Basic Tools for DIY Invitations
How to Get Started Creating Your Own Wedding Invites
One of the best ways to personalize your wedding is to set the tone for the anticipated celebration by making your own wedding invitations. When you create wedding invitations, you're not limited to the designs that you see at the specialty paper store or online. Do it yourself wedding invitations give you the opportunity to save money, send out a wedding invitation that will be completely unique, and to be creative and enjoy some time collaborating with friends.
When guests receive handmade wedding invitations, they often pay more attention and notice small details. Also, guests who don't know you very well yet, such as a family member who has not seen you for a long time, or someone who only knows your future hubby, will enjoy receiving a specialized invitation that says something about the two of you as a couple.
Gather the Tools for Do it Yourself Wedding Invitations
Before you create wedding invitations, gather the proper tools and materials. You'll need:
- Scissors: Good scissors or other types of cutting tools such as a guillotine paper cutter for thicker, weightier papers, or a sliding blade paper trimmer for precision are absolutely essential. You will likely be doing a lot of cutting with this project, so purchase a high-quality paper cutter.
- Glue: Keep a couple different types of glue on hand. It's often a matter of experimentation; some glues work better than others, depending on the paper you choose to work with. Never use regular craft glue unless you're working with extremely thick paper, as it will almost always look messy. Glue sticks work well in many scenarios, as does glue spray. Glue dots are very reliable and perhaps the cleanest option. Glue pens are ideal when you need to be extremely precise with glue placement.
- Paper Punch: Paper punches are great for making decorative edges, adding embellishments, or creating textures and layers. This particular purchase may require some time and research to figure out what works best for the look of your invitation.
- Rubber Stamps and Inkpads: These are a great way to decorate your invitation on a budget. With stamps, choose images that fit your overall theme, whether they say “vintage,” “modern,” or are reminiscent of the season of your wedding.
- Decorative Paper: Decorative paper comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures; the choices can be overwhelming. Go with your intuition and choose what you are initially attracted to. Remember that if you like a certain design but may not want the actual invite to be printed on it, you can still use the paper for decoupage. Decoupage is the art of layering different pieces of paper together by glue, as if each paper were a different fabric. Decoupage naturally gives invitations a whimsical look, especially if you mix a few complementary designs that may not (at first glance) seem to go together. Remember, the fun is in creating something that's unusual and unexpected!
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