If you have an upcoming wedding and need invitations, this post is for you! In it, guest author Debbie of Affinity Agency is sharing 10 creative DIY wedding invitation ideas.
Wedding planning and the associated costs are not for the fainthearted. Some things can cost much more than expected, but it’s even worse when the quality of the final result doesn’t meet your expectations. To save disappointment, the best option might be to put your financial resources into the day itself and choose more cost-effective or DIY options for things like the invites.
So, let’s look at 10 cost-effective and creative wedding invitation ideas to help you save more of your budget for the big day
1. DIY Watercolour designs
The best thing about watercolour is there is no ‘right’ way to do it. Whether you go for a simple colour wash or more intricate flowers, it’s a forgiving technique that will look high-quality no matter your skill level.
You will need:
- A small paintbrush for detail and a larger one for colour washing
- A cup of water
- Watercolour card
- Watercolour paints
One of the easiest ways to control watercolour paint is through wet-in-wet techniques. This involves wetting a specific part of the card and adding daubs of colour to create a natural spread within a defined area. Adding paint splatters on dry card works nicely too and results in an artistic pastel background.
If you want to get adventurous, experiment with different colours and techniques, then allow them to dry and pick out the ones you like best.
2. DIY Calligraphy
Using ink to create calligraphy might be a daunting prospect for some, but there are plenty of pens and tools on the market that make it an accessible option for everyone. You’ll just need to practise- a lot!
You will need:
- Calligraphy pens
- Ink
- Thick card (make sure it’s thick enough so the ink won’t bleed through)
The easiest way to learn the basics is by heading to your favourite video streaming site for expert guidance. Use some scrap card to practice until you feel comfortable writing your invitation text.
3. Try the cut-out invite style
Cut-out style invites are set to be especially popular this year, which is great as it’s an easy (although intricate) DIY technique to master.
You will need
- Either a pattern puncher (like a hole puncher but with patterns, found in craft shops) a paper cutting machine or a sharp craft knife
- Thick card or paper
- A cutting board (if needed)
Some easy options are edging patterns or symmetrical full cover designs, but a simple, single artistic cut out can have a big impact too. Either way, you should create a master stencil to keep each invite consistent.
4. Add texture with dried flowers
Dried and flattened flowers or petals are a timeless and romantic option. And they’re affordable too.
You will need:
- Flowers (go for small and open flowers such as pansies, daisies, and violas)
- Heavy books
- Parchment paper
- Glue
Prepare the flowers by removing any unwanted leaves and shortening the stem. Open your big book of choice in the middle and lay the flowers face down on a sheet of parchment paper inside. Carefully place another sheet of parchment paper on top of the flowers and close the book. Add further weight on top of the book to ensure the flower is as flat as possible, then leave it alone for a month. During that time, the flower will dry out and flatten while retaining its colour. If they are not fully dry after four weeks, leave them for another couple of weeks.
Once dried, you can adhere the flowers using glue or tie them to the envelope using twine or ribbon. If you’re using a wax seal, you could put the flowers under the wax seal for an extra creative flair.
5. Get the luxury look with gold leaf
Using imitation gold leaf or gold paint is an excellent way to make things look expensive without it being so – you can buy a book of 100 sheets or a tube of paint for around $10. Plus, you can be a bit messy, and it will still look elegant and attractive.
You will need:
- Golf leaf or gold paint
- A paintbrush
- A light, fluffy brush (such as a clean makeup brush)
- Thick card or paper
- Glue (if using gold leaf)
If you’re using gold leaf, use a small paintbrush to add glue where you want your design to be (think of a border around the card, artistic flecks, or floral patterns). Apply the gold leaf on the glue and wait for it to dry. Using a soft brush, gently dust away the excess leafing to reveal your design. If you’re using paint, just brush away!
6. Stay consistent with stamps
Rubber stamps are a quick and inexpensive way to apply the same design across multiple invites. And if you want to go a bit more bespoke, you can source custom-made stamps from most suppliers.
What you’ll need:
- Your Rubber stamp
- Ink
- Thick card or paper
If you want to use stamps to decorate the invite, go for floral stamps or ones with design accents. You could also create a simple stamp with your initials for use across all your wedding stationery.
7. Get digitally creative
If you have access to a printer, you can create personalised wedding invites with minimal expense. To help, there are plenty of websites that offer wedding invite design templates like Etsy or Canva. Plus, when you purchase your template, you also get easy instructions or access to someone that can help. Alternatively, you can design your own.
Once designed, you can either print and finish them at home or use a professional local printer to ensure consistent quality and finishing.
8. Add texture
A great way to add a feel of luxury and interest to your invites is to experiment with textiles like ribbon and twine. It’s also a great opportunity to begin incorporating colours (or fabrics) from your wedding theme.
You will need:
- Ribbon or twine
- Scissors
- Thick card or paper
You can either use the ribbon or twine in a decorative sense by creating bows and knots or making it a little more functional by using it to create a rudimentary binding. For example, you could use the twine to attach the menu choice card to the rest of the invite – that way it doesn’t get misplaced.
9. Use a fancy wax seal
If you want to create an old-fashioned, hand-crafted effect with your invites, using a wax seal is a good way to go – plus it’s relatively inexpensive. There are different seals, but they all essentially work in the same way as stamps – you just apply the medium to the card first instead.
You will need:
- Wax seal sticks, beads or colourful hot glue
- Your wax seal
- Tools to melt the wax safely
Simply melt the medium, pour it on your invite and press firmly with the seal for 30-60 seconds until it cools enough to hold the shape. Et voilà, fancy wax-sealed invites.
10. Re-purpose doilies
Remember doilies? The large fabric versions were probably all over and under ornaments in your grandparents (or great grandparents) homes. But love or hate them – they are making a serious comeback! Doilies are becoming trendy again thanks to hobbyists and DIY-ers who use them to create a beautiful and inexpensive white, lacy effect on crafts – in this case, wedding invitations.
You will need:
- One doily per invite
- Twine or ribbon
Simply place your invite in the centre of the doily and fold the lacy edges around the front of the card – it’s kind of like you’re wrapping the invite. Glue it down if you like, then tie twine around the whole thing before finishing with a bow in the centre. The doily helps add a romantic, ornamental effect to the invite because it mimics laser cut invites that are very popular in the wedding market at the moment.
Now you know a few ways to create the DIY wedding invitation of your dreams. It can be very affordable and only requires your time and effort. So, get creating and send your hand-crafted, wonderful invites right on time for your summer wedding…
About the Author:
Debbie is an experienced writer currently based in the UK working for Affinity Agency. Her main goal is to help others learn and develop through well-researched and informative content.