DIY wedding invitations are more than a cost-saving measure — they’re an opportunity to create something truly unique and personal for your special day. With DIY wedding invitations, you can design every detail to reflect your wedding style, theme and love story. Whether you’re hand-drawing your invites, using design software or adding DIY touches to a VistaPrint template, the DIY invitation design possibilities are endless. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about creating DIY wedding invites, from the tools you’ll need to step-by-step instructions and tips for a professional-looking finish.
Table of contents:
- Why DIY wedding invitations?
- Tools and materials you’ll need
- How to make DIY wedding invitations step-by-step
- How to create custom DIY wedding invites with VistaPrint
- Adding DIY elements
- Tips for a professional finish
Why DIY wedding invitations?
Making your own wedding invitations offers several benefits that pre-made or professionally designed invites just can’t match. If personalization, creativity and sentimentality are important to you and your partner, then DIY wedding invitations are probably the way to go.
Personalization
With DIY wedding stationery, every design element can be tailored to your style, personality and wedding theme. Whether you want a modern minimalist look, rustic charm or vintage feel, making your own invites allows you to infuse your personal touch into every visual detail. It also leaves room to customize invitations for each guest, making them feel special and included in the build up to your big day.
Source: Vintage wedding invitation design via VistaPrint
Cost-effective
Weddings are expensive and invitations are no exception. By creating your own invites, you can cut down on costs without sacrificing style or quality. However, DIY touches like custom finishes and luxury ribbon can add up, so budget accordingly.
Creative freedom
When you design your wedding invitations, you’re not limited to what’s available in stores or online. You can experiment with different styles, materials and techniques to create invitations that truly stand out. Perhaps you want to include a hand-drawn illustration or a ribbon using the family tartan? Anything is possible with DIY invites!
Sentimental value
There’s something special about knowing you crafted your wedding invitations yourself. It’s a personal project that adds sentimental value to your big day, making your invites not just a piece of paper but a cherished keepsake.
Source: Retro wedding invitation design via VistaPrint
Tools and materials you’ll need
Before diving into the design process, it’s important to gather the tools and materials you’ll need. The items required will depend on the invitation design, so it’s a good idea to plan your design before you start shopping.
Which tools will I need?
- Cutting tools: Scissors, paper trimmers and craft knives may be needed if you plan to add your own touches like custom trims or intricate cutouts.
- Adhesives: Glue sticks, double-sided tape or spray adhesive will help you assemble multi-layered invitations securely.
- Decorative tools: Consider embossing tools or hole punchers to add unique details to your invites.
- Custom stamps: Custom stamps mean you can add a DIY element to your wedding invitation envelopes easily and affordably.
Which materials will I use?
- Paper: Choose from cardstock, textured paper, vellum or specialty papers depending on your desired look.
- Embellishments: Add lace, ribbon, string, dried flowers or foil details for a touch of elegance.
- Envelopes and seals: Custom envelopes with wax or sticker seals can provide the perfect finishing touch.
Source: Wedding envelope seals via VistaPrint
How to make DIY wedding invitations in three steps
Creating DIY wedding invitations may seem daunting but breaking it down into these three easy steps makes the DIY design process much more straightforward and manageable.
Step 1: Design your invitation
The design is the foundation of your invitation. Whether you’re creating a design from scratch using design software or customizing a VistaPrint template, this step is where your creativity shines.
- Choose a style: Decide on a style that complements your wedding theme — be it rustic, modern, playful, vintage or minimal.
- Choose a design template: VistaPrint’s wedding invitation templates offer a user-friendly way to design your own invitations, letting you customize colors, fonts and layouts.
- Create a cohesive wedding look: Ensure that your invitation’s color palette, fonts and graphics match your overall wedding theme and the rest of your wedding stationery to create a cohesive look.
Tip: For more invitation design tips and advice, check out our ultimate guide to wedding invitation design.
Source: Floral wedding invitation design via VistaPrint
Step 2: Choose the right paper
Choosing the right type of paper is important as it affects the look and feel of your invitations. When weighing up your options, there are several factors to consider, from the weight and texture to the extra finishes.
- Types of paper: Common choices include cardstock for a sturdy thickness, textured paper for an interesting feel, recycled paper for its eco-friendly benefits and specialty papers like vellum for added elegance.
- Paper weight: Paper weight is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). For wedding invitations, a heavier weight (typically 200-300 GSM) is preferred for quality and durability.
- Finishes: Pearl, glossy, embossed or foil finishes can make your invites look more polished and professional.
Source: Elegant wedding invitation design with a foil finish via VistaPrint
Step 3: Add personal touches
Personal touches make your DIY wedding invitations truly special. This step allows you to incorporate elements that reflect your personality and style.
- Handwritten elements: A 2024 wedding trend, adding handwritten details like calligraphy, hand-drawn illustrations or personalized notes can give your invites a unique and personal touch.
