Everything You Need To Know About Creating Your Own Wedding Invitations (The Easy Way)
Image by: Printed.com
Taking the DIY route is the best option for discerning brides on a budget. Looking to take creative control? With the help of Printed.com and their new downloadable templates, we show you how to bring your vision to life (the easy way!).
Wedding season is fast on the approach. How do we know? Because every season is wedding season - particularly if you’re planning one! Anyone currently organising their upcoming nuptials will know that planning this once-in-a-lifetime event is an all-year-round job, with research and design stages starting as early as possible. In 2019, couples spent an average of 7-12 months planning their big day*, with those opting for destination weddings starting even earlier, meaning there really is no time like the present to start deliberating over your dream day.
Once you’ve researched, chosen a venue and decided a date, it’s time to let people know the finer details - that’s where your wedding invitations come in! Think about it: as well as letting your nearest and dearest know that they’ve made the cut, the invite is the first time you’ll be able to give people a proper taste of your wedding’s theme and style. A.K.A. everything you’ve been pouring your heart, soul and personality into for however long! While a Save the Date may have hinted at it, invites allow you to get really creative and showcase the flavour of what’s to come.
But where to begin? Maybe you’ve found the perfect bespoke design on Pinterest but can’t find where it came from, or maybe you did and it’s wildly out of your price range. Perhaps, you have an amazing idea in your mind and haven’t found any pre-made designs that successfully bring the vision to life? If this sounds like you, then creating your own invitations could be the best option.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, trusted digital printers such as Printed.com make it easy as could be. Here we show you step by step how to create the wedding invitations of your wildest dreams...
1. Do your research (and lots of it!)
The research stages are arguably the most fun of the whole planning process - it’s the fairytale time before budgets, deposits and spreadsheet tracking comes into play! Use this time to think about the kind of wedding you’d like, and use platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest to create mood boards filled with inspirational pics that create a sense of how your own day will look. This will in turn dictate the colour, style and mood of your invitations later down the line.
2. Start with the big day – and work backwards
Think about the theme or style you’ve chosen for your wedding. Your wedding invitations should capture that vibe. Are you thinking sophisticated, white and minimal, or boho and greenery? Country manor or rustic barn? Are you opting for a 1920’s Art Deco theme in the UK or decorating your tables with lemons in Sicily? These decisions will influence your font, image and design choices.
3. Create your own design
Having been asked over and over by current customers to provide blank templates, Printed.com has finally listened! If you know exactly what you want and you're a whizz with the relevant tools, download Printed.com's free Illustrator, InDesign and PDF templates to help you get the most from your artwork, supplied with bleed lines and helpful tips. Create your design within the template, then upload to Printed.com to print in your chosen size, paper and finish - you can even add foiling and laser-cutting for an extra fancy flourish!
FAQs
When should Save The Dates go out?
To get first dibs on your guests, it’s advised to get them to pencil your chosen date in the calendar six to eight months prior. You can design your own with Printed.com, so they can match your invitations later on too!
When should invitations go out?
Eight to twelve weeks before will do it - by now, anyone who knows they can’t make it will likely have let you know already.
When do I send invitations for destination weddings?
Due to weddings abroad having smaller villa venues and limited guest numbers, you may choose to skip Save The Dates and go straight to invitations nine months to one year ahead. Travelling abroad is a big commitment involving accommodation and flights, so more time is required for both couples and guests peace of mind!
4. Or take a look at a free template!
If you’re struggling with design, don’t worry - Printed.com have just released their first ever free downloadable template, in the gorgeous and highly popular Art Deco style above - and it couldn’t be easier to use! In a sleek pattern and dazzling finish, it includes a free template for invitations, RSVPs, envelope liners, belly bands, stickers and a Save the Date. There’s even a handy guide to help you on your way!
Image by: Lilac and White via Printed.com
Alternatively, Printed.com work in collaboration with a series of trusted small businesses and independent creatives who, if you’re not particularly artistic, are on hand with thousands of pre-made design templates that will suit your needs. Buy downloadable templates through them directly or via Etsy, have a tinker with fonts, words and placements, and upload to Printed.com to print in your chosen size, paper and finish. You can even add foiling and laser-cutting for an extra fancy flourish!
5. Add your finishing touches
From choosing the right paper stock to complimenting your design with the perfect envelope, you want your invite to look its best until the day. If your design is sharp, bold and bright you may prefer silk or gloss stock paper that carries the colour, whilst whimsical or traditional invites may prefer textured papers such as Tintoretto Gesso, Laid or Nettuno. Explore lined envelopes for an extra flourish, foil finishes, laser cutting and consider finishing with your own wax seal for a professional touch!
So what’re you waiting for? The creative control is in your hands! Plus, with Printed.com's print promise, if you're unhappy with the quality of your print they'll reprint or issue a refund. Happy printing!
*According to Confetti.co.uk