Make Your own Wedding Invitation Envelopes

Tips, Ideas, and Templates for Making Wedding Invitation Envelopes

make wedding invitation envelopes The one problem I sometimes run across when making handmade invitations is finding the envelopes to match. If you are not too picky, finding an envelope that is at least acceptable is not too hard. But what if you really want a matching set? What if you just plain have something in mind that you can't find anywhere? The best way to get exactly what you want is to make it yourself. So, No. I don't stop at just making wedding invitations, but even go on to making handmade wedding invitation envelopes to match. Not too shabby!

Yes, this kind of project can be tedious. But if you are ambitious and have a lot of help then go for it! You'll be glad you did. I promise.

Supplies and tools needed to make your own wedding invitation envelopes:

card stock (at least 8 1/2" by 11")
decorative paper or scrapbooking paper
glue runner or adhesive
paper trimmer with scoring attachment
(optional tools)
exacto knife
ruler
cutting mat

To start you will need to choose a matching card stock and decorative paper. The card stock will form the outer shell of the envelope, and the decorative paper will be the lining. Vellum is also a nice choice for a lining.

To make things a bit easy on you, I have included a printable template to make these handmade envelopes. The templates come in two sizes. The smaller size if for an invitation or card sized at 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and will fit the invitation quite snuggly. The second template is for a larger invitation size and will fit a 5" by 7" card or invitation. I also quite like the idea of using both for a matching set of wedding invitation envelopes which can fit one inside the other. The smaller can be for a reply card or something of the sort.

How To Make These Handmade Envelopes

Step One: Start by using my printable templates. There are two ways that you can use these templates. For one, you can print the template onto some heavy card stock to create a stencil. This is what I did to create the invitations on this page. You simply use a pencil to trace the shape onto your chosen card stock and cut each one out using the lines of the stencil as a guide.
The second way to use the templates would be to simply print the template straight onto your chosen card stock and cut out the shape from there.

make your own wedding invitation envelopes

Step Two: Cut the card stock to create the envelope shape. I recommend using either a paper trimmer with a sliding attachment (scoring attachment too, will come in handy later) or use cutting blade (like an exacto knife) along with a cutting mat. Using the exacto knife will take longer most likely but you have a bit more control. Use whichever floats your boat!
The best way to cut these out is to cut just within the lines so that you are not left with any icky black ink or pencil marks on the inside of your wedding invitation envelopes.

Step Three: Here comes the tricky part. After you have cut out the envelopes you must score them to make them fold correctly. Scoring is simply making an indent in a straight line to encourage the paper to fold cleanly and easily in exactly the right place.
Really, the easiest way to accomplish this is to use a sliding paper trimmer with a scoring attachment. These paper cutters are not all that expensive.
Find the places on the envelope that you want folded and line them up with the scoring tool. There will be a clear line on the paper trimmer at which to line it up with. Slide the scoring toll over the paper and Viola! Repeat this step on all flaps that need to be folded.

scoring handmade invitations

making handmade invitations

Step Four: Cut out the lining for your wedding invitation envelopes. This is easy. Many scrapbooking papers come with a grid of cutting lines on the back to make this part really, really easy. Otherwise there is a liner included in my printable envelope templates. Simply cut out the paper to the appropriate size and then score it where the fold of the envelope will be. The easiest way to score it I think, is to simply hold the paper in place so that it is centered between the middle part of the envelope. Hold a ruler across the fold as a guideline. Now use something like the end of a pen cap (something a bit pointy) and run it over the score in the envelope. You'll get an instant score. It is easier to achieve because the decorative paper is thinner than card stock.

Step Five: Glue the liner into place. My favorite glue to use is a permanent adhesive glue runner. These little tools are awesome because they are super easy to use and make no mess whatsoever. Plus, they will not warp or wrinkle the paper like other adhesives and glues will. You need a very minimal amount for the paper to stick. Simply roll the glue on the outer edges and near the seam where the paper will fold.

make handmade envelopes

Step Six: Fold the handmade envelope and glue into place. Now just fold all the edges inward. Place a small amount of adhesive on the outer edges of the bottom flap and press into place.

make a wedding invitation envelope