How to Make Cheap Homemade Wedding Invitations
To make cheap wedding invitations, use an image-editing software, like Photoshop, PowerPoint, or Gimp, to design your own invitations, which will save you money. Also, buy matte cardstock to print your wedding invitations on, which is affordable but still high-quality and elegant. You can also save money by purchasing a paper cutter and cutting the paper for your invitations to size yourself.
Decide what elements you want to include with your invitations. It's perfectly acceptable to just send a simple, single-page invitation to your wedding, but you may want to include other elements as well. Before you go shopping for paper, make sure you plan out everything that you want to include in the envelope. Just remember that each additional element will run up the total cost of the invitation! For instance, you could include an RSVP card with an envelope to make it easy for your guests to let you know whether they'll be attending. You could also include a separate piece of paper with travel and lodging information for out-of-town guests. If you want to layer different pieces of paper on your main invitation, you'll need to plan that in advance, too. Finalize your guest list before you buy your invitation paper. In order to know how many invitations you'll need, you'll have to know exactly how many people you plan to invite to your wedding. Take into account your venue, your budget, and who is really important to celebrate your day with you. Remember, you don't necessarily need an invitation for every person on your guest list. It's fine to include both members of a couple or all of the members of a single family on one invitation, as long as they live at the same address. Choose the size and shape of your invitations before you buy paper. When you're deciding how much paper you'll need, the size and shape of your invitations will play a big part. To get the most value out of your paper, consider planning the size so you can print 2 invitations on each sheet of paper. To save even more money, plan the size so it will fit in a standard envelope. Not only will the envelopes themselves be less expensive, but you'll save on stamps, too. That's because the post office charges more postage to mail square envelopes. In order to qualify for the same postage as a regular letter, your envelope must be rectangular=shaped, at least 3 ⁄ 2 in × 5 in (8.9 cm × 12.7 cm), and no more than 6 ⁄ 8 in × 11 ⁄ 2 in (16 cm × 29 cm). Visit a craft store or office supply store to buy matte cardstock. There are endless options for wedding paper, from glossy vellum to paper made of linen. However, if you're on a budget, matte cardstock is your best option. It's available in different colors, and it's affordable while still being high-quality enough to create an elegant invitation. Cardstock comes in different thicknesses and is measured by weight. While it can range anywhere from 45–200 lb (20–91 kg), an 80 lb (36 kg) cardstock is a good mid-range option. If you choose heavier cardstock, be sure your printer can handle the weight. You should be able to find this information in the user manual. You can also buy cardstock online, if you want, but you won't have a chance to feel it to make sure it's the weight you had in mind. Even if you end up using a professional print shop to print your invitations, you can usually supply your own paper. Buying inexpensive cardstock in bulk can save you a lot of money in the long run. For the most professional look, stick with matte cardstock. Glossy paper requires more ink, takes longer to dry, and is likely to smear. Purchase a paper cutter or have your paper cut to size. Buying paper that's pre-cut to a certain size is more expensive than buying a standard size and cutting it yourself. If you have a lot of invitations, it may be worth it to purchase a paper cutter. You can then cut the paper yourself in your free time. However, you may also be able to find a local print shop that will cut the paper for you at little to no charge, even if you don't have your invitations printed there. You can find heavy-duty paper cutters for around $25 USD at most office supply stores. If your printer will only handle standard-size sheets, print the invitations first, then cut them. If you're having your invitations printed professionally, they'll often cut the paper to size for you at no additional charge. Use an image-editing software to help you design your invitation. There are tons of options online for software that you can use to create your design, from the most basic layout to advanced graphic design. If you don't already have an editing software that you're familiar with, search online or read DIY wedding forums to find a program that matches your skill level. If you have some graphic design knowledge, you might use Adobe Spark, Photoshop, or Illustrator. Try programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint , or Keynote for simpler designs. If you need a free option, try Pixlr , Seashore, or GIMP. Keep the background plain. While it's fine to add pretty details to your background, avoid using a solid color. If you try to print out a colored background on a sheet of cardstock, you'll not only use a lot of ink, but your invitations probably won't look as professional as you'd like. If you want your invitations to be a certain color, try to find cardstock in that shade, or use embellishments to incorporate the color into your design. Leave plenty of room for text. While adding graphics and images to your invitation is fun, don't forget that your guests need to be able to easily read important information, like the time, date, and location of the wedding. Leave more room around the text than you think you'll need. Once you add in the wording, you can go back and adjust the other elements if you want. Add images and embellishments to your design in the program. Depending on the software you're using, you may be able to import your own images, or you may be given a pre-selected set of designs to choose from. Think about your color scheme, the theme if you have one, and your own personal taste. Use that to decide whether you want to include pictures, a border, or any other graphics. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you might include a line drawing of a seashell on your invitation. If your wedding will be very traditional and classic, a scrolled border is an elegant touch. If you're using an image, make sure they're high-resolution, or at least 300 DPI. You can find this under the "Properties" tab for the image on your computer. Add 3D elements for a fun and unique touch. Your designs don't all have to be printed on the page! You can also personalize your invitations by gluing on fun touches like ribbons, glitter, buttons, lace, or die-cut paper shapes from a craft store. When you're designing the layout on the computer, just leave a blank space where you plan to attach the object. However, keep in mind that each added element will increase the total weight when postage is calculated. For example, if you find a pretty ribbon that matches your color scheme, use it to tie the invitation, RSVP card, and return envelope together. A strip of lace across the bottom of the page is a romantic, pretty addition to a wedding invitation. Use a stamp for an inexpensive way to add a design. Rubber stamps are a great way to add a special touch to a large number of invitations. You can find a stamp you like at a craft store, or you can order a personalized stamp online. Leave an empty space in the design of the invitation before you print it. Then, roll or press the stamp onto an ink pad and carefully press it straight down onto the paper to leave the design. For a wedding with a woodland theme, a pretty bird stamp is a perfect touch. Opt for a stamp with the married couple's monogram for a decorative element that you can use throughout the years! You can use colored pencils or markers to add a little color to the stamp if you want. Just do a test to make sure whatever you choose won't bleed through your paper! Use a punch or a stamp cutter to add pretty edges to the paper. You can find a variety of paper punches at a craft store. You can use these to add a unique design around the edges of your invitation. For instance, you could use a punch to make a scalloped edge along the top of the invitation, or you could cut a lace-like design all the way around the page. This is a low-cost way to add a special touch! Only stamp a few invitations at a time. If you start to get tired or bored, you might not cut the design evenly. If you're planning to punch around the edges of your invitation, remember to leave a wide enough margin, so you don't cut into your design! Choose a cursive font for a classic, romantic look. If you're having a formal, traditional wedding, there's nothing prettier than a scrolled, cursive typeface. You can find free fonts by searching online. However, to ensure you get a good-quality font, check that the spacing between the letters, called the kerning, is even. Some popular free cursive fonts include Coneria Script, Candlescript, and Pinyon Script. If the font you choose is hard to read, you may want to use it for just the couple's names. Then, opt for a serif font for the rest of the invitation, like Forum, Playfair Display, or the classic Times New Roman. Serif fonts have small lines on the edges of the letters, and they tend to look more traditional. Use a playful font for a relaxed wedding. If your wedding style is rustic-chic or come-as-you-are, you probably want your font to be as fun and laid-back as you are, while still remaining elegant, of course. Play around with distressed fonts, different-sized letters, or fun embellishments to make your invitation unique. Good options for free fonts for you might include Bergamot Ornaments, Simon Script, or Shorelines Script. Opt for a sans serif font for a modern look. Sans serif fonts have clean lines, without the lines at the tops and bottoms of the letters. If your style is modern and urban, a sans serif font is probably the best option for you. Free options for sans serif fonts include Montserrat Light, Josefin Sans, Ostrich Sans, and LemonChicken. Center your wording for the most elegant look. Typically, having the lettering justified to the center of your invitation will make it look the most professional. Also, try to make sure the text portion of your invitation is spaced evenly from the top to the bottom. There are no hard-and-fast rules for designing your own wedding invitation. If you decide your wording looks better right- or left-justified, go for it! Include the names of the hosts at the top of the invitation. Sometimes a wedding is hosted by one set of parents, sometimes both sets of parents, or sometimes the couple. Depending on your personal situation, you may choose to include an acknowledgment of the hosts, called the “Host Line.” It typically comes at the top of the invitation. The wording for the host line may say something like “Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Billings invite you to celebrate the wedding of their daughter,” for instance. It could also say something like “James Cryer and Taylor Paille, together with their families, cordially invite you.” You could also leave the host line out, if you're not sure what to put there. Emphasize the names of the wedding couple by making them bigger. Typically, the names of the couple are larger than the rest of the font on the page. While it used to be traditional for the bride's name to come first, changing social norms have made it acceptable for you to list the names in whatever order you prefer. If you want to, you can put the names of the couple in a different font than the rest of the wording. This will help draw even more attention to the names. You can mix sans serif and serif fonts if you like, or you can use a similar style if you'd prefer. Just make sure the 2 fonts you choose look nice together and are easy to read. Include an invitation or action line. An action line is where you actually invite the reader to join you at the ceremony. The wording for the action is flexible, and can include options like, “You're Invited,” “Please join us,” or “We invite you to celebrate with us.” You can use the action line to indicate the formality of the wedding, if you like. For instance, an action line that says “Join us for a fun celebration!” lets the reader know that the ceremony will probably be more relaxed. "We request the honor of your presence" indicates the wedding will be held at a place of worship. Make sure to include any relevant information. Your invitation should clearly state the location of the wedding, including the address, along with the time and date. If there will be a gap between the ceremony and the reception, or if the reception will be at a different location, be sure to include that information, too. Often, the year is omitted when writing the date on an invitation, but you can include it if you'd like. Include any RVSP information , as well, including the deadline for RSVPs, who to contact, and how to respond. For instance, an email or a phone call might be fine to RSVP to a smaller wedding, but if you're