- Embellishments: Consider embellishing your invites with lace, string, ribbon or pressed flowers. These small details can transform a simple DIY invitation into something guests are thrilled to receive.
- Custom envelopes: Don’t forget about the envelopes. Custom envelope options like scalloped edges, wax seals and personalized stamps can enhance the overall presentation of your invitations.
Source: Custom wedding stamp via VistaPrint
How to create custom DIY wedding invites with VistaPrint
VistaPrint offers a variety of tools and templates that make it easy to create professional-quality custom wedding invitations. Here’s how to get the most out of VistaPrint’s DIY-friendly features.
Using templates
VistaPrint’s extensive range of wedding invitation templates allows you to start with a custom base design and customize it to fit your style. Choose a template that matches your wedding theme, then personalize it by adjusting colors, fonts and layouts.
- Template selection: Browse VistaPrint’s wedding invitation collection to find a design that resonates with your style. Templates range from modern and minimalistic to rustic and vintage-inspired.
- Customization options: Once you’ve selected a template, you can customize it by changing colors, fonts and layouts. This flexibility allows you to create an invitation that’s uniquely yours.
- DIY touches: After customizing your template, add DIY elements like custom stamps, embossing, custom trims, hand-tied ribbons or foil details for an extra special touch.
Source: Greenery wedding invitation design via VistaPrint
DIY-friendly features
VistaPrint offers several features that make it easy to combine products with DIY elements. For example, you can add an embossed foil finish for a luxurious look or use custom stamps to personalize your envelopes and invitations.
- Embossed foil finish: This feature adds a luxurious touch to your invitations, making them feel premium without the premium price. You can choose between gold, silver or glitter foil.
- Custom trims: Select a rounded or scalloped trim to add a more custom look to your DIY wedding invitations.
- Custom stamps and seals: For an easy DIY touch, order envelope seals or a custom stamp with your wedding monogram or logo.
- Combining with DIY elements: Mix and match VistaPrint products with handmade touches. For instance, pair a digitally printed invitation with a custom envelope containing real flowers or add a scalloped trim and tie it with a string or ribbon.
Source: Botanical wedding invitation suite via VistaPrint
Adding DIY elements
Start with a VistaPrint template and enhance it with your DIY skills for an invitation that’s both professional and personal. Here are some cool yet simple ideas to blend DIY creativity with VistaPrint templates.
Creative DIY template combinations
- Envelopes and seals: Elevate your VistaPrint invitations by pairing them with custom envelopes, envelope seals and real flowers.
- Hand-tied invitations: Use string, lace or ribbon to tie your invites, adding a rustic look or elegant finish depending on your wedding theme.
Here’s how you can combine VistaPrint template styles with DIY elements:
Rustic elegance
Combine a rustic wedding invitation template with lace and twine for a charming rustic look.
Source: Rustic wedding invitation via VistaPrint
Modern minimalism
Opt for a clean design with embossing and foil-stamped details for a bold, sleek and modern invitation.
Source: Modern wedding invitation via VistaPrint
Vintage charm
Add sepia tones, hand-torn edges and custom wax seals to create a vintage wedding invitation.
Source: Vintage wedding invitation suite via VistaPrint
Botanical blooms
Choose a botanical wedding template design and fill the envelope with pressed blooms of your own.
Source: Botanical wedding invitation via VistaPrint
Tips for a professional finish
Creating DIY wedding invitations requires attention to detail to ensure they look polished and professional. Here are some tips to help you achieve a flawless finish.
Attention to detail
Small details can make a big difference in the final product. Pay attention to alignment, neat edges and print quality to ensure your invites look their absolute best.
- Correct alignment: Make sure your text and graphics are perfectly aligned to avoid any off-center or crooked elements.
- Quality control: Before assembling your invites, double-check for typos, smudges and uneven cuts. These small errors can detract massively from the overall appearance.
- Final touches: Seal your envelopes securely, add custom seals or stamps, and give each invite a final once-over to ensure everything looks just right.
Source: DIY boho wedding invitation via VistaPrint xxx > https://www.vistaprint.com/stationery/wedding-invitations?categories=1277
Common mistakes to avoid
Even the best DIY projects can go awry if you’re not careful. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Overcomplicating designs: Simple designs often result in the most elegant invites. Avoid adding too many elements that can make your invitations look cluttered or unprofessional.
- Using poor-quality materials: High-quality paper and tools are essential for creating professional-looking invitations. Skimping on these can lead to a less polished final product.
- Rushing the process: Take your time with each step to ensure everything is done correctly. Rushing can lead to mistakes that are hard to fix later on.
Creating your own wedding invitations is a rewarding experience that allows you to put your love and creativity into every detail. Whether you’re starting from scratch or using a VistaPrint template as your base, DIY wedding invitations offer an opportunity to craft something truly special, unique and personal for your big day. Check out VistaPrint’s wedding invitation design options and create the wedding stationery of your dreams.
