Creating your Perfect Wedding Invitations

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Today's Bride

It is one of the first things your guests will see regarding your dream wedding- the invitations. Therefore, it is important to set the tone of the wedding on this small piece of paper. It is something that will hang on your guests’ refrigerators until your wedding day and something that you will keep on the front page of your wedding scrapbook, so you want it to match your style and personality. Here is all you need to know about creating the perfect invitation for your wedding!

Brainstorm

Before you start making any decisions or talking to designers, sit down and think about the message you are trying to send with this invitation. Are you going for a traditional, classic look? If so, consider a serif style font paired with your wedding colors. Are you trying to go for a more sleek, modern look? Maybe a sans serif or a handwritten style font with a fun pattern would work better for you. “The location of your reception plays a big impact on the invitation,” says Kristina from Paper Trails of Rocky River. If you’re getting married in a ballroom, you should have a more formal invitation. However, a more casual setting – like a greenhouse or barn – calls for an informal and fun invite. No matter what kind of style you are going for, having an idea of what you want to do before you start making decisions will save you a lot of time and money.

Look for inspiration

If you are having a difficult time coming up with ideas, don’t be afraid to look online for inspiration. Pinterest is always a great place to look when you are not sure where to start. By looking at different invitations online it can help you decide what you do and do not like. If you find yourself pinning the same calligraphy and patterns over and over, you have found your style! Be cautious, though, when it comes to heavily adorned invitations. “Invitations that include lace, burlap, ribbons, etc. can add more to the price. You might fall in love with a design on Pinterest that isn’t realistic when it comes to your budget,” warns Kathy from Invitations by Kate.

“Start the process of finding your invitations as early as possible!” Patricia from RSVP and Company advises. The assembly of your suite takes more time the more layers and adornments you add. “The extra time can be as much as a month, depending on the quantity ordered and the complexity of the design, so get started as soon as your guest list is complete!”

Consider calligraphy

A great way to make your invitation feel classy and unique is by choosing the perfect font. Even if you are having a more casual wedding, your invitation shouldn’t be. Picking the right font can help dress up even the simplest invitation.

“Country chic barn weddings are still a huge trend that is not going away, but step up your decor game and make your invitations more elegant and less casual,” said Jodi, from Pink Tomato Creative.

Calligraphy is a great way to do this! You can hire a professional calligrapher to hand write each of your invites, but there’s an easier (and cheaper!) way. “We use a font that looks like handwritten calligraphy that modern brides love!” Kristina explains. This way, you won’t have to wait for the ink to dry or worry about them smearing and can keep a consistent look. Keep in mind, if you decide to use a fun handwritten style font, only use it for big headings. Using it for every word on the invitation can look a little overwhelming. You want to make sure your guests can read the details clearly and not mistaken the seven for a one.

Hire a professional

Why you shouldn’t DIY

DIY has become extremely popular with invitations. But is potentially saving a few bucks worth all the time and effort you are going to put into creating your own invitations? In the end, we are firm believers that DIYing does not actually save brides money at all. “A lot of times, brides will design invitations using an online template but we can’t actually print it,” Kathy says. “Templates are great to get inspiration, but they don’t attribute for bleed space or other details that are necessary for printing.”

They make it more personal

“As a graphic designer, we think not only of the end result, but the process it takes to get there. My favorite part of that process is sitting down and talking with the bride and groom. Getting to know their likes and dislikes. Because of this step, when choosing to use a professional you will get an invitation that is very personal.” Brittney from Brittney Nichole Designs is passionate about hiring a professional to design and print your invitations. “Your invitation sits in your guest’s home every day until your big day. If there isn’t much effort put into the design, it could end up in the trash. My goal is to make the invitation so unforgettable that it makes it into your memory books and out of the trash!”

They can take the burden from you

Patricia notes, “You have enough on your shoulders when you’re planning a wedding! Delegate as much as you can by hiring a professional.” She continues, saying, “A professional can help you with EVERYTHING, including invitations and enclosures, thank you notes, programs, menus, place cards, seating charts, assembly and digital calligraphy.” There are many advantages to hiring professionals, so don’t add any extra stress this process by trying to take it on by yourself.

“Hiring a local professional allows you to not only develop a relationship with someone who is skilled in their profession, but who can help guide you in the process,” Jodi said. “A lot of brides fall victim to not knowing exactly what they should order, or even how many.” Patricia adds, “I have had to rescue several couples who chose to order their invitations online. One of the biggest problems is not knowing what typeface would be best for the space available on the invitations and enclosure cards. Only an expert in typography and design can point you in the right direction.”

 

Today’s trends

Colors and Fonts

There are many trends popping up when it comes to making your wedding invitations more personalized and modern. According to Jodi, envelope liners, modern calligraphy, and watercolors are all very popular with brides today. “Some of the current trends I like are watercolor effects (flowers, backgrounds, etc.) and more than two fonts on one invitation,” adds Kathy. “That’s not to say that ‘traditional’ is wrong. It’s perfect for some couples. But not so perfect for others. It’s my job to discern the difference.” You can also ask your invitation and stationery stylist about new or emerging trends they’ve seen! Brittney notes, “One of my favorite color combinations this year is navy, blush, and rose gold! Blush has been a popular hue for the past couple years, but added with rose gold – it is SO lovely!”

Making it Personal

Add a personal touch by including a photo of you and your fiancé on it from your engagement pictures. If you are looking for a fun way to incorporate your guests and make them feel like they are really a part of your wedding day, song requests are a fun way to do so! “Song request options on RSVP cards have been a long-standing trend,” Jodi said. “Not everyone chooses to include it, but I have been fulfilling this request for many years. It’s not really new, but it never gets old.”

Brittney notes that another fun new trend is including hand-drawn maps in your invitations! “Since invitations have become really unique to the couple to tell their story, the custom maps I illustrate have become a HUGE hit with my clients. These maps highlight their favorite locations such as where they got engaged, favorite restaurant or place to visit so the invitation really tells their story in a unique way!”

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“When the rentals are returned and the flowers have wilted, you are left with the photos from your photographer AND your invitations and stationery,” Brittney reminds brides. “When years have passed and you are looking through the pages of your wedding book with your family, your stationery will be there, too! I want your invitation to be one of your most treasured keepsakes!”