hosting a large wedding, you might prefer all RSVPs come through the mail so you can keep track of them. Finish with a party line. The party line lets the reader know what will occur after the ceremony. For instance, if you're having a reception with music, food, and dancing, you might have a line at the invitation that says, "Dinner and dancing to follow" or "Reception to follow." Start by printing a test copy on printer paper. Before you print your invitation on your good cardstock, it's a good idea to print a single copy on regular printer paper. Check this test copy carefully to make sure everything's lined up correctly, there are no typos, and all of the information is accurate. You want your invitations to look as good as possible, so take your time double- and triple-checking your test copies For extra peace of mind, have someone else proofread your invitation as well. If you're including 3D decorations, stamps, punches, or other elements that won't be printed onto the invitation, try them out on the test copy to make sure they fit properly, and make any needed adjustments if they don't. Test a single copy on your nice stationery to check the design a final time. Even after you're satisfied with the invitation on printer paper, print one single invitation on your cardstock for a final check. That way, if the ink appears different on the cardstock, or if there's a problem with your printer, you won't be stuck with a stack of invitations you can't use. Once you're satisfied with this copy, you can begin printing your invitations. Print the invitations in batches of 10-20. It's best to print your invitations in small batches, in case you need to change the ink cartridge or the printer head alignment changes due to the heavy cardstock. Just break the job into batches, and check each batch before you start a new one. An easy way to check on your printer is to compare the first and last copies from each batch with the very first copy from the first batch. If they all look identical, your printer is functioning the same. If the ink is starting to fade, you may need to replace the cartridge. You can buy these at an office supply store. If the invitations aren't lined up correctly, you may need to realign the printer heads. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your printer to do this. Take the file to a professional print shop if you don't have a good printer. If you're not sure that your printer will be able to handle the job, consider having the invitations professionally printed. You may find that the cost of doing this is less than what you would pay to replace your printer, especially if you're providing your own paper. Call around to get estimates so you can find the best deal. Order a proof if you want to use an online print shop. That way, you can see and feel a hard copy before you have the whole batch printed up. Address the invitations by hand if you write neatly. If you know calligraphy or you just have nice handwriting, you can save money by addressing the invitations yourself. Use a good quality pen and sit in a comfortable chair at a desk or table. Gather your list of addresses, then carefully copy the names and addresses of your guests onto each envelope. If your handwriting is nice but you want to try something special, look online for free calligraphy tutorials! Just be sure to practice on plain paper before you start writing on the envelopes. Print your address labels if you don't have good handwriting. If you don't think your handwriting is very neat, or if you just want to save some time, you can print adhesive address labels, instead. Buy a pack of adhesive label paper from an office supply store, then use a word processor with a template for labels. Type one guest's name or family name and address on each label, then print out the whole sheet at once. Use a simple, easy-to-read font for these labels, so the invitations don't accidentally get sent to the wrong address! This is also a good option for including your return address. Just print out a whole sheet with your name and address, then attach them to the envelopes! Assemble the invitations. Once you have your invitations printed and your envelopes addressed, it's time to put everything together! Make sure each envelope contains every element, including the invitation, the RSVP card, travel information if you're including it, and the return envelope. This is usually a fun process, since you finally get to see all your work come together, so take your time and enjoy it! It's fine to seal the envelopes with the included adhesive, but you can also use stickers or a wax seal to close the tab if you want to add a nice finishing touch. Mail the invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. In order to give your guests plenty of time to RSVP, you should plan to send your invitations out about 2 months before your big day. Depending on the weight, a single stamp might not cover the cost of mailing the invitations. To make sure you have the postage correct, it's best to take your invitations to the post office to mail them. 
Decide what elements you want to include with your invitations. Finalize your guest list before you buy your invitation paper. Choose the size and shape of your invitations before you buy paper. Visit a craft store or office supply store to buy matte cardstock. Purchase a paper cutter or have your paper cut to size. Use an image-editing software to help you design your invitation. Keep the background plain. Leave plenty of room for text. Add images and embellishments to your design in the program. Add 3D elements for a fun and unique touch. Use a stamp for an inexpensive way to add a design. Use a punch or a stamp cutter to add pretty edges to the paper. Choose a cursive font for a classic, romantic look. Use a playful font for a relaxed wedding. Opt for a sans serif font for a modern look. Center your wording for the most elegant look. Include the names of the hosts at the top of the invitation. Emphasize the names of the wedding couple by making them bigger. Include an invitation or action line. Make sure to include any relevant information. Finish with a party line. Start by printing a test copy on printer paper. Test a single copy on your nice stationery to check the design a final time. Print the invitations in batches of 10-20. Take the file to a professional print shop if you don't have a good printer. Address the invitations by hand if you write neatly. Print your address labels if you don't have good handwriting. Assemble the invitations. Mail the invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. 