DIY Wedding Invitations & Programs

Wedding invitations announce the details of your event.

Wedding invitations provide your guests with the first glimpse into the wedding couple's style, according to MarthaStewartWeddings.com. The style of the invitation lets guests know whether to expect a whimsical, playful affair or a traditional, black-tie event. Whatever way you're leaning, there are many resources available to make your invitations yourself. You'll find do-it-yourself wedding invitation kits at most crafts stores; online resources also make it possible for you to buy the supplies and use available templates to make your invitations without purchasing a kit. According to celebrity event planner Colin Cowie, you can make chic wedding invitations without spending a lot of money.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Printer
• Card stock
• Envelopes
• Scissors or paper trimmer
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Decide on the colors and level of formality of your wedding. You need to make those decisions to pick the wording and template for your invitations. You'll find it easy to create an invitation from a predesigned template--you'll need only to fill in the blanks.

2. Determine what template you will use for your invitations and download it. Some websites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com and DownloadandPrint.com, offer free templates. (See Resources.)

3. Choose the wording of your invitations, and carefully check the date and the spelling of names and places. Type the wording into the invitation template.

4. Load card stock into your printer, and print your invitations. If using a Download & Print template, you must use Microsoft Word as your word-processing program, and the site recommend using a paper trimmer to cut the paper to the appropriate size.

5. Use a template to print coordinated RSVP cards for your invitations, and print them on card stock. Trim paper to appropriate size.

6. Determine the order of your wedding service and the names of the wedding party. Type the information into a word processing program, and print it on white copy paper to make the inside of your program. Make adjustments for the paper to fit on the inside of the card stock you will use for the outside of the programs. Trim the paper so the dimensions are slightly smaller than the card stock.

7. Print the exterior of the programs on card stock using a template. Apply glue to the reverse side of the white paper and paste it into the inside of the program. Carefully fold your programs.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the round part of a pen to ensure smooth creases on your programs.

References

• Martha Stewart Weddings: Invitation Basics
• Colin Cowie: Wedding Chic--Invitations
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Invitations in Color
• Download & Print: Invitation Template

Resources

• Download & Print: Free Invitation Templates
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Invitation Wording
• Design Betty: Free Printable Wedding Invitations & Announcements
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Program, Menu and Stationery Templates
• Martha Stewart Weddings: In Full Bloom Wedding Stationary How-To