DIY Wedding Cards

Let your wedding card display your individual style.

Contemporary brides and grooms who want wedding cards that show their unique personalities often choose to design and create their own. From the invitation to the place cards to the thank-you notes, well-coordinated wedding cards establish your wedding theme and give guests a hint of what to expect on your special day. With a little creativity and/or computer know-how, do-it-yourself wedding cards will prove a practical alternative for showcasing your distinct style.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Printer
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Paper cutter
• Envelopes
• Glue or glue-gun
• Ribbons, beads and other accessories

Instructions

1. Create a wedding theme that truly represents your personality as a couple. Whether it be Victorian, eclectic or bohemian, your wedding theme sets the parameters for all the other details, including your wedding cards. Cards with a uniform look help reinforce your theme and bespeak a well-planned, well-executed wedding.

2. Coordinate your invitations with the colors of your wedding. Everything from the paper and envelopes, to the font color and other details such as ribbons, beads and ornaments should follow the same color motif. For example, beach wedding invitations usually come in an assortment of blue, sea green and sand, while Victorian-themed wedding cards are commonly done in cream, pale pink and ivory.

3. Research to gain inspiration for the design as well as the wording of your wedding cards. Several wedding websites offer a selection of wordings and designs according to a range of themes and degree of formality of the affair. Use them as a guide or trust your instincts to help you create one---completely from scratch---for a personalized wedding card.

4. Sketch your ideas before producing the layout on your computer. The sketches will serve as your guide. Create a final layout with which both the bride and groom will be pleased.

5. Design your card using the software you're most comfortable with, or make the cards by hand. If you choose to do it by hand, either write the text yourself or enlist the help of a calligrapher, depending on the degree of formality of your wedding.

6. Add any embellishments. Enlist the help of your bridesmaids if you're creating a more intricate wedding card; use the experience as a special bonding moment among yourself and your girlfriends. Ask them to help you put the cards in their double envelopes and address the invites, as well.

References

• Do It Yourself Weddings: Do It Yourself Wedding Invitations
• My Gatsby.com: DIY Wedding Invitations