitations incorporate metallic foil to create a luxurious and eye-catching effect.

Materials: cardstock, metallic foil sheets in your chosen colour, laminating machine, and laser printer.

How to make it: Print your invitation design using a laser printer on cardstock. Apply a thin, even layer of foil stamping glue over the areas you want to foil-stamp. Place the foil, shiny side up, on top of the adhesive-coated design. Press down gently to adhere the foil to the paper. Once the foil is in place, carefully insert the invitation into a laminator machine. After the invitation has passed through the laminator, allow it to cool completely. Now your foil-stamped invitations are ready to be put in envelopes.

3. Pressed Flower Invitations

If you want flowers to take centre stage at your wedding, how about using pressed flowers for the invitations? Pressed flower DIY wedding invitations offer a charming and rustic touch that brings the beauty of nature to your wedding stationery. 

Materials: Cardstock, real pressed flowers and leaves, hammer, 

How to make it: Select and remove the flower heads from their stems, arranging them on watercolour cardstock. Once you're satisfied with the flower arrangement, use a hammer to press the flowers flat onto the cardstock, allowing their natural colours to transfer. Finally, carefully peel the flowers away, revealing beautiful floral prints on your invitations.

4. Photo Collage Invitations

Photo collage invitations typically feature a collage of photographs that reflect the journey of the couple, from their first meeting to engagement photos or even childhood snapshots.

Materials: high-quality cardstock, photographs, scissors, glue, and envelope.

How to make it: Gather the photos you want to include in your collage. If your photos are digital, print them on high-quality photo paper or cardstock. Cut out the printed photos in the desired shapes and sizes to fit your collage layout. If you haven't added captions to your digital collage, you can now include text on your photo collage invitations. Once your photo collage invitations are complete, place them in envelopes. You may also add stickers and ribbons to further beautify it.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and every aspect should be a reflection of the love you and your partner share. DIY wedding invitations allow you to infuse your unique style and personal touch into every detail, creating a lasting memory for both you and your guests.