| Wedding invitations can be quite expensive. By | | | | paper. Remember to keep the graphic small so |
| simply using your computer and following some | | | | that it adds interest, but does not overwhelm the |
| basic instructions you can create your own quality | | | | invitation. |
| bridal stationary and save a substantial amount of | | | | Step 3: Attaching The Printed Invite To The |
| money in the process. Even those who do not | | | | Background |
| consider themselves "crafty" can easily put | | | | Here are a few methods which you can use to |
| together their own unique invitations using heavy | | | | attach your printed paper to the background: |
| stock paper and some embellishments. | | | | Glue the entire piece down. Using paper glue or |
| Step 1: Choose a Background That Reflects Your | | | | small dollops of hot glue carefully dot the corners |
| Wedding Colors and Theme | | | | and edges of the translucent paper and center it |
| Begin by choosing a heavy stock paper with a | | | | over the background. For added embellishments |
| distinctive color, texture or print. This background | | | | you may wish to glue on a small ribbon bow, tiny |
| paper should compliment the theme and colors of | | | | silk flower, add a pretty sticker, or perhaps wrap |
| your wedding. Be sure the weight of the paper is | | | | a contrasting paper or silk ribbon band around the |
| at least 65 lb weight or more, depending on how | | | | invitation. |
| sturdy you want the background paper to be. As | | | | Fasten the papers together at the top. Using a |
| this paper will not be printed on, you need not | | | | small hole punch, make two holes through both |
| worry if it will feed through your printer. Cut the | | | | papers near the top. Tie the paper together using |
| paper to the size you wish your invitation to be. | | | | thin silk ribbons, raffia, small tassels or decorative |
| By cutting an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet in half your | | | | metal fasteners. |
| invitation will be 4 1/2" x 5 1/2", which should be | | | | Use a faux wax seal to secure your invitation. At |
| suitable for your purposes. | | | | the top, be sure to have your wax partly on the |
| Step 2: Select a Lightweight, Sheer Paper For | | | | thin paper and partly on the background paper. |
| Printing | | | | Use a metal seal to press down into the wax. |
| This is the paper where you will print the wording | | | | Once dry it will hold the two papers together. You |
| for your invitation. It will be secured on top of the | | | | may want to dab a bit of glue between the |
| background paper. Look for a translucent type of | | | | papers first for extra assurance. There are |
| paper in a solid color. Some choices are: tracing | | | | several faux wax seal kits that you can purchase |
| paper, vellum, or rice paper. | | | | in order to do this. If you want to save some |
| Measure and cut the paper so that it is slightly | | | | money, you can also make your own "wax seal" |
| smaller than the background. This will give your | | | | by using colored hot glue gun wax, although I |
| wedding invitation a nice solid border along the | | | | would suggest practicing first on scrap paper so |
| edges, creating a more professional look. Once | | | | you can get an idea of how much hot glue you |
| you have your wording typed out and adjusted | | | | need to make a proper "seal". |
| to fit properly (when printed), set your printer to | | | | More Wedding Stationary Ideas That You Can |
| "economy" or "draft" mode. This allows the least | | | | Make |
| amount of ink to print on the paper making it | | | | Don't stop at just wedding invitations. Use the |
| harder to smudge - a good tip for those using an | | | | above methods to create matching reply cards, |
| ink jet printer. | | | | wedding programs, and thank-you notes. Your |
| You may wish to add a small wedding graphic as | | | | guests will be impressed with the uniqueness of |
| well. You could place a graphic at the bottom | | | | your invitations and you will be pleasantly |
| center of the page or if you have a nice corner | | | | surprised at how fun and easy creating your own |
| graphic, you could embellish the 4 corners of the | | | | wedding stationary can be. |