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Artful Invitations
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Send a personal message to your guests with handmade stationery.
n invitation makes the ultimate first impression. It does much more than tell guests where to be and when to be
there; it sets the tone for the entire event. For traditional weddings, the ecru panel card with engraved script remains a classic choice. But before you head to the stationery shop to place your order, consider an artistic alternative. You can create your own wedding invitations to reflect the style of your wedding and the romance of your relationship. A wide variety of fancy papers, crafts tools, and computer programs makes it easy.
For ideas on handmade wedding invitations, we turned to two of our Southern Living Weddings designers, Jennie McClain Shannon and Gae Watson. They produced an array of unique designs that can be adapted for multiple stationery needs, including rehearsal dinner invitations, save-the-date announcements, or wedding programs. Browse through their collection of beautiful creations, and read their hands-on advice and tips for crafting original invitations of your own. As you’re about to discover, you don’t have to be a professional artist to create a truly artful wedding invitation.
Sources of Inspiration
Shop for ideas. Browsing the selection of papers and materials at local crafts and art-supply stores and on the Internet may spark an idea for an original invitation. If you’re feeling less creative, draw upon the designs of ready-made invitations and cards. Think about the theme and setting of the event. A floral design seems natural for a garden wedding, while a beachy motif will get guests excited about a seaside ceremony. Experiment with color, choosing papers or inks in the same hues as wedding flowers or bridesmaids’ dresses. (to page 13)
For elegance with flair, opt for an invitation in neutral, natural hues. Sheer ribbon, a sewn monogram,
by Lady Vowell Smith invitation design Jennie McClain Shannon and Gae Watson
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an embossed stamp, and vellum lend an artistic touch.
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Southern Living Weddings
Make the most of materials. Decorative papers, colorful cardstock, and delicate vellum give a professional look. But many other tools can turn a one-dimensional design into a work of art. Try using special scissors and cutters, embossing inks and powders, or wax seals. For embellishment, add ribbons, stickers, glitter, flat marbles, feathers, or buttons. Personalize your design. Incorporate elements that have significance to you and your mate, such as poems, artwork, pressed flowers, or charms.
Planning Makes Perfect
Do a test mailing. Before attempting a whole batch of invitations, make one complete ensemble, and send it to yourself to ensure that your design won’t encounter problems during mailing. Be on the lookout for crumpled paper, detached objects, smeared ink, and illegible lettering. Time yourself. Note the length of time it takes to complete one invitation, and multiply that by the number
of people on your guest list. This should help you determine how long the project will take from start to finish. Choose an envelope. Don’t wait until after you design your invitation to think about packaging. Find an envelope to hold the general size and shape of the invitation you have in mind, and then size the card slightly smaller to fit inside. For fragile designs, use an envelope box; for a scroll presentation, try a mailing tube. (to page 14)
Paperwork
Jennie and Gae found most of their papers, tools, and other materials by shopping
The Bottom Line
Figure the cost. Don’t assume that making your invitations will be a cost saver. If you have a short guest list, however, elaborate handmade invitations might be worth the investment. Keep it simple. One of the least expensive yet most interesting decorations for a wedding invitation is the stamped embossing (see instructions at the bottom of page 14). Ribbon also serves as a nice enhancement without adding a lot of expense. Price your packaging. Check current postal rates. They are generally higher for nonstandard-size pieces of mail, including square envelopes.
local crafts and art-supply stores, scrapbooking places, office-supply centers, and party outlets. In addition, here are a number of Web sites with great ideas for handmade invitations as well as the materials to make them.
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www.katespaperie.com (decorative papers) www.ledesktop.com (decorative papers and envelopes) www.twopeasinabucket.com (decorative papers) www.paperstyle.com (decorative papers) www.scrapbooksupply.com (decorative papers and tools) www.makingmemorieslast.com (decorative papers and tools) www.envelopemall.com (envelopes) www.apec-usa.com (envelopes) www.verseit.com (guidelines for invitation wording) www.eyewire.com (fonts) www.papermart.com (ribbon; click on “Gift”) www.annagriffin.com (scrapbook papers)
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Above: 1. Purchased flower stickers were placed on the card; a satin bow, attached with a glue gun, adds a whimsical accent. 2. The letter “K” was printed at 10% of the color value, glue was applied with a paintbrush, and glitter was sprinkled on top. 3. Blue vellum was layered over toile paper; sheer ribbon weaves through slits cut with a craft knife. For all invitations, Jennie and Gae suggest starting with a self-healing cutting mat and a paper cutter similar to the ones shown. To fold thick paper, use the cutter’s scoring attachment (the black attachment pictured).
Southern Living Weddings
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A wedding invitation can make a statement without being stately or stuffy. Have fun with colors and designs. Attach a starfish or a goldfish-bowl sticker to announce a ceremony by the sea. For a daintier look, decorate your invitation with delicate silk flowers. Or use a stamp and embossing powder for a classic design on boldly colored cardstock.
Words From the Wise
Know your paper and printer. Most decorative papers measure 81⁄2 x 11 inches or 12 x 12 inches, so be sure your design will fit. Also check to see that your printer can accommodate the paper’s size and thickness. Be careful with glue. Using glue can cause paper to pucker or wrinkle. Try photo-mounting squares or goodquality thin double-stick tape instead. Create a layered effect. Many decorative papers have a flimsy feel. To add weight, layer decorative paper over solid-colored cardstock. The heavier foundation will support such embellishments as charms or ribbons. G
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Above: 4. Using a glue gun, green rhinestones were affixed to purchased silk flowers; these were attached to the corners of vellum to secure it to the cardstock. 5. To give the effect of an embossed watermark for this invitation booklet, a printout of the couple’s names was made into a rubber stamp; using a watermark ink pad, the names were stamped onto the paper, sprinkled with clear embossing powder, and then heated with a heat dryer. SOURCES page 164
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Southern Living Weddings
PHOTOGRAPHS: WILLIAM DICKEY, BETH DREILING / STYLING: LESLIE BYARS SIMPSON