Wedding Times

Photo by aus_chick

An early wedding planning task and a popular choice for doing things yourself, DIY invites may seem overwhelming at first but in truth, they can be easy and can save you lots of money.

Draft what you would like your invitations to look like. This not only includes the wording but the type of paper to use, any embellishments, and font type. Create a list of everything that you need to make your invitations and do some comparison shopping at office supply and craft stores before finally buying.

Play around on your computer. Use a program such as Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP and Paint.net. Now it’s time to include anything that will be printed on your wedding invitations. Try different layering, different text sizes, and different fonts to discover which one you like the best. Choose a font that is elegant but can be easily read. Make your text large enough so that those with impaired sight (perhaps a few of your elderly guests) can read it.

The easiest way to print your invitations is by feeding the sheets through your printer one at a time. It takes longer but avoids paper jams and errors. Card stock is generally thicker than regular paper, it is a little bit trickier to print with and taking the few extra minutes will save you a lot of headache in the long run.

After printing, start collating. If you have hundreds of them, have an invitation party and ask friends and family to help you put them together.

For RSVPs you can include a reply card with every invitation. Design them in the same theme that your invitation is just make it smaller and use different text. Then address it with the recipient’s address as well as your own and put a stamp on it. RSVP cards aren’t a necessity. Save yourself time and money by including RSVP details, such as your phone number and email at the bottom of each invite instead.

Here are some ideas to get you started. Build and adapt on these concepts:

• Use a photograph of the two of you for the cover of the invitation.

• Use rhinestones, satin ribbon, or lace as embellishments on your invitation.

• Use natural elements for a theme wedding such as pressed leaves for an autumn wedding.

• Seal the invitations with wax and a stamp for an extra personal touch.

• Use vellum to write your text and then overlap it onto the background for a very elegant look.

• Use glitter or sparkles to decorate the invitation.

4 simple dos and don’ts for creating chic DIY wedding invitations your guests will love.

• Don’t create the entire thing from an invitation kit. Although these may seem to make it easier, it’s just as much work and they take the personal touch out of the entire thing.

• Do buy in bulk. Whatever supplies you will need, buy them all at once from the same store if you can. Often stores will provide discounts when you are making a very large purchase. If one isn’t offered, demand ask for one.

• Don’t buy precut sheets of paper. You may change your mind when you get home or the sizes may not work with the invitation you want. Cut the invitations when they are done to the size you want.

• Do lots of tests. Even if there’s one detail out of place that you’re not happy with, tweak the design until its right; otherwise, you’ll be looking back on the invitations, wishing you had changed them.