Join the 40% of Americans taking the DIY route when it comes to weddings, starting with their own environmentally friendly wedding invites.
Crafting your own environmentally friendly wedding invitations offers more than cost savings; it's a meaningful way to infuse your personality into every detail. Whether you envision elegant designs or embrace rustic charm, the DIY approach provides limitless opportunities for creativity. It's a chance to captivate your guests from the moment they receive your wedding invitation.
If you're prepared to embark on this creative journey and add a personal touch to your wedding day, or if you want to save some serious cash, this article is your essential guide to making your environmentally-friendly wedding invitations stand out. Keep reading for some excellent tips and tricks.
Work Out a Budget
When creating environmentally friendly wedding invites, the first step is to calculate how much you can spend. Working out a budget before you begin is critical to not overspending. Some materials cost more than others, so you must know what you can afford before shopping.
The cost of your invitations will vary depending on the materials you choose. For example, paper made from recycled materials is typically more expensive than traditional paper.
You will also need to factor in the cost of printing, postage, and envelopes. If you are planning to send save-the-dates, you will need to add those costs to your budget as well.
Consider Your Theme
Once you have your budget calculated, it's time to think about creating your invites. Many weddings have a theme, which can help you decide on design elements.
For example, are you having a Christmas-themed wedding in December or a Harry Potter-themed wedding in October? These two themes would do well in winter or fall palettes.
If you don't have a theme in mind, don't worry! You can still create beautiful and cohesive invites without one.
Just keep in mind the overall aesthetic of your wedding and choose design elements that will complement it. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, use light, airy colors and beachy imagery on your invites.
Mix and Match Textures
The great thing about designing DIY environmentally friendly wedding invites is that you can get creative. One can add many textures to wedding invitations to make them more eco-friendly, elegant, or quirky.
For example, consider adding elements of lace, gold leaf, and filigree if you have more upmarket nuptials. You can get creative by adding these mixed textures to your wedding invitation's contents. Here are a few ideas for mixing and matching textures in your wedding invitations:
- Use textured paper for the invitation itself, such as recycled cardstock or kraft paper
- Add elements of lace, ribbon, or other embellishments to the invitation
- Use a different texture for each of the invitation components, such as textured paper for the invite, smooth paper for the directions page, and linen paper for the RSVP card
- Emboss or deboss the text on the invitation for a tactile effect
Add Extras
While discussing different wedding invite components, adding extras to your invitations is another way to get creative when DIYing. For example, you can add a page with directions and a map of the venue, an RSVP card, a return envelope, etc.
Guests love information, so try to include as much as possible. You can also add a fun detail like a QR code that guests can scan for more information about the wedding. If you're stuck for inspiration, searching for "creative RSVP cards for wedding invitations" can help get you started.
Use Design Software
If you're not confident in your design skills, several design software programs can help you create beautiful wedding invitations. Some popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva.
These programs allow you to easily create custom designs, add text, and edit images. Here are some tips for using design software to make your wedding invitations:
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Start With a Template: If you need help figuring out where to start, many design software programs offer pre-made templates you can customize. There's no shame in starting from a ready-made template; you can customize it as you go. For inspiration, search for some elegant wedding invitation designs from 2023.
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Choose a Font That's Easy to Read: Your invitation should be easy to read, so choose a font that's simple enough and easy to read. Also, keep the number of fonts to a minimum. If you have too many, the invite will look cluttered.
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Proofread!: Before you print your invitations, proofread them to ensure no errors. Typos on wedding invites are a huge faux pas.
Consider Environmentally Friendly Wedding Invites
With global warming affecting the globe, eco-friendly wedding invitations are the way to go. Here are a few tips for creating environmentally friendly wedding invites:
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Use Recycled or Recyclable Materials: When choosing your wedding invitation paper, look for options made from recycled materials. This is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and help to save trees.
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Choose Non-Toxic Inks: When printing your wedding invitations, be sure to use non-toxic inks. This will help to reduce air pollution and protect the health of your guests.
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Print on Both Sides of the Paper: This is a great way to save paper and reduce your environmental impact. The less paper you use, the better.
Consider Sending Electronic Invitations Instead of Paper Ones
Electronic invitations are a great way to save paper and reduce your environmental impact. They are also more convenient for your guests, as they can be viewed and responded to anywhere.
Start Designing Your Dream Wedding Invites Today
Creating your own environmentally friendly wedding invites is a great way to save money, reduce your environmental impact, and add a personal touch to your big day. Start by calculating a budget, considering your theme, deciding on a color palette, and mixing and matching textures.
If you're not creative, don't be shy about using and adapting templates from design software. Finally, consider using biodegradable materials and print on both sides of the paper to be eco-conscious.
At AlphaGraphics, we offer custom cards and invitations, templates for every occasion, full-color digital printing, and more. Contact us at (480) 573-8649. Alternatively, you can upload a file on our website, get directions, or get a quote.