Are you dreaming of a romantic destination wedding? The first step in setting the tone for your special day starts with the perfect invitation.
Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have into the style and ambiance of your celebration. From tropical beach affairs to exotic mountaintop ceremonies, the design of your invitation can transport your loved ones to the destination even before they arrive. However, with so many design elements involved, where do you begin?
This guide on designing destination wedding invitations has you covered, so keep reading. Whether you envision traditional elegance or a modern twist for your wedding, you'll find the perfect invitation design tips here.
Decide on a Theme
The first step to designing destination wedding invitations is to decide on a theme. This will help you narrow down your color palette, font choices, and overall design.
Consider more natural tones and accents if you're having a ceremony in the forest or getting married in the fall. For example, shades of reds, oranges, and greens can work well with organic wedding paper and embellishments.
Alternatively, if you're getting married in a snow-capped lodge, cooler colors like blues, greys, and whites can bring your wedding invitations to life. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your destination wedding invitations:
-
Choose an easy-to-read font: You don't want your guests to have to squint to read your invitations
-
Include all of the necessary information: Guests need to know the date, time, location, and RSVP information
-
Add a personal touch: Your invitations should reflect your personality and your wedding style
Calculate Your Budget
The next thing to consider is to calculate your budget. This will help you narrow your options and ensure you don't overspend.
There are a few factors to consider when calculating your budget for destination wedding invitations. First, you need to decide how many invitations you need to send. This will depend on the size of your guest list.
Once you know how many invitations you need, you can estimate each invitation's cost. The cost of your invitations will vary depending on the materials you choose, the design, and the printing method. For example, a simple invitation with a digital print will be less expensive than an invitation with gold leaf embellishments and a letterpress print.
Browse for Inspiration
If you're not very creative (and that's ok!) or struggling to think of ideas for your destination wedding invitations, consider turning to the internet for inspiration. For instance, if you search a website like Pinterest for wedding invite ideas, you'll find a lot of elegant wedding invitation designs from 2023 to get you started.
You can also find inspiration by looking at wedding invitation samples from real weddings. Once you have a good idea of what you like, you can start to put your unique spin on the design. Here are three quick tips for browsing for inspiration:
Be Specific in Your Search Terms
If you're looking for a specific type of design, be sure to include that in your search. For example, if you're looking for wedding RSVP inspiration, type in "creative RSVP cards for wedding invitations."
Narrow Your Search Results
Once you've found a few results you like, use the filters on the website to narrow your search results. This will help you to find more relevant inspiration.
Save Your Favorite Designs
As you browse, save your favorite designs to a Pinterest board or a folder on your computer. This will make it easy to reference them later when you start working with a designer on your invitations.
Choose the Right Materials
Choosing the best materials for your destination wedding invitations is crucial to nailing the right design. You can choose from several types of paper, each with its unique look and feel.
-
Solid white cardstock: This is a classic choice for a tight budget that is always in style
-
Colored cardstock: This is a great way to add personality to your invitations; choose a color that matches your wedding theme
-
Cotton cardstock: This is an excellent option for environmentally friendly wedding invites
-
Vellum: This sheer paper is delicate and elegant, and it's a great way to add a touch of sophistication to your invitations
-
Felt cardstock: This type of paper is soft and plush, and it's perfect for a whimsical or playful wedding
-
Parchment paper: This paper has a warm, aged look that is perfect for a rustic or vintage wedding
No matter what type you choose, make sure it's high-quality paper for wedding invitation cards and thick enough to withstand the wear and tear of being mailed. You also want to ensure the paper is compatible with your printing method.
Invite Wording: Traditional or Modern?
Once you've finalized your destination wedding invitation design, it's time to choose your wording. There are a few different ways to go, depending on your style and the formality of your event.
-
Traditional: Traditional wedding invitations are formal, elegant, and classic, focusing on the bride and groom's names and the wedding date. They may also include information such as the ceremony's time, the reception's location, and the dress code.
-
Modern: Modern wedding invitations are typically less formal than traditional invitations and may include more personal touches. They may also be more creative in their wording, using unique fonts, colors, and graphics.
Casual
Casual wedding invitations are the least formal option and may be used for informal weddings or elopements. They may be handwritten or typed and include only some of the traditional information, such as the time of the ceremony or the dress code.
Become an Ace at Designing Destination Wedding Invitations
Designing destination wedding invitations can be a fun and creative process. While you must consider several elements and factors, knowing your options is critical to creating the perfect destination wedding invite.
Consider your theme and budget before beginning, and if you're stuck for ideas, head to the internet for inspiration. When your design is complete, choose a writing style that matches, and you're all set.
At AlphaGraphics, our expert designers make designing destination wedding invitations a breeze. Visit our website to send us a file, get a quote, or get directions. Alternatively, call us at (602) 858-1705.